Lamentations 1:15
The LORD hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the LORD hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.
Lamentations 1:15
Verse 15 intensifies the scene: “The LORD hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me.” The imagery of crushing, trampling, and crushing the young men in the city’s center captures the totality of military defeat and social devastation. The reference to the “carrier” or “virgin, the daughter of Judah” being trodden as in a winepress is stark and painful, conveying sexual violence, humiliation, and the breakdown of communal life. The winepress metaphor emphasizes the forceful extraction of life and dignity from the people, an agrarian image repurposed to convey brutality. The verse shows that even the strongest leaders and strongest segments of society are overwhelmed, underscoring the total collapse of the city’s defenses and social order. The lament voice names the depth of suffering and the seeming triumph of the enemy.
Theologically, the verse underscores the seriousness of sin’s consequences on all strata of society, including women and youth. It highlights God’s sovereignty in raising up judgment and using it to discipline. The imagery raises questions about innocence, guilt, and collective responsibility, while pointing to the hope of vindication and restoration that emerges later in the book. It also reminds readers that God’s discipline can tear down human structures to renew them in righteousness.
In contemporary life, the verse can translate into recognizing how systemic failures—oppression, violence, economic breakdown—punish the most vulnerable. It calls for solidarity with the vulnerable and active efforts to protect and uplift those harmed. Practically, churches and communities can respond by advocating for justice, providing relief for the wounded, and fostering leadership that prioritizes mercy and reform. The image of trampling can also be a metaphor for personal defeat; in such moments, the call is to seek God’s strength, gather community support, and pursue rebuilding with integrity and grace. It affirms that even when strong structures fail, God’s broader plan includes renewal.
Cross-References: Isaiah 63:3-6; Psalm 44:10-11; Nahum 3:19; Jeremiah 51:34; 2 Chronicles 20:11