Lamentations - 3:38



38 Doesn't evil and good come out of the mouth of the Most High?

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Lamentations 3:38.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Out of the mouth of the Most High cometh there not evil and good?
Mem. Shall not both evil and good proceed out of the mouth of the Highest?
Out of the mouth of the Most High doth not there proceed evil and good?
From the mouth of the Most High Go not forth the evils and the good.
Out of the mouth of the most High proceeds not evil and good?
Doesn't both calamity and good come out of the mouth of the Most High?
MEM. Does not both misfortune and good proceed from the mouth of the Most High?
Ex ore Excelsi non egredietur malum et bonum (vel, quasi non egrediatur malum et bonum ex ore Excelsi?)

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not (s) evil and good?
(s) That is, adversity and prosperity, (Amos 3:6).

Out of the mouth of the most High proceed not evil and good? Certainly they do; they come to pass, both one and the other, as God has pronounced, and his will determined; even "evils", as it is in the plural number; not the evil of sin, or of fault; this comes not out of the mouth of God, but is forbidden and condemned by him; much less is he the author of it, or tempter to it; indeed it is not without his knowledge, nor in some sense without his will; not with his will of approbation, but by his permissive will, which he suffers to be, and overrules for good; but evils here design the judgments of God, or punishment inflicted on sinners, and chastisement on his own people; the evil of affliction, or adverse dispensations of providence, Isaiah 45:7; they are all by his appointment; he has said or determined what shall be the kind and nature of them; the measure, how far they shall go; and the duration, how long they shall last; and the end and use of them; see Job 2:10; and so all good comes from God, who is goodness itself; all created good, as every creature of God is good; every good thing in providence; all temporal good things; as to have a being; to be preserved in it; to have a habitation to dwell in; to have food and raiment, health and long life; these are all by the appointment of God, and according to the determination of his will: all spiritual good things are purposed, promised, and prepared by him in council and covenant; the great good of all, salvation by Christ; this is what God has appointed his son far, and his people to, and fixed the time of it, and all things relating to it; the effectual calling of the redeemed ones is according to his purpose and grace; the persons, thing itself, time, place, and means; also eternal glory and happiness, which is the kingdom prepared, the crown laid up, and inheritance reserved in heaven, according to the purpose of God; all good things, in time and eternity, are as God has pronounced them.

evil . . . good--Calamity and prosperity alike proceed from God (Job 2:10; Isaiah 45:7; Amos 3:6).

Evil - Doth not evil or trouble come out of God's mouth from his direction, and providence, as well as good?

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