Lamentations 3:10
New International Version
Like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding,

New Living Translation
He has hidden like a bear or a lion, waiting to attack me.

English Standard Version
He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding;

Berean Standard Bible
He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush.

King James Bible
He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.

New King James Version
He has been to me a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in ambush.

New American Standard Bible
He is to me like a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in secret places.

NASB 1995
He is to me like a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in secret places.

NASB 1977
He is to me like a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in secret places.

Legacy Standard Bible
He is to me like a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in secret places.

Amplified Bible
He is to me like a bear lying in wait, And like a lion [hiding] in secret places.

Christian Standard Bible
He is a bear waiting in ambush, a lion in hiding.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He is a bear waiting in ambush, a lion in hiding.

American Standard Version
He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.

Contemporary English Version
God was like a bear or a lion waiting in ambush for me;

English Revised Version
He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He is like a bear waiting to ambush me, like a lion in hiding.

Good News Translation
He waited for me like a bear; he pounced on me like a lion.

International Standard Version
He is like a bear that lies in wait for me, a lion in hiding.

Majority Standard Bible
He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush.

NET Bible
To me he is like a bear lying in ambush, like a hidden lion stalking its prey.

New Heart English Bible
He is to me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in hiding.

Webster's Bible Translation
He was to me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.

World English Bible
He is to me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in hiding.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A bear lying in wait He [is] to me, "" A lion in secret hiding places.

Young's Literal Translation
A bear lying in wait He is to me, A lion in secret hiding-places.

Smith's Literal Translation
He is to me a bear lying in wait, a lion in secret places.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Daleth. He is become to me as a bear lying in wait: as a lion in secret places.

Catholic Public Domain Version
DALETH. He has become to me like a bear lying in ambush, like a lion in hiding.

New American Bible
He has been a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding!

New Revised Standard Version
He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He has been to me as a wolf lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Daleth For a wolf was lying in wait for me and a lion in a secret place
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, As a lion in secret places.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
he has troubled me, as a she-bear lying in wait: he is to me as a lion in secret places.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah's Afflictions
9He has barred my ways with cut stones; He has made my paths crooked. 10He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush. 11He forced me off my path and tore me to pieces; He left me without help.…

Cross References
Hosea 13:7-8
So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. / Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast tearing them apart.

Jeremiah 5:6
Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous.

Amos 3:8
The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?

Job 10:16
Should I hold my head high, You would hunt me like a lion, and again display Your power against me.

Psalm 10:9
He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.

Isaiah 38:13
I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.

Ezekiel 22:25
The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her.

Psalm 17:12
like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.

2 Samuel 17:10
Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

Proverbs 28:15
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

John 10:12
The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.

Acts 20:29
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

Revelation 13:2
The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.


Treasury of Scripture

He was to me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.

unto

Job 10:16
For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.

Isaiah 38:13
I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

Hosea 5:14
For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.

in secret

Psalm 10:9
He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

Psalm 17:12
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

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Bear Hiding Lying Places Secret Wait Waiting
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Bear Hiding Lying Places Secret Wait Waiting
Lamentations 3
1. The prophet bewails his own calamities
22. By the mercies of God, he nourishes his hope
37. He acknowledges God's justice
55. He prays for deliverance
64. And vengeance on his enemies














Like a bear lying in wait
The imagery of a "bear lying in wait" evokes a sense of danger and unpredictability. In the Hebrew context, the word for "bear" (דֹּב, dov) is often associated with ferocity and strength. Bears in the ancient Near East were known for their sudden and powerful attacks, symbolizing a threat that is both imminent and overwhelming. This phrase suggests a situation where the speaker feels trapped and vulnerable, much like prey unaware of the predator's presence. Historically, the bear is a symbol of God's judgment, reflecting the severity and inevitability of divine retribution. The bear's ambush parallels the unexpected and often harsh trials faced by the Israelites, reminding believers of the need for vigilance and reliance on God's protection.

like a lion in hiding
The "lion in hiding" further amplifies the sense of danger. The Hebrew word for "lion" (אַרְיֵה, aryeh) is frequently used in the Bible to denote power and majesty, but also fear and destruction. Lions were common in the regions surrounding ancient Israel and were known for their stealth and strength. This phrase conveys the idea of a powerful adversary waiting to pounce, symbolizing the hidden threats and challenges that can suddenly emerge in life. In a spiritual sense, the lion represents the trials that test faith and character. Theologically, this imagery serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers face, urging them to remain steadfast and trust in God's deliverance. The dual imagery of the bear and lion underscores the intensity of the speaker's plight, yet also points to the hope that God, who is mightier than any earthly threat, is ultimately in control.

(10) As a bear . . . as a lion.--The figure found in Hosea 13:8; Amos 5:19, is specially characteristic of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 4:7; Jeremiah 5:6; Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44). We are reminded of Dante (Inferno, i. 31-51). . . . Verse 10. - Was; rather, is. As a bear...as a lion. The comparison of the enemy to a lion is not uncommon; see e.g. Jeremiah 4:7; Jeremiah 5:6 (see note); 49:19; 1:44; Psalm 10:9; Psalm 17:12; Job 10:16. The bear is only once mentioned in such a context (Hosea 13:8). The two latter passages may possibly have been in the mind of the writer, as Jehovah is in both the subject of the comparison.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He
הוּא֙ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is a bear
דֹּ֣ב (dōḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1677: The bear

lying in wait,
אֹרֵ֥ב (’ō·rêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 693: To lie in wait

a lion
אֲרִ֖י (’ă·rî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

in hiding.
בְּמִסְתָּרִֽים׃ (bə·mis·tā·rîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4565: A secret place, hiding place


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OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:10 He is to me as a bear (Lam. La Lm)
Lamentations 3:9
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