METAPHORS AND PERCEPTIONS OF SUFFERING IN THE LAMENTS OF THE HEBREW BIBLE

Abstract

Laments are an integral and essential part of the Hebrew Bible. This paper explores the metaphorical descriptions of suffering and their implications for understanding the perception, subjective experience and theological interpretation of suffering. The investigation focuses on two actors: God, who causes suffering passively, through non-involvement, or actively, by inflicting pain, and the human being who experiences pain as personal dissolution and conflict with God.