1 esdras 1:58 - Until the land has enjoyed her Sabbaths, the whole time of her desolation shall she keep Sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

Generated Verse: 1 esdras 1:58

What does "1 esdras 1:58" mean?


The verse you quoted, "Until the land has enjoyed her Sabbaths, the whole time of her desolation shall she keep Sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years," (1 Esdras 1:58) refers to the prophecy concerning the Babylonian exile and the resulting desolation of the land of Judah. It essentially means:

"Until the land has enjoyed her Sabbaths..." - This speaks of the land of Judah not being properly rested and cultivated according to God's law. The Israelites were commanded to let the land rest every seventh year, a "Sabbath year" where no crops were planted. This was part of their covenant with God. This verse implies they had neglected this commandment.
"...the whole time of her desolation shall she keep Sabbath..." - Because the Israelites failed to give the land its mandated rest, the exile and desolation of the land during the Babylonian captivity served as a forced "Sabbath" for the land.
"...to fulfil threescore and ten years." - The exile would last for 70 years, during which time the land would remain desolate and effectively experience the accumulated Sabbath years that had been neglected.

In essence, the verse is a theological explanation for the 70-year Babylonian exile: It portrays the exile as a divine punishment for the Israelites' failure to observe the Sabbath year. The land's desolation for 70 years served as a way for it to "catch up" on the Sabbaths it had been denied.

Historical Context:

This verse directly echoes the prophecy found in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Jeremiah 29:10 and 2 Chronicles 36:21. These passages explain the exile as a consequence of disobedience to God's laws.
1 Esdras is a Greek version of portions of the Hebrew Bible (primarily 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah). It is considered canonical in the Eastern Orthodox Church, but not in Protestant or Jewish traditions.

Significance:

Divine Justice: The verse illustrates the concept of divine justice and the consequences of disobedience.
Importance of Sabbath: It emphasizes the importance of keeping God's commandments, specifically the Sabbath year, not just as a ritual but as a matter of covenant faithfulness.
Restoration: While the verse speaks of punishment, it also implies a future restoration after the 70 years, when the land would once again be cultivated.

In summary, 1 Esdras 1:58 presents the Babylonian exile as a period of enforced rest for the land of Judah, compensating for the Sabbath years that the Israelites had neglected to observe, fulfilling a prophecy of 70 years of desolation.

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