This verse from 1 Esdras 2:27 describes a historical period characterized by internal conflict and external domination. Let's break it down:
"and the men were given to rebellion and war therein:" This signifies a time of internal strife within Jerusalem. The people were prone to rebellion and engaged in warfare amongst themselves. This suggests a lack of unity and a period of political instability.
"and that mighty kings and fierce were in Jerusalem, who reigned and exacted tribute in Coelesyria and Phoenicia." This describes a situation where powerful and ruthless kings ruled in Jerusalem. However, their power extended beyond Jerusalem to Coelesyria (the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon) and Phoenicia (the coastal area of modern-day Lebanon and parts of Syria and Israel). These kings extracted tribute, meaning they demanded taxes or payments, from these regions, indicating their control or dominance over them.
In essence, the verse depicts a period where Jerusalem was ruled by strong but harsh kings who suppressed internal dissent and expanded their power outwards, extracting resources from neighboring territories.
Historical Context:
It's important to remember that 1 Esdras is considered an apocryphal or deuterocanonical book by many, meaning it's not part of the canonical Hebrew Bible/Old Testament for some denominations. Therefore, its historical accuracy can be debated. It's also thought to be based on or parallel to books in the Hebrew Bible such as 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
The verse likely refers to a period in the history of the Kingdom of Judah, possibly during the reigns of kings who were involved in wars and conflicts with neighboring powers. It's a reflection on a time of hardship, internal strife, and external oppression.
Meaning & Interpretation:
The verse serves as a historical overview, setting the stage for events that follow in the book. It highlights a time of moral and political decay, which could be interpreted as a reason for the eventual Babylonian exile and subsequent need for restoration that is described later in the book.
It paints a picture of Jerusalem as a place that had fallen from grace, beset by internal rebellion and ruled by kings who were more concerned with power and extracting tribute than with justice and righteousness.
This verse from 1 Esdras 2:27 describes a historical period characterized by internal conflict and external domination. Let's break it down:
"and the men were given to rebellion and war therein:" This signifies a time of internal strife within Jerusalem. The people were prone to rebellion and engaged in warfare amongst themselves. This suggests a lack of unity and a period of political instability.
"and that mighty kings and fierce were in Jerusalem, who reigned and exacted tribute in Coelesyria and Phoenicia." This describes a situation where powerful and ruthless kings ruled in Jerusalem. However, their power extended beyond Jerusalem to Coelesyria (the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon) and Phoenicia (the coastal area of modern-day Lebanon and parts of Syria and Israel). These kings extracted tribute, meaning they demanded taxes or payments, from these regions, indicating their control or dominance over them.
In essence, the verse depicts a period where Jerusalem was ruled by strong but harsh kings who suppressed internal dissent and expanded their power outwards, extracting resources from neighboring territories.
Historical Context:
It's important to remember that 1 Esdras is considered an apocryphal or deuterocanonical book by many, meaning it's not part of the canonical Hebrew Bible/Old Testament for some denominations. Therefore, its historical accuracy can be debated. It's also thought to be based on or parallel to books in the Hebrew Bible such as 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
The verse likely refers to a period in the history of the Kingdom of Judah, possibly during the reigns of kings who were involved in wars and conflicts with neighboring powers. It's a reflection on a time of hardship, internal strife, and external oppression.
Meaning & Interpretation:
The verse serves as a historical overview, setting the stage for events that follow in the book. It highlights a time of moral and political decay, which could be interpreted as a reason for the eventual Babylonian exile and subsequent need for restoration that is described later in the book.
It paints a picture of Jerusalem as a place that had fallen from grace, beset by internal rebellion and ruled by kings who were more concerned with power and extracting tribute than with justice and righteousness.