1 esdras 3:18 - and said thus, O sirs, how exceeding strong is wine! it causes all men to err that drink it:
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What does "1 esdras 3:18" mean?
This verse, taken from 1 Esdras 3:18, is part of a speech given by one of the three guards of King Darius who have made a wager. Each guard argues what is the strongest thing in the world. This first guard argues that wine is the strongest because it makes people lose their inhibitions, good judgment, and self-control.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"and said thus, O sirs...": This sets the scene and introduces the guard's argument to his fellow guards.
"...how exceeding strong is wine!": This is the central claim. The guard is emphasizing the immense power or influence of wine.
"...it causes all men to err that drink it:": This is the reasoning behind the claim. The guard believes that wine is strong because it leads people to make mistakes ("err"). The implication is that it impairs judgment and leads to actions people might later regret.
In essence, the guard argues that wine is powerful because it can override a person's reason and lead them astray. This is a common theme throughout history and literature - the intoxicating and potentially destructive effects of alcohol.
It's important to consider the context: The guards are competing to prove which is the strongest force, so this statement is somewhat hyperbolic. The guard isn't necessarily advocating for complete abstinence but rather highlighting the potentially overwhelming power of wine to influence human behavior. He's setting the stage for the other guards to argue their points (about the King and women, respectively) and to then have Zerubbabel offer the winning argument (about truth).
1 esdras 3:18 - and said thus, O sirs, how exceeding strong is wine! it causes all men to err that drink it:
What does "1 esdras 3:18" mean?
This verse, taken from 1 Esdras 3:18, is part of a speech given by one of the three guards of King Darius who have made a wager. Each guard argues what is the strongest thing in the world. This first guard argues that wine is the strongest because it makes people lose their inhibitions, good judgment, and self-control.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"and said thus, O sirs...": This sets the scene and introduces the guard's argument to his fellow guards.
"...how exceeding strong is wine!": This is the central claim. The guard is emphasizing the immense power or influence of wine.
"...it causes all men to err that drink it:": This is the reasoning behind the claim. The guard believes that wine is strong because it leads people to make mistakes ("err"). The implication is that it impairs judgment and leads to actions people might later regret.
In essence, the guard argues that wine is powerful because it can override a person's reason and lead them astray. This is a common theme throughout history and literature - the intoxicating and potentially destructive effects of alcohol.
It's important to consider the context: The guards are competing to prove which is the strongest force, so this statement is somewhat hyperbolic. The guard isn't necessarily advocating for complete abstinence but rather highlighting the potentially overwhelming power of wine to influence human behavior. He's setting the stage for the other guards to argue their points (about the King and women, respectively) and to then have Zerubbabel offer the winning argument (about truth).