1 esdras 3:24 - O sirs, is not wine the strongest, seeing that it enforces to do thus? And when he had so spoken, he held his peace.
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What does "1 esdras 3:24" mean?
This verse is part of a larger argument being made about what is the strongest force in the world. In 1 Esdras 3, three guards in the court of King Darius each offer a speech arguing for the superior power of wine, the king, and women (along with truth).
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its context:
"O sirs, is not wine the strongest, seeing that it enforces to do thus?" This is the guard arguing for wine. He's appealing to those listening (likely his fellow guards and perhaps others) by posing a rhetorical question. He asserts that wine is the strongest force because it enforces people "to do thus." What exactly is "thus"? It refers back to the examples he has just provided in the preceding verses (1 Esdras 3:18-23): people drink wine and become uninhibited, losing control, forgetting sorrow, and becoming capable of doing things they wouldn't normally do (like speaking out against authority). Wine compels behavior through its intoxicating effects. It makes people act in ways they otherwise wouldn't.
"And when he had so spoken, he held his peace." This simply means that the guard finished his speech and stopped talking. He's presented his argument and now awaits the others' responses.
In essence, the verse means:
The speaker claims that wine is the most powerful force because it makes people act in unpredictable and often uncontrollable ways. He concludes his argument and falls silent, anticipating the response.
The Larger Context:
It's important to remember that this is a contest of wits. The guards are trying to impress King Darius. The "winner" of the argument is handsomely rewarded. This entire episode is a literary device used to introduce the story of Zerubbabel, who ends up arguing for the strength of truth and winning the contest. The story of Zerubbabel then leads into the account of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
1 esdras 3:24 - O sirs, is not wine the strongest, seeing that it enforces to do thus? And when he had so spoken, he held his peace.
What does "1 esdras 3:24" mean?
This verse is part of a larger argument being made about what is the strongest force in the world. In 1 Esdras 3, three guards in the court of King Darius each offer a speech arguing for the superior power of wine, the king, and women (along with truth).
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its context:
"O sirs, is not wine the strongest, seeing that it enforces to do thus?" This is the guard arguing for wine. He's appealing to those listening (likely his fellow guards and perhaps others) by posing a rhetorical question. He asserts that wine is the strongest force because it enforces people "to do thus." What exactly is "thus"? It refers back to the examples he has just provided in the preceding verses (1 Esdras 3:18-23): people drink wine and become uninhibited, losing control, forgetting sorrow, and becoming capable of doing things they wouldn't normally do (like speaking out against authority). Wine compels behavior through its intoxicating effects. It makes people act in ways they otherwise wouldn't.
"And when he had so spoken, he held his peace." This simply means that the guard finished his speech and stopped talking. He's presented his argument and now awaits the others' responses.
In essence, the verse means:
The speaker claims that wine is the most powerful force because it makes people act in unpredictable and often uncontrollable ways. He concludes his argument and falls silent, anticipating the response.
The Larger Context:
It's important to remember that this is a contest of wits. The guards are trying to impress King Darius. The "winner" of the argument is handsomely rewarded. This entire episode is a literary device used to introduce the story of Zerubbabel, who ends up arguing for the strength of truth and winning the contest. The story of Zerubbabel then leads into the account of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.