This verse from 1 Esdras 4:26 is part of a contest held by King Darius among three of his guards to determine what is the strongest force in the world. The guards each give a speech arguing their chosen force: wine, the king, and women (and truth).
The verse you cited is part of the speech arguing that women are the strongest force. Let's break it down:
"Yes, many there be that have run out of their wits for women..." This means that a large number of men have lost their minds, acted irrationally, or been driven to insanity because of their infatuation with women. They have become so obsessed or blinded by love that they've lost their common sense and good judgment.
"...and become bondmen for their sakes." A "bondman" is a slave or a person held in servitude. This suggests that men have become enslaved, metaphorically or literally, by their desires for women. They have willingly sacrificed their freedom, independence, and dignity to please or obtain a woman.
In essence, the verse argues that women have tremendous power because men will often do foolish, even self-destructive, things for them, including giving up their autonomy and becoming like slaves. It emphasizes the idea that men are easily swayed by their feelings for women.
Context within the story: It's important to remember this is one argument among others. The entire point of the story is to debate which is the strongest force: wine, the king, women, or truth. In the end, truth prevails, being declared the strongest.
This verse from 1 Esdras 4:26 is part of a contest held by King Darius among three of his guards to determine what is the strongest force in the world. The guards each give a speech arguing their chosen force: wine, the king, and women (and truth).
The verse you cited is part of the speech arguing that women are the strongest force. Let's break it down:
"Yes, many there be that have run out of their wits for women..." This means that a large number of men have lost their minds, acted irrationally, or been driven to insanity because of their infatuation with women. They have become so obsessed or blinded by love that they've lost their common sense and good judgment.
"...and become bondmen for their sakes." A "bondman" is a slave or a person held in servitude. This suggests that men have become enslaved, metaphorically or literally, by their desires for women. They have willingly sacrificed their freedom, independence, and dignity to please or obtain a woman.
In essence, the verse argues that women have tremendous power because men will often do foolish, even self-destructive, things for them, including giving up their autonomy and becoming like slaves. It emphasizes the idea that men are easily swayed by their feelings for women.
Context within the story: It's important to remember this is one argument among others. The entire point of the story is to debate which is the strongest force: wine, the king, women, or truth. In the end, truth prevails, being declared the strongest.
