2 esdras 10:4 - And I do now purpose not to return into the city, but here to stay, and neither to eat nor drink, but continually to mourn and to fast until I die.
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What does "2 esdras 10:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Esdras 10:4 expresses a deep state of grief, despair, and commitment to mourning. Let's break it down:
"And I do now purpose not to return into the city...": The speaker has made a firm decision not to go back to the city (likely Jerusalem, though context can vary). This implies the city holds painful memories or represents something the speaker can no longer bear.
"...but here to stay...": The speaker intends to remain where they are (which, earlier in chapter 10, is in a field), suggesting a withdrawal from society and a desire to be alone with their grief.
"...and neither to eat nor drink...": This is a vow of fasting. Abstaining from food and drink is a traditional expression of intense mourning, repentance, and supplication in Jewish and Christian contexts.
"...but continually to mourn and to fast until I die.": This is the most powerful part. The speaker intends to engage in relentless mourning and fasting until death. It shows a complete loss of hope and a belief that life is no longer worth living without what has been lost. This is an extreme expression of despair.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Profound Grief and Despair: The speaker is devastated, likely by the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people, as 2 Esdras (also called 4 Ezra) deals with these themes.
Withdrawal from Society: The speaker rejects the city and the normal patterns of life, choosing isolation.
Self-Sacrifice: The speaker is willing to sacrifice their own life through fasting to express the depth of their sorrow and perhaps to seek God's mercy.
A Sense of Loss: The speaker's connection to their community, their land, and possibly their faith has been so deeply wounded that they see no future worth living for.
Context within 2 Esdras:
2 Esdras is an apocalyptic text written during a time of great crisis for the Jewish people. The book explores themes of suffering, divine justice, and theodicy (the problem of evil). The speaker's despair is a reflection of the collective trauma experienced by the Jewish people during this period. It is not necessarily a model for proper behavior but rather an extreme example of the emotional impact of profound loss and a questioning of God's plan.
It is important to note that the speaker's extreme actions are not necessarily endorsed by the text. The book often presents different perspectives and challenges the reader to grapple with difficult theological questions.
2 esdras 10:4 - And I do now purpose not to return into the city, but here to stay, and neither to eat nor drink, but continually to mourn and to fast until I die.
What does "2 esdras 10:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Esdras 10:4 expresses a deep state of grief, despair, and commitment to mourning. Let's break it down:
"And I do now purpose not to return into the city...": The speaker has made a firm decision not to go back to the city (likely Jerusalem, though context can vary). This implies the city holds painful memories or represents something the speaker can no longer bear.
"...but here to stay...": The speaker intends to remain where they are (which, earlier in chapter 10, is in a field), suggesting a withdrawal from society and a desire to be alone with their grief.
"...and neither to eat nor drink...": This is a vow of fasting. Abstaining from food and drink is a traditional expression of intense mourning, repentance, and supplication in Jewish and Christian contexts.
"...but continually to mourn and to fast until I die.": This is the most powerful part. The speaker intends to engage in relentless mourning and fasting until death. It shows a complete loss of hope and a belief that life is no longer worth living without what has been lost. This is an extreme expression of despair.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Profound Grief and Despair: The speaker is devastated, likely by the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people, as 2 Esdras (also called 4 Ezra) deals with these themes.
Withdrawal from Society: The speaker rejects the city and the normal patterns of life, choosing isolation.
Self-Sacrifice: The speaker is willing to sacrifice their own life through fasting to express the depth of their sorrow and perhaps to seek God's mercy.
A Sense of Loss: The speaker's connection to their community, their land, and possibly their faith has been so deeply wounded that they see no future worth living for.
Context within 2 Esdras:
2 Esdras is an apocalyptic text written during a time of great crisis for the Jewish people. The book explores themes of suffering, divine justice, and theodicy (the problem of evil). The speaker's despair is a reflection of the collective trauma experienced by the Jewish people during this period. It is not necessarily a model for proper behavior but rather an extreme example of the emotional impact of profound loss and a questioning of God's plan.
It is important to note that the speaker's extreme actions are not necessarily endorsed by the text. The book often presents different perspectives and challenges the reader to grapple with difficult theological questions.