2 esdras 10:9 - For ask the earth, and she shall tell you, that it is she which ought to mourn for so many that grow upon her.
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What does "2 esdras 10:9" mean?
The verse "For ask the earth, and she shall tell you, that it is she which ought to mourn for so many that grow upon her," from 2 Esdras 10:9, is a powerful lament that expresses the earth's grief and weariness over the wickedness and suffering of humanity. Let's break it down:
"For ask the earth...": This suggests that the earth itself is a witness and a source of truth. It's a rhetorical device emphasizing the obviousness of the situation. Anyone can observe the state of the world and understand its burden.
"...and she shall tell you...": The earth is personified, given the ability to speak. This highlights the idea that the earth's condition and suffering are so profound that they are practically audible.
"...that it is she which ought to mourn...": This is the core of the verse. The earth is the proper one to mourn, not the people. The implication is that humanity has failed to mourn their own sins and the consequences of their actions, so the earth bears the burden of grief for them.
"...for so many that grow upon her.": "Grow upon her" refers to the people who inhabit the earth. The phrase implies that these people are a burden, like weeds or parasites, causing harm and drawing life from the earth without giving anything back. "So many" emphasizes the scale of the problem. The earth is overburdened by the sheer number of wicked and suffering humans.
In essence, the verse conveys these ideas:
The world is in a state of deep suffering.
Humanity is the cause of this suffering through their wickedness and folly.
The earth itself is burdened by the actions of humanity.
The earth, rather than humanity, is rightfully mourning the state of affairs.
The verse suggests a reversal of roles. Instead of humans nurturing and caring for the earth, they are a source of pain for it.
Context within 2 Esdras:
2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra in some versions) is an apocalyptic text that explores themes of suffering, theodicy (the problem of evil), and the future of Israel. The book is filled with visions and dialogues in which the author wrestles with God's justice in the face of overwhelming despair. This verse appears in a section where the author is deeply distressed by the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of his people.
Significance:
The verse reflects a sense of ecological awareness and a recognition of the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world. It speaks to the consequences of human actions on the environment and suggests that the earth itself is a victim of human sin. It is also a reminder that we should be mindful of our responsibility to care for the earth and to act in ways that are sustainable and just. In modern terms, one can see it as a premonition of ecological disaster.
2 esdras 10:9 - For ask the earth, and she shall tell you, that it is she which ought to mourn for so many that grow upon her.
What does "2 esdras 10:9" mean?
The verse "For ask the earth, and she shall tell you, that it is she which ought to mourn for so many that grow upon her," from 2 Esdras 10:9, is a powerful lament that expresses the earth's grief and weariness over the wickedness and suffering of humanity. Let's break it down:
"For ask the earth...": This suggests that the earth itself is a witness and a source of truth. It's a rhetorical device emphasizing the obviousness of the situation. Anyone can observe the state of the world and understand its burden.
"...and she shall tell you...": The earth is personified, given the ability to speak. This highlights the idea that the earth's condition and suffering are so profound that they are practically audible.
"...that it is she which ought to mourn...": This is the core of the verse. The earth is the proper one to mourn, not the people. The implication is that humanity has failed to mourn their own sins and the consequences of their actions, so the earth bears the burden of grief for them.
"...for so many that grow upon her.": "Grow upon her" refers to the people who inhabit the earth. The phrase implies that these people are a burden, like weeds or parasites, causing harm and drawing life from the earth without giving anything back. "So many" emphasizes the scale of the problem. The earth is overburdened by the sheer number of wicked and suffering humans.
In essence, the verse conveys these ideas:
The world is in a state of deep suffering.
Humanity is the cause of this suffering through their wickedness and folly.
The earth itself is burdened by the actions of humanity.
The earth, rather than humanity, is rightfully mourning the state of affairs.
The verse suggests a reversal of roles. Instead of humans nurturing and caring for the earth, they are a source of pain for it.
Context within 2 Esdras:
2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra in some versions) is an apocalyptic text that explores themes of suffering, theodicy (the problem of evil), and the future of Israel. The book is filled with visions and dialogues in which the author wrestles with God's justice in the face of overwhelming despair. This verse appears in a section where the author is deeply distressed by the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of his people.
Significance:
The verse reflects a sense of ecological awareness and a recognition of the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world. It speaks to the consequences of human actions on the environment and suggests that the earth itself is a victim of human sin. It is also a reminder that we should be mindful of our responsibility to care for the earth and to act in ways that are sustainable and just. In modern terms, one can see it as a premonition of ecological disaster.