2 esdras 15:47 - woe to you, you wretch, because you have made yourself like to her; you have decked your daughters in whoredom, that they might please and glory in your lovers, which have always desired you to commit whoredom withal!
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What does "2 esdras 15:47" mean?
This verse, 2 Esdras 15:47, is part of a longer prophetic pronouncement against a specific entity, likely a city or nation, that the author of 2 Esdras believes has become wicked and deserving of divine judgment. Let's break down the key components:
"Woe to you, you wretch...": This is a common formula in prophetic literature, a declaration of impending disaster and suffering. The word "wretch" emphasizes the pitiable and contemptible state of the one being addressed.
"...because you have made yourself like to her...": This suggests the target has emulated another, likely a previously condemned entity or a symbol of wickedness (possibly Babylon, a common symbol in apocalyptic literature). By imitating this negative example, the target has embraced the same evils.
"...you have decked your daughters in whoredom...": This is a metaphor. "Daughters" often represent the people or cities within the targeted entity. "Decked in whoredom" implies that they have been corrupted and encouraged to engage in immoral or idolatrous practices. This isn't necessarily literal prostitution (though it could include that), but rather a symbolic representation of spiritual infidelity or unfaithfulness to God. The "decking" suggests a deliberate act of enticement and presentation.
"...that they might please and glory in your lovers...": This clarifies the motive behind the "whoredom." The people are engaging in these corrupt practices to please and gain favor from their "lovers." These "lovers" likely represent foreign powers, idols, or other sources of allegiance that are not God. To "glory" in these "lovers" means to boast about and find pride in these allegiances, further abandoning God's covenant.
"...which have always desired you to commit whoredom withal!": This emphasizes that the "lovers" have consistently encouraged and sought the spiritual infidelity of the targeted entity. It portrays a manipulative and persistent influence driving the people away from righteousness. "Withal" is an archaic word meaning "with it" or "besides."
In essence, the verse is a condemnation of a society that has deliberately corrupted its people (the "daughters") by encouraging them to engage in immoral and idolatrous practices in order to gain favor from and align themselves with foreign powers or idols. This spiritual infidelity is seen as a betrayal of God and a cause for divine judgment.
Context within 2 Esdras:
It's vital to understand this verse within the context of 2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra in some traditions). 2 Esdras is an apocalyptic text written during a time of crisis (likely after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE). It grapples with questions of divine justice, suffering, and the fate of Israel. The prophecies within 2 Esdras are often filled with vivid imagery and warnings of judgment against the wicked nations. The target of this verse is most likely Rome or another nation perceived as an oppressor of Israel.
2 esdras 15:47 - woe to you, you wretch, because you have made yourself like to her; you have decked your daughters in whoredom, that they might please and glory in your lovers, which have always desired you to commit whoredom withal!
What does "2 esdras 15:47" mean?
This verse, 2 Esdras 15:47, is part of a longer prophetic pronouncement against a specific entity, likely a city or nation, that the author of 2 Esdras believes has become wicked and deserving of divine judgment. Let's break down the key components:
"Woe to you, you wretch...": This is a common formula in prophetic literature, a declaration of impending disaster and suffering. The word "wretch" emphasizes the pitiable and contemptible state of the one being addressed.
"...because you have made yourself like to her...": This suggests the target has emulated another, likely a previously condemned entity or a symbol of wickedness (possibly Babylon, a common symbol in apocalyptic literature). By imitating this negative example, the target has embraced the same evils.
"...you have decked your daughters in whoredom...": This is a metaphor. "Daughters" often represent the people or cities within the targeted entity. "Decked in whoredom" implies that they have been corrupted and encouraged to engage in immoral or idolatrous practices. This isn't necessarily literal prostitution (though it could include that), but rather a symbolic representation of spiritual infidelity or unfaithfulness to God. The "decking" suggests a deliberate act of enticement and presentation.
"...that they might please and glory in your lovers...": This clarifies the motive behind the "whoredom." The people are engaging in these corrupt practices to please and gain favor from their "lovers." These "lovers" likely represent foreign powers, idols, or other sources of allegiance that are not God. To "glory" in these "lovers" means to boast about and find pride in these allegiances, further abandoning God's covenant.
"...which have always desired you to commit whoredom withal!": This emphasizes that the "lovers" have consistently encouraged and sought the spiritual infidelity of the targeted entity. It portrays a manipulative and persistent influence driving the people away from righteousness. "Withal" is an archaic word meaning "with it" or "besides."
In essence, the verse is a condemnation of a society that has deliberately corrupted its people (the "daughters") by encouraging them to engage in immoral and idolatrous practices in order to gain favor from and align themselves with foreign powers or idols. This spiritual infidelity is seen as a betrayal of God and a cause for divine judgment.
Context within 2 Esdras:
It's vital to understand this verse within the context of 2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra in some traditions). 2 Esdras is an apocalyptic text written during a time of crisis (likely after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE). It grapples with questions of divine justice, suffering, and the fate of Israel. The prophecies within 2 Esdras are often filled with vivid imagery and warnings of judgment against the wicked nations. The target of this verse is most likely Rome or another nation perceived as an oppressor of Israel.