2 esdras 2:41 - The number of your children, whom you long for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of the Lord, that your people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed.
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What does "2 esdras 2:41" mean?
2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra) is an apocryphal book, meaning it's not considered canonical scripture by many Christian denominations, but it's valuable for understanding Jewish and early Christian thought. This verse (2 Esdras 2:41) is part of a vision of consolation and hope for the righteous, specifically in a time of suffering and perceived abandonment. Let's break down the verse:
"The number of your children, whom you long for, is fulfilled": This suggests that the number of the righteous who are destined for salvation is now complete. The "children" here are not necessarily literal offspring, but rather those who are faithful and follow God's ways. The "longing" expresses the deep desire for this fulfillment to come to pass, perhaps after a period of hardship and loss. It signifies that the group of righteous believers is now whole.
"beseech the power of the Lord": This is a call to prayer, urging the faithful to plead with God for his strength and intervention. It acknowledges that ultimate power and salvation come from God alone.
"that your people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed.": This speaks of a chosen people, predestined by God from the beginning. "Hallowed" means to be made holy, consecrated, or set apart for God's purposes. This part of the verse is a request that God sanctify the chosen people, that they may be made pure and worthy in his sight. This could also refer to the desire for the chosen people to live in a way that reflects God's holiness and purpose for them.
In essence, the verse speaks of:
The completion of a predetermined group of righteous individuals.
A call to fervent prayer for God's power and intervention.
A plea for the sanctification and consecration of God's chosen people.
Contextual understanding within 2 Esdras:
2 Esdras is a book written in response to the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (70 CE). It wrestles with themes of suffering, the problem of evil, and the apparent triumph of the wicked. Visions of hope and consolation, like this verse, are presented to encourage the faithful to remain steadfast during times of tribulation. The emphasis on the "chosen people" and their being "hallowed" likely reflects a desire for spiritual renewal and a restoration of God's favor after the devastating events that befell the Jewish people.
Potential interpretations:
A Messianic Interpretation: Some might see the "children" as referring to the followers of the Messiah, and the fulfillment as the completion of the number of those who would believe.
An Eschatological Interpretation: Others might view it as referring to the final judgment and the gathering of the righteous at the end of time.
A Call to Personal Holiness: Another interpretation emphasizes that the fulfillment is connected to actively seeking God's holiness, which allows for a personal transformation into a consecrated and righteous person.
Regardless of the specific interpretation, the verse offers a message of hope and encouragement, urging the faithful to persevere in prayer and to strive for holiness, trusting that God will ultimately fulfill his promises to his chosen people.
2 esdras 2:41 - The number of your children, whom you long for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of the Lord, that your people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed.
What does "2 esdras 2:41" mean?
2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra) is an apocryphal book, meaning it's not considered canonical scripture by many Christian denominations, but it's valuable for understanding Jewish and early Christian thought. This verse (2 Esdras 2:41) is part of a vision of consolation and hope for the righteous, specifically in a time of suffering and perceived abandonment. Let's break down the verse:
"The number of your children, whom you long for, is fulfilled": This suggests that the number of the righteous who are destined for salvation is now complete. The "children" here are not necessarily literal offspring, but rather those who are faithful and follow God's ways. The "longing" expresses the deep desire for this fulfillment to come to pass, perhaps after a period of hardship and loss. It signifies that the group of righteous believers is now whole.
"beseech the power of the Lord": This is a call to prayer, urging the faithful to plead with God for his strength and intervention. It acknowledges that ultimate power and salvation come from God alone.
"that your people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed.": This speaks of a chosen people, predestined by God from the beginning. "Hallowed" means to be made holy, consecrated, or set apart for God's purposes. This part of the verse is a request that God sanctify the chosen people, that they may be made pure and worthy in his sight. This could also refer to the desire for the chosen people to live in a way that reflects God's holiness and purpose for them.
In essence, the verse speaks of:
The completion of a predetermined group of righteous individuals.
A call to fervent prayer for God's power and intervention.
A plea for the sanctification and consecration of God's chosen people.
Contextual understanding within 2 Esdras:
2 Esdras is a book written in response to the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (70 CE). It wrestles with themes of suffering, the problem of evil, and the apparent triumph of the wicked. Visions of hope and consolation, like this verse, are presented to encourage the faithful to remain steadfast during times of tribulation. The emphasis on the "chosen people" and their being "hallowed" likely reflects a desire for spiritual renewal and a restoration of God's favor after the devastating events that befell the Jewish people.
Potential interpretations:
A Messianic Interpretation: Some might see the "children" as referring to the followers of the Messiah, and the fulfillment as the completion of the number of those who would believe.
An Eschatological Interpretation: Others might view it as referring to the final judgment and the gathering of the righteous at the end of time.
A Call to Personal Holiness: Another interpretation emphasizes that the fulfillment is connected to actively seeking God's holiness, which allows for a personal transformation into a consecrated and righteous person.
Regardless of the specific interpretation, the verse offers a message of hope and encouragement, urging the faithful to persevere in prayer and to strive for holiness, trusting that God will ultimately fulfill his promises to his chosen people.