2 esdras 4:36 - And to them Jeremiel the archangel gave answer, and said, Even when the number is fulfilled of those who are like to you. For he has weighed the world in the balance;
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What does "2 esdras 4:36" mean?
This verse from 2 Esdras 4:36 is part of a longer conversation between the prophet Ezra and the archangel Jeremiel. Ezra is questioning God about the suffering of the righteous and when God will bring about the end times and judgment. Jeremiel's response is cryptic, typical of apocalyptic literature. Let's break down the meaning:
"And to them Jeremiel the archangel gave answer, and said..." This establishes the context: Jeremiel, a divine messenger, is responding to Ezra's persistent questions about the timing of God's intervention.
"Even when the number is fulfilled of those who are like to you." This is the core of the response. It suggests that there is a predetermined number of righteous individuals who are like Ezra. This number needs to be completed before the end can come. "Like to you" likely refers to those who are faithful, righteous, and suffering in the face of injustice, mirroring Ezra's own experience and spiritual struggle. This concept of a predetermined number of righteous individuals is also found in other apocalyptic literature (e.g., Revelation 6:11).
"For he has weighed the world in the balance;" This statement connects to the idea of judgment and divine justice. The image of weighing the world in the balance implies that God has meticulously evaluated humanity's actions, both good and evil. The balance suggests a careful assessment of the world's moral condition. It reinforces that the timing of the end is dependent on God's judgment, which is based on the overall weight of righteousness versus wickedness.
In essence, the verse means:
Jeremiel is telling Ezra that the end will come only when God's preordained number of righteous people (those who share Ezra's qualities of faith and suffering) is reached. God is meticulously judging the world, and the end is contingent upon reaching that divinely appointed count and the completion of God's weighing of the world.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
Predestination vs. Free Will: The verse raises questions about predestination versus free will. Is the number of the righteous fixed, or can people choose to become righteous? Apocalyptic literature often incorporates elements of both.
Theodicy: The passage wrestles with the problem of evil. The end is delayed until the full complement of the righteous is present, implying that God allows evil to continue until His plan is complete.
Hope and Endurance: Despite the delay, the verse offers hope. It assures the righteous that their suffering is not in vain, and that there is a divine plan at work. It encourages endurance and faithfulness in the face of adversity.
Hidden Knowledge: The fact that the timing is known only to God and his messengers (like Jeremiel) is typical of apocalyptic literature, which often reveals secret knowledge about the future.
In conclusion, this verse is a complex and layered response to Ezra's questioning, dealing with the timing of the end times, God's judgment, and the role of the righteous in fulfilling God's plan. It offers a message of hope and endurance, even amidst suffering and uncertainty.
2 esdras 4:36 - And to them Jeremiel the archangel gave answer, and said, Even when the number is fulfilled of those who are like to you. For he has weighed the world in the balance;
What does "2 esdras 4:36" mean?
This verse from 2 Esdras 4:36 is part of a longer conversation between the prophet Ezra and the archangel Jeremiel. Ezra is questioning God about the suffering of the righteous and when God will bring about the end times and judgment. Jeremiel's response is cryptic, typical of apocalyptic literature. Let's break down the meaning:
"And to them Jeremiel the archangel gave answer, and said..." This establishes the context: Jeremiel, a divine messenger, is responding to Ezra's persistent questions about the timing of God's intervention.
"Even when the number is fulfilled of those who are like to you." This is the core of the response. It suggests that there is a predetermined number of righteous individuals who are like Ezra. This number needs to be completed before the end can come. "Like to you" likely refers to those who are faithful, righteous, and suffering in the face of injustice, mirroring Ezra's own experience and spiritual struggle. This concept of a predetermined number of righteous individuals is also found in other apocalyptic literature (e.g., Revelation 6:11).
"For he has weighed the world in the balance;" This statement connects to the idea of judgment and divine justice. The image of weighing the world in the balance implies that God has meticulously evaluated humanity's actions, both good and evil. The balance suggests a careful assessment of the world's moral condition. It reinforces that the timing of the end is dependent on God's judgment, which is based on the overall weight of righteousness versus wickedness.
In essence, the verse means:
Jeremiel is telling Ezra that the end will come only when God's preordained number of righteous people (those who share Ezra's qualities of faith and suffering) is reached. God is meticulously judging the world, and the end is contingent upon reaching that divinely appointed count and the completion of God's weighing of the world.
Key Interpretations and Implications:
Predestination vs. Free Will: The verse raises questions about predestination versus free will. Is the number of the righteous fixed, or can people choose to become righteous? Apocalyptic literature often incorporates elements of both.
Theodicy: The passage wrestles with the problem of evil. The end is delayed until the full complement of the righteous is present, implying that God allows evil to continue until His plan is complete.
Hope and Endurance: Despite the delay, the verse offers hope. It assures the righteous that their suffering is not in vain, and that there is a divine plan at work. It encourages endurance and faithfulness in the face of adversity.
Hidden Knowledge: The fact that the timing is known only to God and his messengers (like Jeremiel) is typical of apocalyptic literature, which often reveals secret knowledge about the future.
In conclusion, this verse is a complex and layered response to Ezra's questioning, dealing with the timing of the end times, God's judgment, and the role of the righteous in fulfilling God's plan. It offers a message of hope and endurance, even amidst suffering and uncertainty.