2 esdras 5:13 - To show you such tokens I have leave; and if you will pray again, and weep as now, and fast seven days, you shall hear yet greater things than these.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 esdras 5:13" mean?
This verse comes from a section in 2 Esdras where Ezra is deeply troubled by the state of the world and the suffering of his people. He's been praying and lamenting to God, questioning why the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper. In response to his prayers, an angel appears to him to offer divine guidance and reveal future events. Let's break down the verse:
"To show you such tokens I have leave": This refers to the visions, signs, and answers the angel has already given Ezra. The angel is saying that he has been authorized (has "leave") by God to reveal these initial "tokens" or signs to Ezra. These tokens are likely the previous revelations the angel has given Ezra regarding the signs of the end times.
"and if you will pray again, and weep as now, and fast seven days": This sets conditions for further revelation. The angel is telling Ezra that if he continues his fervent prayers, expresses deep sorrow ("weep as now"), and engages in a seven-day fast, he will be granted even greater understanding. Fasting, prayer, and weeping are all common expressions of deep repentance and devotion in the Jewish tradition. The seven-day fast is particularly significant, representing a period of intense dedication and spiritual purification.
"you shall hear yet greater things than these": This promises more profound and significant revelations. If Ezra fulfills the conditions of prayer, weeping, and fasting, he will receive further insights and knowledge that surpass the "tokens" he's already received. This implies that the initial revelations were just a glimpse, and there's much more to be revealed about God's plan and the future.
In essence, the verse means:
The angel confirms that he is authorized to give Ezra the initial signs and revelations he has shown him. Furthermore, if Ezra dedicates himself to more intense prayer, mourning, and a seven-day fast, he will be granted even deeper and more significant knowledge of God's plan and the future. It highlights the importance of continued devotion and spiritual seeking to unlock greater understanding of divine mysteries.
Contextual significance:
Encouragement: The verse serves as a form of encouragement to Ezra, who is clearly distressed. It suggests that God is listening and is willing to reveal more if Ezra persists in his pursuit of understanding.
Conditionality of Revelation: It underscores that divine revelation is not always automatic but often requires sincere effort, devotion, and spiritual preparation.
Promise of Greater Understanding: It creates anticipation for more profound revelations to come, suggesting that Ezra's journey of understanding is just beginning.
In summary, 2 Esdras 5:13 underscores the importance of continued prayer, repentance, and spiritual discipline as a means to receiving deeper divine revelation. It’s a message of hope and encouragement, suggesting that God rewards those who earnestly seek to understand His ways.
2 esdras 5:13 - To show you such tokens I have leave; and if you will pray again, and weep as now, and fast seven days, you shall hear yet greater things than these.
What does "2 esdras 5:13" mean?
This verse comes from a section in 2 Esdras where Ezra is deeply troubled by the state of the world and the suffering of his people. He's been praying and lamenting to God, questioning why the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper. In response to his prayers, an angel appears to him to offer divine guidance and reveal future events. Let's break down the verse:
"To show you such tokens I have leave": This refers to the visions, signs, and answers the angel has already given Ezra. The angel is saying that he has been authorized (has "leave") by God to reveal these initial "tokens" or signs to Ezra. These tokens are likely the previous revelations the angel has given Ezra regarding the signs of the end times.
"and if you will pray again, and weep as now, and fast seven days": This sets conditions for further revelation. The angel is telling Ezra that if he continues his fervent prayers, expresses deep sorrow ("weep as now"), and engages in a seven-day fast, he will be granted even greater understanding. Fasting, prayer, and weeping are all common expressions of deep repentance and devotion in the Jewish tradition. The seven-day fast is particularly significant, representing a period of intense dedication and spiritual purification.
"you shall hear yet greater things than these": This promises more profound and significant revelations. If Ezra fulfills the conditions of prayer, weeping, and fasting, he will receive further insights and knowledge that surpass the "tokens" he's already received. This implies that the initial revelations were just a glimpse, and there's much more to be revealed about God's plan and the future.
In essence, the verse means:
The angel confirms that he is authorized to give Ezra the initial signs and revelations he has shown him. Furthermore, if Ezra dedicates himself to more intense prayer, mourning, and a seven-day fast, he will be granted even deeper and more significant knowledge of God's plan and the future. It highlights the importance of continued devotion and spiritual seeking to unlock greater understanding of divine mysteries.
Contextual significance:
Encouragement: The verse serves as a form of encouragement to Ezra, who is clearly distressed. It suggests that God is listening and is willing to reveal more if Ezra persists in his pursuit of understanding.
Conditionality of Revelation: It underscores that divine revelation is not always automatic but often requires sincere effort, devotion, and spiritual preparation.
Promise of Greater Understanding: It creates anticipation for more profound revelations to come, suggesting that Ezra's journey of understanding is just beginning.
In summary, 2 Esdras 5:13 underscores the importance of continued prayer, repentance, and spiritual discipline as a means to receiving deeper divine revelation. It’s a message of hope and encouragement, suggesting that God rewards those who earnestly seek to understand His ways.