2 esdras 6:5 - and ere the present years were sought out, and or ever the imaginations of those who now sin were estranged, before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure:

Generated Verse: 2 esdras 6:5

What does "2 esdras 6:5" mean?


This verse from 2 Esdras 6:5 is part of a larger prayer of lament and questioning by the prophet Ezra to God. It's asking God to consider the time before the current state of the world, the time before the perceived injustice and suffering. Let's break down each phrase:

"and ere the present years were sought out": This is asking God to consider the time before the present era, the time before the world as it currently exists was established or searched out. It refers to a primordial time, before the present difficulties began. This implies that the present era is a period of trouble and that Ezra is calling upon God to remember a more perfect, innocent time before this era began.

"and or ever the imaginations of those who now sin were estranged": This refers to a time before the minds/thoughts of those who are currently sinning became alienated or separated from God. It speaks to a state of innocence, a time when humanity was not yet inclined to wickedness, and their thoughts were not corrupted or turned away from righteousness. 'Estranged' here suggests a separation from a natural, good state.

"before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure": This speaks to the righteous, those who have found and cherished faith as a treasure. "Sealed" here likely means marked or chosen. The passage is stating it was before the righteous were marked or chosen that they were set apart for their faith. It suggests that the faithful were somehow preordained or predestined to become the righteous.

In summary, the verse is asking God to look back to a time before the following:

The present troubled world came into being.
The minds of sinners became corrupted and turned away from God.
The righteous were identified and set apart for their faith.

Overall Meaning and Context

This verse is a plea to God within the context of Ezra's deep distress over the suffering of the righteous and the apparent triumph of the wicked. He's asking God to remember a time before the current state of affairs, a time of innocence and perfection. It's a cry for justice and a longing for a restoration of a lost ideal. The verse is part of a larger prayer by Ezra where he is pleading to God on behalf of Israel. The prophet is asking why his people suffer so much, and why they are not delivered by God. This verse emphasizes that the prophet is asking God to remember His promise of salvation for His people.

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