2 esdras 7:46 - But as touching them for whom my prayer was made, what shall I say? for who is there of those who are alive that has not sinned, and who of the sons of men that has not transgressed your covenant?

Generated Verse: 2 esdras 7:46

What does "2 esdras 7:46" mean?


This verse from 2 Esdras 7:46 expresses a profound sense of despair and recognition of universal human sinfulness. Let's break it down:

"But as touching them for whom my prayer was made...": This refers back to a previous section where Ezra was pleading with God on behalf of his people, likely the Israelites who had suffered exile and hardship. He's now reflecting on the effectiveness of his prayers for their salvation.

"...what shall I say?": Ezra is at a loss for words. He's grappling with the question of why his people continue to suffer, and he struggles to find an adequate explanation or argument.

"...for who is there of those who are alive that has not sinned...": This is the core of the verse. Ezra acknowledges the universality of sin. He recognizes that no one is perfect and that all living humans are prone to wrongdoing.

"...and who of the sons of men that has not transgressed your covenant?": This further emphasizes the idea. Not only do people generally sin, but they also specifically violate the covenant (the agreement) that God made with them. This covenant violation is a significant act of disobedience, adding to the weight of their transgressions.

In essence, the verse is a lament and an admission of universal sinfulness. Ezra is struggling to reconcile God's justice with the suffering of his people, and he concludes that one reason for their plight is the pervasive nature of sin within humanity. No one is innocent, and everyone has broken God's covenant. It reflects a pessimistic view of humanity's inherent tendency towards sin and challenges the idea of a perfectly righteous group deserving of salvation.

This verse highlights a major theme in 2 Esdras, which is the problem of theodicy (the question of how to reconcile the existence of a benevolent God with the existence of evil and suffering in the world). Ezra grapples with this problem throughout the book, and this verse is a key expression of his despair and frustration with the apparent injustice of God's dealings with humanity.

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