2 esdras 9:17 - And he answered me, saying, Just as the field is, so also the seed; and as the flowers be, such are the colors also; and such as the work is, such also is the judgement thereon; and as is the husbandman, so is his threshing floor also. For there was a time in the world,
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 9:17" mean?
2 Esdras 9:17 is a dense and metaphorical verse, but its overall meaning revolves around the principle of cause and effect and the idea that what you put in determines what you get out. Let's break it down:
"And he answered me, saying, Just as the field is, so also the seed...": This speaks to the importance of preparation and foundation. A barren or poorly prepared field will yield poor results, regardless of the seed planted. A fertile, well-tilled field, on the other hand, is conducive to a good harvest. In a broader sense, it suggests that the conditions and environment in which something is planted or starts significantly influence its outcome.
"...and as the flowers be, such are the colors also...": This line highlights the correlation between the quality of the "flowers" (representing the starting material or actions) and the resulting colors (representing the outcome or consequences). Vibrant and healthy flowers will naturally produce vibrant colors, while sickly or weak flowers will yield dull or faded ones. This implies a direct link between the inherent nature or quality of a thing and the results it produces.
"...and such as the work is, such also is the judgement thereon...": This is a powerful statement about accountability. The quality of the work done (whether it's righteous or wicked, diligent or lazy) directly influences the judgment that will be rendered upon it. Good deeds will be rewarded, and evil deeds will be punished. This emphasizes divine justice and the consequences of our actions.
"...and as is the husbandman, so is his threshing floor also...": The husbandman represents the worker or the individual responsible for cultivation. A skilled and righteous husbandman will have a well-maintained and productive threshing floor (the place where grain is separated from the chaff). Conversely, a lazy or corrupt husbandman will have a neglected and inefficient threshing floor. It emphasizes the importance of personal character and integrity. The husbandman's character directly affects the quality of his work and the outcome he achieves.
"For there was a time in the world...": This phrase indicates that the speaker is about to provide a context or rationale for these statements, implying that these principles have been in place since the beginning of time.
In essence, the verse is a complex metaphor arguing that our actions, preparations, and character determine our fate. It's a deterministic view, suggesting that the consequences we experience are directly related to the seeds we sow and the kind of "husbandman" we are. It emphasizes individual responsibility and the importance of righteousness in the face of impending judgment, a central theme in 2 Esdras. The verse serves as a warning and an encouragement to strive for goodness and uprightness.
2 esdras 9:17 - And he answered me, saying, Just as the field is, so also the seed; and as the flowers be, such are the colors also; and such as the work is, such also is the judgement thereon; and as is the husbandman, so is his threshing floor also. For there was a time in the world,
What does "2 esdras 9:17" mean?
2 Esdras 9:17 is a dense and metaphorical verse, but its overall meaning revolves around the principle of cause and effect and the idea that what you put in determines what you get out. Let's break it down:
"And he answered me, saying, Just as the field is, so also the seed...": This speaks to the importance of preparation and foundation. A barren or poorly prepared field will yield poor results, regardless of the seed planted. A fertile, well-tilled field, on the other hand, is conducive to a good harvest. In a broader sense, it suggests that the conditions and environment in which something is planted or starts significantly influence its outcome.
"...and as the flowers be, such are the colors also...": This line highlights the correlation between the quality of the "flowers" (representing the starting material or actions) and the resulting colors (representing the outcome or consequences). Vibrant and healthy flowers will naturally produce vibrant colors, while sickly or weak flowers will yield dull or faded ones. This implies a direct link between the inherent nature or quality of a thing and the results it produces.
"...and such as the work is, such also is the judgement thereon...": This is a powerful statement about accountability. The quality of the work done (whether it's righteous or wicked, diligent or lazy) directly influences the judgment that will be rendered upon it. Good deeds will be rewarded, and evil deeds will be punished. This emphasizes divine justice and the consequences of our actions.
"...and as is the husbandman, so is his threshing floor also...": The husbandman represents the worker or the individual responsible for cultivation. A skilled and righteous husbandman will have a well-maintained and productive threshing floor (the place where grain is separated from the chaff). Conversely, a lazy or corrupt husbandman will have a neglected and inefficient threshing floor. It emphasizes the importance of personal character and integrity. The husbandman's character directly affects the quality of his work and the outcome he achieves.
"For there was a time in the world...": This phrase indicates that the speaker is about to provide a context or rationale for these statements, implying that these principles have been in place since the beginning of time.
In essence, the verse is a complex metaphor arguing that our actions, preparations, and character determine our fate. It's a deterministic view, suggesting that the consequences we experience are directly related to the seeds we sow and the kind of "husbandman" we are. It emphasizes individual responsibility and the importance of righteousness in the face of impending judgment, a central theme in 2 Esdras. The verse serves as a warning and an encouragement to strive for goodness and uprightness.