4 maccabees 16:10 - Ah, that I who had many and fair children, should be a lone widow full of sorrows!
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What does "4 maccabees 16:10" mean?
This verse, taken from 4 Maccabees 16:10, expresses the immense grief and loss of a woman who has suffered the death of her children. Let's break down the meaning:
"Ah, that I who had many and fair children...": This highlights the stark contrast between the past and the present. "Many" indicates the mother once had a large family, suggesting abundance and happiness. "Fair children" likely refers to their beauty, goodness, or both, implying they were a source of pride and joy.
"...should be a lone widow...": This emphasizes the woman's current state. She is now a "lone widow," meaning she is without her husband and, as the context of the book suggests, without her children. "Lone" underscores her isolation and the complete destruction of her family unit.
"...full of sorrows!": This reveals the depth of her emotional pain. She is not simply sad but "full of sorrows." This suggests an overwhelming burden of grief, potentially encompassing not only the loss of her loved ones but also the suffering they endured before their deaths.
Context in 4 Maccabees:
This verse comes from the story of the mother of seven sons who are tortured and killed for refusing to violate Jewish law during the persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The mother witnesses the agonizing deaths of each of her sons, encouraging them to remain faithful to God. After the death of her youngest son, she dies as well.
Therefore, the verse encapsulates her lament over the devastating loss of her entire family. It is not just the loss of children in general, but the loss of children who died as martyrs for their faith. This adds another layer of complexity to her grief, as she simultaneously mourns their deaths and takes pride in their unwavering commitment to God.
In summary, the verse is a powerful expression of profound grief, highlighting the contrast between a past filled with family and happiness and a present marked by isolation, widowhood, and overwhelming sorrow due to the loss of her beloved children who died for their faith.
4 maccabees 16:10 - Ah, that I who had many and fair children, should be a lone widow full of sorrows!
What does "4 maccabees 16:10" mean?
This verse, taken from 4 Maccabees 16:10, expresses the immense grief and loss of a woman who has suffered the death of her children. Let's break down the meaning:
"Ah, that I who had many and fair children...": This highlights the stark contrast between the past and the present. "Many" indicates the mother once had a large family, suggesting abundance and happiness. "Fair children" likely refers to their beauty, goodness, or both, implying they were a source of pride and joy.
"...should be a lone widow...": This emphasizes the woman's current state. She is now a "lone widow," meaning she is without her husband and, as the context of the book suggests, without her children. "Lone" underscores her isolation and the complete destruction of her family unit.
"...full of sorrows!": This reveals the depth of her emotional pain. She is not simply sad but "full of sorrows." This suggests an overwhelming burden of grief, potentially encompassing not only the loss of her loved ones but also the suffering they endured before their deaths.
Context in 4 Maccabees:
This verse comes from the story of the mother of seven sons who are tortured and killed for refusing to violate Jewish law during the persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The mother witnesses the agonizing deaths of each of her sons, encouraging them to remain faithful to God. After the death of her youngest son, she dies as well.
Therefore, the verse encapsulates her lament over the devastating loss of her entire family. It is not just the loss of children in general, but the loss of children who died as martyrs for their faith. This adds another layer of complexity to her grief, as she simultaneously mourns their deaths and takes pride in their unwavering commitment to God.
In summary, the verse is a powerful expression of profound grief, highlighting the contrast between a past filled with family and happiness and a present marked by isolation, widowhood, and overwhelming sorrow due to the loss of her beloved children who died for their faith.