Baruch 1:17 - for that we have sinned before the Lord,

Generated Verse: Baruch 1:17

What does "Baruch 1:17" mean?


The verse "for that we have sinned before the Lord" (Baruch 1:17) expresses a fundamental acknowledgment of guilt and wrongdoing towards God. Let's break down its meaning:

"For that...": This indicates a reason or cause. It's explaining why the speaker (in this case, the Jewish people in exile) is experiencing certain circumstances or praying in a particular way.

"we have sinned...": This is the core of the statement. It's a confession of having committed sins, transgressions, or acts of disobedience against God's laws and will. The term "sinned" implies a deliberate deviation from what is right and just in God's eyes.

"before the Lord...": This emphasizes that the sins were committed in God's presence and with full knowledge of His existence and authority. It highlights the gravity of the offense, as it was a direct affront to God Himself. It is a direct defiance of a personal God.

Overall Meaning:

The verse is an admission of collective guilt. It means that the Jewish people recognize that their current suffering or predicament is a consequence of their own sinful actions and rebellion against God. They acknowledge that their actions have had a negative impact on their relationship with God and have brought about negative consequences.

Context in the Book of Baruch:

The Book of Baruch is a deuterocanonical book (accepted as scripture by some Christians, such as Catholics and Orthodox, but not by Protestants). It's set during the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people. The book is written in the voice of Baruch, a scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah, and it contains prayers, confessions, and messages of hope for the exiled community. The verse in question (1:17) is part of a prayer of confession where the people acknowledge their sins and seek God's mercy and forgiveness.

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