Sirach 23:22 - So also a wife that leaves her husband, And brings in an heir by a stranger.
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 "Sirach 23:22" mean?
Sirach 23:22, "So also a wife that leaves her husband, And brings in an heir by a stranger," is a condemnation of adultery and its consequences. Let's break it down:
"So also a wife that leaves her husband..." This refers to a woman who abandons her marriage vows and leaves her husband. The act of leaving itself is often seen as a breach of covenant.
"...And brings in an heir by a stranger." This is the crux of the verse. It means that the woman has committed adultery with a man who is not her husband, and as a result, has conceived a child by this man. This child is referred to as an "heir by a stranger."
Meaning:
The verse condemns the act of adultery as a betrayal of the marriage covenant. The most significant consequence highlighted is the introduction of an illegitimate heir into the family. This "heir by a stranger" is not the legitimate offspring of the husband and therefore has no rightful claim to his inheritance or lineage. The implications of this are:
Disruption of Family Lineage: The introduction of a child from outside the marriage pollutes the family line and threatens the integrity of the husband's inheritance.
Inheritance Issues: The illegitimate heir could create confusion and conflict over inheritance rights. This could lead to legal battles and social upheaval within the family and community.
Social Stigma: Adultery was a serious offense in ancient Jewish society, and both the woman and the child would likely face social ostracism and shame.
Dishonor: The verse suggests that it is a great dishonor not only to the husband, but to her family.
In essence, Sirach 23:22 highlights the destructive consequences of adultery, particularly the introduction of an illegitimate heir who threatens the stability of the family, the purity of its lineage, and the rightful inheritance of the husband's estate. It emphasizes the importance of fidelity and the sanctity of marriage.
Sirach 23:22 - So also a wife that leaves her husband, And brings in an heir by a stranger.
What does "Sirach 23:22" mean?
Sirach 23:22, "So also a wife that leaves her husband, And brings in an heir by a stranger," is a condemnation of adultery and its consequences. Let's break it down:
"So also a wife that leaves her husband..." This refers to a woman who abandons her marriage vows and leaves her husband. The act of leaving itself is often seen as a breach of covenant.
"...And brings in an heir by a stranger." This is the crux of the verse. It means that the woman has committed adultery with a man who is not her husband, and as a result, has conceived a child by this man. This child is referred to as an "heir by a stranger."
Meaning:
The verse condemns the act of adultery as a betrayal of the marriage covenant. The most significant consequence highlighted is the introduction of an illegitimate heir into the family. This "heir by a stranger" is not the legitimate offspring of the husband and therefore has no rightful claim to his inheritance or lineage. The implications of this are:
Disruption of Family Lineage: The introduction of a child from outside the marriage pollutes the family line and threatens the integrity of the husband's inheritance.
Inheritance Issues: The illegitimate heir could create confusion and conflict over inheritance rights. This could lead to legal battles and social upheaval within the family and community.
Social Stigma: Adultery was a serious offense in ancient Jewish society, and both the woman and the child would likely face social ostracism and shame.
Dishonor: The verse suggests that it is a great dishonor not only to the husband, but to her family.
In essence, Sirach 23:22 highlights the destructive consequences of adultery, particularly the introduction of an illegitimate heir who threatens the stability of the family, the purity of its lineage, and the rightful inheritance of the husband's estate. It emphasizes the importance of fidelity and the sanctity of marriage.