Sirach 31:7 - It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it; And every fool shall be taken therewith.
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What does "Sirach 31:7" mean?
Sirach 31:7 reads (in the New Revised Standard Version):
> Wine is like life to those who drink it in moderation. What is life to one who is without wine? It has been created to make people happy. But wine drunk to excess is bitterness to the soul, a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. A drunkard's stumbling is on the way to ruin. Every fool shall be taken therewith.
Let's break this down to understand the meaning:
"Wine is like life to those who drink it in moderation." This establishes that wine, like many things in life, can be beneficial when used responsibly. It can bring joy and enhance experiences.
"What is life to one who is without wine? It has been created to make people happy." This emphasizes the positive role of wine as a gift meant for enjoyment.
"But wine drunk to excess is bitterness to the soul, a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it." This is the key part of the verse. It introduces the danger of overindulgence.
"Bitterness to the soul": Excessive drinking leads to emotional and spiritual unhappiness. It can cause regret, shame, and damage relationships.
"A stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it": This refers to people who prioritize drinking above all else. They are "sacrificing" their time, money, health, and relationships to the pursuit of alcohol. Wine, in this case, becomes an idol. It becomes a "stumbling block" because it causes them to fall morally and spiritually. It prevents them from achieving a fulfilling and virtuous life. The more they "sacrifice" the more they "stumble" in their actions and life.
"A drunkard's stumbling is on the way to ruin." Reinforces that excessive drinking leads to negative consequences.
"Every fool shall be taken therewith." This is the warning. "Fools" in wisdom literature are those who lack good judgment, ignore wisdom, and act impulsively. They will be "taken" or "ensnared" by the negative consequences of excessive drinking. They will be caught in the trap of addiction and its associated problems. The word "therewith" here is important. The fool will be caught by the stumbling block of sacrifice to wine or by the process of stumbling that leads to ruin.
In essence, the verse is a cautionary tale about moderation and the dangers of allowing anything, including wine, to become an idol or a controlling force in one's life. It emphasizes that what is meant to be a source of joy can become a source of destruction if it is abused. The "sacrifice" of time and resources for excessive indulgence leads to moral and spiritual downfall, ensnaring the foolish who lack the wisdom to control their desires.
Sirach 31:7 - It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it; And every fool shall be taken therewith.
What does "Sirach 31:7" mean?
Sirach 31:7 reads (in the New Revised Standard Version):
> Wine is like life to those who drink it in moderation. What is life to one who is without wine? It has been created to make people happy. But wine drunk to excess is bitterness to the soul, a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it. A drunkard's stumbling is on the way to ruin. Every fool shall be taken therewith.
Let's break this down to understand the meaning:
"Wine is like life to those who drink it in moderation." This establishes that wine, like many things in life, can be beneficial when used responsibly. It can bring joy and enhance experiences.
"What is life to one who is without wine? It has been created to make people happy." This emphasizes the positive role of wine as a gift meant for enjoyment.
"But wine drunk to excess is bitterness to the soul, a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it." This is the key part of the verse. It introduces the danger of overindulgence.
"Bitterness to the soul": Excessive drinking leads to emotional and spiritual unhappiness. It can cause regret, shame, and damage relationships.
"A stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it": This refers to people who prioritize drinking above all else. They are "sacrificing" their time, money, health, and relationships to the pursuit of alcohol. Wine, in this case, becomes an idol. It becomes a "stumbling block" because it causes them to fall morally and spiritually. It prevents them from achieving a fulfilling and virtuous life. The more they "sacrifice" the more they "stumble" in their actions and life.
"A drunkard's stumbling is on the way to ruin." Reinforces that excessive drinking leads to negative consequences.
"Every fool shall be taken therewith." This is the warning. "Fools" in wisdom literature are those who lack good judgment, ignore wisdom, and act impulsively. They will be "taken" or "ensnared" by the negative consequences of excessive drinking. They will be caught in the trap of addiction and its associated problems. The word "therewith" here is important. The fool will be caught by the stumbling block of sacrifice to wine or by the process of stumbling that leads to ruin.
In essence, the verse is a cautionary tale about moderation and the dangers of allowing anything, including wine, to become an idol or a controlling force in one's life. It emphasizes that what is meant to be a source of joy can become a source of destruction if it is abused. The "sacrifice" of time and resources for excessive indulgence leads to moral and spiritual downfall, ensnaring the foolish who lack the wisdom to control their desires.