Sirach 34:21 - The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood.
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What does "Sirach 34:21" mean?
Sirach 34:21, "The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood," carries a powerful message about social justice and the moral obligation to care for the vulnerable. Let's break it down:
"The bread of the needy is the life of the poor": This highlights the essential nature of food for survival. Bread, here representing basic necessities, is not merely a commodity for the poor; it is their life. It's what sustains them, keeps them alive, and enables them to function. Without it, they are at risk of starvation and death.
"He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood": This is the core condemnation. To deprive the poor of their basic needs, particularly food, is equated with taking a life, making the perpetrator a "man of blood," i.e., a murderer. This is strong, figurative language meant to emphasize the gravity of the offense. The act of withholding necessary sustenance is viewed as a form of violence, as it directly contributes to the suffering and potential death of the poor.
In essence, the verse conveys that:
Social responsibility is crucial: Those who have the means to help the poor have a moral duty to do so.
Depriving the poor of basic necessities is a grave sin: It is considered an act of violence against them.
Justice demands that the needs of the vulnerable be met: A society that allows its poor to starve is a society stained with blood.
The verse's impact lies in its forceful language and its challenge to individuals and societies to prioritize the well-being of the poor and to recognize the life-sustaining importance of basic necessities. It is not merely about charity but about a fundamental right to sustenance and the consequences of denying it.
Sirach 34:21 - The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood.
What does "Sirach 34:21" mean?
Sirach 34:21, "The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood," carries a powerful message about social justice and the moral obligation to care for the vulnerable. Let's break it down:
"The bread of the needy is the life of the poor": This highlights the essential nature of food for survival. Bread, here representing basic necessities, is not merely a commodity for the poor; it is their life. It's what sustains them, keeps them alive, and enables them to function. Without it, they are at risk of starvation and death.
"He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood": This is the core condemnation. To deprive the poor of their basic needs, particularly food, is equated with taking a life, making the perpetrator a "man of blood," i.e., a murderer. This is strong, figurative language meant to emphasize the gravity of the offense. The act of withholding necessary sustenance is viewed as a form of violence, as it directly contributes to the suffering and potential death of the poor.
In essence, the verse conveys that:
Social responsibility is crucial: Those who have the means to help the poor have a moral duty to do so.
Depriving the poor of basic necessities is a grave sin: It is considered an act of violence against them.
Justice demands that the needs of the vulnerable be met: A society that allows its poor to starve is a society stained with blood.
The verse's impact lies in its forceful language and its challenge to individuals and societies to prioritize the well-being of the poor and to recognize the life-sustaining importance of basic necessities. It is not merely about charity but about a fundamental right to sustenance and the consequences of denying it.