Sirach 35:18 - And the Lord will not be slack, neither will he be longsuffering toward them, Till he have crushed the loins of the unmerciful; And he shall repay vengeance to the heathen; Till he have taken away the multitude of the haughty, And broken in pieces the sceptres of the unrighteous;
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What does "Sirach 35:18" mean?
This verse from Sirach 35:18, part of the Wisdom Literature, is a declaration of God's justice and eventual judgment against the wicked. Let's break down its meaning:
"And the Lord will not be slack, neither will he be longsuffering toward them..." This phrase emphasizes that while God might appear patient or slow to act, this patience has a limit. The unmerciful and unrighteous should not mistake God's forbearance for indifference. The time for judgment will come.
"Till he have crushed the loins of the unmerciful..." "Crushing the loins" is a potent metaphor signifying the destruction of power, strength, and future progeny. It suggests a complete dismantling of the ability of the unmerciful to continue oppressing others or propagating their wickedness. Loins are often associated with power, generation, and masculinity.
"And he shall repay vengeance to the heathen..." The "heathen" in this context refers to those nations or people who do not acknowledge and follow God, often associated with injustice and oppression in the Old Testament. God's "vengeance" is not necessarily driven by petty spite, but rather represents a restoration of justice and order, punishing those who have wronged others.
"Till he have taken away the multitude of the haughty..." "Haughty" individuals are those who are arrogant, prideful, and overbearing. Their "multitude" represents the collective power and influence of such individuals. God's action of "taking away" signifies removing their position, stripping them of their authority, and reducing them to nothing.
"And broken in pieces the sceptres of the unrighteous." A "sceptre" is a symbol of royal power and authority. To break it signifies the complete removal of that authority and the end of unjust rule. The "unrighteous" are those who use their power for evil, oppression, and personal gain, violating God's standards of justice.
In summary, the verse conveys these key ideas:
God's Patience is Limited: While God is patient, He will not allow injustice to continue indefinitely.
Judgment is Coming: A time of reckoning will arrive when God will punish the wicked and bring justice to the oppressed.
Destruction of Power: The power of the unmerciful, the arrogant, and the unrighteous will be completely broken and removed.
Restoration of Justice: God's actions are intended to restore righteousness and establish a just order.
The verse should be interpreted within the broader context of Sirach and the Wisdom Literature, which often addresses issues of justice, righteousness, and the consequences of one's actions. It is a message of hope for the oppressed, assuring them that God will ultimately act on their behalf, and a warning to the wicked, urging them to repent and turn from their evil ways before it is too late.
Sirach 35:18 - And the Lord will not be slack, neither will he be longsuffering toward them, Till he have crushed the loins of the unmerciful; And he shall repay vengeance to the heathen; Till he have taken away the multitude of the haughty, And broken in pieces the sceptres of the unrighteous;
What does "Sirach 35:18" mean?
This verse from Sirach 35:18, part of the Wisdom Literature, is a declaration of God's justice and eventual judgment against the wicked. Let's break down its meaning:
"And the Lord will not be slack, neither will he be longsuffering toward them..." This phrase emphasizes that while God might appear patient or slow to act, this patience has a limit. The unmerciful and unrighteous should not mistake God's forbearance for indifference. The time for judgment will come.
"Till he have crushed the loins of the unmerciful..." "Crushing the loins" is a potent metaphor signifying the destruction of power, strength, and future progeny. It suggests a complete dismantling of the ability of the unmerciful to continue oppressing others or propagating their wickedness. Loins are often associated with power, generation, and masculinity.
"And he shall repay vengeance to the heathen..." The "heathen" in this context refers to those nations or people who do not acknowledge and follow God, often associated with injustice and oppression in the Old Testament. God's "vengeance" is not necessarily driven by petty spite, but rather represents a restoration of justice and order, punishing those who have wronged others.
"Till he have taken away the multitude of the haughty..." "Haughty" individuals are those who are arrogant, prideful, and overbearing. Their "multitude" represents the collective power and influence of such individuals. God's action of "taking away" signifies removing their position, stripping them of their authority, and reducing them to nothing.
"And broken in pieces the sceptres of the unrighteous." A "sceptre" is a symbol of royal power and authority. To break it signifies the complete removal of that authority and the end of unjust rule. The "unrighteous" are those who use their power for evil, oppression, and personal gain, violating God's standards of justice.
In summary, the verse conveys these key ideas:
God's Patience is Limited: While God is patient, He will not allow injustice to continue indefinitely.
Judgment is Coming: A time of reckoning will arrive when God will punish the wicked and bring justice to the oppressed.
Destruction of Power: The power of the unmerciful, the arrogant, and the unrighteous will be completely broken and removed.
Restoration of Justice: God's actions are intended to restore righteousness and establish a just order.
The verse should be interpreted within the broader context of Sirach and the Wisdom Literature, which often addresses issues of justice, righteousness, and the consequences of one's actions. It is a message of hope for the oppressed, assuring them that God will ultimately act on their behalf, and a warning to the wicked, urging them to repent and turn from their evil ways before it is too late.