Sirach 38:17 - Make bitter weeping, and make passionate wailing, And let your mourning be according to his desert, For one day or two, lest you be evil spoken of: And so be comforted for your sorrow.
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What does "Sirach 38:17" mean?
This verse from Sirach 38:17 is about the appropriate expression of grief and mourning after someone's death. Let's break down the meaning:
"Make bitter weeping, and make passionate wailing": This part encourages outward displays of grief. "Bitter weeping" and "passionate wailing" indicate deep sorrow and are expected behaviors at a time of mourning.
"And let your mourning be according to his desert": This suggests that the extent of your mourning should be proportionate to the deceased person's worth, reputation, or how they lived their life. This could mean mourning more intensely for someone who was virtuous, kind, or accomplished.
"For one day or two, lest you be evil spoken of": This is the crucial part about timing and social perception. The verse advises against excessively prolonged mourning. "One day or two" is likely a symbolic, short period. Mourning for too long could lead others to "evil speak" or criticize you, suggesting that you are overly dramatic, insincere, or neglecting your duties. It indicates that overdoing mourning can draw negative attention.
"And so be comforted for your sorrow": After a suitable (and relatively brief) period of outward mourning, the verse encourages moving towards comfort and acceptance of the loss. This promotes healing and resuming life.
In essence, the verse provides guidance on how to grieve in a socially acceptable way:
1. Express grief openly: Show genuine sorrow appropriate to the deceased person's life.
2. Be moderate in duration: Avoid excessively prolonged mourning that might be seen as performative or unhealthy.
3. Find comfort: Allow yourself to heal and find solace after a reasonable period of grieving.
The verse blends genuine emotional expression with a practical awareness of social expectations and the need to eventually move forward after loss.
Sirach 38:17 - Make bitter weeping, and make passionate wailing, And let your mourning be according to his desert, For one day or two, lest you be evil spoken of: And so be comforted for your sorrow.
What does "Sirach 38:17" mean?
This verse from Sirach 38:17 is about the appropriate expression of grief and mourning after someone's death. Let's break down the meaning:
"Make bitter weeping, and make passionate wailing": This part encourages outward displays of grief. "Bitter weeping" and "passionate wailing" indicate deep sorrow and are expected behaviors at a time of mourning.
"And let your mourning be according to his desert": This suggests that the extent of your mourning should be proportionate to the deceased person's worth, reputation, or how they lived their life. This could mean mourning more intensely for someone who was virtuous, kind, or accomplished.
"For one day or two, lest you be evil spoken of": This is the crucial part about timing and social perception. The verse advises against excessively prolonged mourning. "One day or two" is likely a symbolic, short period. Mourning for too long could lead others to "evil speak" or criticize you, suggesting that you are overly dramatic, insincere, or neglecting your duties. It indicates that overdoing mourning can draw negative attention.
"And so be comforted for your sorrow": After a suitable (and relatively brief) period of outward mourning, the verse encourages moving towards comfort and acceptance of the loss. This promotes healing and resuming life.
In essence, the verse provides guidance on how to grieve in a socially acceptable way:
1. Express grief openly: Show genuine sorrow appropriate to the deceased person's life.
2. Be moderate in duration: Avoid excessively prolonged mourning that might be seen as performative or unhealthy.
3. Find comfort: Allow yourself to heal and find solace after a reasonable period of grieving.
The verse blends genuine emotional expression with a practical awareness of social expectations and the need to eventually move forward after loss.