Sirach 46:2 - How was he glorified in the lifting up his hands, And in stretching out his sword against the cities!

Generated Verse: Sirach 46:2

What does "Sirach 46:2" mean?


Sirach 46:2 speaks of Joshua's military prowess and divine favor in leading the Israelites. Let's break down the verse:

"How was he glorified in the lifting up his hands..." This likely refers to Joshua's actions during battle, particularly his prayerful stance with raised hands during the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:11-13). When Moses (or in this context, Joshua who is being likened to Moses) raised his hands, Israel prevailed; when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. This act of lifting his hands was both a sign of leadership and a plea for divine assistance. His success in battle was therefore directly attributed to God's blessing. "Glorified" here means he was shown to be worthy of honor and esteem, reflecting God's power working through him.

"...And in stretching out his sword against the cities!" This refers to Joshua's military campaigns to conquer the Promised Land. "Stretching out his sword" signifies his aggressive and decisive leadership in warfare. The verse highlights the active and forceful role he played in subjugating the enemy cities.

Together, the verse suggests:

Joshua's glory and success were seen both in his reliance on God (lifting his hands in prayer) and in his active military leadership (wielding the sword). The combination of divine favor and human action led to his victories and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. The verse emphasizes that Joshua was not merely a soldier, but a leader who sought and received God's help, demonstrating that his power came from a divine source. It's important to note that this glorification of violence and conquest is within the specific historical and religious context of the Old Testament, and requires careful theological interpretation.

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