Sirach 51:19 - My soul has wrestled in her, And in my doing I was exact: I spread forth my hands to the heaven above, And bewailed my ignorances of her.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Sirach 51:19" mean?
Let's break down Sirach 51:19, "My soul has wrestled in her, And in my doing I was exact: I spread forth my hands to the heaven above, And bewailed my ignorances of her." in the context of the larger passage. This verse is part of a larger hymn of praise where the author (likely Ben Sira himself) is reflecting on his pursuit of wisdom.
Here's a potential interpretation of each part:
"My soul has wrestled in her..." This refers to wisdom, mentioned earlier in the chapter, which the author sees as a challenging yet rewarding pursuit. The "wrestling" suggests a difficult, internal struggle. The search for wisdom is not easy; it requires effort, dedication, and possibly even facing internal doubts or resistance. It's not a passive activity but an active and demanding one. The battle is with oneself, struggling to understand and internalize wisdom's lessons.
"...And in my doing I was exact..." This indicates the author approached the pursuit of wisdom with diligence, care, and precision. He was meticulous in his efforts. "Exact" implies a commitment to accuracy, thoroughness, and avoiding laziness or carelessness. He made sure he was doing his part wholeheartedly and thoughtfully.
"I spread forth my hands to the heaven above..." This is a gesture of prayer and supplication. It signifies dependence on God and a recognition that wisdom ultimately comes from a higher source. Spreading forth one's hands was a common posture of pleading and petitioning God.
"...And bewailed my ignorances of her." Even after all his effort ("exactness"), the author still recognizes the vastness of wisdom and acknowledges his limitations. He is aware of how much he doesn't know. "Bewailing" expresses a lament or sorrow over his lack of complete understanding. It's a sign of humility. He doesn't claim to have mastered wisdom, but instead mourns his shortcomings in fully grasping it. The use of "her" indicates that he is lamenting his lack of understanding of wisdom.
In Summary:
This verse encapsulates the author's journey towards wisdom. It emphasizes:
The effort and struggle involved in pursuing wisdom.
The importance of diligence and precision in one's approach.
The necessity of seeking divine help and acknowledging that wisdom is a gift from above.
The humility required to recognize the limitations of one's knowledge and the vastness of what remains to be learned.
The overall picture is of a devout scholar who diligently sought wisdom, prayed for guidance, and humbly acknowledged the limitations of his understanding. It's a testament to the lifelong pursuit of wisdom and the importance of both effort and humility in that pursuit.
Sirach 51:19 - My soul has wrestled in her, And in my doing I was exact: I spread forth my hands to the heaven above, And bewailed my ignorances of her.
What does "Sirach 51:19" mean?
Let's break down Sirach 51:19, "My soul has wrestled in her, And in my doing I was exact: I spread forth my hands to the heaven above, And bewailed my ignorances of her." in the context of the larger passage. This verse is part of a larger hymn of praise where the author (likely Ben Sira himself) is reflecting on his pursuit of wisdom.
Here's a potential interpretation of each part:
"My soul has wrestled in her..." This refers to wisdom, mentioned earlier in the chapter, which the author sees as a challenging yet rewarding pursuit. The "wrestling" suggests a difficult, internal struggle. The search for wisdom is not easy; it requires effort, dedication, and possibly even facing internal doubts or resistance. It's not a passive activity but an active and demanding one. The battle is with oneself, struggling to understand and internalize wisdom's lessons.
"...And in my doing I was exact..." This indicates the author approached the pursuit of wisdom with diligence, care, and precision. He was meticulous in his efforts. "Exact" implies a commitment to accuracy, thoroughness, and avoiding laziness or carelessness. He made sure he was doing his part wholeheartedly and thoughtfully.
"I spread forth my hands to the heaven above..." This is a gesture of prayer and supplication. It signifies dependence on God and a recognition that wisdom ultimately comes from a higher source. Spreading forth one's hands was a common posture of pleading and petitioning God.
"...And bewailed my ignorances of her." Even after all his effort ("exactness"), the author still recognizes the vastness of wisdom and acknowledges his limitations. He is aware of how much he doesn't know. "Bewailing" expresses a lament or sorrow over his lack of complete understanding. It's a sign of humility. He doesn't claim to have mastered wisdom, but instead mourns his shortcomings in fully grasping it. The use of "her" indicates that he is lamenting his lack of understanding of wisdom.
In Summary:
This verse encapsulates the author's journey towards wisdom. It emphasizes:
The effort and struggle involved in pursuing wisdom.
The importance of diligence and precision in one's approach.
The necessity of seeking divine help and acknowledging that wisdom is a gift from above.
The humility required to recognize the limitations of one's knowledge and the vastness of what remains to be learned.
The overall picture is of a devout scholar who diligently sought wisdom, prayed for guidance, and humbly acknowledged the limitations of his understanding. It's a testament to the lifelong pursuit of wisdom and the importance of both effort and humility in that pursuit.