Susanna 1:54 - Now then, if you saw her, tell me, Under what tree saw you them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.

Generated Verse: Susanna 1:54

What does "Susanna 1:54" mean?


This verse comes from the story of Susanna, found in the Book of Daniel in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament). The story is considered deuterocanonical or apocryphal by many Protestants.

Here's the breakdown of the verse:

"Now then, if you saw her, tell me...": This is part of the interrogation of one of the elders who falsely accused Susanna of adultery. He's being questioned separately from the other elder to try and catch them in a lie. The interrogator is asking him to specify the location where he claims to have seen Susanna engaging in the act.

"...Under what tree saw you them companying together?": The key word is "companying," which means being together in a sexual or intimate way. The question is direct: Under which specific tree did you witness Susanna and her supposed partner committing adultery?

"Who answered, Under a mastick tree.": The elder answers that he saw them under a mastick tree. A mastick tree is a type of evergreen shrub or small tree common in the Mediterranean region.

Meaning and Significance:

The verse is crucial because it sets up the trap for the elders. Later in the story, the second elder will be questioned, and he will name a different tree. This contradiction proves they are lying and trying to frame Susanna. The fact that they are questioned separately and give conflicting answers reveals their conspiracy and saves Susanna from unjust execution. The detail of the specific type of tree is important because it provides a concrete detail that could be easily verified or contradicted.

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