Wisdom of solomon 12:7 - That the land which in your sight is most precious of all lands Might receive a worthy colony of God’s servants.
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 "Wisdom of solomon 12:7" mean?
Wisdom of Solomon 12:7 is part of a longer passage (12:3-11) where the author reflects on God's just but merciful judgment of the Canaanites. Let's break down the verse and its context to understand its meaning:
"That the land which in your sight is most precious of all lands": This refers to Canaan, the Promised Land promised to the Israelites. It's described as "precious" not just for its physical attributes, but because God had chosen it for a special purpose in salvation history. It was central to his covenant with Abraham and his descendants.
"Might receive a worthy colony of God’s servants": This speaks of the Israelites, whom the author views as "God's servants." The intention was that they would be a moral and spiritual example to the world, a nation dedicated to God's law and justice. The word "colony" implies a settlement or a new beginning, emphasizing the Israelites' establishment of a new society in the land. The term "worthy" suggests that the Israelites were expected to live up to a certain standard of righteousness in order to be fit to inhabit this special land.
In essence, the verse means:
God allowed the Canaanites to persist in their wickedness for a time, not because He condoned it, but to give them a chance to repent. However, their continued corruption meant that God's judgment was ultimately necessary, so that the land, which He considered especially important, could be inhabited by a people (the Israelites) who were meant to be dedicated to His service and uphold His values.
Contextual Considerations:
Justification for Conquest: The passage as a whole serves as a theological justification for the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It addresses the moral problem of a seemingly "holy" people dispossessing and even slaughtering another. The author argues that God's judgment was just because the Canaanites were deeply wicked and had rejected opportunities for repentance.
God's Patience and Mercy: Despite the Canaanites' wickedness, God showed them patience, allowing them time to change their ways. This highlights God's mercy even towards those who deserve punishment.
Moral Responsibility: The verse implies that the Israelites had a responsibility to live up to their calling as God's servants. Simply inhabiting the land was not enough; they had to be worthy inhabitants by obeying God's laws and upholding justice. The Wisdom of Solomon, written much later than the events of the conquest, also often uses historical events as allegories to highlight the importance of choosing to be righteous and wise.
Wisdom of solomon 12:7 - That the land which in your sight is most precious of all lands Might receive a worthy colony of God’s servants.
What does "Wisdom of solomon 12:7" mean?
Wisdom of Solomon 12:7 is part of a longer passage (12:3-11) where the author reflects on God's just but merciful judgment of the Canaanites. Let's break down the verse and its context to understand its meaning:
"That the land which in your sight is most precious of all lands": This refers to Canaan, the Promised Land promised to the Israelites. It's described as "precious" not just for its physical attributes, but because God had chosen it for a special purpose in salvation history. It was central to his covenant with Abraham and his descendants.
"Might receive a worthy colony of God’s servants": This speaks of the Israelites, whom the author views as "God's servants." The intention was that they would be a moral and spiritual example to the world, a nation dedicated to God's law and justice. The word "colony" implies a settlement or a new beginning, emphasizing the Israelites' establishment of a new society in the land. The term "worthy" suggests that the Israelites were expected to live up to a certain standard of righteousness in order to be fit to inhabit this special land.
In essence, the verse means:
God allowed the Canaanites to persist in their wickedness for a time, not because He condoned it, but to give them a chance to repent. However, their continued corruption meant that God's judgment was ultimately necessary, so that the land, which He considered especially important, could be inhabited by a people (the Israelites) who were meant to be dedicated to His service and uphold His values.
Contextual Considerations:
Justification for Conquest: The passage as a whole serves as a theological justification for the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It addresses the moral problem of a seemingly "holy" people dispossessing and even slaughtering another. The author argues that God's judgment was just because the Canaanites were deeply wicked and had rejected opportunities for repentance.
God's Patience and Mercy: Despite the Canaanites' wickedness, God showed them patience, allowing them time to change their ways. This highlights God's mercy even towards those who deserve punishment.
Moral Responsibility: The verse implies that the Israelites had a responsibility to live up to their calling as God's servants. Simply inhabiting the land was not enough; they had to be worthy inhabitants by obeying God's laws and upholding justice. The Wisdom of Solomon, written much later than the events of the conquest, also often uses historical events as allegories to highlight the importance of choosing to be righteous and wise.