Wisdom of solomon 14:15 - For a father worn with untimely grief, Making an image of the child quickly taken away, Now honored him as a god which was then a dead man, And delivered to those that were under him mysteries and solemn rites.

Generated Verse: Wisdom of solomon 14:15

What does "Wisdom of solomon 14:15" mean?


This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 14:15 is a critique of idolatry and the deification of deceased individuals. Let's break it down:

"For a father worn with untimely grief...": This sets the scene. A father is overcome with sorrow because his child died young. The grief is "untimely" suggesting the child died unexpectedly or before their time.

"...Making an image of the child quickly taken away...": In his grief, the father creates a statue or representation of the deceased child. This is a natural human reaction to memorialize and remember loved ones.

"...Now honored him as a god which was then a dead man...": This is the key point of critique. The father's grief warps into a form of worship. He elevates the memory of his child, represented by the image, to the level of a god. The verse emphasizes the absurdity of this by reminding the reader that the object of worship was once simply a "dead man" (or child). It underlines the difference between a mortal and a deity.

"...And delivered to those that were under him mysteries and solemn rites.": This implies that the father, in his role as a leader or authority figure ("those that were under him"), establishes a cult or religious practices centered on the worship of the deified child. He introduces "mysteries" (secret or esoteric knowledge) and "solemn rites" (formal religious ceremonies) to perpetuate this worship. This suggests the beginnings of an organized form of idolatry where the personal grief of one individual leads to widespread religious practice.

In summary, the verse describes how grief and the desire to memorialize a loved one can lead to the creation of idols and the establishment of false religions. It critiques the act of deifying mortal beings and warns against the dangers of idolatry. The verse highlights the idea that human emotions and authority figures can easily distort religious practices and lead people astray.

The passage is part of a larger argument within the Book of Wisdom against idolatry and the worship of false gods. The author uses this specific example of a grieving father to illustrate the origins and absurdity of such practices.

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