Wisdom of solomon 14:19 - For he, wishing perhaps to please one in authority, Used his are to force the likeness toward a greater beauty;

Generated Verse: Wisdom of solomon 14:19

What does "Wisdom of solomon 14:19" mean?


This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 14:19 is part of a larger section criticizing idolatry and the origins of idol worship. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:

"For he, wishing perhaps to please one in authority...": This refers to a craftsman or artist who creates an idol. The motivation is not necessarily religious devotion, but rather a desire to gain favor from someone powerful, a ruler, patron, or influential person.

"Used his art to force the likeness toward a greater beauty...": The craftsman, in an attempt to impress, goes beyond a simple representation of the deceased person or object. He embellishes it, exaggerates its beauty, and "forces" it to be more attractive or imposing than the original. He might idealize the subject, adding features that were not naturally present.

In essence, the verse suggests that idols are not created out of genuine religious belief but often out of the desire to curry favor or flatter those in power. The artist, motivated by ambition, distorts reality and fabricates an idealized image, leading to the worship of a false and embellished representation.

The passage criticizes the vanity and ambition that fuel idolatry, suggesting that idols are products of human desire for power and recognition rather than genuine religious sentiment. They are not accurate representations but artificial constructs created to impress others.

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