Wisdom of solomon 16:18 - For at one time the flame lost its fierceness, That it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly, But that these themselves as they looked might see that they were chased through the judgement of God:

Generated Verse: Wisdom of solomon 16:18

What does "Wisdom of solomon 16:18" mean?


This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 16:18 is part of a larger passage comparing the punishments and blessings experienced by the Egyptians and the Israelites during the Exodus. To understand it, let's break it down:

"For at one time the flame lost its fierceness...": This refers to the pillar of fire that God provided to guide the Israelites through the desert and to terrify the Egyptians. At times, it was protective, and at other times, it would have been devastating.
"...That it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly...": The "creatures" are plagues or natural phenomena used as instruments of divine punishment against the Egyptians. The flame's diminished intensity suggests that God tempered his wrath. The focus here is on restraint. God could have completely annihilated the Egyptians, but he chose not to.
"...But that these themselves as they looked might see that they were chased through the judgement of God:": The point is that even in the midst of the plagues, the Egyptians were meant to recognize that their suffering was a direct result of God's judgment against their wickedness. The reduced intensity of the fire allowed them to witness the events and understand their meaning rather than being instantly destroyed. God wanted them to see the connection between their actions and the consequences.

In essence, this verse is about:

Divine Restraint: God is powerful enough to unleash complete destruction, but he chooses not to.
Divine Justice: The Egyptians are being punished for their ungodliness.
Divine Revelation: The Egyptians were meant to see and understand that their plight was a direct result of God's judgment. The tempered fire serves as a sign and a warning.

The verse highlights God's control over nature and his ability to use it for both protection and punishment. It emphasizes that the Egyptians were not suffering random misfortunes but were being targeted by God's righteous judgment, which they were meant to recognize.

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