Wisdom of solomon 16:6 - But for admonition were they troubled for a short space, Having a token of salvation, To put them in remembrance of the commandment of your law:

Generated Verse: Wisdom of solomon 16:6

What does "Wisdom of solomon 16:6" mean?


This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 16:6 speaks about a specific situation in the book where God sends a plague of venomous snakes upon the Egyptians. The Israelites, however, are bitten by these snakes and suffer. The verse explains:

"But for admonition were they troubled for a short space,"
"Admonition" means warning or correction.
"They were troubled" refers to the Israelites being bitten and suffering.
"For a short space" indicates the suffering was temporary.
This part means that their suffering was meant as a temporary warning or lesson. They were bitten to be corrected and to be reminded of something.

"Having a token of salvation,"
"Token of salvation" refers to the bronze serpent that Moses erected, as described in Numbers 21:4-9. Whoever looked at the bronze serpent after being bitten was healed.
This means that God provided a means for them to be saved from the snake bites. This token was a symbol that pointed to God's power to heal.

"To put them in remembrance of the commandment of your law:"
This explains the purpose of the whole experience.
Their suffering, followed by the opportunity for salvation through looking at the bronze serpent, was meant to remind them of the importance of following God's law. Perhaps they had become lax in their obedience or had forgotten God's power. The experience served as a vivid and urgent reminder.

In essence, the verse means:

The Israelites suffered briefly from the snake bites as a warning. God provided a way for them to be healed (the bronze serpent). This whole experience was meant to bring them back to remembering and obeying God's law. It was a tangible lesson about God's power, their dependence on Him, and the importance of remaining faithful to the covenant. The temporary suffering and the subsequent healing served as a powerful object lesson.

Deeper Interpretation:

The verse also has allegorical and symbolic significance. Some interpret the snake bites as representing sin and its consequences, and the bronze serpent as a foreshadowing of Christ. Just as the Israelites were saved by looking at the bronze serpent, Christians are saved by looking to Christ in faith. In this interpretation, the "commandment of your law" could represent God's will and the need to live a righteous life. The whole story then becomes a parable of sin, repentance, and salvation.

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