This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 17:13 is part of a larger passage describing the terror and confusion experienced by the Egyptians during the plagues. Let's break down the meaning:
"And from within the heart the expectation of them being less": This refers to the Egyptians' hope or expectation that the plagues (the "them") would diminish or become less severe. They might have reasoned that surely the disasters couldn't possibly continue or worsen. It implies a denial of the severity and the source of their suffering.
"Maketh of greater account the ignorance of the cause that brings the torment.": Because they clung to the expectation that things would get better on their own, they failed to recognize the true cause of their suffering—God's judgment for their mistreatment of the Israelites and their refusal to acknowledge Him. This ignorance magnified the torment, because they couldn't take steps to end the torment.
In essence, the verse suggests that the Egyptians' wishful thinking and denial of the seriousness of the plagues amplified their suffering by preventing them from understanding and addressing the root cause. They were so busy hoping it would all go away that they didn't seek repentance or acknowledge God's power.
Here's a paraphrased version:
"Because the Egyptians kept hoping the plagues would lessen, they only increased their suffering by remaining ignorant of the real reason for their torment."
Key takeaways:
Denial exacerbates suffering: Ignoring or downplaying the seriousness of a problem can make it worse.
Importance of recognizing the root cause: Understanding the underlying cause of suffering is crucial for finding solutions.
Spiritual blindness: The Egyptians' refusal to acknowledge God contributed to their torment.
Judgment: The plagues are portrayed as a divine judgment for their actions.
This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 17:13 is part of a larger passage describing the terror and confusion experienced by the Egyptians during the plagues. Let's break down the meaning:
"And from within the heart the expectation of them being less": This refers to the Egyptians' hope or expectation that the plagues (the "them") would diminish or become less severe. They might have reasoned that surely the disasters couldn't possibly continue or worsen. It implies a denial of the severity and the source of their suffering.
"Maketh of greater account the ignorance of the cause that brings the torment.": Because they clung to the expectation that things would get better on their own, they failed to recognize the true cause of their suffering—God's judgment for their mistreatment of the Israelites and their refusal to acknowledge Him. This ignorance magnified the torment, because they couldn't take steps to end the torment.
In essence, the verse suggests that the Egyptians' wishful thinking and denial of the seriousness of the plagues amplified their suffering by preventing them from understanding and addressing the root cause. They were so busy hoping it would all go away that they didn't seek repentance or acknowledge God's power.
Here's a paraphrased version:
"Because the Egyptians kept hoping the plagues would lessen, they only increased their suffering by remaining ignorant of the real reason for their torment."
Key takeaways:
Denial exacerbates suffering: Ignoring or downplaying the seriousness of a problem can make it worse.
Importance of recognizing the root cause: Understanding the underlying cause of suffering is crucial for finding solutions.
Spiritual blindness: The Egyptians' refusal to acknowledge God contributed to their torment.
Judgment: The plagues are portrayed as a divine judgment for their actions.
