Wisdom of solomon 2:19 - With outrage and torture let us put him to the test, That we may learn his gentleness, And may prove his patience under wrong.

Generated Verse: Wisdom of solomon 2:19

What does "Wisdom of solomon 2:19" mean?


This verse, from Wisdom of Solomon 2:19, expresses the cruel and cynical logic of the wicked characters depicted in the book. Let's break it down:

"With outrage and torture let us put him to the test": This is a deliberate call to inflict suffering on the righteous person. "Outrage" suggests public humiliation and mockery, while "torture" implies physical pain and suffering.

"That we may learn his gentleness": The wicked characters want to observe how the righteous person responds to extreme adversity. They are curious, perhaps even skeptical, about the righteous person's renowned gentleness and humility. They see the opportunity to "learn" – to understand, examine, and potentially debunk – the qualities that distinguish the righteous person from themselves.

"And may prove his patience under wrong": This is a further extension of their test. They want to see if the righteous person can truly endure injustice without retaliating, losing their temper, or compromising their principles. They want to "prove" or verify the limits of their patience.

In essence, the verse reveals the following about the wicked:

Their Malice: They are actively seeking to harm the righteous.
Their Cynicism: They doubt the authenticity of the righteous person's virtues.
Their Desire to Understand (or Disprove): They want to examine and possibly disprove the righteous person's character.
Their Perverse Curiosity: They derive a twisted pleasure from observing suffering.

In the context of the Book of Wisdom:

The Book of Wisdom is a Jewish text written in Greek, likely in Alexandria, Egypt, around the 1st century BCE. It explores themes of wisdom, righteousness, and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. This verse highlights the fundamental antagonism between these two groups. The wicked, driven by envy and a rejection of divine wisdom, persecute the righteous, hoping to undermine their faith and character. Ultimately, the book asserts that the righteous will be vindicated, and the wicked will face judgment.

The verse also prefigures, for Christians, the suffering and death of Jesus. Christians see the verse as having been fulfilled in the life, passion, and death of Jesus Christ.

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