Children conceived through adultery

[tl1709]

In Wisdom 3:16-4:6, it says that those children born out of adultery will either not live a long life or will not amount to much. Since this comes from the Old Testament, does this mean that this applies to children today?

 

[1ke]

In Wisdom 3:16-4:6, it says that those children born out of adultery will either not live a long life or will not amount to much. Since this comes from the Old Testament, does this mean that this applies to children today?

I would encourage you to take some bible study courses to help you discriminate between the different types of literature in the bible.

Wisdom literature is not literal. This is not talking about adultery, literally. It refers to all the wicked, i.e. sinners. It is referencing different verses from throughout the old testament and using imagery to contrast the righteous, the sinner, and God’s justice. It is a call to repent and turn away from wicked ways that have turned Israel away from God-- the wicked generation referred to in the passage.

 

[Catholic1954]

In Wisdom 3:16-4:6, it says that those children born out of adultery will either not live a long life or will not amount to much. Since this comes from the Old Testament, does this mean that this applies to children today?

Of course not.

 

[Cathoholic]

1ke said:

It refers to all the wicked, i.e. sinners.

Well said.

There is also something in Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) that expounds upon this concept. If I find it maybe I can post it for you in a day or two.

Also think seed of the serpent and seed of the Woman. That is WHY we ALL NEED to be “born again” or “born from above” or “born of water and the Spirit” or Baptized (see John 3:3-5) which is the fulfillment of this. Because we are all sinners. Then we need to persevere and grow (all with the grace of God of course).

God bless.

Cathoholic

 

[WKW_69]

In Wisdom 3:16-4:6, it says that those children born out of adultery will either not live a long life or will not amount to much. Since this comes from the Old Testament, does this mean that this applies to children today?

I imagine the author was just trying to induce fear in people not to have sex outside of their marriage. Sex outside of marriage in those days was a problem if a child was produced and the mother may be cast out or some instances stoned to death. The child would most lilkely would have been raised in exterme poverty.

 

[suko]

In Wisdom 3:16-4:6, it says that those children born out of adultery will either not live a long life or will not amount to much. Since this comes from the Old Testament, does this mean that this applies to children today?

I like 1ke’s explanation better, but for future reference, if u are not sure on some Bible verses, one good place u can check is Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentary. Here’s what it says in regards to verse 16:

Ver. 16. Perfection. Literally, “shall be in consummation,” or wholly destroyed. (Haydock) — They shall not come to age, or Septuagint, “initiated.” The pagans excluded the base-born from their mysteries, as the Church does from holy orders; and experience shews, that the fruits of adultery are often miserable, (Calmet) and while they imitate their parents, they can have no hope, ver. 18.

 

[Stillsosola]

no because God wouldnt just doom a child because its parents are fools and sinners, yes the curse of generational sin which is upon us all but that does not mean that with proper guidance the child couldnt be something great for this world.
J
I’m no biblical scholar but this is my own opinion

 

[EasterJoy]

Because of inheritance concerns, there was a time that parents were forbidden from handing down property, titles or family status to children conceived by adultery. The bride and groom’s families both wanted to be certain that family assets or titles did not go to children who weren’t blood relatives. Fast forwarding in history, there was also a time when children born outside of marriage could not be ordained, either, since allowing that made it possible to provide a place of status for an illegitimate child by using nepotism (if the father was in the clergy himself) or bribes (if the parent was merely wealthy) to get him into the ranks of the clergy.

Prior to 1983, a man born outside of marriage had to have his ordination approved by the Holy See. When the Code of Canon Law was issued again in 1983, it was recognized that any problems with the candidate would be found in the normal course of examination of background and disposition that a candidate typically received prior to ordination, and that requirement was dropped.

To say that such a child would be “without issue” did not necessarily mean they wouldn’t procreate, BTW. It might be saying that neither such children nor their childen would ever get a position of status or inherit anything. In a society stratified by class and where standing comes from tribal connection in a way that merit cannot overcome, this was a huge deal! To have been born “outside the law” would have been a great handicap to a child’s success, yes. In our times, however, children are not made to suffer for the sins of their parents as they were in the past.

 

[BillP]

I think if you read the entire section with a charitable heart, trying to figure out “how” it is true, you’ll see that the author was trying to explain that children of adultery, because they wouldn’t be part of a conventional family, would be denied the very important benefits of being raised in a stable family, which would provide the material and emotional support they needed to grow into stable and healthy adults.

Look especially at 4:3-6

3 No matter how many children are born of a forbidden union, none of them will ever amount to anything. They are illegitimate; they can never lay a firm foundation for themselves, never take deep root. 4 Like trees with shallow roots, they put out leaves for a while, but they sway in the wind, and storms uproot them. 5 Their branches snap off before they mature; their fruit never ripens, and it is good for nothing. 6 On Judgment Day children born of a forbidden union will testify to the sin of their parents and act as witnesses against them.

Kids not being raised in fatherless households might not get enough to eat, or adequate shelter, clothing, or healthcare (such as it was back then) they would also probably lack moral instruction. Male children wouldn’t have a Father from whom to learn a trade. Female children wouldn’t have access to financial resources required to provide a dowry which would severely limit their marriage prospects. In short they would have no “birthright”

All of these were extremely important for long term well being in those days.

I don’t think the passage arbitrarily condemns illegitimate children, so much as it recognizes the resource constraints which they faced would make it difficult (or impossible) for them to thrive. Again, they key is the part at the end

On Judgment Day children born of a forbidden union will testify to the sin of their parents and act as witnesses against them.

Kids raised in such hard-scrabble environments might very well resent the fact that their difficulties were the result of their parents’ lust and lack of self control.

 

[Cathoholic]

Sirach 23 says the same thing as Wisdom 3 only it has more details as to the outcome . . . . . .

SIRACH 23:23-26 23 For first of all, she has disobeyed the law of the Most High; second, she has committed an offense against her husband; and third, she has committed adultery through harlotry and brought forth children by another man. 24 She herself will be brought before the assembly, and punishment will fall on her children. 25 Her children will not take root, and her branches will not bear fruit. 26 She will leave her memory for a curse, and her disgrace will not be blotted out.

. . . . . but then just when you think NONE of the offspring of this adulteress will “survive her” or have “fear of the Lord” or “heed the commandments of he Lord", we read (that some of these offspring do) . . . . .

SIRACH 23:26-27 26 She will leave her memory for a curse, and her disgrace will not be blotted out. 27 Those who survive her will recognize that nothing is better than the fear of the Lord, and nothing sweeter than to heed the commandments of the Lord.

This is talking about Old Testament Israel in one sense (see Galatians 4:21-31) and us in another sense (see Ephesians 2:1-3 and John 3:3-5).

But notice even if you interpret this even in an individual literal sense, there still remain,
“those who survive her” (offspring of the adulteress) and
“recognize that nothing is better than the fear of the Lord” and
offspring who “heed the commandments of the Lord”.

**Some offspring of the adulteress who **(yes assuredly with God’s grace):

• Survive her
• Recognize that nothing is better than the fear of the Lord
• Heed the commandments of the Lord