Does anyone out there know if the inscription on the headstone of the farmer Judson's late wife is from the Bible, and if so what book, chapter and verse?Would the message on it imply that she (wife) had been unfatihful, hence the mention of the word "harlot"?
Also, would appreciate the quotes from scripture spoken by the farmer and Steve Judd. He mentions Book of Isaiah... just need the exact chapter and verse.
Don't know if you're still around on the board, or still need to know, but . . .
The inscription on the headstone is from Ezekiel, Chapter 16, verses 35 and 38. As for whether it implies his wife was unfaithful, I've always figured probably so.
JOSHUA: "Gold is a stumbling block unto them that sacrifice to it, and every fool shall be taken therewith." (Ecclesiasticus 31)
JUDD: "A good man is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs, 22:1)
JOSHUA: "Into the land of trouble and anguish come the old lions and they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses to a people that shall not profit them." (Isaiah, Chapter 30:6)
JUDD: The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit; and him that is abhorred by the Lord shall fall therein." (Proverbs, 22:14)
JOSHUA: "Receive my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies." (Proverbs, 8:10-11)
It's easy to search the King James Bible at this link to find any word or phrase you want.
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/kjv.browse.html
Other links to texts and books are here...
http://www.zechariasitchin.com/research_links.html
If she did cheat on him, that would explain why he wanted to control Elsa so much.
shareHer name is Hester (Knudson, not Judson). Her epitaph certainly suggests that she was unfaithful. Her grave marker is in the shape of a cross. The upright beam is inscribed with her name and dates (1845-85). The cross beam reads: "Wherefore O harlot hear the word of the Lord: I will judge thee as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; I will give this blood in fury and in jealousy." The first part of Ezekiel 16:35.
shareThanks for that. In view of that particular verse, in your opinion, do you think Mr Knudson might have killed her for her unfaithfulness? There's no mention of her manner of death in the movie, but thinking outside the box, given that in biblical times, adultery was punishable by death and that Mr Knudson was a religious fanatic who obviously took the Bible literally, I tend to think such was the case. And his farm being so isolated from the closest town and no apparent neighbors at hand, he would have been able to get away with it without any witnesses. Presumably Elsa would have been a very little girl when the deed occurred and might have been kept from seeing it done, since she never mentioned anything about it to Gil, Steve or Heck and seemed to act like a normal if naive woman of her age. Feel free to express opinions on this. Thanks.
shareBebop63-1,
I was just rewatching the movie again after not seeing it for 10 yrs or so, and the exact same thought crossed my mind. I think you are totally correct, and what the epitaph is telling us is that Mr Knudson did indeed kill his wife years earlier for being what he believed to be a harlot. The year of death is 1885, and from what we saw in the town, it was probably after 1900, maybe even 1905 or thereabouts, so Elsa would have been quite young and not remembering. Perhaps too, Elsa was the result of his wife's infidelity.
In view of that particular verse, in your opinion, do you think Mr Knudson might have killed her for her unfaithfulness? There's no mention of her manner of death in the movie, but thinking outside the box, given that in biblical times, adultery was punishable by death and that Mr Knudson was a religious fanatic who obviously took the Bible literally, I tend to think such was the case. And his farm being so isolated from the closest town and no apparent neighbors at hand, he would have been able to get away with it without any witnesses.
I most definitely thought that.
cinefreak