This passage discusses the idea that God created everything with measure, weight, and number, including the human body as one of the most artful and perfect creations. The text emphasizes the proportional harmony and architectural significance of the human form, likening it to sacred structures like Noah's Ark and the Temple of Solomon. It also suggests that the various measures used in construction are derived from the human body.
Measured Harmony of Limbs
In all well-intended endeavors, one's mind can be completely reassured. Let us then consider the proportional harmony of the limbs in the following chapter more closely.
III. CHAPTER,
On the Proportional or Measured Harmony of Human Figures.
The writer of the Book of Wisdom states that God has made all things according to a certain measure, weight, and number. It follows that the body or visible image of man is one of the most artful creations and God's greatest masterpiece, not only cannot be wrongly considered, but also for good reason is set as a Model, from which all work measures are traditionally derived; as is apparent in the Foot, Ell, Span, Palm, Thumb, Fathom, and others. Thus, in terms of proper proportion and form of structure, man is rightly called a Temple. Just as the most discerning men divide the structure of Noah's Ark, the Tabernacle of Moses, and even the Temple of Solomon and other structures built by divine command, they eagerly derive principles of limb harmony from mankind. Similarly, there is generally an internal agreement in all parts of the human body, which serve and adorn each other, to create a well-made...
Translation Notes:
- "Maatredige Ledenstemmning" is translated as "Measured Harmony of Limbs."
- "Voet" refers to "Foot," "Elle" to "Ell" (an old unit of length), "Span," "Palm," "Duym" ("Thumb"), and "Vadem" ("Fathom").
- "Lichaam" means "Body," while "Zienlijk Beeld" translates to "Visible Image." These refer to the human body's representation and structure.
- The "Book of Wisdom" is not specified but reflects a theological or philosophical text that discusses divine order.