The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves. ~William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693In writing the Bible Study this week, I began to wonder why we say "green with envy." Why not red, blue or even purple? In researching the "why" I found various answers.
1. An apology to the weak in stomach, but in ancient Greece they believed envy was accompanied by an over-production of bile which resulted in the yellow/greenish complexion.
2. Shakespeare further popularized the color and added the further word monster in Othello: “O! Beware my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on." In Anthony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare wrote of the ‘green sickness,’ meaning jealousy. And in Merchant of Venice, he used the term ‘green-eyed jealousy.’
3. In the 1800s Mark Twain wrote, “It turned Brer Merlin green with envy and spite, which was a great satisfaction to me.”
4. In western cultures we say we are "green around the gills" when we are sick--our face having a greenish tint. Many feel those who are envious or jealous to be sick.
Wherever the green crept in isn't the issue. This is what God says about jealousy:
For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil. For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil (James 3:15-16).
Jealousy is one of the sins that cause the words we speak to be ungodly. It's the topic of today's Bible Study. If you would like to receive it, sign up for the mailing list on the right.
Speak up and Shelter: Introduction
Linked to:
6 comments:
So true.
Jealousy is one of those ugly things we don't like to think about. But like it or not, we often do have it lurking somewhere in our spirits. Thanks for the reminder that we need to combat it with gratefulness.
The only one who can get away with being green is Kermit the Frog! Jealousy is a bitter disease that can eat away the soul.
And you're so right - gratitude is the cure.
GOD BLESS!
Thanks for writing this biblical lesson.
As a nurse, I've seen that greenish look on patients when they are very ill, but I'd never linked it to jealousy before! LOL!
So interesting, Pamela! Who knew Shakespeare had such an influence on that phrase? Green is certainly not my best color :). Thanks for the Bible lesson.
Post a Comment