1 maccabees 10:34 - And all the feasts, and the Sabbaths, and new moons, and appointed days, and three days before a feast, and three days after a feast, let them all be days of immunity and release for all the Jews that are in my kingdom.

Generated Verse: 1 maccabees 10:34

What does "1 maccabees 10:34" mean?


This verse, found in 1 Maccabees 10:34, represents a concession granted to the Jewish people by a Seleucid King, specifically King Demetrius I Soter, in an attempt to secure their favor during a period of political turmoil. Let's break down what it means:

"And all the feasts, and the Sabbaths, and new moons, and appointed days": These are specific Jewish holy days.
Feasts: Refers to major Jewish festivals like Passover (Pesach), Shavuot (Weeks), Sukkot (Tabernacles).
Sabbaths: The weekly day of rest, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
New Moons: The beginning of each month in the Jewish calendar, marked with special observances.
Appointed Days: Other significant holy days and celebrations throughout the year.

"and three days before a feast, and three days after a feast": This extends the period of immunity and release around the major feasts, adding six days to the already existing holy days. It suggests a recognition of the practical needs related to travel and preparation for these important festivals.

"let them all be days of immunity and release for all the Jews that are in my kingdom": This is the core of the concession. It means that during these designated times, Jewish people within Demetrius I Soter's kingdom would experience:
Immunity: They would be exempt from certain civic duties, legal obligations, taxes, and potentially military service. They likely would not be required to appear in court or conduct certain business activities.
Release: This could mean release from prison (for certain offenses), release from debts, or other forms of relief from burdens imposed by the kingdom.

In essence, this verse describes a royal decree granting the Jewish population a period of exemption and relief around their religious observances. It was a political move intended to win the favor of the Jewish people by recognizing and respecting their religious practices and providing them with tangible benefits.

Context and Significance

The Seleucid Empire was in a period of internal strife and external pressures. Granting these concessions was a calculated move by Demetrius to garner Jewish support in his power struggle. The Jewish people, under the leadership of the Maccabees, had recently revolted against Seleucid rule due to religious persecution. Demetrius was trying to appease them and avoid further conflict.

The fact that this decree is recorded in 1 Maccabees, a historical and religious text of Jewish origin, highlights its importance to the Jewish community. It shows that the Jewish people valued and remembered these concessions as a sign of recognition and a partial return to autonomy. It also illustrates the complex relationship between the Jewish people and the Seleucid rulers, characterized by conflict, negotiation, and periods of relative peace.

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