1 maccabees 10:58 - and king Alexander met him, and he bestowed on him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great pomp, as the manner of kings is.
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What does "1 maccabees 10:58" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 10:58 describes a significant political event: a marriage alliance. Let's break down the meaning:
"and king Alexander met him": This refers to Alexander Balas, who claimed to be the son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and was vying for the Seleucid throne against Demetrius I Soter. The "him" most likely refers to Jonathan Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish rebellion. This meeting suggests an alliance forming.
"and he bestowed on him his daughter Cleopatra": Alexander Balas offered Jonathan Maccabeus a powerful incentive to support him. He gave Jonathan his daughter, Cleopatra Thea (though historical sources suggest she was likely illegitimate) in marriage. This was a common practice in ancient times to cement alliances and secure loyalty.
"and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great pomp, as the manner of kings is": The wedding of Cleopatra and Jonathan was held in Ptolemais (modern Acre, Israel), a coastal city. It was a lavish and elaborate affair, befitting the status of the participants. The phrase "as the manner of kings is" emphasizes the royal scale of the wedding, highlighting the significance of the political alliance being formed.
In essence, this verse depicts a strategic marriage alliance formed between Alexander Balas and Jonathan Maccabeus. Alexander used the marriage of his (possibly illegitimate) daughter Cleopatra to gain the support of Jonathan, who controlled Judea, in his struggle for the Seleucid throne. The opulent celebration served to publicly display the alliance and solidify their relationship.
1 maccabees 10:58 - and king Alexander met him, and he bestowed on him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great pomp, as the manner of kings is.
What does "1 maccabees 10:58" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 10:58 describes a significant political event: a marriage alliance. Let's break down the meaning:
"and king Alexander met him": This refers to Alexander Balas, who claimed to be the son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and was vying for the Seleucid throne against Demetrius I Soter. The "him" most likely refers to Jonathan Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish rebellion. This meeting suggests an alliance forming.
"and he bestowed on him his daughter Cleopatra": Alexander Balas offered Jonathan Maccabeus a powerful incentive to support him. He gave Jonathan his daughter, Cleopatra Thea (though historical sources suggest she was likely illegitimate) in marriage. This was a common practice in ancient times to cement alliances and secure loyalty.
"and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great pomp, as the manner of kings is": The wedding of Cleopatra and Jonathan was held in Ptolemais (modern Acre, Israel), a coastal city. It was a lavish and elaborate affair, befitting the status of the participants. The phrase "as the manner of kings is" emphasizes the royal scale of the wedding, highlighting the significance of the political alliance being formed.
In essence, this verse depicts a strategic marriage alliance formed between Alexander Balas and Jonathan Maccabeus. Alexander used the marriage of his (possibly illegitimate) daughter Cleopatra to gain the support of Jonathan, who controlled Judea, in his struggle for the Seleucid throne. The opulent celebration served to publicly display the alliance and solidify their relationship.