1 maccabees 11:20 - In those days Jonathan gathered together them of Judea, to take the citadel that was at Jerusalem: and he made many engines of war against it.
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What does "1 maccabees 11:20" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 11:20 describes a military action undertaken by Jonathan Maccabeus. Let's break it down:
"In those days Jonathan gathered together them of Judea...": This tells us that Jonathan, the leader of the Jewish rebels (Maccabees), mobilized his forces from the region of Judea (the historical homeland of the Jews).
"...to take the citadel that was at Jerusalem...": The "citadel" refers to a fortified stronghold in Jerusalem. This was likely the Akra, a heavily fortified structure that housed a Seleucid (Greek) garrison. The Seleucids were the Hellenistic rulers who controlled Judea at this time, and the Akra symbolized their oppressive rule and presence in the heart of Jerusalem.
"...and he made many engines of war against it.": Jonathan constructed siege engines (like catapults, battering rams, and siege towers) to attack the Akra. This indicates a serious, organized, and protracted military operation. These "engines of war" were necessary to breach the strong fortifications of the citadel.
In summary, the verse means that Jonathan Maccabeus assembled a Judean army and launched a major siege against the Seleucid-held citadel in Jerusalem, employing various war machines to try to capture it.
Context within 1 Maccabees:
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule. The Maccabees sought to restore Jewish religious freedom and political autonomy. Taking the Akra would have been a major step in achieving that goal.
Significance:
The attempt to capture the Akra was a significant event in the Maccabean struggle. It demonstrates Jonathan's ambition to liberate Jerusalem completely from Seleucid control. The Akra was a persistent threat, so eliminating it was crucial for securing Jewish independence.
Further Reading:
To understand the full context, it would be helpful to read the surrounding chapters of 1 Maccabees. You can learn more about the Maccabean Revolt, the Akra's history, and the political landscape of the time.
1 maccabees 11:20 - In those days Jonathan gathered together them of Judea, to take the citadel that was at Jerusalem: and he made many engines of war against it.
What does "1 maccabees 11:20" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 11:20 describes a military action undertaken by Jonathan Maccabeus. Let's break it down:
"In those days Jonathan gathered together them of Judea...": This tells us that Jonathan, the leader of the Jewish rebels (Maccabees), mobilized his forces from the region of Judea (the historical homeland of the Jews).
"...to take the citadel that was at Jerusalem...": The "citadel" refers to a fortified stronghold in Jerusalem. This was likely the Akra, a heavily fortified structure that housed a Seleucid (Greek) garrison. The Seleucids were the Hellenistic rulers who controlled Judea at this time, and the Akra symbolized their oppressive rule and presence in the heart of Jerusalem.
"...and he made many engines of war against it.": Jonathan constructed siege engines (like catapults, battering rams, and siege towers) to attack the Akra. This indicates a serious, organized, and protracted military operation. These "engines of war" were necessary to breach the strong fortifications of the citadel.
In summary, the verse means that Jonathan Maccabeus assembled a Judean army and launched a major siege against the Seleucid-held citadel in Jerusalem, employing various war machines to try to capture it.
Context within 1 Maccabees:
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule. The Maccabees sought to restore Jewish religious freedom and political autonomy. Taking the Akra would have been a major step in achieving that goal.
Significance:
The attempt to capture the Akra was a significant event in the Maccabean struggle. It demonstrates Jonathan's ambition to liberate Jerusalem completely from Seleucid control. The Akra was a persistent threat, so eliminating it was crucial for securing Jewish independence.
Further Reading:
To understand the full context, it would be helpful to read the surrounding chapters of 1 Maccabees. You can learn more about the Maccabean Revolt, the Akra's history, and the political landscape of the time.