1 maccabees 11:46 - And the king fled into the court of the palace, and they of the city seized the passages of the city, and began to fight.

Generated Verse: 1 maccabees 11:46

What does "1 maccabees 11:46" mean?


Let's break down the meaning of 1 Maccabees 11:46:

"And the king fled into the court of the palace..." This indicates that the ruling monarch (likely a Seleucid king during the Maccabean revolt) was being forced to retreat from a battle or uprising in the city. He sought refuge within the fortified palace grounds.

"...and they of the city seized the passages of the city..." "They of the city" refers to the people living in the city, likely those who were rebelling or opposing the king's rule. The "passages of the city" are strategic points like gates, main streets, or key entrances. By seizing these passages, the rebels effectively controlled the flow of movement and communication within the city. They were trying to isolate the king and his loyalists inside the palace.

"...and began to fight." This is a straightforward declaration of conflict. The rebels, having taken control of the city's passages, were now engaging in open warfare against the king's forces, presumably those who remained loyal and were either defending the palace or attempting to regain control of the city.

In essence, the verse depicts a scenario where:

1. The king is losing a conflict and retreats to his palace for safety.
2. The city's inhabitants seize strategic locations within the city.
3. Open warfare breaks out between the king's forces and the rebels.

This verse highlights the chaos and turmoil of the Maccabean period, where control of cities frequently shifted between the Seleucid rulers and Jewish rebels.