1 maccabees 11:60 - And Jonathan went forth, and took his journey beyond the river and through the cities; and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him for to be his confederates. And he came to Ascalon, and they of the city met him honorably.
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What does "1 maccabees 11:60" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 11:60 describes Jonathan Maccabeus engaging in a strategic and diplomatic maneuver. Let's break it down:
"And Jonathan went forth, and took his journey beyond the river and through the cities": This means Jonathan left his usual territory (Judea) and traveled north, crossing a major river (likely the Jordan River). He was moving through various cities, indicating he was traveling a significant distance and interacting with different populations.
"and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him for to be his confederates": This is the key part. "Syria" here refers to the Seleucid Empire, which controlled a vast territory including much of Syria, Palestine, and parts of modern-day Turkey. Jonathan, having sided with the forces of Alexander Balas against Demetrius I Soter for control of the Seleucid throne, continued to support his claim even after Balas's death. He was a key player, and Syrian military forces recognized this. They "gathered themselves to him" to become his allies ("confederates"). This means they were joining forces with Jonathan to achieve common goals, likely related to maintaining stability or fighting against opposition forces or claimants to the Seleucid throne.
"And he came to Ascalon, and they of the city met him honorably": Ascalon was a Philistine city, located on the Mediterranean coast. The fact that the inhabitants of Ascalon "met him honorably" signifies that Jonathan's arrival was met with respect and welcome. It indicates that Ascalon recognized his power and influence, and perhaps saw him as someone they could work with or feared opposing.
In summary:
This verse describes Jonathan's successful political and military positioning. He traveled north to consolidate his alliances with Syrian forces (supporters of Alexander Balas's claim, and later possibly supporters of his successor). The fact that he was welcomed honorably in Ascalon shows his rising status and the respect he commanded in the region. This verse underscores Jonathan's diplomatic skills and his growing power beyond the borders of Judea. It demonstrates that he was playing a significant role in the larger political landscape of the Seleucid Empire.
1 maccabees 11:60 - And Jonathan went forth, and took his journey beyond the river and through the cities; and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him for to be his confederates. And he came to Ascalon, and they of the city met him honorably.
What does "1 maccabees 11:60" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 11:60 describes Jonathan Maccabeus engaging in a strategic and diplomatic maneuver. Let's break it down:
"And Jonathan went forth, and took his journey beyond the river and through the cities": This means Jonathan left his usual territory (Judea) and traveled north, crossing a major river (likely the Jordan River). He was moving through various cities, indicating he was traveling a significant distance and interacting with different populations.
"and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him for to be his confederates": This is the key part. "Syria" here refers to the Seleucid Empire, which controlled a vast territory including much of Syria, Palestine, and parts of modern-day Turkey. Jonathan, having sided with the forces of Alexander Balas against Demetrius I Soter for control of the Seleucid throne, continued to support his claim even after Balas's death. He was a key player, and Syrian military forces recognized this. They "gathered themselves to him" to become his allies ("confederates"). This means they were joining forces with Jonathan to achieve common goals, likely related to maintaining stability or fighting against opposition forces or claimants to the Seleucid throne.
"And he came to Ascalon, and they of the city met him honorably": Ascalon was a Philistine city, located on the Mediterranean coast. The fact that the inhabitants of Ascalon "met him honorably" signifies that Jonathan's arrival was met with respect and welcome. It indicates that Ascalon recognized his power and influence, and perhaps saw him as someone they could work with or feared opposing.
In summary:
This verse describes Jonathan's successful political and military positioning. He traveled north to consolidate his alliances with Syrian forces (supporters of Alexander Balas's claim, and later possibly supporters of his successor). The fact that he was welcomed honorably in Ascalon shows his rising status and the respect he commanded in the region. This verse underscores Jonathan's diplomatic skills and his growing power beyond the borders of Judea. It demonstrates that he was playing a significant role in the larger political landscape of the Seleucid Empire.