1 maccabees 12:17 - We commanded them therefore to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood.

Generated Verse: 1 maccabees 12:17

What does "1 maccabees 12:17" mean?


This verse, 1 Maccabees 12:17, is part of a larger passage where Jonathan, the leader of the Jewish people (the Maccabees), is corresponding with the Spartans. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means in context:

"We commanded them therefore to go also to you...": This refers to messengers that Jonathan and the Jewish leadership have sent. They instructed these messengers to travel onward to Sparta.

"...and to salute you...": The messengers were instructed to greet the Spartans with respect and goodwill. "Salute" here means to offer greetings and expressions of friendship.

"...and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood.": The primary purpose of the messengers was to deliver letters to the Spartan leaders. These letters contained messages expressing a desire to reaffirm and strengthen the existing relationship (friendship) between the Jewish people and the Spartans. The reference to "brotherhood" suggests a sense of shared identity, values, or common cause. This is likely referring back to a historical alliance or connection between the two peoples that Jonathan wants to reinforce.

In essence, the verse means:

Jonathan and the Jewish leadership sent messengers to Sparta with instructions to greet the Spartan leaders and deliver letters. These letters aimed to revive and strengthen the existing friendly relationship, emphasizing a sense of shared kinship or alliance ("brotherhood") between the Jewish people and the Spartans.

Historical Context:

This episode in 1 Maccabees reflects the Maccabees' efforts to secure alliances and support in their struggle for independence against the Seleucid Empire. The Spartans, known for their military prowess, were a potential ally. Jonathan was attempting to leverage historical ties or perceived common interests to gain their support.

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