1 maccabees 13:17 - And Simon knew that they spoke to him deceitfully; and he sends the money and the children, lest perhaps he should procure to himself great hatred of the people,
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What does "1 maccabees 13:17" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 13:17 describes a situation where Simon Maccabeus is being pressured by the Seleucid Greeks. Let's break it down:
"And Simon knew that they spoke to him deceitfully;": This means Simon recognized that the Greeks weren't being honest or truthful in their dealings with him. He suspected they were lying or manipulating him.
"and he sends the money and the children,": Despite his suspicion, Simon complies with their demands and sends them both money (likely a bribe or tribute) and children (probably as hostages to guarantee his good behavior or the fulfillment of an agreement).
"lest perhaps he should procure to himself great hatred of the people,": This explains Simon's motivation for complying even though he knew he was being deceived. He feared that if he refused, the people might turn against him. This could be because:
The people might suffer harsh reprisals from the Greeks if Simon defied them.
The people might think Simon was endangering them unnecessarily for his own ambition.
There may already have been factions within the Jewish community who favored accommodation with the Seleucids.
In essence, the verse reveals Simon Maccabeus as a pragmatic leader who is trying to navigate a difficult political situation. He understands he's being manipulated, but he chooses to comply with the demands to avoid potentially triggering a larger conflict or losing the support of his own people.
The key takeaway is the tension between principle and practicality, a common theme in the Maccabean revolt. Simon recognizes the deceit but prioritizes the safety and well-being of his people and his own position of leadership, even if it means giving in to a degree.
1 maccabees 13:17 - And Simon knew that they spoke to him deceitfully; and he sends the money and the children, lest perhaps he should procure to himself great hatred of the people,
What does "1 maccabees 13:17" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 13:17 describes a situation where Simon Maccabeus is being pressured by the Seleucid Greeks. Let's break it down:
"And Simon knew that they spoke to him deceitfully;": This means Simon recognized that the Greeks weren't being honest or truthful in their dealings with him. He suspected they were lying or manipulating him.
"and he sends the money and the children,": Despite his suspicion, Simon complies with their demands and sends them both money (likely a bribe or tribute) and children (probably as hostages to guarantee his good behavior or the fulfillment of an agreement).
"lest perhaps he should procure to himself great hatred of the people,": This explains Simon's motivation for complying even though he knew he was being deceived. He feared that if he refused, the people might turn against him. This could be because:
The people might suffer harsh reprisals from the Greeks if Simon defied them.
The people might think Simon was endangering them unnecessarily for his own ambition.
There may already have been factions within the Jewish community who favored accommodation with the Seleucids.
In essence, the verse reveals Simon Maccabeus as a pragmatic leader who is trying to navigate a difficult political situation. He understands he's being manipulated, but he chooses to comply with the demands to avoid potentially triggering a larger conflict or losing the support of his own people.
The key takeaway is the tension between principle and practicality, a common theme in the Maccabean revolt. Simon recognizes the deceit but prioritizes the safety and well-being of his people and his own position of leadership, even if it means giving in to a degree.