1 maccabees 13:50 - And they cried out to Simon, that he should give them his right hand; and he gave it to them: and he put them out from thence, and he cleansed the citadel from its pollutions.

Generated Verse: 1 maccabees 13:50

What does "1 maccabees 13:50" mean?


This verse from 1 Maccabees 13:50 describes a key moment in Simon Maccabeus's efforts to secure control of Jerusalem and Judah from foreign powers. Let's break it down:

"And they cried out to Simon, that he should give them his right hand...": The "they" refers to the remaining Syrian garrison, presumably weakened and besieged in the Citadel (also called the Akra), a fortified structure within Jerusalem that controlled the Temple Mount. "Giving his right hand" is a symbolic gesture of guaranteeing safety, peace, and terms of surrender. It's a sign of agreeing to terms and offering protection. It also signals recognition of Simon's authority.

"...and he gave it to them...": Simon accepted their surrender and pledged to uphold the terms of the agreement.

"...and he put them out from thence...": This means Simon expelled the Syrian garrison from the Citadel. They were allowed to leave peacefully, under the protection guaranteed by his agreement.

"...and he cleansed the citadel from its pollutions.": This is the crucial part. The Citadel had been a symbol of foreign occupation and influence and had been used to harass and oppress the Jewish population. The term "pollutions" refers to the idolatrous practices, pagan symbols, and desecrations of Jewish religious sites and practices that the Syrian occupants had introduced. Simon's cleansing was both a practical and a symbolic act of purification and restoration of Jewish sovereignty. It signified the removal of foreign influence and the re-establishment of Jewish religious purity.

In summary, the verse describes Simon Maccabeus capturing the Akra (Citadel) in Jerusalem. He grants safe passage (symbolized by offering his right hand) to the remaining Syrian garrison, expels them from the city, and then purifies the Citadel of the foreign, pagan practices that had defiled it. This action was a significant step towards fully liberating Jerusalem and restoring Jewish religious freedom and political independence.

The verse highlights Simon's military success, his integrity in honoring agreements, and his dedication to restoring the religious purity of Jerusalem. The removal of the Syrian garrison from the Citadel was a major victory, effectively ending Seleucid control over Jerusalem.