1 maccabees 14:27 - And they wrote on tables of brass, and set them upon pillars in mount Sion: and this is the copy of the writing: On the eighteenth day of Elul, in the hundred and seventy and second year, and this is the third year of Simon the high priest,
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 maccabees 14:27" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 14:27 describes the public and permanent recording of a decree or achievement related to Simon Maccabeus. Let's break it down:
"And they wrote on tables of brass...": Brass (bronze) was a durable metal used for important documents meant to last. Writing on brass signifies the importance and permanence of the text. Think of it like engraving something in stone today.
"...and set them upon pillars in mount Sion...": Mount Zion (Sion) was the location of the Temple in Jerusalem, and therefore the heart of Jewish life and a highly visible and important place. Setting the brass tablets on pillars made them publicly accessible and emphasized their significance. The act of placing it in such a prominent location suggests the text was not just a private record, but a public proclamation.
"...and this is the copy of the writing: On the eighteenth day of Elul, in the hundred and seventy and second year, and this is the third year of Simon the high priest...": This introduces a specific date.
"Eighteenth day of Elul": Elul is a month in the Jewish calendar (late summer/early autumn).
"Hundred and seventy and second year": This refers to the Seleucid era dating system, which began in 312 BCE. Therefore, the year being referenced is 312-172, which is 140 BCE.
"...and this is the third year of Simon the high priest": This provides another way to date the event, linking it to Simon's tenure as high priest. Simon was the leader of the Maccabean revolt after his brothers' deaths and secured Jewish autonomy.
In Summary:
The verse describes the public recording of an important document, likely a decree honoring Simon Maccabeus, on durable brass tablets and placed in a prominent location. It also provides a specific date for the event (140 BCE).
Significance:
Publicity: The tablets were displayed publicly to ensure widespread knowledge of the decree.
Permanence: The use of brass emphasized the long-lasting nature of the agreement or recognition.
Legitimacy: By placing the tablets in Mount Zion, the document gained further legitimacy and religious significance.
Historical Record: The detailed dating helps historians place this event in the context of the Maccabean period and understand the political and religious landscape of the time. The dating makes clear it was in Simon Maccabeus's time and highlights his role.
1 maccabees 14:27 - And they wrote on tables of brass, and set them upon pillars in mount Sion: and this is the copy of the writing: On the eighteenth day of Elul, in the hundred and seventy and second year, and this is the third year of Simon the high priest,
What does "1 maccabees 14:27" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 14:27 describes the public and permanent recording of a decree or achievement related to Simon Maccabeus. Let's break it down:
"And they wrote on tables of brass...": Brass (bronze) was a durable metal used for important documents meant to last. Writing on brass signifies the importance and permanence of the text. Think of it like engraving something in stone today.
"...and set them upon pillars in mount Sion...": Mount Zion (Sion) was the location of the Temple in Jerusalem, and therefore the heart of Jewish life and a highly visible and important place. Setting the brass tablets on pillars made them publicly accessible and emphasized their significance. The act of placing it in such a prominent location suggests the text was not just a private record, but a public proclamation.
"...and this is the copy of the writing: On the eighteenth day of Elul, in the hundred and seventy and second year, and this is the third year of Simon the high priest...": This introduces a specific date.
"Eighteenth day of Elul": Elul is a month in the Jewish calendar (late summer/early autumn).
"Hundred and seventy and second year": This refers to the Seleucid era dating system, which began in 312 BCE. Therefore, the year being referenced is 312-172, which is 140 BCE.
"...and this is the third year of Simon the high priest": This provides another way to date the event, linking it to Simon's tenure as high priest. Simon was the leader of the Maccabean revolt after his brothers' deaths and secured Jewish autonomy.
In Summary:
The verse describes the public recording of an important document, likely a decree honoring Simon Maccabeus, on durable brass tablets and placed in a prominent location. It also provides a specific date for the event (140 BCE).
Significance:
Publicity: The tablets were displayed publicly to ensure widespread knowledge of the decree.
Permanence: The use of brass emphasized the long-lasting nature of the agreement or recognition.
Legitimacy: By placing the tablets in Mount Zion, the document gained further legitimacy and religious significance.
Historical Record: The detailed dating helps historians place this event in the context of the Maccabean period and understand the political and religious landscape of the time. The dating makes clear it was in Simon Maccabeus's time and highlights his role.