This verse from 1 Maccabees 2:32 describes a specific incident during the Maccabean Revolt:
"and many pursued after them": This refers to Syrian-Greek soldiers (or soldiers loyal to the Seleucid Empire) chasing after a group of Jewish rebels who were fleeing.
"and having overtaken them": The Syrian-Greek forces caught up with the Jewish rebels.
"they encamped against them": The Syrian-Greek soldiers set up camp in preparation for a battle against the Jewish rebels.
"and set the battle in array against them on the Sabbath day": The Syrian-Greek forces formed their battle lines and prepared to attack the Jewish rebels specifically on the Sabbath day (the Jewish day of rest).
In summary, the verse tells us that Syrian-Greek soldiers pursued a group of Jewish rebels, caught them, set up camp, and prepared to attack them on the Sabbath.
Significance:
This verse is significant for a few reasons:
Violation of Sabbath: The attack on the Sabbath day was a deliberate act by the Syrian-Greek forces to desecrate the Jewish holy day and force them to fight on a day they considered sacred.
Initial Response of the Jews: The Jewish rebels initially refused to fight back on the Sabbath, leading to a massacre in the verses that follow. This forced them to reconsider their interpretation of Jewish law and decide whether defending themselves on the Sabbath was permissible in order to survive.
Catalyst for Change: This incident led to a crucial decision by Mattathias and his sons (the leaders of the Maccabean Revolt) to fight back even on the Sabbath if attacked, marking a turning point in the revolt and paving the way for eventual Jewish victory.
This verse from 1 Maccabees 2:32 describes a specific incident during the Maccabean Revolt:
"and many pursued after them": This refers to Syrian-Greek soldiers (or soldiers loyal to the Seleucid Empire) chasing after a group of Jewish rebels who were fleeing.
"and having overtaken them": The Syrian-Greek forces caught up with the Jewish rebels.
"they encamped against them": The Syrian-Greek soldiers set up camp in preparation for a battle against the Jewish rebels.
"and set the battle in array against them on the Sabbath day": The Syrian-Greek forces formed their battle lines and prepared to attack the Jewish rebels specifically on the Sabbath day (the Jewish day of rest).
In summary, the verse tells us that Syrian-Greek soldiers pursued a group of Jewish rebels, caught them, set up camp, and prepared to attack them on the Sabbath.
Significance:
This verse is significant for a few reasons:
Violation of Sabbath: The attack on the Sabbath day was a deliberate act by the Syrian-Greek forces to desecrate the Jewish holy day and force them to fight on a day they considered sacred.
Initial Response of the Jews: The Jewish rebels initially refused to fight back on the Sabbath, leading to a massacre in the verses that follow. This forced them to reconsider their interpretation of Jewish law and decide whether defending themselves on the Sabbath was permissible in order to survive.
Catalyst for Change: This incident led to a crucial decision by Mattathias and his sons (the leaders of the Maccabean Revolt) to fight back even on the Sabbath if attacked, marking a turning point in the revolt and paving the way for eventual Jewish victory.