1 maccabees 4:36 - But Judas and his kindred said, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse the holy place, and to dedicate it afresh.
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What does "1 maccabees 4:36" mean?
This verse, from 1 Maccabees 4:36, describes a crucial moment in the Maccabean Revolt:
"But Judas and his kindred said...": This establishes Judas Maccabeus (the leader of the Jewish rebellion) and his family (who were key figures in the revolt) as the speakers and decision-makers.
"...Behold, our enemies are discomfited...": This refers to the Seleucid Greek forces who had desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem and were now weakened or defeated in the battles fought by the Maccabees. "Discomfited" means defeated, routed, or thrown into confusion. They recognize they've had success in their military campaign.
"...let us go up to cleanse the holy place...": This is the central action. The "holy place" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been defiled by the Seleucids with pagan sacrifices and idols. "Cleansing" means to purify it, to remove the pagan elements, and to restore it to its proper state for Jewish worship.
"...and to dedicate it afresh.": This means to rededicate the Temple to God. The original dedication had been tarnished by the Seleucids' actions. A new dedication ceremony was needed to sanctify the Temple once more and restore it to its sacred purpose.
In essence, the verse signifies a turning point in the Maccabean Revolt. After significant military victories, Judas Maccabeus and his followers recognized the opportunity to reclaim the Temple, purify it from pagan influence, and rededicate it to the worship of God. This act of rededication is the origin of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
1 maccabees 4:36 - But Judas and his kindred said, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse the holy place, and to dedicate it afresh.
What does "1 maccabees 4:36" mean?
This verse, from 1 Maccabees 4:36, describes a crucial moment in the Maccabean Revolt:
"But Judas and his kindred said...": This establishes Judas Maccabeus (the leader of the Jewish rebellion) and his family (who were key figures in the revolt) as the speakers and decision-makers.
"...Behold, our enemies are discomfited...": This refers to the Seleucid Greek forces who had desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem and were now weakened or defeated in the battles fought by the Maccabees. "Discomfited" means defeated, routed, or thrown into confusion. They recognize they've had success in their military campaign.
"...let us go up to cleanse the holy place...": This is the central action. The "holy place" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been defiled by the Seleucids with pagan sacrifices and idols. "Cleansing" means to purify it, to remove the pagan elements, and to restore it to its proper state for Jewish worship.
"...and to dedicate it afresh.": This means to rededicate the Temple to God. The original dedication had been tarnished by the Seleucids' actions. A new dedication ceremony was needed to sanctify the Temple once more and restore it to its sacred purpose.
In essence, the verse signifies a turning point in the Maccabean Revolt. After significant military victories, Judas Maccabeus and his followers recognized the opportunity to reclaim the Temple, purify it from pagan influence, and rededicate it to the worship of God. This act of rededication is the origin of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.