1 maccabees 4:47 - And they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar after the fashion of the former;
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What does "1 maccabees 4:47" mean?
This verse, 1 Maccabees 4:47, refers to a key moment in the Maccabean Revolt. Let's break down what it means:
"And they took whole stones according to the law...": This part highlights the importance of adhering to Jewish law (the Torah) in rebuilding the altar. The law, specifically in Exodus 20:25 and Deuteronomy 27:5-6, stipulated that altars should be made of uncut stones, not stones that had been shaped with iron tools. This symbolized that the altar was a natural, unadulterated offering to God, not a product of human artifice. Using "whole stones" emphasized the purity and authenticity of their worship.
"...and built a new altar after the fashion of the former;": The "former" altar refers to the one that had been defiled by the Seleucid Greeks under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus had desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem, setting up a pagan altar and offering sacrifices to Zeus. The Maccabees, after liberating Jerusalem, tore down the defiled altar and built a new one. Building it "after the fashion of the former" means they aimed to replicate the original altar as closely as possible, in accordance with Jewish tradition and religious principles. They wanted to restore the Temple and its worship to its rightful state before the desecration.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Restoration of Jewish Law and Tradition: The Maccabees were committed to restoring true worship and upholding the Torah.
Rejection of Hellenistic Influence: By destroying the pagan altar and rebuilding the Jewish altar according to the law, they were rejecting the Hellenistic practices forced upon them by the Seleucids.
Purification and Renewal: The new altar symbolized a fresh start and a cleansing of the Temple from the idolatry and sacrilege that had occurred.
Legitimacy and Authority: Building the altar in accordance with religious law underscored the Maccabees' legitimacy and authority as religious leaders.
This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of 1 Maccabees, representing a triumph of Jewish faith and resistance against oppression. It paved the way for the rededication of the Temple, which is celebrated as Hanukkah.
1 maccabees 4:47 - And they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar after the fashion of the former;
What does "1 maccabees 4:47" mean?
This verse, 1 Maccabees 4:47, refers to a key moment in the Maccabean Revolt. Let's break down what it means:
"And they took whole stones according to the law...": This part highlights the importance of adhering to Jewish law (the Torah) in rebuilding the altar. The law, specifically in Exodus 20:25 and Deuteronomy 27:5-6, stipulated that altars should be made of uncut stones, not stones that had been shaped with iron tools. This symbolized that the altar was a natural, unadulterated offering to God, not a product of human artifice. Using "whole stones" emphasized the purity and authenticity of their worship.
"...and built a new altar after the fashion of the former;": The "former" altar refers to the one that had been defiled by the Seleucid Greeks under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus had desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem, setting up a pagan altar and offering sacrifices to Zeus. The Maccabees, after liberating Jerusalem, tore down the defiled altar and built a new one. Building it "after the fashion of the former" means they aimed to replicate the original altar as closely as possible, in accordance with Jewish tradition and religious principles. They wanted to restore the Temple and its worship to its rightful state before the desecration.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Restoration of Jewish Law and Tradition: The Maccabees were committed to restoring true worship and upholding the Torah.
Rejection of Hellenistic Influence: By destroying the pagan altar and rebuilding the Jewish altar according to the law, they were rejecting the Hellenistic practices forced upon them by the Seleucids.
Purification and Renewal: The new altar symbolized a fresh start and a cleansing of the Temple from the idolatry and sacrilege that had occurred.
Legitimacy and Authority: Building the altar in accordance with religious law underscored the Maccabees' legitimacy and authority as religious leaders.
This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of 1 Maccabees, representing a triumph of Jewish faith and resistance against oppression. It paved the way for the rededication of the Temple, which is celebrated as Hanukkah.