1 maccabees 4:48 - and they built the holy place, and the inner parts of the house; and they hallowed the courts.

Generated Verse: 1 maccabees 4:48

What does "1 maccabees 4:48" mean?


This verse from 1 Maccabees 4:48 describes the actions of Judas Maccabeus and his followers after they recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem from the Seleucid Empire, who had desecrated it. Let's break it down:

"and they built the holy place, and the inner parts of the house": This refers to the restoration and rebuilding of the Temple itself. The Seleucids had defiled and possibly damaged various parts of the Temple. The Maccabees repaired the sanctuary (the "holy place") and the inner areas within the Temple complex. This likely included the altar of burnt offering, the altar of incense, the table of showbread, and the lampstand. They were essentially undoing the damage and preparing the Temple for worship again.

"and they hallowed the courts": "Hallowing" means to make holy or consecrate. The courts of the Temple were the outer areas where worshippers gathered. The Seleucids had likely used these courts for non-sacred, even profane, purposes, possibly including idolatrous rituals or military activities. The Maccabees purified these courts, removing any traces of the Seleucids' defilement and rededicating them to their sacred purpose. This act of purification was vital to restore the Temple's sanctity and make it fit for proper worship according to Jewish law.

In summary, the verse describes the Maccabees' efforts to physically and spiritually cleanse and restore the Temple after its desecration by the Seleucids. It emphasizes the importance of rebuilding the physical structure and rededicating it to the service of God. This event is central to the story of Hanukkah, which celebrates the rededication of the Temple.

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