This verse from 1 Maccabees 5:18 describes a key moment in the Maccabean Revolt. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: The Maccabean Revolt was a Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire (a Greek kingdom that controlled Judea at the time). Judas Maccabeus and his brothers were leading the revolt.
"And he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, as leaders of the people...": Judas Maccabeus, after a successful military campaign (likely referenced in the preceding verses), is leaving Judea. He appoints Joseph (son of Zacharias) and Azarias as leaders to oversee the Jewish population ("the people") in Judea.
"...with the remnant of the army...": They are also being left in charge of a portion of the Jewish army. This "remnant" implies that Judas is taking the main force with him, likely to address other conflicts or threats elsewhere.
"...in Judea, for to keep it.": The purpose of leaving Joseph, Azarias, and the remnant of the army is to "keep" Judea secure. This means they are responsible for defending the region against any potential Seleucid counterattacks, maintaining order among the Jewish population, and preventing the Seleucids from regaining control.
In Summary:
Judas Maccabeus, recognizing the need to secure the territory he has liberated, is delegating authority to Joseph and Azarias. He entrusts them with the responsibility of defending Judea and maintaining control while he takes the main fighting force elsewhere. This highlights the challenges faced by the Maccabees - they not only had to win battles but also needed to establish a stable governance to secure their gains.
This verse from 1 Maccabees 5:18 describes a key moment in the Maccabean Revolt. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: The Maccabean Revolt was a Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire (a Greek kingdom that controlled Judea at the time). Judas Maccabeus and his brothers were leading the revolt.
"And he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, as leaders of the people...": Judas Maccabeus, after a successful military campaign (likely referenced in the preceding verses), is leaving Judea. He appoints Joseph (son of Zacharias) and Azarias as leaders to oversee the Jewish population ("the people") in Judea.
"...with the remnant of the army...": They are also being left in charge of a portion of the Jewish army. This "remnant" implies that Judas is taking the main force with him, likely to address other conflicts or threats elsewhere.
"...in Judea, for to keep it.": The purpose of leaving Joseph, Azarias, and the remnant of the army is to "keep" Judea secure. This means they are responsible for defending the region against any potential Seleucid counterattacks, maintaining order among the Jewish population, and preventing the Seleucids from regaining control.
In Summary:
Judas Maccabeus, recognizing the need to secure the territory he has liberated, is delegating authority to Joseph and Azarias. He entrusts them with the responsibility of defending Judea and maintaining control while he takes the main fighting force elsewhere. This highlights the challenges faced by the Maccabees - they not only had to win battles but also needed to establish a stable governance to secure their gains.