This verse from 1 Maccabees 6:20 describes the siege of the citadel in Jerusalem by the Seleucid army. Let's break it down:
"And they were gathered together..." This refers to the Seleucid army, led by King Antiochus V Eupator and his regent, Lysias. They have assembled their forces.
"...and besieged them in the hundred and fifties year..." This indicates the year of the siege. The "hundred and fifties year" refers to the Seleucid era calendar, which began in 312 BC. So, the 150th year would be 162 BC. The "them" refers to the Jewish rebels who were holed up in the citadel in Jerusalem.
"...and he made mounds to shoot from..." These "mounds" were siege ramps or earthworks constructed to raise the attackers above the defensive walls of the citadel. This provided a higher vantage point for archers and other missile troops to fire upon those defending the fortress.
"...and engines of war." These "engines of war" are siege engines, such as catapults, ballistae, and battering rams. These were used to hurl projectiles at the walls, to break down the walls, or to provide cover for soldiers attempting to scale them.
In summary, the verse describes the Seleucid army laying siege to the Jewish rebels in the citadel of Jerusalem in 162 BC. They used siege tactics like building mounds to get a higher vantage point, and employing powerful siege engines to try and break down the citadel's defenses. This shows the scale and seriousness of the conflict during the Maccabean Revolt.
This verse from 1 Maccabees 6:20 describes the siege of the citadel in Jerusalem by the Seleucid army. Let's break it down:
"And they were gathered together..." This refers to the Seleucid army, led by King Antiochus V Eupator and his regent, Lysias. They have assembled their forces.
"...and besieged them in the hundred and fifties year..." This indicates the year of the siege. The "hundred and fifties year" refers to the Seleucid era calendar, which began in 312 BC. So, the 150th year would be 162 BC. The "them" refers to the Jewish rebels who were holed up in the citadel in Jerusalem.
"...and he made mounds to shoot from..." These "mounds" were siege ramps or earthworks constructed to raise the attackers above the defensive walls of the citadel. This provided a higher vantage point for archers and other missile troops to fire upon those defending the fortress.
"...and engines of war." These "engines of war" are siege engines, such as catapults, ballistae, and battering rams. These were used to hurl projectiles at the walls, to break down the walls, or to provide cover for soldiers attempting to scale them.
In summary, the verse describes the Seleucid army laying siege to the Jewish rebels in the citadel of Jerusalem in 162 BC. They used siege tactics like building mounds to get a higher vantage point, and employing powerful siege engines to try and break down the citadel's defenses. This shows the scale and seriousness of the conflict during the Maccabean Revolt.
