1 maccabees 8:16 - and how they commit their government to one man year by year, that he should rule over them, and be lord over all their country, and all are obedient to that one, and there is neither envy nor emulation among them.
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What does "1 maccabees 8:16" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 8:16 is describing a Roman political system that the author finds admirable and perhaps even idealized. Let's break down the meaning:
"and how they commit their government to one man year by year": This is a slightly inaccurate description of the Roman consulship. In Rome, two consuls were elected annually to jointly head the government and the army. The verse seems to be simplifying or misunderstanding the Roman system, focusing on the idea of a single leader for a set period. This could be due to a lack of complete understanding on the part of the author or a simplification for the audience.
"that he should rule over them, and be lord over all their country": This continues the idea of a singular ruler with broad authority. Again, while not entirely accurate, it reflects the power and respect the consuls held in Roman society during their term. "Lord" is a strong word, implying a level of dominance, but it also highlights the Romans' organized and seemingly effective rule.
"and all are obedient to that one": This emphasizes the Romans' discipline and adherence to their leadership. It's a key component of the author's positive portrayal.
"and there is neither envy nor emulation among them": This is the most idealized and likely unrealistic aspect of the description. The author sees a lack of internal strife or competition within the Roman system. This suggests a society characterized by unity, cooperation, and a lack of personal ambition undermining the collective good. Of course, Roman history was rife with political infighting, power struggles, and civil wars, making this claim highly unlikely to be entirely true.
In context, the meaning of the verse is as follows:
The author of 1 Maccabees is trying to understand and describe the Roman Republic. He is impressed by their military might and their apparent stability. The verse is part of a larger section where the author is highlighting the strengths of the Romans. The author seems to admire their ability to choose leaders and to have a population that is obedient and united.
This idealized portrayal serves a specific purpose within the book of Maccabees. The author wants to show the Jewish people that the Romans are a powerful and well-organized people and that forming an alliance with them could be beneficial. By highlighting the Romans' strengths, the author is trying to persuade the Jewish people to see the Romans as potential allies against their Seleucid oppressors.
Therefore, 1 Maccabees 8:16 portrays a somewhat idealized, possibly inaccurate, picture of the Roman political system to emphasize Roman strength, order, and unity, likely to promote the idea of a beneficial alliance between the Jews and the Romans against the Seleucid Empire.
1 maccabees 8:16 - and how they commit their government to one man year by year, that he should rule over them, and be lord over all their country, and all are obedient to that one, and there is neither envy nor emulation among them.
What does "1 maccabees 8:16" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 8:16 is describing a Roman political system that the author finds admirable and perhaps even idealized. Let's break down the meaning:
"and how they commit their government to one man year by year": This is a slightly inaccurate description of the Roman consulship. In Rome, two consuls were elected annually to jointly head the government and the army. The verse seems to be simplifying or misunderstanding the Roman system, focusing on the idea of a single leader for a set period. This could be due to a lack of complete understanding on the part of the author or a simplification for the audience.
"that he should rule over them, and be lord over all their country": This continues the idea of a singular ruler with broad authority. Again, while not entirely accurate, it reflects the power and respect the consuls held in Roman society during their term. "Lord" is a strong word, implying a level of dominance, but it also highlights the Romans' organized and seemingly effective rule.
"and all are obedient to that one": This emphasizes the Romans' discipline and adherence to their leadership. It's a key component of the author's positive portrayal.
"and there is neither envy nor emulation among them": This is the most idealized and likely unrealistic aspect of the description. The author sees a lack of internal strife or competition within the Roman system. This suggests a society characterized by unity, cooperation, and a lack of personal ambition undermining the collective good. Of course, Roman history was rife with political infighting, power struggles, and civil wars, making this claim highly unlikely to be entirely true.
In context, the meaning of the verse is as follows:
The author of 1 Maccabees is trying to understand and describe the Roman Republic. He is impressed by their military might and their apparent stability. The verse is part of a larger section where the author is highlighting the strengths of the Romans. The author seems to admire their ability to choose leaders and to have a population that is obedient and united.
This idealized portrayal serves a specific purpose within the book of Maccabees. The author wants to show the Jewish people that the Romans are a powerful and well-organized people and that forming an alliance with them could be beneficial. By highlighting the Romans' strengths, the author is trying to persuade the Jewish people to see the Romans as potential allies against their Seleucid oppressors.
Therefore, 1 Maccabees 8:16 portrays a somewhat idealized, possibly inaccurate, picture of the Roman political system to emphasize Roman strength, order, and unity, likely to promote the idea of a beneficial alliance between the Jews and the Romans against the Seleucid Empire.