The verse "and how they of Greece took counsel to come and destroy them;" from 1 Maccabees 8:9 is referring to the previous conflicts between the Roman Republic and the Greek kingdoms and empires, not to an immediate threat faced by the Maccabees.
Here's a breakdown:
Context: 1 Maccabees chapter 8 is a description of the Roman Republic and its power, included by the author to encourage the Maccabees to form an alliance with them. The author is painting a picture of Rome as a strong and reliable ally. To bolster this image, he recounts Rome's previous victories and the fear it inspired in other nations.
"They of Greece": This refers to the various Greek kingdoms and leagues that had, in the past, warred against Rome. The primary examples would include the Macedonian kings (especially Philip V and Perseus) who fought the Romans in the Macedonian Wars and the Achaean League which resisted Roman dominance.
"Took counsel to come and destroy them": This means that the Greek powers planned or attempted to destroy Rome.
Why it's significant: The author of 1 Maccabees includes this to highlight Rome's strength and resilience. The fact that Rome had faced powerful Greek adversaries and emerged victorious underscores its formidable nature and suggests that the Maccabees could benefit from their alliance.
In essence, the verse reminds the reader that Rome had survived and triumphed over significant threats from the Greek world, thereby making it a worthy ally for the Maccabees in their struggle against the Seleucid Empire (which was also Greek-speaking, but a different power dynamic). It is a historical reference meant to showcase Rome's past victories and strength.
The verse "and how they of Greece took counsel to come and destroy them;" from 1 Maccabees 8:9 is referring to the previous conflicts between the Roman Republic and the Greek kingdoms and empires, not to an immediate threat faced by the Maccabees.
Here's a breakdown:
Context: 1 Maccabees chapter 8 is a description of the Roman Republic and its power, included by the author to encourage the Maccabees to form an alliance with them. The author is painting a picture of Rome as a strong and reliable ally. To bolster this image, he recounts Rome's previous victories and the fear it inspired in other nations.
"They of Greece": This refers to the various Greek kingdoms and leagues that had, in the past, warred against Rome. The primary examples would include the Macedonian kings (especially Philip V and Perseus) who fought the Romans in the Macedonian Wars and the Achaean League which resisted Roman dominance.
"Took counsel to come and destroy them": This means that the Greek powers planned or attempted to destroy Rome.
Why it's significant: The author of 1 Maccabees includes this to highlight Rome's strength and resilience. The fact that Rome had faced powerful Greek adversaries and emerged victorious underscores its formidable nature and suggests that the Maccabees could benefit from their alliance.
In essence, the verse reminds the reader that Rome had survived and triumphed over significant threats from the Greek world, thereby making it a worthy ally for the Maccabees in their struggle against the Seleucid Empire (which was also Greek-speaking, but a different power dynamic). It is a historical reference meant to showcase Rome's past victories and strength.
