This verse, 1 Maccabees 9:34, describes a specific action taken by the Seleucid general Bacchides:
"And Bacchides knew it on the Sabbath day..." This likely refers to Bacchides becoming aware of the location or activity of his Jewish adversaries on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a day of rest for the Jews, during which many activities were forbidden. Bacchides may have exploited this to his advantage, knowing that the Jewish rebels would be less likely to be armed or ready to fight.
"...and came, he and all his army, over Jordan." This states that Bacchides crossed the Jordan River with his entire army. This implies a military maneuver to engage the Jewish forces, likely in the territory west of the Jordan River, where many Jewish communities were located. Crossing the Jordan was a significant military action, signaling a serious offensive.
In essence, the verse conveys that Bacchides used information gained on the Sabbath to launch a surprise attack across the Jordan River with his entire army. This highlights the vulnerability of the Jewish rebels due to their religious observance of the Sabbath and the ruthlessness of Bacchides in exploiting this.
This verse, 1 Maccabees 9:34, describes a specific action taken by the Seleucid general Bacchides:
"And Bacchides knew it on the Sabbath day..." This likely refers to Bacchides becoming aware of the location or activity of his Jewish adversaries on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a day of rest for the Jews, during which many activities were forbidden. Bacchides may have exploited this to his advantage, knowing that the Jewish rebels would be less likely to be armed or ready to fight.
"...and came, he and all his army, over Jordan." This states that Bacchides crossed the Jordan River with his entire army. This implies a military maneuver to engage the Jewish forces, likely in the territory west of the Jordan River, where many Jewish communities were located. Crossing the Jordan was a significant military action, signaling a serious offensive.
In essence, the verse conveys that Bacchides used information gained on the Sabbath to launch a surprise attack across the Jordan River with his entire army. This highlights the vulnerability of the Jewish rebels due to their religious observance of the Sabbath and the ruthlessness of Bacchides in exploiting this.