2 maccabees 1:10 - Written in the hundred fourscore and eighth year. THEY that are in Jerusalem and those who are in Judea and the senate and Judas, to Aristobulus, king Ptolemy’s teacher, who is also of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that are in Egypt, send greeting and health.
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What does "2 maccabees 1:10" mean?
This verse, 2 Maccabees 1:10, is the opening salutation of a letter from the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea to the Jews in Egypt. Let's break it down:
"Written in the hundred fourscore and eighth year": This refers to a date according to a specific calendar system. "Hundred fourscore and eighth" means 188. Which calendar is being used isn't explicitly stated in the verse itself, but based on the context of 2 Maccabees and related historical research, scholars generally believe this refers to the Seleucid Era (SE). Thus, the date would be 188 SE, equivalent to about 124 BCE.
"THEY that are in Jerusalem and those who are in Judea and the senate and Judas": This identifies the senders of the letter. It's a collective from Jerusalem and the region of Judea:
"Those in Jerusalem and Judea": Refers to the Jewish community residing in the capital city and surrounding areas.
"The Senate": Implies a governing body or council within the Jewish community of Jerusalem, similar to a senate in other cultures. This indicates a degree of self-governance.
"Judas": Most likely refers to Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire. He was a very important and well-known figure at the time, so mentioning him specifically adds weight and authority to the letter. It can also refer to other members of the Maccabean family.
"to Aristobulus, king Ptolemy’s teacher, who is also of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that are in Egypt": This identifies the recipients of the letter:
"Aristobulus, king Ptolemy's teacher": Aristobulus was a prominent Jewish figure in Egypt. Being the teacher of the Ptolemaic king gave him significant influence and status within the Egyptian Jewish community and perhaps even within the royal court.
"who is also of the stock of the anointed priests": This clarifies Aristobulus's heritage, indicating that he came from a priestly family. This lineage would give him additional authority and respect within the Jewish community.
"and to the Jews that are in Egypt": The letter is addressed not just to Aristobulus but to the entire Jewish community residing in Egypt.
"send greeting and health": This is a standard salutation, wishing well-being to the recipients.
In Summary:
The verse is the opening of a letter sent around 124 BCE from the Jewish community in Jerusalem and Judea, led by Judas Maccabeus, to Aristobulus (a respected Jewish scholar and teacher of the Ptolemaic king, with priestly lineage) and, by extension, to all Jews living in Egypt. The letter likely concerned matters of religious importance, mutual support, or communication between the Jewish communities in Judea and Egypt.
Significance:
This verse and the letter it introduces provide valuable insight into:
Jewish Diaspora: It shows communication and connections between Jewish communities in different parts of the world (Judea and Egypt).
Political and Religious Leadership: It reveals the roles of figures like Judas Maccabeus and Aristobulus in leading and representing their respective communities.
Cultural Exchange: It suggests that Jewish culture and traditions were being maintained and practiced in both Judea and Egypt.
The Ptolemaic Kingdom: It shows the presence of influential Jews within the Ptolemaic court, indicating a degree of integration and acceptance within Egyptian society.
2 maccabees 1:10 - Written in the hundred fourscore and eighth year. THEY that are in Jerusalem and those who are in Judea and the senate and Judas, to Aristobulus, king Ptolemy’s teacher, who is also of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that are in Egypt, send greeting and health.
What does "2 maccabees 1:10" mean?
This verse, 2 Maccabees 1:10, is the opening salutation of a letter from the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea to the Jews in Egypt. Let's break it down:
"Written in the hundred fourscore and eighth year": This refers to a date according to a specific calendar system. "Hundred fourscore and eighth" means 188. Which calendar is being used isn't explicitly stated in the verse itself, but based on the context of 2 Maccabees and related historical research, scholars generally believe this refers to the Seleucid Era (SE). Thus, the date would be 188 SE, equivalent to about 124 BCE.
"THEY that are in Jerusalem and those who are in Judea and the senate and Judas": This identifies the senders of the letter. It's a collective from Jerusalem and the region of Judea:
"Those in Jerusalem and Judea": Refers to the Jewish community residing in the capital city and surrounding areas.
"The Senate": Implies a governing body or council within the Jewish community of Jerusalem, similar to a senate in other cultures. This indicates a degree of self-governance.
"Judas": Most likely refers to Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire. He was a very important and well-known figure at the time, so mentioning him specifically adds weight and authority to the letter. It can also refer to other members of the Maccabean family.
"to Aristobulus, king Ptolemy’s teacher, who is also of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that are in Egypt": This identifies the recipients of the letter:
"Aristobulus, king Ptolemy's teacher": Aristobulus was a prominent Jewish figure in Egypt. Being the teacher of the Ptolemaic king gave him significant influence and status within the Egyptian Jewish community and perhaps even within the royal court.
"who is also of the stock of the anointed priests": This clarifies Aristobulus's heritage, indicating that he came from a priestly family. This lineage would give him additional authority and respect within the Jewish community.
"and to the Jews that are in Egypt": The letter is addressed not just to Aristobulus but to the entire Jewish community residing in Egypt.
"send greeting and health": This is a standard salutation, wishing well-being to the recipients.
In Summary:
The verse is the opening of a letter sent around 124 BCE from the Jewish community in Jerusalem and Judea, led by Judas Maccabeus, to Aristobulus (a respected Jewish scholar and teacher of the Ptolemaic king, with priestly lineage) and, by extension, to all Jews living in Egypt. The letter likely concerned matters of religious importance, mutual support, or communication between the Jewish communities in Judea and Egypt.
Significance:
This verse and the letter it introduces provide valuable insight into:
Jewish Diaspora: It shows communication and connections between Jewish communities in different parts of the world (Judea and Egypt).
Political and Religious Leadership: It reveals the roles of figures like Judas Maccabeus and Aristobulus in leading and representing their respective communities.
Cultural Exchange: It suggests that Jewish culture and traditions were being maintained and practiced in both Judea and Egypt.
The Ptolemaic Kingdom: It shows the presence of influential Jews within the Ptolemaic court, indicating a degree of integration and acceptance within Egyptian society.