2 maccabees 1:18 - Whereas we are now about to keep the purification of the temple in the month Chislev, on the five and twentieth day, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that you⌃ also may keep a feast of tabernacles, and a memorial of the fire which was given when Nehemiah offered sacrifices, after that he had built both the temple and the altar.
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What does "2 maccabees 1:18" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 1:18 is part of a letter sent from the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea to their brethren in Egypt. Let's break down its meaning:
"Whereas we are now about to keep the purification of the temple in the month Chislev, on the five and twentieth day...": This refers to the upcoming celebration of Hanukkah. The verse explicitly states that they are about to observe the purification (or rededication) of the temple on the 25th of Chislev. This is the core reason for the letter.
"...we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that you⌃ also may keep a feast of tabernacles...": The symbol following "you" likely represents "also" or "too". The authors are informing the Egyptian Jews about Hanukkah and encouraging them to celebrate it as well. However, the passage conflates Hanukkah with another holiday.
"...and a memorial of the fire which was given when Nehemiah offered sacrifices, after that he had built both the temple and the altar.": This is where things get a bit more complex. It is stating that they should also keep a memorial for the miraculous fire that supposedly appeared when Nehemiah rebuilt the altar and offered sacrifices after returning from exile and rebuilding the Temple in the Persian period (5th century BCE). This fire is said to have consumed his sacrifices. This reference is linked to a legend that the temple fire had miraculously been hidden in a well and then recovered by Nehemiah and his colleagues, just as the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days at Hanukkah suggests.
In essence, the verse means:
"We are writing to inform you that we are about to celebrate Hanukkah, the rededication of the temple, on the 25th of Chislev. We want you to celebrate it too, along with remembering the miraculous fire that occurred during Nehemiah's time when he rebuilt the temple and altar."
Key Takeaways:
Historical Context: This verse provides insight into the early development of Hanukkah and how it was being promoted and celebrated among Jewish communities in the diaspora (specifically in Egypt).
Linking to the Past: The letter attempts to connect Hanukkah to an earlier event in Jewish history, the rebuilding of the temple by Nehemiah, to give the new holiday deeper historical roots and significance.
Call to Unity: It is a call for unity and shared religious observance among Jews living in different regions.
Syncretism: The blending of Hanukkah with a remembrance of Nehemiah's fire suggests that some religious customs may have been evolving and integrating at this time.
Apocryphal Literature: It's important to remember that 2 Maccabees is part of the Deuterocanonical books, also known as the Apocrypha. While valued by some Christian traditions, it's not considered canonical scripture in Jewish tradition or by many Protestant denominations.
2 maccabees 1:18 - Whereas we are now about to keep the purification of the temple in the month Chislev, on the five and twentieth day, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that you⌃ also may keep a feast of tabernacles, and a memorial of the fire which was given when Nehemiah offered sacrifices, after that he had built both the temple and the altar.
What does "2 maccabees 1:18" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 1:18 is part of a letter sent from the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea to their brethren in Egypt. Let's break down its meaning:
"Whereas we are now about to keep the purification of the temple in the month Chislev, on the five and twentieth day...": This refers to the upcoming celebration of Hanukkah. The verse explicitly states that they are about to observe the purification (or rededication) of the temple on the 25th of Chislev. This is the core reason for the letter.
"...we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that you⌃ also may keep a feast of tabernacles...": The symbol following "you" likely represents "also" or "too". The authors are informing the Egyptian Jews about Hanukkah and encouraging them to celebrate it as well. However, the passage conflates Hanukkah with another holiday.
"...and a memorial of the fire which was given when Nehemiah offered sacrifices, after that he had built both the temple and the altar.": This is where things get a bit more complex. It is stating that they should also keep a memorial for the miraculous fire that supposedly appeared when Nehemiah rebuilt the altar and offered sacrifices after returning from exile and rebuilding the Temple in the Persian period (5th century BCE). This fire is said to have consumed his sacrifices. This reference is linked to a legend that the temple fire had miraculously been hidden in a well and then recovered by Nehemiah and his colleagues, just as the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days at Hanukkah suggests.
In essence, the verse means:
"We are writing to inform you that we are about to celebrate Hanukkah, the rededication of the temple, on the 25th of Chislev. We want you to celebrate it too, along with remembering the miraculous fire that occurred during Nehemiah's time when he rebuilt the temple and altar."
Key Takeaways:
Historical Context: This verse provides insight into the early development of Hanukkah and how it was being promoted and celebrated among Jewish communities in the diaspora (specifically in Egypt).
Linking to the Past: The letter attempts to connect Hanukkah to an earlier event in Jewish history, the rebuilding of the temple by Nehemiah, to give the new holiday deeper historical roots and significance.
Call to Unity: It is a call for unity and shared religious observance among Jews living in different regions.
Syncretism: The blending of Hanukkah with a remembrance of Nehemiah's fire suggests that some religious customs may have been evolving and integrating at this time.
Apocryphal Literature: It's important to remember that 2 Maccabees is part of the Deuterocanonical books, also known as the Apocrypha. While valued by some Christian traditions, it's not considered canonical scripture in Jewish tradition or by many Protestant denominations.