2 maccabees 1:19 - For indeed when our fathers were about to be led into the land of Persia, the godly priests of that time took of the fire of the altar, and hid it privily in the hollow of a well that was without water, wherein they made it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men.
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What does "2 maccabees 1:19" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 1:19 describes a legendary event from the time of the Babylonian exile (though it inaccurately places it in the time when the Jews were being led into Persia). It claims that before the Jews were deported, the righteous priests of the time:
Took fire from the altar: This altar would be the one in the Temple in Jerusalem. Fire was sacred and continuously burned on the altar as a symbol of God's presence and as essential for sacrifices.
Hid it privily in the hollow of a well without water: They secretly hid the fire in a dry well.
Made it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men: They took precautions to ensure the fire's preservation and that its hiding place remained a secret.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The priests, recognizing the impending destruction of the Temple and the exile, acted to preserve the sacred fire of the altar. They did this by hiding it in a secret location (a dry well), ensuring that it would be safe and its location unknown.
Significance and Interpretation:
Preservation of Religious Tradition: The act symbolizes the desire to preserve Jewish religious traditions and faith, even in exile. The fire, representing God's presence, was hidden but not extinguished.
Hope for Restoration: The act implies a hope for a future restoration. The hidden fire suggests that the religious spirit and the possibility of renewing worship remained alive even during the period of exile.
Legendary Narrative: It's crucial to recognize that 2 Maccabees contains historical accounts mixed with legendary narratives and interpretations. The story of the hidden fire likely falls into the latter category, serving as a symbolic representation of faith and hope.
Context within 2 Maccabees: This story sets the stage for the subsequent narrative in 2 Maccabees, where the fire is miraculously rediscovered and used to rekindle the altar after the Jews return to Jerusalem and rededicate the Temple.
In summary, this verse is a symbolic and legendary account describing the preservation of the sacred fire from the altar by righteous priests before the exile. It illustrates the persistence of faith, the hope for restoration, and the importance of religious tradition even in times of hardship.
2 maccabees 1:19 - For indeed when our fathers were about to be led into the land of Persia, the godly priests of that time took of the fire of the altar, and hid it privily in the hollow of a well that was without water, wherein they made it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men.
What does "2 maccabees 1:19" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 1:19 describes a legendary event from the time of the Babylonian exile (though it inaccurately places it in the time when the Jews were being led into Persia). It claims that before the Jews were deported, the righteous priests of the time:
Took fire from the altar: This altar would be the one in the Temple in Jerusalem. Fire was sacred and continuously burned on the altar as a symbol of God's presence and as essential for sacrifices.
Hid it privily in the hollow of a well without water: They secretly hid the fire in a dry well.
Made it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men: They took precautions to ensure the fire's preservation and that its hiding place remained a secret.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The priests, recognizing the impending destruction of the Temple and the exile, acted to preserve the sacred fire of the altar. They did this by hiding it in a secret location (a dry well), ensuring that it would be safe and its location unknown.
Significance and Interpretation:
Preservation of Religious Tradition: The act symbolizes the desire to preserve Jewish religious traditions and faith, even in exile. The fire, representing God's presence, was hidden but not extinguished.
Hope for Restoration: The act implies a hope for a future restoration. The hidden fire suggests that the religious spirit and the possibility of renewing worship remained alive even during the period of exile.
Legendary Narrative: It's crucial to recognize that 2 Maccabees contains historical accounts mixed with legendary narratives and interpretations. The story of the hidden fire likely falls into the latter category, serving as a symbolic representation of faith and hope.
Context within 2 Maccabees: This story sets the stage for the subsequent narrative in 2 Maccabees, where the fire is miraculously rediscovered and used to rekindle the altar after the Jews return to Jerusalem and rededicate the Temple.
In summary, this verse is a symbolic and legendary account describing the preservation of the sacred fire from the altar by righteous priests before the exile. It illustrates the persistence of faith, the hope for restoration, and the importance of religious tradition even in times of hardship.