2 maccabees 1:20 - Now after many years, when it pleased God, Nehemiah, having received a charge from the king of Persia, sent in quest of the fire the descendants of the priests that hid it. When they declared to us that they had found no fire, but thick water,
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What does "2 maccabees 1:20" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 1:20 is part of a legendary account describing the miraculous recovery of the sacred fire that had been hidden by Jewish priests during the Babylonian exile. Let's break it down:
"Now after many years, when it pleased God...": This sets the scene after a significant period following the Babylonian captivity (which began in 586 BCE). The phrase "when it pleased God" indicates divine providence at work, suggesting this event is happening at a time ordained by God.
"...Nehemiah, having received a charge from the king of Persia...": Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who served in the Persian court. He was granted permission by the Persian king (Artaxerxes I) to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls in the mid-5th century BCE. The "charge from the king" refers to this commission.
"...sent in quest of the fire the descendants of the priests that hid it.": Nehemiah, aware of the tradition of the hidden sacred fire, dispatched descendants of the priests who had originally hidden it to search for it. The sacred fire was essential for sacrifices in the Temple.
"When they declared to us that they had found no fire, but thick water...": This is the crucial part of the verse. The search party didn't find actual fire. Instead, they discovered "thick water." This is the first hint of the miraculous element of the story. The "thick water" is later (in verses 21-22) revealed to be a substance that miraculously ignites when exposed to sunlight, becoming a great fire.
In summary, the verse describes an attempt, initiated by Nehemiah, to recover the sacred fire hidden during the Babylonian exile. The priests' descendants, instead of finding fire, discovered a strange substance described as "thick water." This sets the stage for a miraculous event where this "thick water" becomes the new sacred fire.
Significance & Interpretation
Re-establishment of Temple Worship: The recovery of the sacred fire is symbolically important. It represents the restoration of proper Temple worship and the re-establishment of the covenant between God and the Jewish people after the exile.
Miraculous Intervention: The discovery of the "thick water" and its miraculous transformation into fire highlights God's intervention in Jewish history. It reinforces the idea that God supports and restores his people even after periods of hardship and exile.
Apocryphal Narrative: It's important to remember that 2 Maccabees is part of the Deuterocanonical or Apocryphal books, not accepted as canonical scripture by all Christian denominations or by Judaism. These books often contain legendary accounts and historical embellishments designed to inspire faith and patriotism. The story in 2 Maccabees is likely intended to encourage faith and a sense of national identity among the Jewish people in the Hellenistic period (when the book was written).
Allegorical Interpretation: Some interpretations view the "thick water" allegorically. It might represent a potential for holiness and devotion that needs a divine spark (the sun) to be activated. This highlights the importance of divine grace in religious practice.
Therefore, this verse is not simply a historical record. It's a narrative that combines historical figures with elements of legend and miracle to convey a message of hope, restoration, and divine intervention in the history of the Jewish people.
2 maccabees 1:20 - Now after many years, when it pleased God, Nehemiah, having received a charge from the king of Persia, sent in quest of the fire the descendants of the priests that hid it. When they declared to us that they had found no fire, but thick water,
What does "2 maccabees 1:20" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 1:20 is part of a legendary account describing the miraculous recovery of the sacred fire that had been hidden by Jewish priests during the Babylonian exile. Let's break it down:
"Now after many years, when it pleased God...": This sets the scene after a significant period following the Babylonian captivity (which began in 586 BCE). The phrase "when it pleased God" indicates divine providence at work, suggesting this event is happening at a time ordained by God.
"...Nehemiah, having received a charge from the king of Persia...": Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who served in the Persian court. He was granted permission by the Persian king (Artaxerxes I) to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls in the mid-5th century BCE. The "charge from the king" refers to this commission.
"...sent in quest of the fire the descendants of the priests that hid it.": Nehemiah, aware of the tradition of the hidden sacred fire, dispatched descendants of the priests who had originally hidden it to search for it. The sacred fire was essential for sacrifices in the Temple.
"When they declared to us that they had found no fire, but thick water...": This is the crucial part of the verse. The search party didn't find actual fire. Instead, they discovered "thick water." This is the first hint of the miraculous element of the story. The "thick water" is later (in verses 21-22) revealed to be a substance that miraculously ignites when exposed to sunlight, becoming a great fire.
In summary, the verse describes an attempt, initiated by Nehemiah, to recover the sacred fire hidden during the Babylonian exile. The priests' descendants, instead of finding fire, discovered a strange substance described as "thick water." This sets the stage for a miraculous event where this "thick water" becomes the new sacred fire.
Significance & Interpretation
Re-establishment of Temple Worship: The recovery of the sacred fire is symbolically important. It represents the restoration of proper Temple worship and the re-establishment of the covenant between God and the Jewish people after the exile.
Miraculous Intervention: The discovery of the "thick water" and its miraculous transformation into fire highlights God's intervention in Jewish history. It reinforces the idea that God supports and restores his people even after periods of hardship and exile.
Apocryphal Narrative: It's important to remember that 2 Maccabees is part of the Deuterocanonical or Apocryphal books, not accepted as canonical scripture by all Christian denominations or by Judaism. These books often contain legendary accounts and historical embellishments designed to inspire faith and patriotism. The story in 2 Maccabees is likely intended to encourage faith and a sense of national identity among the Jewish people in the Hellenistic period (when the book was written).
Allegorical Interpretation: Some interpretations view the "thick water" allegorically. It might represent a potential for holiness and devotion that needs a divine spark (the sun) to be activated. This highlights the importance of divine grace in religious practice.
Therefore, this verse is not simply a historical record. It's a narrative that combines historical figures with elements of legend and miracle to convey a message of hope, restoration, and divine intervention in the history of the Jewish people.