2 maccabees 1:7 - In the reign of Demetrius, in the hundred threescore and ninth year, we the Jews have already written to you in the tribulation and in the extremity that has come upon us in these years, from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom,
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What does "2 maccabees 1:7" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 1:7 is essentially a dating mechanism and a declaration of suffering. Let's break it down:
"In the reign of Demetrius...": This is a reference to one of the Seleucid kings named Demetrius. There were several. This probably refers to Demetrius II Nicator.
"...in the hundred threescore and ninth year...": This is a date according to the Seleucid Era. The Seleucid Era began in 312 BC when Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, established his kingdom. "Hundred threescore and ninth" is 169. Thus, the year mentioned here is 312 - 169 = 143 BC.
"...we the Jews have already written to you...": This indicates that this is not the first letter being sent. It suggests a continued communication between the writers (likely Jews in Jerusalem) and the recipients (Jews in Egypt, as the letter goes on to mention).
"...in the tribulation and in the extremity that has come upon us in these years...": This is the key part. It describes the suffering the Jews are experiencing. "Tribulation" and "extremity" are strong words indicating hardship, distress, and danger.
"...from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom...": This identifies the cause of their suffering. Jason was a Hellenizing High Priest in Jerusalem who tried to introduce Greek customs and beliefs. His "revolt" implies not only his apostasy but likely also some form of political upheaval or factional struggle. "His company" refers to his supporters who shared his Hellenistic leanings. This period marked a significant crisis for the Jewish people, as it involved the desecration of the Temple and the suppression of Jewish religious practices. The reference to the "holy land and the kingdom" emphasizes the loss of both religious and political autonomy.
In summary, the verse states that in the year 143 BC, during the reign of a Demetrius, the Jews are writing to a community (likely in Egypt) to explain their ongoing suffering, which is a direct result of the actions of Jason and his followers, who abandoned Jewish traditions and caused upheaval in the land. This is a difficult time of political and religious persecution. The letter aims to inform and perhaps seek support from the Jewish diaspora.
2 maccabees 1:7 - In the reign of Demetrius, in the hundred threescore and ninth year, we the Jews have already written to you in the tribulation and in the extremity that has come upon us in these years, from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom,
What does "2 maccabees 1:7" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 1:7 is essentially a dating mechanism and a declaration of suffering. Let's break it down:
"In the reign of Demetrius...": This is a reference to one of the Seleucid kings named Demetrius. There were several. This probably refers to Demetrius II Nicator.
"...in the hundred threescore and ninth year...": This is a date according to the Seleucid Era. The Seleucid Era began in 312 BC when Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, established his kingdom. "Hundred threescore and ninth" is 169. Thus, the year mentioned here is 312 - 169 = 143 BC.
"...we the Jews have already written to you...": This indicates that this is not the first letter being sent. It suggests a continued communication between the writers (likely Jews in Jerusalem) and the recipients (Jews in Egypt, as the letter goes on to mention).
"...in the tribulation and in the extremity that has come upon us in these years...": This is the key part. It describes the suffering the Jews are experiencing. "Tribulation" and "extremity" are strong words indicating hardship, distress, and danger.
"...from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom...": This identifies the cause of their suffering. Jason was a Hellenizing High Priest in Jerusalem who tried to introduce Greek customs and beliefs. His "revolt" implies not only his apostasy but likely also some form of political upheaval or factional struggle. "His company" refers to his supporters who shared his Hellenistic leanings. This period marked a significant crisis for the Jewish people, as it involved the desecration of the Temple and the suppression of Jewish religious practices. The reference to the "holy land and the kingdom" emphasizes the loss of both religious and political autonomy.
In summary, the verse states that in the year 143 BC, during the reign of a Demetrius, the Jews are writing to a community (likely in Egypt) to explain their ongoing suffering, which is a direct result of the actions of Jason and his followers, who abandoned Jewish traditions and caused upheaval in the land. This is a difficult time of political and religious persecution. The letter aims to inform and perhaps seek support from the Jewish diaspora.