2 maccabees 10:15 - And together with him the Idumaeans also, being masters of important strongholds, harassed the Jews; and receiving to them those that had taken refuge there from Jerusalem, they assayed to keep up war.
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What does "2 maccabees 10:15" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 10:15 describes the hostile actions of the Idumaeans (also known as Edomites) against the Jewish people during a period of conflict. Let's break it down:
"And together with him the Idumaeans also...": This implies that the Idumaeans were acting in concert with another enemy (likely referenced in the preceding verses) against the Jews.
"...being masters of important strongholds...": This tells us that the Idumaeans controlled strategic locations, presumably forts or fortified towns, which gave them a military advantage.
"...harassed the Jews...": This is a general statement indicating that the Idumaeans were actively causing trouble and inflicting suffering on the Jewish population. "Harassed" could involve raids, ambushes, disruption of trade, or other forms of aggression.
"...and receiving to them those that had taken refuge there from Jerusalem...": This is a crucial detail. It suggests that some Jewish people were fleeing Jerusalem, possibly due to conflict or persecution, and seeking refuge in Idumaean territory. However, the Idumaeans were not offering sanctuary in a benevolent way.
"...they assayed to keep up war.": This reveals the Idumaeans' motive for taking in the refugees. Instead of providing genuine refuge, they were using these displaced Jews as a means to continue the war against the Jewish people. It suggests they might be using the refugees for military purposes, gathering information, or as hostages.
In essence, the verse paints a picture of the Idumaeans as opportunistic enemies of the Jews. They exploited their strategic position and the plight of Jewish refugees to further their own war effort. They weren't acting as neutral neighbors but actively fueling the conflict.
Historical Context:
Understanding the verse requires some historical context. The Maccabean revolt (which 2 Maccabees recounts) was a Jewish uprising against Seleucid Greek rule in the 2nd century BCE. Neighboring peoples, like the Idumaeans, often took advantage of the instability to advance their own interests, sometimes siding with the Seleucids against the Jews. The Idumaeans had a long history of conflict with the Jewish people.
Therefore, this verse highlights not just a specific event, but also the long-standing animosity between the Idumaeans and the Jews during a period of significant upheaval and conflict.
2 maccabees 10:15 - And together with him the Idumaeans also, being masters of important strongholds, harassed the Jews; and receiving to them those that had taken refuge there from Jerusalem, they assayed to keep up war.
What does "2 maccabees 10:15" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 10:15 describes the hostile actions of the Idumaeans (also known as Edomites) against the Jewish people during a period of conflict. Let's break it down:
"And together with him the Idumaeans also...": This implies that the Idumaeans were acting in concert with another enemy (likely referenced in the preceding verses) against the Jews.
"...being masters of important strongholds...": This tells us that the Idumaeans controlled strategic locations, presumably forts or fortified towns, which gave them a military advantage.
"...harassed the Jews...": This is a general statement indicating that the Idumaeans were actively causing trouble and inflicting suffering on the Jewish population. "Harassed" could involve raids, ambushes, disruption of trade, or other forms of aggression.
"...and receiving to them those that had taken refuge there from Jerusalem...": This is a crucial detail. It suggests that some Jewish people were fleeing Jerusalem, possibly due to conflict or persecution, and seeking refuge in Idumaean territory. However, the Idumaeans were not offering sanctuary in a benevolent way.
"...they assayed to keep up war.": This reveals the Idumaeans' motive for taking in the refugees. Instead of providing genuine refuge, they were using these displaced Jews as a means to continue the war against the Jewish people. It suggests they might be using the refugees for military purposes, gathering information, or as hostages.
In essence, the verse paints a picture of the Idumaeans as opportunistic enemies of the Jews. They exploited their strategic position and the plight of Jewish refugees to further their own war effort. They weren't acting as neutral neighbors but actively fueling the conflict.
Historical Context:
Understanding the verse requires some historical context. The Maccabean revolt (which 2 Maccabees recounts) was a Jewish uprising against Seleucid Greek rule in the 2nd century BCE. Neighboring peoples, like the Idumaeans, often took advantage of the instability to advance their own interests, sometimes siding with the Seleucids against the Jews. The Idumaeans had a long history of conflict with the Jewish people.
Therefore, this verse highlights not just a specific event, but also the long-standing animosity between the Idumaeans and the Jews during a period of significant upheaval and conflict.