2 maccabees 10:28 - And when the dawn was now spreading, the two armies joined battle; the one part having this, beside their virtue, for a pledge of success and victory, that they had fled to the Lord for refuge, the others making their passion their leader in the strife.
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What does "2 maccabees 10:28" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 10:28 offers a powerful contrast between the two armies about to engage in battle, highlighting the sources of their confidence and motivation:
"And when the dawn was now spreading, the two armies joined battle...": This simply sets the scene, describing the time of day when the conflict begins.
"...the one part having this, beside their virtue, for a pledge of success and victory, that they had fled to the Lord for refuge...": This refers to the Jewish army.
"beside their virtue": This suggests that they were already righteous and morally upright. They weren't relying solely on faith, but also on their own good character and behavior.
"that they had fled to the Lord for refuge": This is the key part. They had sought God's protection and guidance. They believed their cause was just and that God was on their side. This gave them a sense of hope and assurance, a "pledge of success and victory." It suggests they had prayed for help and trusted in divine intervention.
"...the others making their passion their leader in the strife.": This refers to the opposing army (likely the Seleucid Greeks, who were oppressing the Jewish people).
"their passion their leader": This means that instead of relying on God or a sense of justice, they were driven by their own strong emotions, such as anger, greed, lust for power, or a desire for revenge. "Passion" here suggests a lack of reason and a focus on selfish desires.
In essence, the verse contrasts:
The Jewish army: Motivated by faith, righteousness, and a belief in God's protection.
The opposing army: Motivated by unchecked emotions and selfish desires.
The verse suggests that true strength and victory come not just from military might, but from moral righteousness and faith in God. It's a common theme in 2 Maccabees, which emphasizes the importance of religious devotion and adherence to Jewish law in the face of persecution.
2 maccabees 10:28 - And when the dawn was now spreading, the two armies joined battle; the one part having this, beside their virtue, for a pledge of success and victory, that they had fled to the Lord for refuge, the others making their passion their leader in the strife.
What does "2 maccabees 10:28" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 10:28 offers a powerful contrast between the two armies about to engage in battle, highlighting the sources of their confidence and motivation:
"And when the dawn was now spreading, the two armies joined battle...": This simply sets the scene, describing the time of day when the conflict begins.
"...the one part having this, beside their virtue, for a pledge of success and victory, that they had fled to the Lord for refuge...": This refers to the Jewish army.
"beside their virtue": This suggests that they were already righteous and morally upright. They weren't relying solely on faith, but also on their own good character and behavior.
"that they had fled to the Lord for refuge": This is the key part. They had sought God's protection and guidance. They believed their cause was just and that God was on their side. This gave them a sense of hope and assurance, a "pledge of success and victory." It suggests they had prayed for help and trusted in divine intervention.
"...the others making their passion their leader in the strife.": This refers to the opposing army (likely the Seleucid Greeks, who were oppressing the Jewish people).
"their passion their leader": This means that instead of relying on God or a sense of justice, they were driven by their own strong emotions, such as anger, greed, lust for power, or a desire for revenge. "Passion" here suggests a lack of reason and a focus on selfish desires.
In essence, the verse contrasts:
The Jewish army: Motivated by faith, righteousness, and a belief in God's protection.
The opposing army: Motivated by unchecked emotions and selfish desires.
The verse suggests that true strength and victory come not just from military might, but from moral righteousness and faith in God. It's a common theme in 2 Maccabees, which emphasizes the importance of religious devotion and adherence to Jewish law in the face of persecution.