2 maccabees 10:3 - And having cleansed the sanctuary they made another altar of sacrifice; and striking stones and taking fire out of them, they offered sacrifices, after they had ceased for two years, and burned incense, and lighted lamps, and set forth the show bread.
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What does "2 maccabees 10:3" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 10:3 describes the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Seleucid Greeks under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Let's break it down:
"And having cleansed the sanctuary...": This refers to the Maccabees and their followers ritually purifying the Temple. The Temple had been defiled by the Greeks, who had introduced pagan worship, idols, and sacrifices of unclean animals. Cleaning the sanctuary involved removing these foreign elements and restoring its proper state.
"...they made another altar of sacrifice...": The original altar of sacrifice had been defiled. Either it had been damaged beyond repair or it was considered ritually impure. Therefore, they built a new altar for offering sacrifices according to Jewish law.
"...and striking stones and taking fire out of them...": This describes how they obtained fire for the sacrifices and the lamps. This likely refers to obtaining a "pure" or ritually acceptable source of fire, likely by striking flint stones together. This was to avoid using fire that might have been associated with pagan rituals introduced by the Greeks.
"...they offered sacrifices, after they had ceased for two years...": This highlights that the regular Temple sacrifices had been suspended for two years due to the Greek occupation and the desecration of the Temple. The resumption of sacrifices was a key aspect of restoring Jewish worship.
"...and burned incense, and lighted lamps, and set forth the show bread.": These are all essential elements of the Temple service.
Incense: Burning incense was a regular offering in the Temple, symbolizing prayer ascending to God.
Lamps: The golden lampstand (menorah) was a symbol of God's presence. Relighting it was a vital act of re-establishing the Temple's sanctity.
Show bread: The show bread (or "bread of the Presence") consisted of twelve loaves of bread that were placed on a table in the Temple as an offering to God. Regularly replacing the bread was a crucial part of Temple worship.
In summary, this verse portrays the efforts of the Maccabees to restore proper Jewish worship in the Temple after it had been desecrated. It emphasizes the cleansing of the sanctuary, the construction of a new altar, the re-establishment of sacrifices, and the resumption of other essential Temple rituals. These actions symbolized the restoration of God's presence and the renewal of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Historical Context and Significance:
This event is celebrated in the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the Maccabean victory and the re-dedication of the Temple.
The account in 2 Maccabees is a valuable historical source for understanding the Maccabean revolt and its impact on Jewish religious and political life.
The story of the Maccabees and their struggle for religious freedom has served as an inspiration for Jews throughout history.
In short, the verse describes the meticulous restoration of the Temple and the resumption of traditional Jewish worship after a period of forced desecration, highlighting the importance of religious freedom and faithfulness to God.
2 maccabees 10:3 - And having cleansed the sanctuary they made another altar of sacrifice; and striking stones and taking fire out of them, they offered sacrifices, after they had ceased for two years, and burned incense, and lighted lamps, and set forth the show bread.
What does "2 maccabees 10:3" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 10:3 describes the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Seleucid Greeks under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Let's break it down:
"And having cleansed the sanctuary...": This refers to the Maccabees and their followers ritually purifying the Temple. The Temple had been defiled by the Greeks, who had introduced pagan worship, idols, and sacrifices of unclean animals. Cleaning the sanctuary involved removing these foreign elements and restoring its proper state.
"...they made another altar of sacrifice...": The original altar of sacrifice had been defiled. Either it had been damaged beyond repair or it was considered ritually impure. Therefore, they built a new altar for offering sacrifices according to Jewish law.
"...and striking stones and taking fire out of them...": This describes how they obtained fire for the sacrifices and the lamps. This likely refers to obtaining a "pure" or ritually acceptable source of fire, likely by striking flint stones together. This was to avoid using fire that might have been associated with pagan rituals introduced by the Greeks.
"...they offered sacrifices, after they had ceased for two years...": This highlights that the regular Temple sacrifices had been suspended for two years due to the Greek occupation and the desecration of the Temple. The resumption of sacrifices was a key aspect of restoring Jewish worship.
"...and burned incense, and lighted lamps, and set forth the show bread.": These are all essential elements of the Temple service.
Incense: Burning incense was a regular offering in the Temple, symbolizing prayer ascending to God.
Lamps: The golden lampstand (menorah) was a symbol of God's presence. Relighting it was a vital act of re-establishing the Temple's sanctity.
Show bread: The show bread (or "bread of the Presence") consisted of twelve loaves of bread that were placed on a table in the Temple as an offering to God. Regularly replacing the bread was a crucial part of Temple worship.
In summary, this verse portrays the efforts of the Maccabees to restore proper Jewish worship in the Temple after it had been desecrated. It emphasizes the cleansing of the sanctuary, the construction of a new altar, the re-establishment of sacrifices, and the resumption of other essential Temple rituals. These actions symbolized the restoration of God's presence and the renewal of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Historical Context and Significance:
This event is celebrated in the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the Maccabean victory and the re-dedication of the Temple.
The account in 2 Maccabees is a valuable historical source for understanding the Maccabean revolt and its impact on Jewish religious and political life.
The story of the Maccabees and their struggle for religious freedom has served as an inspiration for Jews throughout history.
In short, the verse describes the meticulous restoration of the Temple and the resumption of traditional Jewish worship after a period of forced desecration, highlighting the importance of religious freedom and faithfulness to God.