This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:17 describes a specific movement of troops during a military campaign led by Judas Maccabeus. Let's break it down:
"And when they had drawn off seven hundred and fifty furlongs from thence..." This indicates the troops, presumably Judas Maccabeus and his army, traveled a distance of 750 furlongs. A furlong is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to 1/8 of a mile. Therefore, 750 furlongs is about 93.75 miles (750 / 8 = 93.75). "From thence" implies they were moving away from a previously established location, likely a battlefield or area of conflict mentioned in the preceding verses.
"...they made their way to Charax..." This states their destination was a place called Charax. Charax was a known ancient settlement, likely located in the region east of the Jordan River. Its exact location is not definitively known, but it was strategically important.
"...to the Jews that are called Tubieni." This explains the purpose of their journey to Charax: to reach a community of Jews known as the Tubieni. The Tubieni were a Jewish clan or group residing in the region of Tubien, east of the Jordan River. They were presumably in need of assistance or support from Judas Maccabeus and his forces.
In summary, the verse describes Judas Maccabeus's army traveling approximately 93.75 miles from a previous location to Charax, where they aimed to reach out to a Jewish community called the Tubieni, likely to offer aid or protection.
Context within 2 Maccabees:
Understanding the verse requires knowing the broader context of 2 Maccabees. The book narrates the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BCE), a Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire, which sought to Hellenize (impose Greek culture) upon the Jewish people. Judas Maccabeus was a key leader in this revolt. He led military campaigns to liberate Jewish communities from oppressive Seleucid rule and their collaborators. This verse illustrates his active involvement in securing and aiding Jewish populations in areas outside of Judea, specifically east of the Jordan River.
In essence, this verse depicts a tactical movement during a military campaign aimed at supporting and securing Jewish communities in a geographically dispersed area.
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:17 describes a specific movement of troops during a military campaign led by Judas Maccabeus. Let's break it down:
"And when they had drawn off seven hundred and fifty furlongs from thence..." This indicates the troops, presumably Judas Maccabeus and his army, traveled a distance of 750 furlongs. A furlong is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to 1/8 of a mile. Therefore, 750 furlongs is about 93.75 miles (750 / 8 = 93.75). "From thence" implies they were moving away from a previously established location, likely a battlefield or area of conflict mentioned in the preceding verses.
"...they made their way to Charax..." This states their destination was a place called Charax. Charax was a known ancient settlement, likely located in the region east of the Jordan River. Its exact location is not definitively known, but it was strategically important.
"...to the Jews that are called Tubieni." This explains the purpose of their journey to Charax: to reach a community of Jews known as the Tubieni. The Tubieni were a Jewish clan or group residing in the region of Tubien, east of the Jordan River. They were presumably in need of assistance or support from Judas Maccabeus and his forces.
In summary, the verse describes Judas Maccabeus's army traveling approximately 93.75 miles from a previous location to Charax, where they aimed to reach out to a Jewish community called the Tubieni, likely to offer aid or protection.
Context within 2 Maccabees:
Understanding the verse requires knowing the broader context of 2 Maccabees. The book narrates the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BCE), a Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire, which sought to Hellenize (impose Greek culture) upon the Jewish people. Judas Maccabeus was a key leader in this revolt. He led military campaigns to liberate Jewish communities from oppressive Seleucid rule and their collaborators. This verse illustrates his active involvement in securing and aiding Jewish populations in areas outside of Judea, specifically east of the Jordan River.
In essence, this verse depicts a tactical movement during a military campaign aimed at supporting and securing Jewish communities in a geographically dispersed area.
