2 maccabees 12:19 - But Dositheus and Sosipater, who were of Maccabaeus’s captains, sallied forth and destroyed those that had been left by Timotheus in the stronghold, above ten thousand men.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 maccabees 12:19" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:19 describes a specific event in a battle during the Maccabean revolt. Let's break it down:
"Dositheus and Sosipater": These are the names of two individuals, specifically identified as officers or commanders ("captains") within the Maccabean army. The Maccabean army was a Jewish rebel force fighting for religious freedom and independence from the Seleucid Empire, which had been persecuting Jewish religious practices.
"who were of Maccabaeus’s captains": This clarifies their role in the Maccabean army; they were leaders under the overall command of Judas Maccabeus, the prominent leader of the revolt.
"sallied forth": This means they launched a sudden attack or raid. They came out from their own position to engage the enemy.
"and destroyed those that had been left by Timotheus in the stronghold": This refers to the Seleucid forces (or their allies) who were left to defend a fortified position ("stronghold"). Timotheus was a Seleucid general. The passage implies that Timotheus had previously been in this stronghold but had left, leaving a garrison of troops behind. Dositheus and Sosipater attacked and defeated this garrison.
"above ten thousand men": This gives an estimated number of the enemy soldiers who were killed by Dositheus and Sosipater. It's important to note that ancient historical accounts often use numbers in a less precise, more symbolic way. The "ten thousand" may represent a large number rather than an exact count.
In essence, the verse means:
Two Maccabean commanders, Dositheus and Sosipater, led an attack on a Seleucid stronghold that had been left by the general Timotheus. They successfully overwhelmed the garrison, killing a very large number of enemy soldiers (estimated at over ten thousand).
Significance:
This verse highlights the military successes of the Maccabean forces. It demonstrates their ability to not only engage in open battles but also to successfully attack and capture fortified positions. The large number of enemy soldiers reportedly killed would have been a significant victory and would have boosted the morale of the Maccabean forces while weakening the Seleucid control. The text is intended to praise the actions of Dositheus and Sosipater, and highlight the divine support of the Maccabean revolt.
2 maccabees 12:19 - But Dositheus and Sosipater, who were of Maccabaeus’s captains, sallied forth and destroyed those that had been left by Timotheus in the stronghold, above ten thousand men.
What does "2 maccabees 12:19" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:19 describes a specific event in a battle during the Maccabean revolt. Let's break it down:
"Dositheus and Sosipater": These are the names of two individuals, specifically identified as officers or commanders ("captains") within the Maccabean army. The Maccabean army was a Jewish rebel force fighting for religious freedom and independence from the Seleucid Empire, which had been persecuting Jewish religious practices.
"who were of Maccabaeus’s captains": This clarifies their role in the Maccabean army; they were leaders under the overall command of Judas Maccabeus, the prominent leader of the revolt.
"sallied forth": This means they launched a sudden attack or raid. They came out from their own position to engage the enemy.
"and destroyed those that had been left by Timotheus in the stronghold": This refers to the Seleucid forces (or their allies) who were left to defend a fortified position ("stronghold"). Timotheus was a Seleucid general. The passage implies that Timotheus had previously been in this stronghold but had left, leaving a garrison of troops behind. Dositheus and Sosipater attacked and defeated this garrison.
"above ten thousand men": This gives an estimated number of the enemy soldiers who were killed by Dositheus and Sosipater. It's important to note that ancient historical accounts often use numbers in a less precise, more symbolic way. The "ten thousand" may represent a large number rather than an exact count.
In essence, the verse means:
Two Maccabean commanders, Dositheus and Sosipater, led an attack on a Seleucid stronghold that had been left by the general Timotheus. They successfully overwhelmed the garrison, killing a very large number of enemy soldiers (estimated at over ten thousand).
Significance:
This verse highlights the military successes of the Maccabean forces. It demonstrates their ability to not only engage in open battles but also to successfully attack and capture fortified positions. The large number of enemy soldiers reportedly killed would have been a significant victory and would have boosted the morale of the Maccabean forces while weakening the Seleucid control. The text is intended to praise the actions of Dositheus and Sosipater, and highlight the divine support of the Maccabean revolt.