2 maccabees 12:26 - And Judas, marching against Carnion and the temple of Atergatis, killed five and twenty thousand persons.
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What does "2 maccabees 12:26" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:26 describes a military campaign led by Judas Maccabeus against the city of Carnion (likely Karnaim, a city east of the Jordan River) and a temple dedicated to the Syrian goddess Atergatis. The verse states that Judas' forces killed 25,000 people in this action.
Let's break down the elements:
Judas: Refers to Judas Maccabeus, a leader of the Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.
Marching against Carnion and the temple of Atergatis: This indicates the target of Judas' military campaign. Carnion was a fortified city, and the temple suggests the presence of a significant non-Jewish population. Atergatis was a Syrian goddess, often associated with fertility and fish.
Killed five and twenty thousand persons: This states the alleged number of casualties inflicted by Judas' forces. It's important to approach such numbers in historical texts with a degree of skepticism, as ancient sources often exaggerate figures for propagandistic or rhetorical purposes.
Interpretations and Considerations:
Historical Accuracy: The exact number of 25,000 killed is likely an exaggeration. Ancient historians often inflated numbers to emphasize the scale of victories or defeats. It's nearly impossible to verify such figures centuries later.
Religious Context: 2 Maccabees is considered a deuterocanonical book, meaning it's included in the Catholic and Orthodox Christian Bibles but not in the Hebrew Bible or Protestant Bibles. The book is written from a particular religious perspective, emphasizing the righteousness of the Maccabean revolt and the importance of defending Jewish faith and traditions.
Military Tactics: The attack on Carnion and the temple likely involved a siege or direct assault. The text suggests a brutal conflict.
Motivation: Judas Maccabeus likely targeted Carnion and the temple for several reasons:
To suppress Seleucid influence and control in the region.
To punish those who opposed the Jewish rebellion.
To destroy symbols of pagan worship and promote the worship of the God of Israel.
In summary, 2 Maccabees 12:26 describes a violent military action by Judas Maccabeus against the city of Carnion and a temple of Atergatis, resulting in a large (and likely exaggerated) number of casualties. It reflects the religious and political tensions of the Maccabean period and highlights the Maccabees' commitment to defending their faith and territory.
2 maccabees 12:26 - And Judas, marching against Carnion and the temple of Atergatis, killed five and twenty thousand persons.
What does "2 maccabees 12:26" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:26 describes a military campaign led by Judas Maccabeus against the city of Carnion (likely Karnaim, a city east of the Jordan River) and a temple dedicated to the Syrian goddess Atergatis. The verse states that Judas' forces killed 25,000 people in this action.
Let's break down the elements:
Judas: Refers to Judas Maccabeus, a leader of the Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.
Marching against Carnion and the temple of Atergatis: This indicates the target of Judas' military campaign. Carnion was a fortified city, and the temple suggests the presence of a significant non-Jewish population. Atergatis was a Syrian goddess, often associated with fertility and fish.
Killed five and twenty thousand persons: This states the alleged number of casualties inflicted by Judas' forces. It's important to approach such numbers in historical texts with a degree of skepticism, as ancient sources often exaggerate figures for propagandistic or rhetorical purposes.
Interpretations and Considerations:
Historical Accuracy: The exact number of 25,000 killed is likely an exaggeration. Ancient historians often inflated numbers to emphasize the scale of victories or defeats. It's nearly impossible to verify such figures centuries later.
Religious Context: 2 Maccabees is considered a deuterocanonical book, meaning it's included in the Catholic and Orthodox Christian Bibles but not in the Hebrew Bible or Protestant Bibles. The book is written from a particular religious perspective, emphasizing the righteousness of the Maccabean revolt and the importance of defending Jewish faith and traditions.
Military Tactics: The attack on Carnion and the temple likely involved a siege or direct assault. The text suggests a brutal conflict.
Motivation: Judas Maccabeus likely targeted Carnion and the temple for several reasons:
To suppress Seleucid influence and control in the region.
To punish those who opposed the Jewish rebellion.
To destroy symbols of pagan worship and promote the worship of the God of Israel.
In summary, 2 Maccabees 12:26 describes a violent military action by Judas Maccabeus against the city of Carnion and a temple of Atergatis, resulting in a large (and likely exaggerated) number of casualties. It reflects the religious and political tensions of the Maccabean period and highlights the Maccabees' commitment to defending their faith and territory.