2 maccabees 12:4 - and when the Jews, relying on the common decree of the city, accepted the invitation, as men desiring to live in peace and suspecting nothing, they took them out to sea and drowned them, in number not less than two hundred.
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What does "2 maccabees 12:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:4 describes a treacherous act of violence against a group of Jews. Let's break down what it means:
"and when the Jews...": This identifies the victims as Jews.
"...relying on the common decree of the city...": This is crucial. The Jews trusted in an agreement, a law, or an understanding that was supposedly in place to protect them within that city. This suggests there was some kind of civic arrangement guaranteeing their safety.
"...accepted the invitation...": They were invited, likely under the guise of friendship, reconciliation, or some other peaceful purpose. This highlights the deception involved.
"...as men desiring to live in peace and suspecting nothing...": This emphasizes their peaceful intentions and their innocence. They had no reason to believe they were in danger, trusting in the established "common decree."
"...they took them out to sea and drowned them...": This describes the horrific act itself. Someone, likely people in authority within the city or a group able to abuse that authority, lured the Jews onto boats and then killed them by drowning.
"...in number not less than two hundred.": This specifies the number of victims – at least 200. This underscores the scale of the atrocity.
In essence, the verse describes a scenario where Jews were living in a city under some form of agreement guaranteeing their safety. They were then betrayed by those in a position to invite them, trustingly accepted an invitation, and were then murdered by being drowned at sea. The passage highlights themes of betrayal, violence, and the vulnerability of a minority group relying on the promises of a larger society.
Context within 2 Maccabees:
It is important to note that the book of 2 Maccabees describes the period of Jewish history during the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BCE). The book is generally considered a work of historical and religious propaganda, meant to encourage Jews to maintain their faith and identity in the face of persecution. The purpose is to show the threats and violence perpetrated against Jewish people and the importance of faith and resistance.
2 maccabees 12:4 - and when the Jews, relying on the common decree of the city, accepted the invitation, as men desiring to live in peace and suspecting nothing, they took them out to sea and drowned them, in number not less than two hundred.
What does "2 maccabees 12:4" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:4 describes a treacherous act of violence against a group of Jews. Let's break down what it means:
"and when the Jews...": This identifies the victims as Jews.
"...relying on the common decree of the city...": This is crucial. The Jews trusted in an agreement, a law, or an understanding that was supposedly in place to protect them within that city. This suggests there was some kind of civic arrangement guaranteeing their safety.
"...accepted the invitation...": They were invited, likely under the guise of friendship, reconciliation, or some other peaceful purpose. This highlights the deception involved.
"...as men desiring to live in peace and suspecting nothing...": This emphasizes their peaceful intentions and their innocence. They had no reason to believe they were in danger, trusting in the established "common decree."
"...they took them out to sea and drowned them...": This describes the horrific act itself. Someone, likely people in authority within the city or a group able to abuse that authority, lured the Jews onto boats and then killed them by drowning.
"...in number not less than two hundred.": This specifies the number of victims – at least 200. This underscores the scale of the atrocity.
In essence, the verse describes a scenario where Jews were living in a city under some form of agreement guaranteeing their safety. They were then betrayed by those in a position to invite them, trustingly accepted an invitation, and were then murdered by being drowned at sea. The passage highlights themes of betrayal, violence, and the vulnerability of a minority group relying on the promises of a larger society.
Context within 2 Maccabees:
It is important to note that the book of 2 Maccabees describes the period of Jewish history during the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BCE). The book is generally considered a work of historical and religious propaganda, meant to encourage Jews to maintain their faith and identity in the face of persecution. The purpose is to show the threats and violence perpetrated against Jewish people and the importance of faith and resistance.