2 maccabees 12:42 - betook themselves to supplication, beseeching that the sin committed might be wholly blotted out. And the noble Judas exhorted the multitude to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they had seen before their eyes what things had come to pass because of the sin of those who had fallen.
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What does "2 maccabees 12:42" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:42 describes a scene of repentance and exhortation after a battle. Let's break it down:
"betook themselves to supplication, beseeching that the sin committed might be wholly blotted out": This means the soldiers (likely the ones who had just fought and won a victory) began to pray earnestly, begging God to completely forgive the sin that had been committed. The specific sin isn't explicitly mentioned in this verse, but contextually, it is understood to be idolatry and the violation of Jewish law.
"And the noble Judas exhorted the multitude to keep themselves from sin": Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish revolt, urged the people to avoid sin in the future.
"forsomuch as they had seen before their eyes what things had come to pass because of the sin of those who had fallen": This is the reason Judas gives for his exhortation. They had witnessed the consequences of sin firsthand—specifically, the deaths of their fellow soldiers and the potential defeat they faced because of those soldiers' sins. The phrase "those who had fallen" likely refers to Jewish soldiers who were killed in battle because they had been wearing amulets and objects that were forbidden by Jewish law. They attributed their defeat to God's anger at their actions.
In essence, the verse means:
After a battle, the soldiers prayed for forgiveness for a past sin. Their leader, Judas Maccabeus, urged everyone to avoid sin because they had seen the terrible consequences of sin in the deaths of their comrades.
Significance:
This verse is significant for a few reasons:
Prayer for the Dead: This passage supports the practice of praying for the dead, as the Jewish people were praying for their deceased comrades who had fallen in battle. This is a key reason why Catholics and Orthodox Christians consider the Books of Maccabees to be canonical.
Consequences of Sin: It highlights the belief that sin has tangible consequences, not just in the afterlife, but also in the present life.
Importance of Repentance: It emphasizes the need for repentance and turning away from sin in order to avoid future suffering.
Leadership: It demonstrates Judas Maccabeus's role not just as a military leader, but also as a moral leader, guiding his people toward righteousness.
2 maccabees 12:42 - betook themselves to supplication, beseeching that the sin committed might be wholly blotted out. And the noble Judas exhorted the multitude to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they had seen before their eyes what things had come to pass because of the sin of those who had fallen.
What does "2 maccabees 12:42" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:42 describes a scene of repentance and exhortation after a battle. Let's break it down:
"betook themselves to supplication, beseeching that the sin committed might be wholly blotted out": This means the soldiers (likely the ones who had just fought and won a victory) began to pray earnestly, begging God to completely forgive the sin that had been committed. The specific sin isn't explicitly mentioned in this verse, but contextually, it is understood to be idolatry and the violation of Jewish law.
"And the noble Judas exhorted the multitude to keep themselves from sin": Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish revolt, urged the people to avoid sin in the future.
"forsomuch as they had seen before their eyes what things had come to pass because of the sin of those who had fallen": This is the reason Judas gives for his exhortation. They had witnessed the consequences of sin firsthand—specifically, the deaths of their fellow soldiers and the potential defeat they faced because of those soldiers' sins. The phrase "those who had fallen" likely refers to Jewish soldiers who were killed in battle because they had been wearing amulets and objects that were forbidden by Jewish law. They attributed their defeat to God's anger at their actions.
In essence, the verse means:
After a battle, the soldiers prayed for forgiveness for a past sin. Their leader, Judas Maccabeus, urged everyone to avoid sin because they had seen the terrible consequences of sin in the deaths of their comrades.
Significance:
This verse is significant for a few reasons:
Prayer for the Dead: This passage supports the practice of praying for the dead, as the Jewish people were praying for their deceased comrades who had fallen in battle. This is a key reason why Catholics and Orthodox Christians consider the Books of Maccabees to be canonical.
Consequences of Sin: It highlights the belief that sin has tangible consequences, not just in the afterlife, but also in the present life.
Importance of Repentance: It emphasizes the need for repentance and turning away from sin in order to avoid future suffering.
Leadership: It demonstrates Judas Maccabeus's role not just as a military leader, but also as a moral leader, guiding his people toward righteousness.