2 maccabees 12:45 - (And if he did it looking to an honorable memorial of gratitude laid up for those who die in godliness, holy and godly was the thought.) Wherefore he made the atoning sacrifice for those who had died, that they might be released from their sin.
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What does "2 maccabees 12:45" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:45 is a crucial piece of evidence in the historical debate about the Jewish practice of praying for the dead. Let's break it down:
"(And if he did it looking to an honorable memorial of gratitude laid up for those who die in godliness, holy and godly was the thought.)" - This refers to the actions of Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire. He and his men had discovered that some of their fallen comrades had been wearing amulets sacred to pagan idols, which was a violation of Jewish law. The verse suggests that Judas offered a sacrifice and prayed for these fallen soldiers. The "honorable memorial of gratitude" suggests they were hoping for a positive outcome for these soldiers who died in battle for God.
"Wherefore he made the atoning sacrifice for those who had died, that they might be released from their sin." - This is the key part. Judas believed that by offering an "atoning sacrifice" (a sacrifice to cover or cleanse sin), the dead soldiers could be released from their sin and hopefully receive a better fate in the afterlife.
Interpretation and Significance:
Prayer for the Dead: This passage is one of the clearest statements in ancient Jewish literature supporting the practice of praying and offering sacrifices for the dead. It suggests that people believed the state of the dead could be affected by actions taken by the living.
Atonement and Afterlife: The verse also implies a belief in some form of afterlife where judgment and release from sin were possible. The concept of atonement, usually applied to the living, is here extended to those who have already died.
Canonical Debate: 2 Maccabees is considered deuterocanonical (or apocryphal) by Protestants, meaning it's included in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, but not in the Protestant Bible. This verse is often cited in debates about the scriptural basis for practices like praying for the dead and the doctrine of Purgatory, as taught by the Catholic Church. Protestants, who do not accept 2 Maccabees as canonical, often interpret this verse differently or reject its authority.
Historical Context: It's important to understand the historical context. The Maccabean revolt was a time of great upheaval and religious persecution. The author of 2 Maccabees seems to be emphasizing the importance of Jewish piety, even after death, and the hope for divine mercy.
In summary, 2 Maccabees 12:45 provides historical evidence that some Jews in the 2nd century BCE believed in the efficacy of prayer and sacrifices for the dead, with the aim of atoning for their sins and improving their fate in the afterlife. Its significance lies in its contribution to our understanding of Jewish beliefs about the afterlife and the ongoing debate about the canon of Scripture and practices related to the dead.
2 maccabees 12:45 - (And if he did it looking to an honorable memorial of gratitude laid up for those who die in godliness, holy and godly was the thought.) Wherefore he made the atoning sacrifice for those who had died, that they might be released from their sin.
What does "2 maccabees 12:45" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:45 is a crucial piece of evidence in the historical debate about the Jewish practice of praying for the dead. Let's break it down:
"(And if he did it looking to an honorable memorial of gratitude laid up for those who die in godliness, holy and godly was the thought.)" - This refers to the actions of Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire. He and his men had discovered that some of their fallen comrades had been wearing amulets sacred to pagan idols, which was a violation of Jewish law. The verse suggests that Judas offered a sacrifice and prayed for these fallen soldiers. The "honorable memorial of gratitude" suggests they were hoping for a positive outcome for these soldiers who died in battle for God.
"Wherefore he made the atoning sacrifice for those who had died, that they might be released from their sin." - This is the key part. Judas believed that by offering an "atoning sacrifice" (a sacrifice to cover or cleanse sin), the dead soldiers could be released from their sin and hopefully receive a better fate in the afterlife.
Interpretation and Significance:
Prayer for the Dead: This passage is one of the clearest statements in ancient Jewish literature supporting the practice of praying and offering sacrifices for the dead. It suggests that people believed the state of the dead could be affected by actions taken by the living.
Atonement and Afterlife: The verse also implies a belief in some form of afterlife where judgment and release from sin were possible. The concept of atonement, usually applied to the living, is here extended to those who have already died.
Canonical Debate: 2 Maccabees is considered deuterocanonical (or apocryphal) by Protestants, meaning it's included in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, but not in the Protestant Bible. This verse is often cited in debates about the scriptural basis for practices like praying for the dead and the doctrine of Purgatory, as taught by the Catholic Church. Protestants, who do not accept 2 Maccabees as canonical, often interpret this verse differently or reject its authority.
Historical Context: It's important to understand the historical context. The Maccabean revolt was a time of great upheaval and religious persecution. The author of 2 Maccabees seems to be emphasizing the importance of Jewish piety, even after death, and the hope for divine mercy.
In summary, 2 Maccabees 12:45 provides historical evidence that some Jews in the 2nd century BCE believed in the efficacy of prayer and sacrifices for the dead, with the aim of atoning for their sins and improving their fate in the afterlife. Its significance lies in its contribution to our understanding of Jewish beliefs about the afterlife and the ongoing debate about the canon of Scripture and practices related to the dead.