2 maccabees 12:9 - he fell upon the Jamnites also by night, and set fire to the haven together with the fleet, so that the glare of the light was seen at Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs distant.
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What does "2 maccabees 12:9" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:9 describes a military action undertaken by Judas Maccabeus against the inhabitants of Jamnia (also known as Jabneh or Yavne), a coastal city. Let's break down the meaning:
"He fell upon the Jamnites also by night..." This indicates that Judas Maccabeus launched a surprise attack on the people of Jamnia under the cover of darkness.
"...and set fire to the haven together with the fleet..." Judas and his forces torched the harbor (haven) of Jamnia and the ships (fleet) that were anchored there. This was a destructive act intended to cripple Jamnia's naval capabilities and probably to inflict economic damage as well.
"...so that the glare of the light was seen at Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs distant." The fire was so immense that the bright glow could be observed even from Jerusalem, which was 240 furlongs away. A furlong is an ancient unit of distance, roughly equivalent to one-eighth of a mile (about 200 meters). Therefore, 240 furlongs would be approximately 30 miles or 48 kilometers.
In essence, the verse describes a successful surprise attack by Judas Maccabeus against Jamnia, where he destroyed their harbor and fleet by fire, creating a blaze so large it could be seen from the distant city of Jerusalem.
Context and Significance:
This event occurred during the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BCE), a Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire. The Seleucids, under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, had attempted to suppress Jewish religious practices and Hellenize Judea.
Judas Maccabeus was a key leader of the revolt. The verse is part of a broader narrative in 2 Maccabees that highlights Judas's military prowess and his commitment to defending the Jewish people and their faith.
Jamnia was a strategically important coastal city. Attacking and destroying its fleet would have weakened the Seleucid's ability to resupply and reinforce their forces in the region.
The mention of the fire being visible from Jerusalem serves to emphasize the scale of the destruction and Judas's triumph. It also acts as a symbolic statement, suggesting that the Jewish people in Jerusalem were aware of and perhaps emboldened by Judas's victories.
In conclusion, this verse is a vivid description of a strategic military victory by Judas Maccabeus, underscoring his leadership and the intensity of the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule.
2 maccabees 12:9 - he fell upon the Jamnites also by night, and set fire to the haven together with the fleet, so that the glare of the light was seen at Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs distant.
What does "2 maccabees 12:9" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 12:9 describes a military action undertaken by Judas Maccabeus against the inhabitants of Jamnia (also known as Jabneh or Yavne), a coastal city. Let's break down the meaning:
"He fell upon the Jamnites also by night..." This indicates that Judas Maccabeus launched a surprise attack on the people of Jamnia under the cover of darkness.
"...and set fire to the haven together with the fleet..." Judas and his forces torched the harbor (haven) of Jamnia and the ships (fleet) that were anchored there. This was a destructive act intended to cripple Jamnia's naval capabilities and probably to inflict economic damage as well.
"...so that the glare of the light was seen at Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs distant." The fire was so immense that the bright glow could be observed even from Jerusalem, which was 240 furlongs away. A furlong is an ancient unit of distance, roughly equivalent to one-eighth of a mile (about 200 meters). Therefore, 240 furlongs would be approximately 30 miles or 48 kilometers.
In essence, the verse describes a successful surprise attack by Judas Maccabeus against Jamnia, where he destroyed their harbor and fleet by fire, creating a blaze so large it could be seen from the distant city of Jerusalem.
Context and Significance:
This event occurred during the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BCE), a Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire. The Seleucids, under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, had attempted to suppress Jewish religious practices and Hellenize Judea.
Judas Maccabeus was a key leader of the revolt. The verse is part of a broader narrative in 2 Maccabees that highlights Judas's military prowess and his commitment to defending the Jewish people and their faith.
Jamnia was a strategically important coastal city. Attacking and destroying its fleet would have weakened the Seleucid's ability to resupply and reinforce their forces in the region.
The mention of the fire being visible from Jerusalem serves to emphasize the scale of the destruction and Judas's triumph. It also acts as a symbolic statement, suggesting that the Jewish people in Jerusalem were aware of and perhaps emboldened by Judas's victories.
In conclusion, this verse is a vivid description of a strategic military victory by Judas Maccabeus, underscoring his leadership and the intensity of the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule.