2 maccabees 15:2 - And when the Jews that were compelled to follow him said, O destroy not so savagely and barbarously, but give due glory to the day which he that sees all things has honored and hallowed above other days;
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What does "2 maccabees 15:2" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 15:2 is a plea from some Jewish soldiers who are being forced to fight alongside a leader (presumably Nicanor, the antagonist in this chapter) against their fellow Jews. They are asking him to show restraint and not be overly brutal in his attacks. Specifically, they are asking him to honor the Sabbath. Let's break it down:
"And when the Jews that were compelled to follow him...": This establishes that these Jewish soldiers are not willingly fighting for Nicanor. They are being coerced, likely under threat or force.
"...said, O destroy not so savagely and barbarously...": This is the core of their request. They are pleading for the leader to avoid excessive violence and cruelty. They are asking him to be merciful and not inflict unnecessary suffering.
"...but give due glory to the day which he that sees all things has honored and hallowed above other days;": This explains why they are asking for restraint. They are referring to the Sabbath. The phrase "he that sees all things" is a reference to God. They are reminding the leader that God has sanctified the Sabbath as a holy day, different from all other days. Therefore, violence and bloodshed should be avoided on this day.
In essence, the verse shows a conflict between forced allegiance and religious conviction. These Jews, although forced to fight, still hold fast to their beliefs and try to persuade their leader to respect the sanctity of the Sabbath.
It reflects a common theme in the Maccabean books: the struggle to maintain Jewish religious identity and practices in the face of external pressures and persecution. Respecting the Sabbath was a key marker of Jewish identity, and the request to honor it, even amidst battle, highlights the importance of these traditions.
2 maccabees 15:2 - And when the Jews that were compelled to follow him said, O destroy not so savagely and barbarously, but give due glory to the day which he that sees all things has honored and hallowed above other days;
What does "2 maccabees 15:2" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 15:2 is a plea from some Jewish soldiers who are being forced to fight alongside a leader (presumably Nicanor, the antagonist in this chapter) against their fellow Jews. They are asking him to show restraint and not be overly brutal in his attacks. Specifically, they are asking him to honor the Sabbath. Let's break it down:
"And when the Jews that were compelled to follow him...": This establishes that these Jewish soldiers are not willingly fighting for Nicanor. They are being coerced, likely under threat or force.
"...said, O destroy not so savagely and barbarously...": This is the core of their request. They are pleading for the leader to avoid excessive violence and cruelty. They are asking him to be merciful and not inflict unnecessary suffering.
"...but give due glory to the day which he that sees all things has honored and hallowed above other days;": This explains why they are asking for restraint. They are referring to the Sabbath. The phrase "he that sees all things" is a reference to God. They are reminding the leader that God has sanctified the Sabbath as a holy day, different from all other days. Therefore, violence and bloodshed should be avoided on this day.
In essence, the verse shows a conflict between forced allegiance and religious conviction. These Jews, although forced to fight, still hold fast to their beliefs and try to persuade their leader to respect the sanctity of the Sabbath.
It reflects a common theme in the Maccabean books: the struggle to maintain Jewish religious identity and practices in the face of external pressures and persecution. Respecting the Sabbath was a key marker of Jewish identity, and the request to honor it, even amidst battle, highlights the importance of these traditions.