2 maccabees 2:18 - even as he promised through the law,— in God have we hope, that he will quickly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of all the earth to the holy place: for he delivered us out of great evils, and purified the place. ____________________
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What does "2 maccabees 2:18" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 2:18 expresses hope for God's mercy and restoration of the Jewish people, based on the promises found within the Law (Torah). Let's break it down:
"Even as he promised through the law,—": This refers to the promises God made to the Jewish people in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). These promises often include themes of protection, blessing, and a return to the land if they repent and follow God's commandments.
"in God have we hope,": The authors place their trust and expectation firmly in God. This is a declaration of faith.
"that he will quickly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of all the earth to the holy place:": This is the core of the hope. They are asking God to show them mercy, likely in response to a period of hardship or exile. The request to be "gathered... out of all the earth to the holy place" refers to a desire to return to Jerusalem and the Temple, the central place of Jewish worship and national identity. This implies that they are currently scattered or in exile.
"for he delivered us out of great evils, and purified the place.": This statement offers a basis for their hope. They recall past acts of God's deliverance and purification. This serves as a reminder that God has acted on their behalf before and is capable of doing so again. The "great evils" likely refer to past oppressions and persecutions. "Purified the place" most likely refers to the rededication and cleansing of the Temple after it was desecrated by foreign powers (a major theme of 1 and 2 Maccabees).
In essence, the verse is a prayer and a declaration of faith based on past experiences and the promises found in the Law. The author is pleading for God to show mercy, gather the dispersed Jewish people back to Jerusalem, and restore the Temple, reminding the reader that God has delivered and purified in the past.
Context within 2 Maccabees
It's important to remember the historical context. 2 Maccabees describes the struggles of the Jewish people under Seleucid rule in the 2nd century BCE, a time of intense persecution and threats to Jewish religious identity. The hope expressed in this verse reflects that difficult situation and the longing for restoration and freedom to practice their faith.
2 maccabees 2:18 - even as he promised through the law,— in God have we hope, that he will quickly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of all the earth to the holy place: for he delivered us out of great evils, and purified the place. ____________________
What does "2 maccabees 2:18" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 2:18 expresses hope for God's mercy and restoration of the Jewish people, based on the promises found within the Law (Torah). Let's break it down:
"Even as he promised through the law,—": This refers to the promises God made to the Jewish people in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). These promises often include themes of protection, blessing, and a return to the land if they repent and follow God's commandments.
"in God have we hope,": The authors place their trust and expectation firmly in God. This is a declaration of faith.
"that he will quickly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of all the earth to the holy place:": This is the core of the hope. They are asking God to show them mercy, likely in response to a period of hardship or exile. The request to be "gathered... out of all the earth to the holy place" refers to a desire to return to Jerusalem and the Temple, the central place of Jewish worship and national identity. This implies that they are currently scattered or in exile.
"for he delivered us out of great evils, and purified the place.": This statement offers a basis for their hope. They recall past acts of God's deliverance and purification. This serves as a reminder that God has acted on their behalf before and is capable of doing so again. The "great evils" likely refer to past oppressions and persecutions. "Purified the place" most likely refers to the rededication and cleansing of the Temple after it was desecrated by foreign powers (a major theme of 1 and 2 Maccabees).
In essence, the verse is a prayer and a declaration of faith based on past experiences and the promises found in the Law. The author is pleading for God to show mercy, gather the dispersed Jewish people back to Jerusalem, and restore the Temple, reminding the reader that God has delivered and purified in the past.
Context within 2 Maccabees
It's important to remember the historical context. 2 Maccabees describes the struggles of the Jewish people under Seleucid rule in the 2nd century BCE, a time of intense persecution and threats to Jewish religious identity. The hope expressed in this verse reflects that difficult situation and the longing for restoration and freedom to practice their faith.