2 maccabees 3:10 - And the high priest explained to him that there were in the treasury deposits of widows and orphans,
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What does "2 maccabees 3:10" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 3:10 provides context for the events surrounding Heliodorus's attempt to plunder the Temple treasury in Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"And the high priest explained to him..." This refers to the high priest Simon (though he's not named directly in this verse) speaking to Heliodorus, who was sent by Seleucus IV Philopator (the king) to seize the Temple's wealth.
"...that there were in the treasury deposits..." The Temple treasury was not just for religious items. It also served as a bank of sorts for the people of Jerusalem. People would deposit money and valuables there for safekeeping.
"...of widows and orphans..." This is the crucial part. It means that a significant portion of the money in the treasury belonged to the most vulnerable members of society: widows (who often lacked financial support after their husbands' deaths) and orphans (who had no parents to provide for them).
In essence, the high priest is emphasizing to Heliodorus that seizing the treasury would be a grave injustice because it would rob the most defenseless people of their savings and security.
Significance:
Highlights the Temple's role: This verse illustrates the Temple's function as a financial institution, especially for the poor and vulnerable.
Emphasizes the immorality of Heliodorus's actions: By pointing out that the treasury contained the savings of widows and orphans, the author of 2 Maccabees underscores the wickedness and impiety of Heliodorus's mission. He is not just stealing from the Temple, but he is preying on the defenseless.
Sets the stage for divine intervention: The unjust nature of Heliodorus's actions helps to justify the divine intervention that follows, when Heliodorus is struck down by heavenly forces. It reinforces the idea that God protects the vulnerable and punishes those who oppress them.
Moral Commentary: The verse serves as a moral commentary on social justice and the protection of the vulnerable, which is a recurring theme in the Maccabean books.
Therefore, this seemingly simple verse is important because it reveals the moral and social implications of plundering the Temple treasury, highlighting the injustice of depriving the most vulnerable members of society of their financial security.
2 maccabees 3:10 - And the high priest explained to him that there were in the treasury deposits of widows and orphans,
What does "2 maccabees 3:10" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 3:10 provides context for the events surrounding Heliodorus's attempt to plunder the Temple treasury in Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"And the high priest explained to him..." This refers to the high priest Simon (though he's not named directly in this verse) speaking to Heliodorus, who was sent by Seleucus IV Philopator (the king) to seize the Temple's wealth.
"...that there were in the treasury deposits..." The Temple treasury was not just for religious items. It also served as a bank of sorts for the people of Jerusalem. People would deposit money and valuables there for safekeeping.
"...of widows and orphans..." This is the crucial part. It means that a significant portion of the money in the treasury belonged to the most vulnerable members of society: widows (who often lacked financial support after their husbands' deaths) and orphans (who had no parents to provide for them).
In essence, the high priest is emphasizing to Heliodorus that seizing the treasury would be a grave injustice because it would rob the most defenseless people of their savings and security.
Significance:
Highlights the Temple's role: This verse illustrates the Temple's function as a financial institution, especially for the poor and vulnerable.
Emphasizes the immorality of Heliodorus's actions: By pointing out that the treasury contained the savings of widows and orphans, the author of 2 Maccabees underscores the wickedness and impiety of Heliodorus's mission. He is not just stealing from the Temple, but he is preying on the defenseless.
Sets the stage for divine intervention: The unjust nature of Heliodorus's actions helps to justify the divine intervention that follows, when Heliodorus is struck down by heavenly forces. It reinforces the idea that God protects the vulnerable and punishes those who oppress them.
Moral Commentary: The verse serves as a moral commentary on social justice and the protection of the vulnerable, which is a recurring theme in the Maccabean books.
Therefore, this seemingly simple verse is important because it reveals the moral and social implications of plundering the Temple treasury, highlighting the injustice of depriving the most vulnerable members of society of their financial security.