2 maccabees 3:11 - and moreover some money belonging to Hyrcanus the son of Tobias, a man in very high place, and that the case was not as that impious Simon falsely alleged; and that in all there were four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold;

Generated Verse: 2 maccabees 3:11

What does "2 maccabees 3:11" mean?


This verse, 2 Maccabees 3:11, is part of the larger narrative about Heliodorus's attempt to plunder the treasury of the Temple in Jerusalem. To understand it, let's break it down:

"and moreover some money belonging to Hyrcanus the son of Tobias, a man in very high place...": This states that a portion of the money in the Temple treasury was actually private property belonging to Hyrcanus. Hyrcanus, son of Tobias, was a prominent Jewish figure. By claiming it was his personal money, this would indicate the money was not subject to temple jurisdiction

"...and that the case was not as that impious Simon falsely alleged...": Simon, an enemy, had evidently accused someone (probably Hyrcanus) or something (the treasury's wealth itself) of being illicitly obtained or used. The verse denies Simon's accusations, which likely played into Heliodorus' attempt to take the money.

"...and that in all there were four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold;": This gives the estimated amount of money involved. A "talent" was a unit of weight and therefore currency. The text is emphasizing the immense wealth held in the treasury.

In short, the verse argues that the money in the Temple treasury was not entirely Temple funds, but partly belonged to a respected individual (Hyrcanus). It also claims that Simon's negative assertions were false. This verse is designed to demonstrate that the temple had legitimate claims to at least part of the assets, in the event they were not solely the property of the temple proper.

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