2 maccabees 3:15 - And the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priestly garments, and looking toward heaven, called upon him that gave the law concerning deposits, that he should preserve these treasures safe for those that had deposited them.
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What does "2 maccabees 3:15" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 3:15 describes a scene of intense prayer and supplication in the Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning:
"And the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priestly garments...": This paints a picture of deep humility and reverence. The priests, wearing their special sacred clothing, are lying flat on the ground (prostrating) before the altar. This posture signifies total submission and earnestness in their prayer.
"...and looking toward heaven...": Their gaze is directed upwards, towards the divine realm. This emphasizes their reliance on God as the source of help and protection. They are acknowledging God's power and authority.
"...called upon him that gave the law concerning deposits...": This is a key phrase. It refers to God, who established laws in the Torah (first five books of the Bible). The "law concerning deposits" alludes to the concept of entrusting something valuable to another party for safekeeping. The priests are reminding God of His own principles of justice and protection for those who entrust their valuables to Him. The Temple served as a repository for community funds, and the prayer seeks God's protection.
"...that he should preserve these treasures safe for those that had deposited them.": This is the heart of their prayer. They are pleading with God to protect the Temple's treasures for the people who entrusted them there. This underscores the sanctity of the Temple as a place of safekeeping and the priests' role as protectors of the community's wealth.
In essence, the verse depicts a moment of crisis where the priests are desperately appealing to God to uphold His own laws and protect the Temple treasures, which were essentially a public trust. They are reminding God of His role as a guardian of justice and pleading for divine intervention to safeguard the community's assets. This is happening because Heliodorus, sent by King Seleucus, is trying to seize the temple treasury. The priests are praying in desperation to prevent this.
2 maccabees 3:15 - And the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priestly garments, and looking toward heaven, called upon him that gave the law concerning deposits, that he should preserve these treasures safe for those that had deposited them.
What does "2 maccabees 3:15" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 3:15 describes a scene of intense prayer and supplication in the Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning:
"And the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priestly garments...": This paints a picture of deep humility and reverence. The priests, wearing their special sacred clothing, are lying flat on the ground (prostrating) before the altar. This posture signifies total submission and earnestness in their prayer.
"...and looking toward heaven...": Their gaze is directed upwards, towards the divine realm. This emphasizes their reliance on God as the source of help and protection. They are acknowledging God's power and authority.
"...called upon him that gave the law concerning deposits...": This is a key phrase. It refers to God, who established laws in the Torah (first five books of the Bible). The "law concerning deposits" alludes to the concept of entrusting something valuable to another party for safekeeping. The priests are reminding God of His own principles of justice and protection for those who entrust their valuables to Him. The Temple served as a repository for community funds, and the prayer seeks God's protection.
"...that he should preserve these treasures safe for those that had deposited them.": This is the heart of their prayer. They are pleading with God to protect the Temple's treasures for the people who entrusted them there. This underscores the sanctity of the Temple as a place of safekeeping and the priests' role as protectors of the community's wealth.
In essence, the verse depicts a moment of crisis where the priests are desperately appealing to God to uphold His own laws and protect the Temple treasures, which were essentially a public trust. They are reminding God of His role as a guardian of justice and pleading for divine intervention to safeguard the community's assets. This is happening because Heliodorus, sent by King Seleucus, is trying to seize the temple treasury. The priests are praying in desperation to prevent this.