2 maccabees 4:34 - Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, prayed him to kill Onias. And coming to Onias, and being persuaded to use treachery, and being received as a friend, Andronicus gave him his right hand with oaths of fidelity, and, though he was suspected by him, so persuaded him to come forth of the sanctuary; and forthwith he despatched him without regard of justice.
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What does "2 maccabees 4:34" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 4:34 describes a political assassination orchestrated by Menelaus, the High Priest, against his rival Onias. Let's break it down:
"Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, prayed him to kill Onias.": Menelaus, likely feeling threatened by Onias (who had been a former High Priest), secretly convinces Andronicus to assassinate Onias. Menelaus prayed (requested) Andronicus to do the deed. This suggests Menelaus had influence or power over Andronicus.
"And coming to Onias, and being persuaded to use treachery, and being received as a friend, Andronicus gave him his right hand with oaths of fidelity...": Andronicus approaches Onias and, through deceit and false friendship, persuades him to trust him. He swears oaths of loyalty and gives him his right hand (a symbol of good faith and agreement).
"...and, though he was suspected by him, so persuaded him to come forth of the sanctuary; and forthwith he despatched him without regard of justice.": Despite Onias's initial suspicion, Andronicus manages to convince him to leave the safety of the sanctuary (likely a place offering protection from harm, perhaps a temple). Once Onias is out in the open, Andronicus immediately has him killed, ignoring any sense of justice or fair play. He despatched him, meaning he killed him quickly.
In Summary:
This verse portrays a brutal act of political violence. Menelaus hires Andronicus to murder Onias. Andronicus uses deceit and false oaths to lure Onias out of a safe place, and then kills him without hesitation. This passage illustrates the corruption and power struggles prevalent during this period in Jewish history, highlighting the moral decay within the leadership. The sanctuary being violated and the violation of oaths underline the severity of the betrayal and the disregard for sacred principles.
2 maccabees 4:34 - Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, prayed him to kill Onias. And coming to Onias, and being persuaded to use treachery, and being received as a friend, Andronicus gave him his right hand with oaths of fidelity, and, though he was suspected by him, so persuaded him to come forth of the sanctuary; and forthwith he despatched him without regard of justice.
What does "2 maccabees 4:34" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 4:34 describes a political assassination orchestrated by Menelaus, the High Priest, against his rival Onias. Let's break it down:
"Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, prayed him to kill Onias.": Menelaus, likely feeling threatened by Onias (who had been a former High Priest), secretly convinces Andronicus to assassinate Onias. Menelaus prayed (requested) Andronicus to do the deed. This suggests Menelaus had influence or power over Andronicus.
"And coming to Onias, and being persuaded to use treachery, and being received as a friend, Andronicus gave him his right hand with oaths of fidelity...": Andronicus approaches Onias and, through deceit and false friendship, persuades him to trust him. He swears oaths of loyalty and gives him his right hand (a symbol of good faith and agreement).
"...and, though he was suspected by him, so persuaded him to come forth of the sanctuary; and forthwith he despatched him without regard of justice.": Despite Onias's initial suspicion, Andronicus manages to convince him to leave the safety of the sanctuary (likely a place offering protection from harm, perhaps a temple). Once Onias is out in the open, Andronicus immediately has him killed, ignoring any sense of justice or fair play. He despatched him, meaning he killed him quickly.
In Summary:
This verse portrays a brutal act of political violence. Menelaus hires Andronicus to murder Onias. Andronicus uses deceit and false oaths to lure Onias out of a safe place, and then kills him without hesitation. This passage illustrates the corruption and power struggles prevalent during this period in Jewish history, highlighting the moral decay within the leadership. The sanctuary being violated and the violation of oaths underline the severity of the betrayal and the disregard for sacred principles.