2 maccabees 4:8 - having promised to the king at an audience three hundred and threescore talents of silver, and out of another fund eighty talents;
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What does "2 maccabees 4:8" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 4:8 describes a bribe offered to King Ptolemy Philopator by Jason, the brother of the High Priest Onias III. Let's break it down:
"having promised to the king at an audience": This indicates that Jason met with King Ptolemy Philopator (likely Ptolemy IV) in person and made a proposition.
"three hundred and threescore talents of silver": A talent was a unit of weight and currency. The value varied but it was substantial, equivalent to many years' wages for an average worker. "Three hundred and threescore" means 360. So, Jason promised the king 360 talents of silver. This was a massive sum.
"and out of another fund eighty talents": In addition to the initial 360 talents, Jason promised another 80 talents from a different source or purpose.
In summary, Jason bribed King Ptolemy Philopator with a total of 440 talents of silver (360 + 80).
Why the bribe?
The purpose of this bribe was to convince King Ptolemy Philopator to appoint Jason as the High Priest, replacing his brother Onias III. Jason desired the power and prestige of the position and was willing to pay a significant sum to achieve it.
Significance:
This verse highlights the corruption and political maneuvering that characterized the Hellenistic period in Judea. Jason's willingness to bribe the king demonstrates the extent to which he was willing to compromise Jewish traditions and values for personal gain. It sets the stage for further conflicts and challenges to Jewish identity in the book of Maccabees.
2 maccabees 4:8 - having promised to the king at an audience three hundred and threescore talents of silver, and out of another fund eighty talents;
What does "2 maccabees 4:8" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 4:8 describes a bribe offered to King Ptolemy Philopator by Jason, the brother of the High Priest Onias III. Let's break it down:
"having promised to the king at an audience": This indicates that Jason met with King Ptolemy Philopator (likely Ptolemy IV) in person and made a proposition.
"three hundred and threescore talents of silver": A talent was a unit of weight and currency. The value varied but it was substantial, equivalent to many years' wages for an average worker. "Three hundred and threescore" means 360. So, Jason promised the king 360 talents of silver. This was a massive sum.
"and out of another fund eighty talents": In addition to the initial 360 talents, Jason promised another 80 talents from a different source or purpose.
In summary, Jason bribed King Ptolemy Philopator with a total of 440 talents of silver (360 + 80).
Why the bribe?
The purpose of this bribe was to convince King Ptolemy Philopator to appoint Jason as the High Priest, replacing his brother Onias III. Jason desired the power and prestige of the position and was willing to pay a significant sum to achieve it.
Significance:
This verse highlights the corruption and political maneuvering that characterized the Hellenistic period in Judea. Jason's willingness to bribe the king demonstrates the extent to which he was willing to compromise Jewish traditions and values for personal gain. It sets the stage for further conflicts and challenges to Jewish identity in the book of Maccabees.