2 maccabees 5:12 - and commanded his soldiers to cut down without mercy such as came in their way, and to kill such as went up upon the houses;
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What does "2 maccabees 5:12" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:12 describes a brutal act of violence committed by soldiers against the people of Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"and commanded his soldiers..." This indicates that a leader (likely a military commander or someone in authority) issued the order.
"...to cut down without mercy such as came in their way..." This means the soldiers were told to kill anyone they encountered, regardless of their age, gender, or innocence, and to do so without showing any compassion. "Cut down" suggests violent, likely sword-based, attacks.
"...and to kill such as went up upon the houses;" Houses in that time period often had flat roofs that could be accessed. People may have climbed onto the roofs to try and escape the violence, to get a better view of what was happening, or potentially to try and defend themselves. The order to kill those on the roofs shows the thoroughness and ruthlessness of the attack.
In essence, the verse depicts a massacre. It highlights the cruelty and indiscriminate nature of the violence inflicted upon the people of Jerusalem. It suggests that the soldiers were given free rein to kill anyone they encountered.
Context is Crucial:
To fully understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it's important to consider the broader context of 2 Maccabees. The book recounts the events surrounding the persecution of the Jewish people under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This verse likely describes an incident during one of Antiochus's campaigns to suppress Jewish religious practices and assert Hellenistic control over Jerusalem. The violence was part of a larger effort to enforce conformity and crush any resistance.
2 maccabees 5:12 - and commanded his soldiers to cut down without mercy such as came in their way, and to kill such as went up upon the houses;
What does "2 maccabees 5:12" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:12 describes a brutal act of violence committed by soldiers against the people of Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"and commanded his soldiers..." This indicates that a leader (likely a military commander or someone in authority) issued the order.
"...to cut down without mercy such as came in their way..." This means the soldiers were told to kill anyone they encountered, regardless of their age, gender, or innocence, and to do so without showing any compassion. "Cut down" suggests violent, likely sword-based, attacks.
"...and to kill such as went up upon the houses;" Houses in that time period often had flat roofs that could be accessed. People may have climbed onto the roofs to try and escape the violence, to get a better view of what was happening, or potentially to try and defend themselves. The order to kill those on the roofs shows the thoroughness and ruthlessness of the attack.
In essence, the verse depicts a massacre. It highlights the cruelty and indiscriminate nature of the violence inflicted upon the people of Jerusalem. It suggests that the soldiers were given free rein to kill anyone they encountered.
Context is Crucial:
To fully understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it's important to consider the broader context of 2 Maccabees. The book recounts the events surrounding the persecution of the Jewish people under Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This verse likely describes an incident during one of Antiochus's campaigns to suppress Jewish religious practices and assert Hellenistic control over Jerusalem. The violence was part of a larger effort to enforce conformity and crush any resistance.