2 maccabees 5:14 - And in all the three days of the slaughter there were destroyed fourscore thousand, whereof forty thousand were slain in close combat, and no fewer were sold than slain.
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What does "2 maccabees 5:14" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:14 is a description of the brutal aftermath of an event in Jerusalem, likely the suppression of a rebellion or a pogrom. Let's break it down:
"And in all the three days of the slaughter...": This indicates a period of intense violence that lasted for three days.
"...there were destroyed fourscore thousand...": "Fourscore" means eighty (4 x 20). So, eighty thousand people were "destroyed," meaning killed or severely impacted.
"...whereof forty thousand were slain in close combat...": Forty thousand of the eighty thousand were killed in direct fighting, implying a battle or street-to-street combat. "Close combat" suggests hand-to-hand fighting or fighting at very close range.
"...and no fewer were sold than slain.": This is a chilling statement. It means that at least as many people were sold into slavery as were killed (at least 40,000). This suggests a widespread practice of enslavement alongside the mass killing.
In essence, the verse depicts:
A three-day period of extreme violence in Jerusalem where a large number of people were killed and sold into slavery. At least 40,000 people were killed in direct fighting, and at least an equal number were sold into slavery. The verse highlights the scale of the brutality and the disastrous consequences for the population.
Historical Context:
2 Maccabees is a historical book written to encourage Jewish people during the Maccabean Revolt. It's important to remember that ancient historical texts can be biased or exaggerated to emphasize certain points. This verse likely aims to underscore the suffering and persecution that Jewish people endured during that time.
2 maccabees 5:14 - And in all the three days of the slaughter there were destroyed fourscore thousand, whereof forty thousand were slain in close combat, and no fewer were sold than slain.
What does "2 maccabees 5:14" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:14 is a description of the brutal aftermath of an event in Jerusalem, likely the suppression of a rebellion or a pogrom. Let's break it down:
"And in all the three days of the slaughter...": This indicates a period of intense violence that lasted for three days.
"...there were destroyed fourscore thousand...": "Fourscore" means eighty (4 x 20). So, eighty thousand people were "destroyed," meaning killed or severely impacted.
"...whereof forty thousand were slain in close combat...": Forty thousand of the eighty thousand were killed in direct fighting, implying a battle or street-to-street combat. "Close combat" suggests hand-to-hand fighting or fighting at very close range.
"...and no fewer were sold than slain.": This is a chilling statement. It means that at least as many people were sold into slavery as were killed (at least 40,000). This suggests a widespread practice of enslavement alongside the mass killing.
In essence, the verse depicts:
A three-day period of extreme violence in Jerusalem where a large number of people were killed and sold into slavery. At least 40,000 people were killed in direct fighting, and at least an equal number were sold into slavery. The verse highlights the scale of the brutality and the disastrous consequences for the population.
Historical Context:
2 Maccabees is a historical book written to encourage Jewish people during the Maccabean Revolt. It's important to remember that ancient historical texts can be biased or exaggerated to emphasize certain points. This verse likely aims to underscore the suffering and persecution that Jewish people endured during that time.