This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:25 describes a treacherous act by Apollonius, who was sent by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes to Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning:
"And he coming to Jerusalem, and playing the man of peace...": Apollonius arrived in Jerusalem presenting himself as someone who came in peace. He pretended to have no hostile intentions. This suggests a deceptive strategy.
"...waited till the holy day of the Sabbath...": He intentionally waited for the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest. This was a calculated move because he knew the Jews would be at rest and observing their religious customs, making them more vulnerable.
"...and finding the Jews at rest from work...": This confirms that Apollonius chose the Sabbath specifically because the Jews would be in a state of peace and not expecting an attack.
"...he commanded his men to parade in arms.": Once he saw the Jews in their peaceful Sabbath observance, he ordered his soldiers to display their weapons and begin a military demonstration. This was a violation of their religious observance and was meant to intimidate and provoke them.
In essence, the verse depicts Apollonius engaging in a deceitful and opportunistic act. He used the pretense of peace to gain entry to Jerusalem, then exploited the sanctity of the Sabbath to catch the Jewish population off guard and intimidate them with a show of force.
Significance:
Betrayal: This verse illustrates the treachery and animosity of Antiochus IV's forces towards the Jewish people and their religion.
Desecration: The act of parading in arms on the Sabbath was a direct affront to Jewish religious practices.
Prelude to Conflict: This event marked an escalation of tensions between the Seleucid Empire and the Jewish population and it was a catalyst for the Maccabean Revolt.
In summary, this verse is a critical moment in the narrative of 2 Maccabees, highlighting the Seleucid's disregard for Jewish customs and their increasingly aggressive tactics that led to the Maccabean Revolt.
This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:25 describes a treacherous act by Apollonius, who was sent by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes to Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning:
"And he coming to Jerusalem, and playing the man of peace...": Apollonius arrived in Jerusalem presenting himself as someone who came in peace. He pretended to have no hostile intentions. This suggests a deceptive strategy.
"...waited till the holy day of the Sabbath...": He intentionally waited for the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest. This was a calculated move because he knew the Jews would be at rest and observing their religious customs, making them more vulnerable.
"...and finding the Jews at rest from work...": This confirms that Apollonius chose the Sabbath specifically because the Jews would be in a state of peace and not expecting an attack.
"...he commanded his men to parade in arms.": Once he saw the Jews in their peaceful Sabbath observance, he ordered his soldiers to display their weapons and begin a military demonstration. This was a violation of their religious observance and was meant to intimidate and provoke them.
In essence, the verse depicts Apollonius engaging in a deceitful and opportunistic act. He used the pretense of peace to gain entry to Jerusalem, then exploited the sanctity of the Sabbath to catch the Jewish population off guard and intimidate them with a show of force.
Significance:
Betrayal: This verse illustrates the treachery and animosity of Antiochus IV's forces towards the Jewish people and their religion.
Desecration: The act of parading in arms on the Sabbath was a direct affront to Jewish religious practices.
Prelude to Conflict: This event marked an escalation of tensions between the Seleucid Empire and the Jewish population and it was a catalyst for the Maccabean Revolt.
In summary, this verse is a critical moment in the narrative of 2 Maccabees, highlighting the Seleucid's disregard for Jewish customs and their increasingly aggressive tactics that led to the Maccabean Revolt.