This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:26 describes a brutal act of violence carried out in Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"And he put to the sword all those who came forth to the spectacle..." This refers to the slaughter of people who had gathered to watch or participate in some kind of public event or display. The term "spectacle" suggests this was a planned or organized event, and the use of "sword" implies a swift and merciless execution.
"...and running into the city with the armed men he killed great multitudes." This describes a further wave of violence inside the city itself. The "armed men" likely were soldiers under the leader's command. The phrase "great multitudes" indicates a large-scale massacre of ordinary citizens.
In essence, the verse portrays a scene of extreme brutality and indiscriminate violence. This is part of the broader context of the Maccabean Revolt, where the Seleucid Empire (led by Antiochus IV Epiphanes) was attempting to suppress Jewish religious practices and Hellenize the population. This verse describes the actions of a Seleucid official or a collaborator acting on behalf of the Seleucid authorities, who are violently suppressing any form of dissent or resistance. It illustrates the ruthlessness of the Seleucid regime in their efforts to control Jerusalem and impose their cultural and religious agenda.
This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:26 describes a brutal act of violence carried out in Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"And he put to the sword all those who came forth to the spectacle..." This refers to the slaughter of people who had gathered to watch or participate in some kind of public event or display. The term "spectacle" suggests this was a planned or organized event, and the use of "sword" implies a swift and merciless execution.
"...and running into the city with the armed men he killed great multitudes." This describes a further wave of violence inside the city itself. The "armed men" likely were soldiers under the leader's command. The phrase "great multitudes" indicates a large-scale massacre of ordinary citizens.
In essence, the verse portrays a scene of extreme brutality and indiscriminate violence. This is part of the broader context of the Maccabean Revolt, where the Seleucid Empire (led by Antiochus IV Epiphanes) was attempting to suppress Jewish religious practices and Hellenize the population. This verse describes the actions of a Seleucid official or a collaborator acting on behalf of the Seleucid authorities, who are violently suppressing any form of dissent or resistance. It illustrates the ruthlessness of the Seleucid regime in their efforts to control Jerusalem and impose their cultural and religious agenda.