2 maccabees 5:27 - But Judas, who is also called Maccabaeus, with nine others or thereabout, withdrew himself, and with his company kept himself alive in the mountains after the manner of wild beasts; and they continued feeding on such poor herbs as grew there, that they might not be partakers of the threatened pollution.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 maccabees 5:27" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:27 describes a specific action taken by Judas Maccabaeus and a small group of his followers in response to the religious persecution taking place in Jerusalem under King Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Let's break it down:
"But Judas, who is also called Maccabaeus...": This identifies the main figure, Judas Maccabaeus, who would become the leader of the Maccabean revolt. "Maccabaeus" is likely a nickname or title.
"...with nine others or thereabout, withdrew himself...": Judas and a very small group of companions (around nine people) separated themselves from the main population of Jerusalem.
"...and with his company kept himself alive in the mountains after the manner of wild beasts...": They fled to the mountains to hide and survive. The phrase "after the manner of wild beasts" suggests that they were living a very primitive, difficult existence, prioritizing survival above all else.
"...and they continued feeding on such poor herbs as grew there...": Their diet was limited to whatever meager vegetation they could find in the mountains. This emphasizes the harshness of their situation.
"...that they might not be partakers of the threatened pollution.": This is the key reason for their actions. The "threatened pollution" refers to the religious desecration and forced Hellenization that Antiochus IV was imposing on the Jewish people in Jerusalem. This included the introduction of pagan practices into the Temple and the suppression of Jewish religious observances. They were willing to endure great hardship to avoid participating in, or being tainted by, these actions.
In essence, the verse describes a small group of devout Jews, led by Judas Maccabaeus, going into hiding in the wilderness to avoid forced participation in pagan practices and to preserve their religious integrity. This was an act of resistance, demonstrating their commitment to their faith even in the face of persecution and hardship. It marks the beginning of the Maccabean revolt, a fight for religious freedom and Jewish self-determination.
2 maccabees 5:27 - But Judas, who is also called Maccabaeus, with nine others or thereabout, withdrew himself, and with his company kept himself alive in the mountains after the manner of wild beasts; and they continued feeding on such poor herbs as grew there, that they might not be partakers of the threatened pollution.
What does "2 maccabees 5:27" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 5:27 describes a specific action taken by Judas Maccabaeus and a small group of his followers in response to the religious persecution taking place in Jerusalem under King Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Let's break it down:
"But Judas, who is also called Maccabaeus...": This identifies the main figure, Judas Maccabaeus, who would become the leader of the Maccabean revolt. "Maccabaeus" is likely a nickname or title.
"...with nine others or thereabout, withdrew himself...": Judas and a very small group of companions (around nine people) separated themselves from the main population of Jerusalem.
"...and with his company kept himself alive in the mountains after the manner of wild beasts...": They fled to the mountains to hide and survive. The phrase "after the manner of wild beasts" suggests that they were living a very primitive, difficult existence, prioritizing survival above all else.
"...and they continued feeding on such poor herbs as grew there...": Their diet was limited to whatever meager vegetation they could find in the mountains. This emphasizes the harshness of their situation.
"...that they might not be partakers of the threatened pollution.": This is the key reason for their actions. The "threatened pollution" refers to the religious desecration and forced Hellenization that Antiochus IV was imposing on the Jewish people in Jerusalem. This included the introduction of pagan practices into the Temple and the suppression of Jewish religious observances. They were willing to endure great hardship to avoid participating in, or being tainted by, these actions.
In essence, the verse describes a small group of devout Jews, led by Judas Maccabaeus, going into hiding in the wilderness to avoid forced participation in pagan practices and to preserve their religious integrity. This was an act of resistance, demonstrating their commitment to their faith even in the face of persecution and hardship. It marks the beginning of the Maccabean revolt, a fight for religious freedom and Jewish self-determination.