2 maccabees 6:21 - But those who had the charge of that forbidden sacrificial feast took the man aside, for the acquaintance which of old times they had with him, and privately implored him to bring flesh of his own providing, such as was befitting for him to use, and to make as if he did eat of the flesh from the sacrifice, as had been commanded by the king;
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What does "2 maccabees 6:21" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 6:21 describes a moment of crisis and temptation for an observant Jew during a period of intense religious persecution. Let's break down what it means:
"But those who had the charge of that forbidden sacrificial feast...": This refers to officials or authorities in charge of enforcing the king's decree to force Jews to participate in pagan sacrifices. These feasts were "forbidden" because Jewish law forbade the consumption of anything offered to idols.
"...took the man aside, for the acquaintance which of old times they had with him...": The officials knew this particular man from the past. They likely had a pre-existing relationship with him before the religious persecution began. This familiarity is key to understanding their next action.
"...and privately implored him to bring flesh of his own providing, such as was befitting for him to use...": They secretly urged him to bring his own (kosher) meat, suitable for him to eat according to Jewish dietary laws. This is a compromise they are suggesting. He could technically fulfill the king's order (appearing to eat the sacrificial meat) without actually violating his religious beliefs.
"...and to make as if he did eat of the flesh from the sacrifice, as had been commanded by the king;": They wanted him to pretend to eat the sacrificial meat. He would appear compliant with the king's demands in public, satisfying the authorities and avoiding punishment. However, in reality, he would be eating his own kosher food, thus keeping his faith intact.
In summary:
The officials, driven perhaps by a sense of pity, friendship, or pragmatism, offered this man a way to outwardly conform to the king's decree while secretly maintaining his religious integrity. This highlights the difficult choices Jews faced during this persecution – the pressure to abandon their faith, the fear of punishment, and the potential for compromises that blurred the line between obedience and apostasy. The officials are essentially asking him to engage in a deception, to performatively participate in the pagan ritual while inwardly remaining true to his faith.
2 maccabees 6:21 - But those who had the charge of that forbidden sacrificial feast took the man aside, for the acquaintance which of old times they had with him, and privately implored him to bring flesh of his own providing, such as was befitting for him to use, and to make as if he did eat of the flesh from the sacrifice, as had been commanded by the king;
What does "2 maccabees 6:21" mean?
This verse from 2 Maccabees 6:21 describes a moment of crisis and temptation for an observant Jew during a period of intense religious persecution. Let's break down what it means:
"But those who had the charge of that forbidden sacrificial feast...": This refers to officials or authorities in charge of enforcing the king's decree to force Jews to participate in pagan sacrifices. These feasts were "forbidden" because Jewish law forbade the consumption of anything offered to idols.
"...took the man aside, for the acquaintance which of old times they had with him...": The officials knew this particular man from the past. They likely had a pre-existing relationship with him before the religious persecution began. This familiarity is key to understanding their next action.
"...and privately implored him to bring flesh of his own providing, such as was befitting for him to use...": They secretly urged him to bring his own (kosher) meat, suitable for him to eat according to Jewish dietary laws. This is a compromise they are suggesting. He could technically fulfill the king's order (appearing to eat the sacrificial meat) without actually violating his religious beliefs.
"...and to make as if he did eat of the flesh from the sacrifice, as had been commanded by the king;": They wanted him to pretend to eat the sacrificial meat. He would appear compliant with the king's demands in public, satisfying the authorities and avoiding punishment. However, in reality, he would be eating his own kosher food, thus keeping his faith intact.
In summary:
The officials, driven perhaps by a sense of pity, friendship, or pragmatism, offered this man a way to outwardly conform to the king's decree while secretly maintaining his religious integrity. This highlights the difficult choices Jews faced during this persecution – the pressure to abandon their faith, the fear of punishment, and the potential for compromises that blurred the line between obedience and apostasy. The officials are essentially asking him to engage in a deception, to performatively participate in the pagan ritual while inwardly remaining true to his faith.