2 maccabees 7:10 - And after him was the third made a mocking-stock. And when he was required, he quickly put out his tongue, and stretched forth his hands courageously,

Generated Verse: 2 maccabees 7:10

What does "2 maccabees 7:10" mean?


This verse from 2 Maccabees 7:10 describes the martyrdom of one of seven brothers who are being tortured and killed for refusing to violate Jewish law and eat pork, which was forbidden by their religion. Let's break down the meaning:

"And after him was the third made a mocking-stock." This means that after the second brother was killed, the third brother was brought forth and subjected to public ridicule and humiliation. The Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes and his officials were trying to force the brothers to renounce their faith and conform to Greek customs, and part of that process involved making an example of them through public degradation.

"And when he was required..." This refers to the king or his officials demanding that the third brother eat the pork (or perhaps make a false declaration of loyalty to the Greek gods). The "requirement" is the demand to violate his religious principles.

"...he quickly put out his tongue..." This is a defiant act of protest. It could be interpreted in several ways:

Defiance and Disgust: He's showing his utter disdain and revulsion for the pork and the demand. Sticking out his tongue is a childish but powerful gesture of rejection.
Offering it as a Sacrifice: Some interpretations suggest he is literally offering his tongue to be cut off as a sign of his willingness to die for his faith rather than defile it. This highlights his absolute devotion.

"...and stretched forth his hands courageously..." This also conveys several meanings:

Readiness for Suffering: He is facing his tormentors without fear, offering his hands to be bound, tortured, or mutilated.
Openness and Honesty: It symbolizes his transparent faith and his lack of concealment. He's not hiding or trying to evade his fate.
A Gesture of Prayer or Supplication (potentially): In some contexts, stretching out one's hands can be a posture of prayer to God, indicating his reliance on divine strength and comfort in the face of death.

In essence, this verse depicts a young man who chooses to die rather than compromise his religious beliefs. He's not just passively accepting his fate, but actively demonstrating his commitment to his faith through defiant and courageous actions. His actions served as an inspiration and testimony to onlookers and later generations of Jews. He chose faithfulness to God over the comfort and security of earthly life.

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