This verse from 2 Maccabees 8:19 is essentially recalling a historical event to encourage and strengthen the morale of the Jewish forces fighting against the Seleucid Empire. Let's break it down:
"And moreover he recounted to them the help given from time to time in the days of their ancestors...": This indicates that the speaker (likely Judas Maccabeus or another leader) is reminding his troops of past instances where God intervened to help the Jewish people in times of crisis. The phrase "from time to time" suggests a pattern of divine assistance throughout their history.
"...both the help given in the days of Sennacherib...": The speaker is specifically highlighting a particular historical event: the time when Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, besieged Jerusalem.
"...how that a hundred fourscore and five thousand perished...": This refers to the miraculous destruction of Sennacherib's army. "A hundred fourscore and five thousand" is 185,000. According to the biblical account (found in 2 Kings 19, Isaiah 37, and 2 Chronicles 32), a vast number of Assyrian soldiers died in one night, leading to Sennacherib's retreat.
In summary, the verse is a call to faith and courage. The speaker is reminding his soldiers that God has helped their ancestors in the past, specifically recalling the dramatic defeat of Sennacherib's massive army. The implication is that God can and will help them now against the Seleucids if they remain faithful and fight bravely. The sheer number of Assyrians who perished (185,000) emphasizes the power of God's intervention and offers hope to the Jewish soldiers facing a seemingly overwhelming enemy.
Essentially, it's a motivational speech leveraging historical precedent to instill confidence and belief in divine assistance.
This verse from 2 Maccabees 8:19 is essentially recalling a historical event to encourage and strengthen the morale of the Jewish forces fighting against the Seleucid Empire. Let's break it down:
"And moreover he recounted to them the help given from time to time in the days of their ancestors...": This indicates that the speaker (likely Judas Maccabeus or another leader) is reminding his troops of past instances where God intervened to help the Jewish people in times of crisis. The phrase "from time to time" suggests a pattern of divine assistance throughout their history.
"...both the help given in the days of Sennacherib...": The speaker is specifically highlighting a particular historical event: the time when Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, besieged Jerusalem.
"...how that a hundred fourscore and five thousand perished...": This refers to the miraculous destruction of Sennacherib's army. "A hundred fourscore and five thousand" is 185,000. According to the biblical account (found in 2 Kings 19, Isaiah 37, and 2 Chronicles 32), a vast number of Assyrian soldiers died in one night, leading to Sennacherib's retreat.
In summary, the verse is a call to faith and courage. The speaker is reminding his soldiers that God has helped their ancestors in the past, specifically recalling the dramatic defeat of Sennacherib's massive army. The implication is that God can and will help them now against the Seleucids if they remain faithful and fight bravely. The sheer number of Assyrians who perished (185,000) emphasizes the power of God's intervention and offers hope to the Jewish soldiers facing a seemingly overwhelming enemy.
Essentially, it's a motivational speech leveraging historical precedent to instill confidence and belief in divine assistance.
