2 maccabees 8:22 - appointing his kindred to be with himself leaders of the several bands, to wit, Simon and Joseph and Jonathan, giving each the command of fifteen hundred men,

Generated Verse: 2 maccabees 8:22

What does "2 maccabees 8:22" mean?


This verse from 2 Maccabees 8:22 describes Judas Maccabeus strategically delegating command within his army during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Let's break down the meaning:

"appointing his kindred to be with himself": Judas chose relatives (kindred) to work closely with him, likely indicating a high level of trust and loyalty. This was a common practice in ancient times, ensuring reliable support in positions of power.
"leaders of the several bands": He placed his relatives in charge of different military units or divisions within his overall force. This division of command was necessary for effective organization and tactical flexibility.
"to wit, Simon and Joseph and Jonathan": This names three specific individuals, who were Judas's brothers, confirming the family connection.
"giving each the command of fifteen hundred men": Each of these three men was assigned to lead a unit of 1500 soldiers. This provides a sense of the scale of Judas's army and the size of individual commands within it.

In essence, the verse is saying that Judas Maccabeus appointed his brothers, Simon, Joseph, and Jonathan, as leaders of separate units of 1500 men each, placing them in key command positions within his army. This highlights his strategic thinking in organizing his forces and his reliance on family for leadership. It emphasizes the importance of family loyalty and the structure of the Maccabean army during their fight for religious and political freedom.

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