2 maccabees 8:36 - And he that had taken upon him to make tribute sure for the Romans by the captivity of the men of Jerusalem published abroad that the Jews had One who fought for them, and that because this was so the Jews were invulnerable, because they followed the laws ordained by him.

Generated Verse: 2 maccabees 8:36

What does "2 maccabees 8:36" mean?


This verse from 2 Maccabees 8:36 is describing a scene after Judas Maccabeus and his forces achieved a significant victory against a Seleucid army. Let's break down the meaning:

"And he that had taken upon him to make tribute sure for the Romans by the captivity of the men of Jerusalem...": This refers to a person, likely a Seleucid official or a collaborating Jewish leader, who was responsible for collecting taxes (tribute) from the Jewish people and ensuring their compliance with Roman demands. He likely achieved this by taking Jewish people captive to ensure their good behavior and willingness to pay taxes.

"...published abroad that the Jews had One who fought for them...": This official is now acknowledging that the Jews have a powerful protector or deity who fights on their behalf. This suggests that the recent Jewish victory was so decisive that he attributes it to divine intervention.

"...and that because this was so the Jews were invulnerable, because they followed the laws ordained by him.": He is stating that because this "One" (God) is fighting for them, the Jews are essentially unbeatable (invulnerable). The reason for this divine protection is that they are obedient to the laws that this "One" has commanded.

In summary, this verse depicts a Seleucid official acknowledging the power of the Jewish God after witnessing the Maccabean victory. He understands that the Jews' faithfulness to their laws and God is the source of their strength and protection. It's a statement about the perceived relationship between religious piety and military success.

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