2 maccabees 9:14 - that the holy city, to the which he was going in haste, to lay it even with the ground and to make it a common graveyard, he would declare free;
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What does "2 maccabees 9:14" mean?
This verse (2 Maccabees 9:14) refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who heavily persecuted the Jewish people and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem. The verse highlights a sudden and drastic change in his attitude, brought on by his severe illness:
"that the holy city, to the which he was going in haste..." Antiochus was on his way to Jerusalem. He had previously attacked and plundered the city and defiled the Temple. He was likely returning to further oppress or exploit Jerusalem. His "haste" could imply a determination to reinforce his control or carry out a new wave of violence.
"...to lay it even with the ground and to make it a common graveyard..." This reveals his original intentions for Jerusalem. He planned to completely destroy the city (lay it even with the ground) and turn it into a vast cemetery, effectively wiping out its identity and significance. This signifies utter destruction and defilement, turning a holy place into a site of death.
"...he would declare free;" In his illness and faced with what he perceived as divine retribution, Antiochus had a change of heart (or, at least, he claimed to). He vowed to declare Jerusalem "free." This probably meant he would restore the city's autonomy, allow the Jews to practice their religion without interference, and potentially exempt them from certain taxes or obligations.
In Summary: The verse describes Antiochus IV's initial intention to destroy Jerusalem and turn it into a wasteland, followed by his sudden reversal where, facing death, he promised to restore the city's freedom. This reveals the depth of his previous hostility and the extent of the change he underwent, even if it was only a deathbed conversion.
2 maccabees 9:14 - that the holy city, to the which he was going in haste, to lay it even with the ground and to make it a common graveyard, he would declare free;
What does "2 maccabees 9:14" mean?
This verse (2 Maccabees 9:14) refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who heavily persecuted the Jewish people and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem. The verse highlights a sudden and drastic change in his attitude, brought on by his severe illness:
"that the holy city, to the which he was going in haste..." Antiochus was on his way to Jerusalem. He had previously attacked and plundered the city and defiled the Temple. He was likely returning to further oppress or exploit Jerusalem. His "haste" could imply a determination to reinforce his control or carry out a new wave of violence.
"...to lay it even with the ground and to make it a common graveyard..." This reveals his original intentions for Jerusalem. He planned to completely destroy the city (lay it even with the ground) and turn it into a vast cemetery, effectively wiping out its identity and significance. This signifies utter destruction and defilement, turning a holy place into a site of death.
"...he would declare free;" In his illness and faced with what he perceived as divine retribution, Antiochus had a change of heart (or, at least, he claimed to). He vowed to declare Jerusalem "free." This probably meant he would restore the city's autonomy, allow the Jews to practice their religion without interference, and potentially exempt them from certain taxes or obligations.
In Summary: The verse describes Antiochus IV's initial intention to destroy Jerusalem and turn it into a wasteland, followed by his sudden reversal where, facing death, he promised to restore the city's freedom. This reveals the depth of his previous hostility and the extent of the change he underwent, even if it was only a deathbed conversion.