3 maccabees 4:15 - The registering of these men was carried on cruelly, zealously, assiduously, from the rising of the sun to its going down, and was not brought to an end in forty days.

Generated Verse: 3 maccabees 4:15

What does "3 maccabees 4:15" mean?


This verse from 3 Maccabees 4:15 describes the relentless and oppressive nature of a census or registration process imposed upon the Jewish community, likely by the Ptolemaic authorities in Egypt. Let's break down the meaning:

"The registering of these men": This refers to a census or enrollment of the Jewish men. The purpose of such a registration could have been for taxation, conscription into the army, or simply to control and monitor the Jewish population.

"was carried on cruelly": This indicates that the process was not conducted with fairness or compassion. The authorities were likely using harsh methods, intimidation, or force to compel people to register.

"zealously": The authorities were intensely enthusiastic and determined in carrying out the registration. This suggests a sense of urgency and a lack of regard for the well-being of those being registered.

"assiduously": The registration was conducted with great diligence and persistence. The authorities were not giving up easily.

"from the rising of the sun to its going down": This emphasizes the long hours that the registration process consumed each day. It was a relentless, all-day activity.

"and was not brought to an end in forty days": This highlights the scale and difficulty of the registration. The fact that it lasted longer than forty days, a significant period, emphasizes the overwhelming burden and the resistance or complications involved.

In essence, the verse paints a picture of a registration process that was oppressive, relentless, and extremely difficult to endure. It suggests a systematic effort to exert control over the Jewish population, likely motivated by political or economic interests. The language used evokes a sense of suffering and hardship imposed on the Jewish community.

What categories does "3 maccabees 4:15" have?