3 maccabees 5:20 - The king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris, said, That they might thank his sleep of that day. Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against tomorrow, as you did before, for the destruction of these accursed Jews.
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What does "3 maccabees 5:20" mean?
This verse from 3 Maccabees 5:20 describes a king (likely Ptolemy IV Philopator) filled with rage and animosity towards the Jews living in his kingdom. Let's break it down:
"The king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris...": This sets the tone. The king is described as exceptionally cruel. "Phalaris" refers to a notorious tyrant of ancient Sicily known for his horrific tortures, most famously burning people alive in a bronze bull. The verse implies the king's cruelty surpasses even Phalaris'.
"...said, That they might thank his sleep of that day.": This is a crucial point. It suggests that the king had previously planned or attempted something terrible against the Jews, but somehow, his being asleep that day prevented it from happening. It hints at a divine intervention or lucky circumstance that spared the Jews earlier. He is essentially saying, "You got lucky today because I happened to be asleep."
"Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against tomorrow, as you did before...": This reveals the king's plan for the next day: to use elephants to crush and destroy the Jews. The phrase "as you did before" suggests this wasn't a new idea; the king had attempted this before, possibly without success (hinted at by the earlier mention of his "sleep").
"...for the destruction of these accursed Jews.": This clearly states the king's intention: the complete annihilation of the Jewish community. The phrase "accursed Jews" reveals the depth of his hatred and prejudice.
In summary, the verse paints a picture of:
Extreme Cruelty: The king is portrayed as a brutal and merciless tyrant.
Premeditated Violence: The attack on the Jews isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision but a planned act of genocide.
Religious Persecution: The Jews are targeted specifically for their identity, described as "accursed."
Respite and Renewed Threat: The Jews narrowly avoided disaster that day due to the king's sleep, but the threat is renewed for the following day.
This verse encapsulates the themes of persecution and the threat of annihilation that run throughout 3 Maccabees. The author uses vivid language to emphasize the wickedness of the king and the precarious situation of the Jewish community.
3 maccabees 5:20 - The king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris, said, That they might thank his sleep of that day. Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against tomorrow, as you did before, for the destruction of these accursed Jews.
What does "3 maccabees 5:20" mean?
This verse from 3 Maccabees 5:20 describes a king (likely Ptolemy IV Philopator) filled with rage and animosity towards the Jews living in his kingdom. Let's break it down:
"The king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris...": This sets the tone. The king is described as exceptionally cruel. "Phalaris" refers to a notorious tyrant of ancient Sicily known for his horrific tortures, most famously burning people alive in a bronze bull. The verse implies the king's cruelty surpasses even Phalaris'.
"...said, That they might thank his sleep of that day.": This is a crucial point. It suggests that the king had previously planned or attempted something terrible against the Jews, but somehow, his being asleep that day prevented it from happening. It hints at a divine intervention or lucky circumstance that spared the Jews earlier. He is essentially saying, "You got lucky today because I happened to be asleep."
"Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against tomorrow, as you did before...": This reveals the king's plan for the next day: to use elephants to crush and destroy the Jews. The phrase "as you did before" suggests this wasn't a new idea; the king had attempted this before, possibly without success (hinted at by the earlier mention of his "sleep").
"...for the destruction of these accursed Jews.": This clearly states the king's intention: the complete annihilation of the Jewish community. The phrase "accursed Jews" reveals the depth of his hatred and prejudice.
In summary, the verse paints a picture of:
Extreme Cruelty: The king is portrayed as a brutal and merciless tyrant.
Premeditated Violence: The attack on the Jews isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision but a planned act of genocide.
Religious Persecution: The Jews are targeted specifically for their identity, described as "accursed."
Respite and Renewed Threat: The Jews narrowly avoided disaster that day due to the king's sleep, but the threat is renewed for the following day.
This verse encapsulates the themes of persecution and the threat of annihilation that run throughout 3 Maccabees. The author uses vivid language to emphasize the wickedness of the king and the precarious situation of the Jewish community.