3 maccabees 6:36 - They made a public ordinance to commemorate these things for generations to come, as long as they should be sojourners. They thus established these days as days of mirth, not for the purpose of drinking or luxury, but because God had saved them.
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What does "3 maccabees 6:36" mean?
This verse from 3 Maccabees 6:36 describes the establishment of a yearly celebration by the Jews of Alexandria to commemorate their miraculous deliverance from King Ptolemy IV Philopator. Let's break down the meaning:
"They made a public ordinance to commemorate these things for generations to come, as long as they should be sojourners." This indicates the Jewish community officially decreed that this deliverance would be remembered annually. "Sojourners" likely refers to the Jews living outside of the land of Israel (in this case, Alexandria), emphasizing their status as a diaspora community. The law would stay in place while in exile or diaspora.
"They thus established these days as days of mirth, not for the purpose of drinking or luxury, but because God had saved them." The days were to be celebrated with joy and gladness ("mirth"). However, the verse specifically clarifies that the celebration should not be characterized by excessive indulgence in alcohol ("drinking") or extravagant displays of wealth ("luxury"). The purpose of the celebration was to express gratitude and remember God's saving act. The focus was on the divine deliverance, not self-indulgence.
In essence, the verse is about creating a lasting tradition rooted in thanksgiving to God. The annual celebration was meant to remind future generations of God's power and faithfulness in saving the Jewish community from a great peril. The emphasis on "mirth" without "drinking or luxury" suggests that the celebration should be characterized by genuine joy, gratitude, and spiritual reflection rather than material excess.
3 maccabees 6:36 - They made a public ordinance to commemorate these things for generations to come, as long as they should be sojourners. They thus established these days as days of mirth, not for the purpose of drinking or luxury, but because God had saved them.
What does "3 maccabees 6:36" mean?
This verse from 3 Maccabees 6:36 describes the establishment of a yearly celebration by the Jews of Alexandria to commemorate their miraculous deliverance from King Ptolemy IV Philopator. Let's break down the meaning:
"They made a public ordinance to commemorate these things for generations to come, as long as they should be sojourners." This indicates the Jewish community officially decreed that this deliverance would be remembered annually. "Sojourners" likely refers to the Jews living outside of the land of Israel (in this case, Alexandria), emphasizing their status as a diaspora community. The law would stay in place while in exile or diaspora.
"They thus established these days as days of mirth, not for the purpose of drinking or luxury, but because God had saved them." The days were to be celebrated with joy and gladness ("mirth"). However, the verse specifically clarifies that the celebration should not be characterized by excessive indulgence in alcohol ("drinking") or extravagant displays of wealth ("luxury"). The purpose of the celebration was to express gratitude and remember God's saving act. The focus was on the divine deliverance, not self-indulgence.
In essence, the verse is about creating a lasting tradition rooted in thanksgiving to God. The annual celebration was meant to remind future generations of God's power and faithfulness in saving the Jewish community from a great peril. The emphasis on "mirth" without "drinking or luxury" suggests that the celebration should be characterized by genuine joy, gratitude, and spiritual reflection rather than material excess.