This verse from 3 Maccabees 7:18 describes the Jewish people celebrating their deliverance from a planned massacre in Egypt under Ptolemy IV Philopator. Let's break it down:
"They partook of a banquet of deliverance": This refers to a celebratory feast or a large, joyful meal. The "deliverance" aspect indicates that this banquet was specifically held to celebrate their liberation from a grave danger – in this case, the king's initial decree to exterminate them. It's a feast of thanksgiving and relief.
"for the king generously granted them severally the means of securing a return home": This signifies that the king (Ptolemy IV Philopator), who had previously threatened them, now provided each of them with what they needed to go back to their own homes and places of origin. "Severally" means individually or each person. "The means of securing a return home" likely included things like transportation, provisions for the journey, and possibly even financial support.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The Jewish people celebrated their miraculous escape from death with a celebratory banquet. The king, having reversed his decision, acted with generosity and provided each individual with the resources necessary to travel back to their respective homes safely. It emphasizes both the joy of their rescue and the king's (albeit reluctant) act of providing for their return.
This verse from 3 Maccabees 7:18 describes the Jewish people celebrating their deliverance from a planned massacre in Egypt under Ptolemy IV Philopator. Let's break it down:
"They partook of a banquet of deliverance": This refers to a celebratory feast or a large, joyful meal. The "deliverance" aspect indicates that this banquet was specifically held to celebrate their liberation from a grave danger – in this case, the king's initial decree to exterminate them. It's a feast of thanksgiving and relief.
"for the king generously granted them severally the means of securing a return home": This signifies that the king (Ptolemy IV Philopator), who had previously threatened them, now provided each of them with what they needed to go back to their own homes and places of origin. "Severally" means individually or each person. "The means of securing a return home" likely included things like transportation, provisions for the journey, and possibly even financial support.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The Jewish people celebrated their miraculous escape from death with a celebratory banquet. The king, having reversed his decision, acted with generosity and provided each individual with the resources necessary to travel back to their respective homes safely. It emphasizes both the joy of their rescue and the king's (albeit reluctant) act of providing for their return.
