This verse from 3 Maccabees 7:22 describes a moment of restoration and fear following a miraculous intervention by God. Let's break it down:
"Every man received back his own, according to inventory": This suggests that the possessions that had been confiscated or taken from the Jewish people were being returned to them. The phrase "according to inventory" implies a meticulous and organized process, ensuring everyone received what was rightfully theirs, based on some record of what they owned. This highlights fairness and justice being restored.
"those who had obtained their goods, giving them up with the greatest terror": This refers to the people who had taken the Jewish people's goods (likely Gentiles or those who had collaborated with the oppressive power). They are now forced to return the stolen property, and they do so out of fear. The "greatest terror" emphasizes the immense dread and fear they experienced, presumably due to the previous events or an understanding of the power of the "greatest God."
"For the greatest God wrought with perfectness wonders for their salvation": This is the key to understanding the context. The preceding events in 3 Maccabees describe a dire situation where the Jewish community faced persecution and imminent destruction. The "greatest God" (referring to the God of Israel) intervened miraculously, saving them from this fate. The use of "wrought with perfectness wonders" emphasizes the divine nature and complete efficacy of the rescue. The term "salvation" here means deliverance from immediate danger, not necessarily spiritual salvation in the Christian sense.
In summary, the verse describes:
1. Restoration of property: The Jewish people are having their possessions returned after a period of oppression.
2. Fear and Compliance: Those who had taken their property are forced to return it, motivated by intense fear of divine power.
3. Divine Intervention: This restoration is directly attributed to God's miraculous intervention to save the Jewish community from destruction.
The broader context of 3 Maccabees is important:
3 Maccabees is a historical narrative (though with some elements of fiction) that depicts the Jews of Alexandria facing persecution under Ptolemy IV Philopator. The narrative emphasizes the faithfulness of the Jewish people and the power of God to deliver them from their enemies. The events described in this chapter involve a miraculous intervention that prevents the king from harming the Jewish community.
This verse from 3 Maccabees 7:22 describes a moment of restoration and fear following a miraculous intervention by God. Let's break it down:
"Every man received back his own, according to inventory": This suggests that the possessions that had been confiscated or taken from the Jewish people were being returned to them. The phrase "according to inventory" implies a meticulous and organized process, ensuring everyone received what was rightfully theirs, based on some record of what they owned. This highlights fairness and justice being restored.
"those who had obtained their goods, giving them up with the greatest terror": This refers to the people who had taken the Jewish people's goods (likely Gentiles or those who had collaborated with the oppressive power). They are now forced to return the stolen property, and they do so out of fear. The "greatest terror" emphasizes the immense dread and fear they experienced, presumably due to the previous events or an understanding of the power of the "greatest God."
"For the greatest God wrought with perfectness wonders for their salvation": This is the key to understanding the context. The preceding events in 3 Maccabees describe a dire situation where the Jewish community faced persecution and imminent destruction. The "greatest God" (referring to the God of Israel) intervened miraculously, saving them from this fate. The use of "wrought with perfectness wonders" emphasizes the divine nature and complete efficacy of the rescue. The term "salvation" here means deliverance from immediate danger, not necessarily spiritual salvation in the Christian sense.
In summary, the verse describes:
1. Restoration of property: The Jewish people are having their possessions returned after a period of oppression.
2. Fear and Compliance: Those who had taken their property are forced to return it, motivated by intense fear of divine power.
3. Divine Intervention: This restoration is directly attributed to God's miraculous intervention to save the Jewish community from destruction.
The broader context of 3 Maccabees is important:
3 Maccabees is a historical narrative (though with some elements of fiction) that depicts the Jews of Alexandria facing persecution under Ptolemy IV Philopator. The narrative emphasizes the faithfulness of the Jewish people and the power of God to deliver them from their enemies. The events described in this chapter involve a miraculous intervention that prevents the king from harming the Jewish community.
