4 maccabees 11:20 - And he, while tormented, said, O period good and holy, in which, for the sake of religion, we kindred have been called to the contest of pain, and have not been conquered.
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What does "4 maccabees 11:20" mean?
This verse from 4 Maccabees 11:20 expresses a complex sentiment reflecting the Jewish perspective during a time of persecution. Let's break it down:
"And he, while tormented, said...": This establishes the context. The speaker is undergoing severe suffering, likely torture or other forms of painful persecution. In the context of 4 Maccabees, this would be during the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Maccabean Revolt.
"O period good and holy...": Despite the agony, the speaker views the time they are living in as "good and holy." This is counterintuitive on the surface. The key is understanding that they believe this period is significant because it's a time of religious testing and faithfulness. It's "good" because it provides an opportunity to prove their devotion to God.
"...in which, for the sake of religion...": This clarifies the reason for the suffering. They are being persecuted because of their religious beliefs and practices, specifically their adherence to Jewish law and their refusal to worship Greek gods.
"...we kindred have been called to the contest of pain...": "Kindred" likely refers to fellow Jews or those connected by religious belief. They see their suffering as a "contest," a struggle, or a trial. They are being tested to see if they will remain faithful under pressure.
"...and have not been conquered.": This is the core of the statement. Despite the torture, the speaker and their "kindred" have maintained their religious integrity. They have not renounced their faith, they have not given in to the demands of their persecutors. This is their victory, even in the face of physical pain.
In summary, the verse expresses the idea that despite the intense suffering inflicted on them for their religious beliefs, the speaker sees their era as a significant and holy time. It is a period when their faith is tested, and their endurance proves the strength and righteousness of their beliefs. They find strength and meaning in their shared suffering and unwavering loyalty to their faith. Even while being tormented, the speaker feels a sense of triumph because they have remained true to their principles and have not been defeated in spirit.
4 maccabees 11:20 - And he, while tormented, said, O period good and holy, in which, for the sake of religion, we kindred have been called to the contest of pain, and have not been conquered.
What does "4 maccabees 11:20" mean?
This verse from 4 Maccabees 11:20 expresses a complex sentiment reflecting the Jewish perspective during a time of persecution. Let's break it down:
"And he, while tormented, said...": This establishes the context. The speaker is undergoing severe suffering, likely torture or other forms of painful persecution. In the context of 4 Maccabees, this would be during the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Maccabean Revolt.
"O period good and holy...": Despite the agony, the speaker views the time they are living in as "good and holy." This is counterintuitive on the surface. The key is understanding that they believe this period is significant because it's a time of religious testing and faithfulness. It's "good" because it provides an opportunity to prove their devotion to God.
"...in which, for the sake of religion...": This clarifies the reason for the suffering. They are being persecuted because of their religious beliefs and practices, specifically their adherence to Jewish law and their refusal to worship Greek gods.
"...we kindred have been called to the contest of pain...": "Kindred" likely refers to fellow Jews or those connected by religious belief. They see their suffering as a "contest," a struggle, or a trial. They are being tested to see if they will remain faithful under pressure.
"...and have not been conquered.": This is the core of the statement. Despite the torture, the speaker and their "kindred" have maintained their religious integrity. They have not renounced their faith, they have not given in to the demands of their persecutors. This is their victory, even in the face of physical pain.
In summary, the verse expresses the idea that despite the intense suffering inflicted on them for their religious beliefs, the speaker sees their era as a significant and holy time. It is a period when their faith is tested, and their endurance proves the strength and righteousness of their beliefs. They find strength and meaning in their shared suffering and unwavering loyalty to their faith. Even while being tormented, the speaker feels a sense of triumph because they have remained true to their principles and have not been defeated in spirit.