4 maccabees 12:15 - But you shall groan according to your deserts for having slain without cause the champions of virtue.

Generated Verse: 4 maccabees 12:15

What does "4 maccabees 12:15" mean?


This verse from 4 Maccabees 12:15 is part of a speech given by Eleazar, one of the Jewish martyrs who are being tortured for refusing to eat pork in violation of Jewish law. Let's break down what it means:

"But you shall groan according to your deserts...": This is a prediction of suffering and punishment. "Deserts" refers to what someone deserves, usually in the sense of consequences for their actions. Eleazar is telling the torturers that they will suffer in proportion to the evil they've committed.

"...for having slain without cause the champions of virtue.": This is the reason why they deserve to suffer. "Slain" means killed. "Without cause" means unjustly or without justification. "Champions of virtue" refers to Eleazar himself and his companions, who are being tortured and killed precisely because of their commitment to their religious principles and their refusal to compromise their integrity. They are being recognized as exemplary moral figures.

In essence, the verse is a powerful statement of defiance and condemnation. Eleazar is declaring that the torturers, who are unjustly killing righteous people for their faith, will face just punishment for their wickedness.

Here's a paraphrase:

"You will suffer in proportion to the evil you've done, because you have unjustly murdered people who were devoted to living virtuous lives."

Key takeaways:

Divine Justice: The verse reflects a belief in divine justice – that evil deeds will eventually be punished.
Moral Courage: It highlights the courage and commitment of the Jewish martyrs who were willing to die for their faith.
Condemnation of Oppression: It condemns the cruelty and injustice of those who persecute the righteous.

This verse encapsulates the themes of 4 Maccabees, which emphasizes the supremacy of reason over passion and the importance of fidelity to Jewish law, even in the face of death. The martyrs are presented as exemplars of virtue whose suffering will be avenged.

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