4 maccabees 17:19 - For Moses says, And all the saints are under your hands.
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What does "4 maccabees 17:19" mean?
The verse "For Moses says, And all the saints are under your hands" from 4 Maccabees 17:19 is a little obscure and its meaning depends on the context of the surrounding verses and the overall message of 4 Maccabees. Let's break it down:
"For Moses says...": This indicates that the author is referencing a passage (or perhaps a tradition) attributed to Moses, a revered figure in Jewish tradition.
"...And all the saints are under your hands": This is the core of the interpretation. The phrase "saints" (or "holy ones") refers to those who are righteous, dedicated to God, and faithful to the Law. "Under your hands" implies a few possible meanings:
Protection and Care: It could mean that God or a divinely appointed authority (like a king or leader) has a responsibility to protect, care for, and govern the righteous.
Power and Authority: It could suggest that someone (again, God or a leader) has power or authority over the saints, to guide them, to test them, or to use them for a divine purpose.
Custody or Possession: In a more literal sense, it might suggest that the saints are in the possession or under the control of the one whose hands they are under. However, this interpretation is less likely in this context.
Context in 4 Maccabees
4 Maccabees is a philosophical discourse that uses the example of Jewish martyrs during the Maccabean period to argue for the supremacy of pious reason (reason guided by faith and religious law) over the passions. The martyrs, who faced torture and death rather than violate Jewish law, are presented as examples of virtue and fortitude.
Considering this context, here's a likely interpretation of the verse:
The speaker in 4 Maccabees is likely asserting that God (or perhaps a divinely ordained king) holds the righteous (the "saints") in his care and protection. Even in the face of extreme suffering, like that endured by the Maccabean martyrs, the saints remain under God's authority and are ultimately vindicated. The phrase could be emphasizing the idea that even in their suffering, the saints are not abandoned by God, but remain in his hands. The statement is meant to be comforting and reassuring, emphasizing God's ultimate control and care for those who remain faithful to him.
Possible Source
The exact source of the quotation attributed to Moses is debated among scholars. It does not appear verbatim in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses). Some possibilities include:
A lost text or tradition: The author might be referencing a text or tradition known at the time but now lost.
A paraphrased or interpreted passage: The author might be summarizing or interpreting a passage from the Pentateuch, rather than quoting it directly. Deuteronomy 33:3 "Indeed, He loves the people; All His holy ones are in Your hand, And they sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words." is a potential, but debated, source.
In summary:
The verse "For Moses says, And all the saints are under your hands" in 4 Maccabees 17:19 likely means that God has ultimate care and authority over the righteous, even in times of suffering. It's a statement of reassurance and faith, emphasizing that the saints are not abandoned by God. The exact Mosaic source is uncertain but probably alludes to God's protection and care for the faithful.
4 maccabees 17:19 - For Moses says, And all the saints are under your hands.
What does "4 maccabees 17:19" mean?
The verse "For Moses says, And all the saints are under your hands" from 4 Maccabees 17:19 is a little obscure and its meaning depends on the context of the surrounding verses and the overall message of 4 Maccabees. Let's break it down:
"For Moses says...": This indicates that the author is referencing a passage (or perhaps a tradition) attributed to Moses, a revered figure in Jewish tradition.
"...And all the saints are under your hands": This is the core of the interpretation. The phrase "saints" (or "holy ones") refers to those who are righteous, dedicated to God, and faithful to the Law. "Under your hands" implies a few possible meanings:
Protection and Care: It could mean that God or a divinely appointed authority (like a king or leader) has a responsibility to protect, care for, and govern the righteous.
Power and Authority: It could suggest that someone (again, God or a leader) has power or authority over the saints, to guide them, to test them, or to use them for a divine purpose.
Custody or Possession: In a more literal sense, it might suggest that the saints are in the possession or under the control of the one whose hands they are under. However, this interpretation is less likely in this context.
Context in 4 Maccabees
4 Maccabees is a philosophical discourse that uses the example of Jewish martyrs during the Maccabean period to argue for the supremacy of pious reason (reason guided by faith and religious law) over the passions. The martyrs, who faced torture and death rather than violate Jewish law, are presented as examples of virtue and fortitude.
Considering this context, here's a likely interpretation of the verse:
The speaker in 4 Maccabees is likely asserting that God (or perhaps a divinely ordained king) holds the righteous (the "saints") in his care and protection. Even in the face of extreme suffering, like that endured by the Maccabean martyrs, the saints remain under God's authority and are ultimately vindicated. The phrase could be emphasizing the idea that even in their suffering, the saints are not abandoned by God, but remain in his hands. The statement is meant to be comforting and reassuring, emphasizing God's ultimate control and care for those who remain faithful to him.
Possible Source
The exact source of the quotation attributed to Moses is debated among scholars. It does not appear verbatim in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses). Some possibilities include:
A lost text or tradition: The author might be referencing a text or tradition known at the time but now lost.
A paraphrased or interpreted passage: The author might be summarizing or interpreting a passage from the Pentateuch, rather than quoting it directly. Deuteronomy 33:3 "Indeed, He loves the people; All His holy ones are in Your hand, And they sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words." is a potential, but debated, source.
In summary:
The verse "For Moses says, And all the saints are under your hands" in 4 Maccabees 17:19 likely means that God has ultimate care and authority over the righteous, even in times of suffering. It's a statement of reassurance and faith, emphasizing that the saints are not abandoned by God. The exact Mosaic source is uncertain but probably alludes to God's protection and care for the faithful.