4 maccabees 17:20 - These, therefore, having been sanctified through God, have been honored not only with this honor, but that also by their means the enemy did not overcome our nation;
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What does "4 maccabees 17:20" mean?
This verse, taken from 4 Maccabees 17:20, is a powerful concluding statement about the martyrs depicted in the book. Let's break it down:
"These, therefore, having been sanctified through God...": This refers to the Jewish martyrs, particularly the mother and her seven sons, who chose to endure horrific torture and death rather than betray their faith and the laws of God. The term "sanctified" implies that their suffering and faithfulness have made them holy in God's eyes. Their devotion set them apart and made them special.
"...have been honored not only with this honor...": The "this honor" likely refers to the honor of being considered holy or righteous in God's eyes due to their martyrdom. They are recognized for their unwavering commitment to their faith, even in the face of death.
"...but that also by their means the enemy did not overcome our nation;": This is the key point: The author argues that the martyrs' steadfastness had a direct, positive impact on the Jewish nation. Their willingness to die rather than compromise their faith inspired others to resist the oppressive forces (the "enemy," likely referring to the Seleucid rulers under Antiochus IV Epiphanes). Their sacrifice acted as a bulwark against the enemy's attempts to extinguish Judaism. They became examples of resilience, and strengthened the people’s resolve to resist, ultimately preventing the enemy from achieving their goals.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The martyrs, through their faithfulness and suffering sanctified by God, were honored by God and acted as an inspiration, emboldening the Jewish people to resist the enemy and protect their identity, law, and way of life.
Context within 4 Maccabees:
4 Maccabees is a philosophical treatise written to demonstrate the supremacy of pious reason (reason guided by religious law) over emotions. The story of the martyrs is presented as a prime example of this. They used their reason to understand God's law and their commitment to it, enabling them to overcome their fear and pain. This demonstrated the power of faith and the courage to face death.
Significance:
The verse highlights the belief that even in the face of overwhelming opposition, faith and sacrifice can have a profound impact. It portrays martyrdom not as a defeat, but as a victory that strengthens the community and preserves its identity.
4 maccabees 17:20 - These, therefore, having been sanctified through God, have been honored not only with this honor, but that also by their means the enemy did not overcome our nation;
What does "4 maccabees 17:20" mean?
This verse, taken from 4 Maccabees 17:20, is a powerful concluding statement about the martyrs depicted in the book. Let's break it down:
"These, therefore, having been sanctified through God...": This refers to the Jewish martyrs, particularly the mother and her seven sons, who chose to endure horrific torture and death rather than betray their faith and the laws of God. The term "sanctified" implies that their suffering and faithfulness have made them holy in God's eyes. Their devotion set them apart and made them special.
"...have been honored not only with this honor...": The "this honor" likely refers to the honor of being considered holy or righteous in God's eyes due to their martyrdom. They are recognized for their unwavering commitment to their faith, even in the face of death.
"...but that also by their means the enemy did not overcome our nation;": This is the key point: The author argues that the martyrs' steadfastness had a direct, positive impact on the Jewish nation. Their willingness to die rather than compromise their faith inspired others to resist the oppressive forces (the "enemy," likely referring to the Seleucid rulers under Antiochus IV Epiphanes). Their sacrifice acted as a bulwark against the enemy's attempts to extinguish Judaism. They became examples of resilience, and strengthened the people’s resolve to resist, ultimately preventing the enemy from achieving their goals.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The martyrs, through their faithfulness and suffering sanctified by God, were honored by God and acted as an inspiration, emboldening the Jewish people to resist the enemy and protect their identity, law, and way of life.
Context within 4 Maccabees:
4 Maccabees is a philosophical treatise written to demonstrate the supremacy of pious reason (reason guided by religious law) over emotions. The story of the martyrs is presented as a prime example of this. They used their reason to understand God's law and their commitment to it, enabling them to overcome their fear and pain. This demonstrated the power of faith and the courage to face death.
Significance:
The verse highlights the belief that even in the face of overwhelming opposition, faith and sacrifice can have a profound impact. It portrays martyrdom not as a defeat, but as a victory that strengthens the community and preserves its identity.