This verse refers to an event described earlier in 4 Maccabees, specifically the attempted coercion of the elder Eleazar to violate Jewish law by eating pork. Let's break it down:
"for when the tyrant...": This refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who persecuted the Jews and sought to Hellenize them.
"...was manifestly vanquished in his first attempt...": This means that Antiochus's initial effort to force Eleazar to comply with his orders failed. The word "manifestly" emphasizes that this failure was obvious and undeniable.
"...in being unable to force the old man to eat the unclean thing,—": This clarifies what the "first attempt" was: trying to make Eleazar, a respected elderly Jewish man, eat pork, which is considered "unclean" (ritually impure) according to Jewish dietary laws. The phrase underscores Eleazar's resistance and refusal to compromise his religious beliefs.
In essence, the verse means that Antiochus Epiphanes's plan to force Eleazar to abandon Judaism by eating pork was a clear and obvious failure. Eleazar's defiance set an example of resistance for others. The passage highlights Eleazar's piety and integrity. His refusal to compromise his faith, even under the threat of death, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Jewish law.
This verse refers to an event described earlier in 4 Maccabees, specifically the attempted coercion of the elder Eleazar to violate Jewish law by eating pork. Let's break it down:
"for when the tyrant...": This refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who persecuted the Jews and sought to Hellenize them.
"...was manifestly vanquished in his first attempt...": This means that Antiochus's initial effort to force Eleazar to comply with his orders failed. The word "manifestly" emphasizes that this failure was obvious and undeniable.
"...in being unable to force the old man to eat the unclean thing,—": This clarifies what the "first attempt" was: trying to make Eleazar, a respected elderly Jewish man, eat pork, which is considered "unclean" (ritually impure) according to Jewish dietary laws. The phrase underscores Eleazar's resistance and refusal to compromise his religious beliefs.
In essence, the verse means that Antiochus Epiphanes's plan to force Eleazar to abandon Judaism by eating pork was a clear and obvious failure. Eleazar's defiance set an example of resistance for others. The passage highlights Eleazar's piety and integrity. His refusal to compromise his faith, even under the threat of death, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Jewish law.
