4 maccabees 9:12 - And when they had laboured hard without effect in scourging him, they hurled him upon the wheel.
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What does "4 maccabees 9:12" mean?
This verse describes a particularly brutal form of torture suffered by one of the Jewish martyrs in the book of 4 Maccabees. Let's break down the verse and its context:
"And when they had laboured hard without effect in scourging him...": This means that the torturers had already whipped or flogged the person extensively, but the desired effect (presumably compliance or death) hadn't been achieved. The "laboured hard" emphasizes the intensity and duration of the scourging.
"...they hurled him upon the wheel.": This refers to a torture device known as the "breaking wheel" or "Catherine wheel". It was a large wheel to which the victim was tied, and then their limbs would be broken with an iron bar or club. Sometimes the broken limbs were then intertwined through the spokes of the wheel, leaving the victim to die slowly. It was a method designed to inflict maximum pain and prolong suffering. "Hurled" suggests a violent and forceful action, emphasizing the dehumanization of the victim.
In essence, the verse describes a transition from flogging to a more excruciating and deadly method of torture: being broken on the wheel.
Context in 4 Maccabees:
4 Maccabees is a philosophical and rhetorical work that praises the supremacy of reason (specifically, religious reason) over passion. It recounts the stories of Jewish martyrs who chose to endure horrific torture and death rather than violate their religious laws during the persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (2nd century BCE). The individuals are typically old or venerable figures, such as the elder Eleazar and the mother with her seven sons. These figures are presented as exemplars of steadfast faith and rational self-control.
The descriptions of the tortures are graphic and intended to inspire readers to emulate the martyrs' courage and unwavering commitment to their beliefs. The author wants to emphasize that reason, fueled by religious devotion, can overcome even the most intense physical pain and the fear of death. The "without effect" and the escalation to the breaking wheel highlights the strength and resistance of the martyrs even in the face of unimaginable suffering.
4 maccabees 9:12 - And when they had laboured hard without effect in scourging him, they hurled him upon the wheel.
What does "4 maccabees 9:12" mean?
This verse describes a particularly brutal form of torture suffered by one of the Jewish martyrs in the book of 4 Maccabees. Let's break down the verse and its context:
"And when they had laboured hard without effect in scourging him...": This means that the torturers had already whipped or flogged the person extensively, but the desired effect (presumably compliance or death) hadn't been achieved. The "laboured hard" emphasizes the intensity and duration of the scourging.
"...they hurled him upon the wheel.": This refers to a torture device known as the "breaking wheel" or "Catherine wheel". It was a large wheel to which the victim was tied, and then their limbs would be broken with an iron bar or club. Sometimes the broken limbs were then intertwined through the spokes of the wheel, leaving the victim to die slowly. It was a method designed to inflict maximum pain and prolong suffering. "Hurled" suggests a violent and forceful action, emphasizing the dehumanization of the victim.
In essence, the verse describes a transition from flogging to a more excruciating and deadly method of torture: being broken on the wheel.
Context in 4 Maccabees:
4 Maccabees is a philosophical and rhetorical work that praises the supremacy of reason (specifically, religious reason) over passion. It recounts the stories of Jewish martyrs who chose to endure horrific torture and death rather than violate their religious laws during the persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (2nd century BCE). The individuals are typically old or venerable figures, such as the elder Eleazar and the mother with her seven sons. These figures are presented as exemplars of steadfast faith and rational self-control.
The descriptions of the tortures are graphic and intended to inspire readers to emulate the martyrs' courage and unwavering commitment to their beliefs. The author wants to emphasize that reason, fueled by religious devotion, can overcome even the most intense physical pain and the fear of death. The "without effect" and the escalation to the breaking wheel highlights the strength and resistance of the martyrs even in the face of unimaginable suffering.