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2 Maccabees 2:19-21
New Catholic Bible
2 Maccabees 2:19-21
New Catholic Bible
Author’s Preface[a]
19 This is the story dealing with Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar, 20 as well as the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes[b] and his son Eupator, 21 and the heavenly apparitions[c] that were seen by those who showed their heroism in fighting bravely for the cause of Judaism. Despite being severely outnumbered, they seized the entire land and put to flight the barbarian hordes,
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Maccabees 2:19 This surprising preface demonstrates quite well to what extent the word of God yields to the personality of the inspired authors. From the vast history at his disposal, the author records above all what gravitates around two events: the reestablishment of the cult by Judas Maccabeus and the victory over Nicanor; these two events have given rise to a feast.
- 2 Maccabees 2:20 Wars against Antiochus Epiphanes: see 2 Mac 4:7—10:9; his son Eupator: see 2 Mac 10:10—13:26.
- 2 Maccabees 2:21 Apparitions: authentic divine manifestations in contrast to Antiochus’s vain title of “god manifest” (Epiphanes). Judaism: first known usage of this term, which sums up in itself all that characterized the Jews as a nation and as a religion (see 2 Mac 8:1; 14:38) and is here used in contrast with Hellenism (see 2 Mac 4:13).
