2 Maccabees 1:19-2:1
New Catholic Bible
19 For when our ancestors were being led in exile to Persia, the devout priests of that period took some of the fire from the altar and hid it secretly in the hollow of a dry cistern, taking the necessary precautions to ensure that the place of concealment was unknown to anyone. 20 After many years had elapsed, in God’s good time Nehemiah, having been commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to search for it.
21 When they reported to us that they had not found fire but only a thick liquid, Nehemiah ordered them to draw some out and bring it to him. After the materials for the sacrifice had been prepared, Nehemiah instructed the priests to sprinkle the liquid on the wood and what lay on it. 22 When this had been done, and after the sun that had been clouded over for a while began to shine, a great fire blazed up to the astonishment of everyone. 23 While the sacrifice was being burned, the priests and all present offered prayer—Jonathan leading, and the rest responding, led by Nehemiah.
24 The prayer took the following form: “Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, awe-inspiring and mighty, just and merciful, the only true king and benefactor, 25 you alone are gracious, just, almighty, and eternal, the deliverer of Israel from every evil, the one who designated our ancestors as your chosen ones and consecrated them. 26 Accept this sacrifice on behalf of all your people Israel, and protect and sanctify your heritage. 27 Gather together our dispersed people, set free those who have been enslaved by the Gentiles, look with favor on those who are despised and detested, and let the Gentiles realize that you are our God. 28 Punish those who oppress us and treat us with arrogance. 29 Plant your people in your holy place, as Moses promised.”
30 Then the priests chanted hymns. 31 After the sacrifice had been consumed, Nehemiah ordered that the remaining liquid be poured upon large stones. 32 When this was done, a flame blazed up, but its light faded when confronted by the blazing light from the altar. 33 When this occurrence became known, it was reported to the king of the Persians that, in the very place where the exiled priests had hidden the fire, a liquid had appeared that Nehemiah and his companions had used to burn the sacrificial offerings. 34 After the king had verified this fact, he had the place enclosed and he declared it to be sacred[a] 35 and he distributed a goodly portion of the revenues he received from that place to the people he appointed as custodians. 36 Nehemiah and his companions called the liquid “nephthar,” which means purification, but it is more commonly called “naphtha.”[b]
Chapter 2
Jeremiah Hides the Sacred Objects for Worship.[c] 1 According to the official records, Jeremiah the prophet ordered those who were being deported to take some of the fire with them, in the way previously described.
Footnotes
- 2 Maccabees 1:34 Place enclosed . . . sacred: places where miracles occurred were enclosed as sacred. The Persians regarded fire as holy.
- 2 Maccabees 1:36 The Greek word for petroleum (naphtha) is likened to a Semitic word that means “loosened” (probably nephthar).
- 2 Maccabees 2:1 This legend about Jeremiah has very little connection with the prophet known for his diatribes against those who placed their hopes in the temple instead of changing their ways. But tradition attributed to him various letters and recommendations for the time of the captivity. The legend is retold here to show why the temple was the legitimate place of worship even though it lacked the sacred tent, Ark, and altar.
