2 MaccabeesChapter 8

2 Maccabees Chapter 8: Meaning

Judas Maccabeus builds an army, trusts in God, and defeats the enemy forces.

Summary

Judas Maccabeus gathered about six thousand men who had stayed faithful to God. Together they prayed and asked God to have mercy on his people. They begged him to remember the innocent blood that had been shed and the insults thrown at his name.

A general named Nicanor was sent with twenty thousand soldiers to destroy the Jewish people. He was so confident he was already advertising a sale of Jewish prisoners, ninety slaves for one talent of silver. But Judas reminded his men not to be afraid of the huge enemy force. He told them stories of how God had helped their ancestors before. He split his army into four groups and gave them the battle cry: "God's help."

With God fighting alongside them, Judas's men killed more than nine thousand soldiers. They had to stop before the sabbath, so they turned back early. After the sabbath they divided the captured weapons and treasures. They gave shares to the wounded, widows, and orphans. Then they prayed together, asking God to be fully at peace with them again.

In more battles against Timothy and Bacchides, Judas's men killed over twenty thousand more. Meanwhile, the terrible Nicanor, who had promised to fill Rome's treasury with Jewish slaves, had to sneak home in shame, stripped of his fine clothes, running like a fugitive. He arrived in Antioch humiliated, and announced that the Jews had a champion: God.

Historical Context

This chapter describes the beginning of the Jewish military resistance around 166-165 BC. After years of oppression under Antiochus IV, Judas Maccabeus began organizing guerrilla raids against the Greek forces stationed in Judea.

The Jewish fighters were greatly outnumbered. The fact that they won early battles seemed miraculous to them and confirmed their belief that God was fighting on their side. The story of Nicanor's shame was a turning point that showed the tide was beginning to turn.