Category: 2 Maccabees

2 Maccabees 6:18-31 is about the steadfast faith and martyrdom of Eleazar, who chose death over eating forbidden food in order to uphold his religious beliefs and remain faithful to God. 18 Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open…

1 It is found in the records, that Jeremiah the prophet ordered those who were being deported to take some of the fire, as has been told, 2 As it was found in the writing that the prophet Jeremiah commanded the deportees to take some of the fire, as has been told, 3 It is…

1 It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and cords, to partake of unlawful swine’s flesh. 2 And when he had been summoned, Eleazar, one of the scribes in the public assembly, was compelled to eat pork. 3 And when…

1 So when he had exhorted them all together to keep themselves safe, and had set before them the cause that had occurred, he departed to Antioch, then returned again after three years, having been informed that in his absence the people in the land of Judah had revolted. 2 And making a gathering, he…

1 In the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 2 May…

2 Maccabees 12:41-46 is about the importance of praying for the dead and making atonement for their sins to ensure their resurrection, as exemplified by Judas Maccabeus and his soldiers collecting money to offer a sacrifice for fallen comrades who had died in sin. 41 Then they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the…

2 Maccabees 12:43-46 is about the valiant act of Judas Maccabeus and his soldiers in offering prayers and sacrifices for the souls of their fallen comrades, demonstrating the belief in the resurrection and the importance of interceding on behalf of the deceased. 2 So he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered…

2 Maccabees 12:46 is about the righteous act of Judas Maccabeus sending an offering for the atonement of the souls of fallen soldiers who had sinned, believing in the resurrection and the need for forgiveness even in death. 46 It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may…