1 Maccabees 2:40 kjva — And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against t…

King James Version with Apocrypha

“And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.”

— 1 Maccabees 2:40, King James Version with Apocrypha

What does this verse mean?

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1 Maccabees 2:40 in Other Translations

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  • DRB

    “And every man said to his neighbour: If we shall all do as our brethren have done, and not fight against the heathens for our lives, and our justifications, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.”

1 Maccabees 2 — Context

37

But said, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put us to death wrongfully.

38

So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people.

39

Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore.

40

And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.

41

At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the secret places.

42

Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law.

43

Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them.

1 Maccabees 2:40 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Maccabees 2:40 say?
1 Maccabees 2:40 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.”
Where is 1 Maccabees 2:40 in the Bible?
1 Maccabees 2:40 is found in the Apocrypha, in the book of 1 Maccabees, chapter 2, verse 40.
Who wrote 1 Maccabees?
1 Maccabees is traditionally attributed to Anonymous Jewish historian, likely tied to the Hasmonean court. Originally written in Hebrew (lost); preserved in Greek translation. A sober, restrained chronicle in the style of OT historical writing. It was written c. 100 BC.
What is the book of 1 Maccabees about?
1 Maccabees is the principal historical account of the Jewish revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes (167–134 BC). It tells of the priest Mattathias raising the standard of resistance, his son Judas "Maccabeus" winning improbable victories, the cleansing and rededication of the Temple (commemorated by Hanukkah), and the long careers of his brothers Jonathan and Simon. A defining story of faithful resistance under religious persecution.
What are the major themes of 1 Maccabees?
1 Maccabees explores themes including Faithfulness, Resistance, Temple, Covenant, Hanukkah. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Maccabees 2:40.
What translation should I read 1 Maccabees 2:40 in?
1 Maccabees 2:40 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Maccabees 2:40?
1 Maccabees 2:40 reads (KJVA): “And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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