OET-RV GEN EXO LEV NUM DEUT JOB YEHO (JOS) HERO (JDG) RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG YOEL (JOEL) MIC ISA ZEP HAB YIR (JER) LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBAD DAN EZEK EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL 2 PS WIS TOB MAN BAR G DAN G ESD L ESD ESG JDT 3 MAC SIR 1 MAC 2 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL LAOD PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
OET-RV 3 MAC C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7
⌂ ← 3 MAC Intro:15–Intro:31 → ‴ ║ ═ ©
This OET Readers’ Version was designed to be used with the Literal Version alongside, so you won’t get the best understanding from this single viewpoint. This is still an early look into the drafted text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.
Introduction
The Third Document about the Maccabees tells about the threatened destruction of the Yehudim (Jews) living in Mitsrayim (Egypt) under King Ptolemaios (Ptolemy) Filopator. The central characters are this king and the Jewish community, rather than the family whose battles are described in the first two Maccabees books. It shares their concern with remaining faithful to God under persecution.
After a military victory, the king visits Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and insists on entering the temple’s inner sanctuary. God prevents him from doing so after the high priest Shim’on (Simon) prays. The king’s anger then turns against the Yehudim in his own kingdom. They are rounded up and imprisoned, and he plans to have them trampled by elephants.
The account repeatedly contrasts the king’s power and changing decisions with God’s care for his people. Their prayers are answered, the intended massacre is overturned, and the survivors celebrate their rescue and return home. Prayer, perseverance, and public thanksgiving are central to the story.
The Third Document about the Maccabees is recognised as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox Churches. It is considered to be apocrypha by most other church traditions.
Makabi (from which the term Maccabee is derived) is an acronym formed from the first letters of Exodus 15:11: “Mi kamokha ba’elim YHWH” — “Who is like you among the gods, Yahweh?”
Main components of this account
The king’s victory and his attempt to enter the temple 1:1-2:24
The persecution and imprisonment of the Yehudim 2:25-4:21
The plan to kill the prisoners is repeatedly delayed 5:1-51
Eleazar’s prayer, God’s rescue, and the celebration 6:1-41
The king’s letter and the people’s return home 7:1-23
This is still an early look into the unpolished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.