Dictionary Article

A Greek god, the son of Zeus, renowned for strength. Second Maccabees 4 records the Hellenizing fervor of Antiochus Epiphanes (175–164 BC), who succeeded Seleucus IV Philopator, as he “founded a gymnasium right under the citadel” (2 Macc 4:12). At the quadrennial games in Tyre when the king was present, Jason the brother of Onias, who had obtained the high priesthood by corruption, “sent envoys, chosen as being Antiochian citizens from Jerusalem, to carry three hundred silver drachmas for the sacrifice to Hercules” (v 19, rsv). Those who were sent with the money thought it inappropriate to use it for the sacrifice, so they applied it to the construction of ships instead (vv 19-20), which indicates some resistance to the pattern of Hellenization.

Show passage in OET: MA2 4:12

OET-RV MA2 4:12

12 Because he eagerly established a gymnasium under the citadel itself, and caused the noblest of the young men to wear the Greek hat.

OET-LV MA2 4:12

12 gladly for by/under he/she/it/self/my/your/him-self the/this/who ⟦ἀκρόπολιν⟧ ⟦γυμνάσιον⟧ ⟦καθίδρυσε⟧, and the/this/who ⟦κρατίστους⟧ the/this/who ⟦ἐφήβων⟧ ⟦ὑποτάσσων⟧, by/under ⟦πέτασον⟧ to_bring.

Show passage in OET: MA2 4:19

OET-RV MA2 4:19

19 the vile Yason sent sacred envoys, as being Antiochians of Yerushalem, bearing three hundred drachmas of silver to the sacrifice of Herakles, which even those carrying it didn’t think was right to use for any sacrifice, because it wasn’t fit, but to spend it for another purpose.

OET-LV MA2 4:19

19 to_send Yasōn the/this/who ⟦μιαρὸς⟧ ⟦θεωροὺς⟧ away_from Hierosolumōn ⟦Ἀντιοχεῖς⟧ to_be, ⟦παρακομίζοντας⟧ money drachma ⟦τριακοσίας⟧ toward the/this/who of_the ⟦Ἡρακλέους⟧ sacrifice; which and ⟦ἠξίωσαν⟧ the/this/who ⟦παρακομίσαντες⟧ not ⟦χρῆσθαι⟧ to/with sacrifice through/because_of the/this/who not ⟦καθήκειν⟧, toward other but/and to_attain cost.

Show passage in OET: MA2 4:19–20

OET-RV MA2 4:19

OET-RV MA2 4:20

20 Although the intended purpose of the sender this money was for the sacrifice of Herakles, yet on account of present circumstances it went to the construction of trireme warships.

OET-LV MA2 4:19

OET-LV MA2 4:20

20 to_send therefore/then this/he/she/it, through/because_of on_one_hand the/this/who to_send toward the/this/who of_the ⟦Ἡρακλέους⟧ sacrifice, because_of but/and the/this/who ⟦παρακομιζόντων⟧, toward the/this/who the/this/who ⟦τριήρων⟧ ⟦κατασκευάς⟧.

Jump to OET MA2 4:12 section.

Jump to OET MA2 4:19 section.

Jump to OET MA2 4:19–20 section.

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary