The Second Book of Maccabees
⭑ Catholic Public Domain Version 2009 ⭑
- Chapter 2 -
A continuation of the second letter. Of Jeremias’ hiding the ark at the time of the captivity. The author’s preface.
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Footnotes
(a)2:1
The descriptions: That is, the records or memoirs of Jeremias, a work that is now lost.(Challoner)
(b)2:2 The word ‘obliviscerentur’ is somewhat stronger than the English word ‘forget,’ and so the word ‘never’ is used instead of ‘not.’(Conte)
(c)2:4 According to infallible Sacred Scripture, the tabernacle and the ark and the altar of incense were hidden in a cave on the same mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments. These three things are still in that place, and they will not be found, according to some, until the two prophets of the Book of Revelation bring them forth during the last half of the Antichrist’s reign (early 25th century).(Conte)
(d)2:16
The purification: That is, the feast of the purifying or cleansing of the temple.(Challoner)
(e)2:24 The word ‘item’ means ‘similarly,’ or in this context ‘similar things.’(Conte)
(f)2:27
No easy task, etc: The spirit of God, that assists the sacred penmen, does not exempt them from labour in seeking out the matter which they are to treat of, and the order and manner in which they are to deliver it. So St. Luke writ the gospel having diligently attained to all things. Luke 1. ver. 3.(Challoner)
(g)2:29 The authors of the five book mentioned previously have many more details about what happened, but the author (who seems to see himself as more of an editor or compiler) of 2 Maccabees is striving for a brief form which leaves out many particular details, in order to be better understood and more easily comprehended.(Conte)
(h)2:32 Here an editor’s role is contrasted with an author’s role.(Conte)
(i)2:33 Notice that the preface of the Book of Maccabees is a part of infallible Sacred Scripture, despite being only a preface. It is therefore my contention that the prefaces to Lamentations and Sirach are also part of the canon of infallible Sacred Scripture.(Conte)