Read & explore together
The Purpose and Method of 2 Maccabees
This preface explains both the subject of 2 Maccabees and the way the book has been made. It tells readers they are about to read a shorter version of a larger history.
Understanding the passage
Understanding this record
In this authorial preface from the Catholic additional book of 2 Maccabees, the writer first names the events to be covered, then says Jason of Cyrene had already written them in five books. The writer explains why an abridgement is being made and what such work involves.
2 Maccabees 2:19–32Main takeaway
This passage presents 2 Maccabees as a deliberate abridgement, shaped to help readers enter, remember, and benefit from the history.
Explore the record
01The subject of the bookThe writer begins by listing the book’s subjects: Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, the purification of the temple, the dedication of the altar, wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and Eupator, and manifestations from heaven.
Explanation
The writer begins by listing the book’s subjects: Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, the purification of the temple, the dedication of the altar, wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and Eupator, and manifestations from heaven. The summary says a few people seized the country, recovered the temple, freed the city, restored the laws, and that the Lord became gracious to them.
02Why shorten five books into oneThe writer says Jason of Cyrene had declared these things in five books, and this work will abridge them into one.
Explanation
The writer says Jason of Cyrene had declared these things in five books, and this work will abridge them into one. The reason is practical: the mass of material is difficult to enter. The shorter form aims to attract readers, help those who wish the writers well to recall the story, and benefit all readers.
03Abridging is hard workThe writer says this task is painful labour, bringing sweat and sleeplessness. It is compared to preparing a banquet for others’ benefit.
Explanation
The writer says this task is painful labour, bringing sweat and sleeplessness. It is compared to preparing a banquet for others’ benefit. Even so, the writer is willing to endure it for the gratitude of many. The preface treats shortening a work as difficult service, not an easy shortcut.
04The abridger’s methodThe writer first uses the picture of a masterbuilder and a decorator, showing different kinds of work.
Explanation
The writer first uses the picture of a masterbuilder and a decorator, showing different kinds of work. In the same way, exact detail and long discussion belong to the first historian, while the abridger seeks brevity and a new form. So the prologue ends and the narration begins.
Questions to explore
01What subjects does the writer say the book will cover?
List the people, places, wars, and acts named in the opening summary.
02Why does the writer make one book from Jason of Cyrene’s five?
Look for the difficulty of the larger work and the stated benefits for readers.
03How does the preface distinguish the historian from the abridger?
Notice the building image and the contrast between exact detail and brevity.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Maccabees 2:19–32
19Now the things concerning Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, the purification of the greatest temple, the dedication of the altar,
20and further the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and Eupator his son,
21and the manifestations that came from heaven to those who fought with one another in brave deeds for the religion of the Jews; so that, being but a few, they seized the whole country, chased the barbarous multitudes,
22recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, freed the city, and restored the laws which were about to be overthrown, seeing the Lord became gracious to them with all kindness.
23These things which have been declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will attempt to abridge in one book.
24For having in view the confused mass of the numbers, and the difficulty which awaits those who would enter into the narratives of the history, by reason of the abundance of the matter,
25we were careful that those who choose to read may be attracted, and that those who wish us well may find it easy to recall, and that all readers may benefit.
26Although to us, who have taken upon ourselves the painful labor of the abridgement, the task is not easy, but a matter of sweat and sleeplessness,
27even as it is no light thing to him who prepares a banquet, and seeks the benefit of others. Nevertheless, for the sake of the gratitude of the many we will gladly endure the painful labor,
28leaving to the historian the exact handling of every particular, and again having no strength to fill in the outlines of our abridgement.
29For as the masterbuilder of a new house must care for the whole structure, and again he who undertakes to decorate and paint it must seek out the things fit for its adorning; even so I think it is also with us.
30To occupy the ground, and to indulge in long discussions, and to be curious in particulars, is fitting for the first author of the history;
31but to strive after brevity of expression, and to avoid a labored fullness in the treatment, is to be granted to him who would bring a writing into a new form.
32Here then let’s begin the narration, only adding this much to that which has already been said; for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue to the history, and to abridge the history itself.