2 Maccabees 12:22 kjva — But when Judas his first band came in sight, the enemies, being smitten with fear and terror through the appearing of h…

King James Version with Apocrypha

“But when Judas his first band came in sight, the enemies, being smitten with fear and terror through the appearing of him who seeth all things, fled amain, one running into this way, another that way, so as that they were often hurt of their own men, and wounded with the points of their own swords.”

— 2 Maccabees 12:22, King James Version with Apocrypha

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2 Maccabees 12:22 in Other Translations

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  • DRB

    “But when the first band of Judas came in sight, the enemies were struck with fear, by the presence of God, who seeth all things, and they were put to flight one from another, so that they were often thrown down by their own companions, and wounded with the strokes of their own swords.”

2 Maccabees 12 — Context

19

Howbeit Dositheus and Sosipater, who were of Maccabeus’ captains, went forth, and slew those that Timotheus had left in the fortress, above ten thousand men.

20

And Maccabeus ranged his army by bands, and set them over the bands, and went against Timotheus, who had about him an hundred and twenty thousand men of foot, and two thousand and five hundred horsemen.

21

Now when Timotheus had knowledge of Judas’ coming, he sent the women and children and the other baggage unto a fortress called Carnion: for the town was hard to besiege, and uneasy to come unto, by reason of the straitness of all the places.

22

But when Judas his first band came in sight, the enemies, being smitten with fear and terror through the appearing of him who seeth all things, fled amain, one running into this way, another that way, so as that they were often hurt of their own men, and wounded with the points of their own swords.

23

Judas also was very earnest in pursuing them, killing those wicked wretches, of whom he slew about thirty thousand men.

24

Moreover Timotheus himself fell into the hands of Dositheus and Sosipater, whom he besought with much craft to let him go with his life, because he had many of the Jews’ parents, and the brethren of some of them, who, if they put him to death, should not be regarded.

25

So when he had assured them with many words that he would restore them without hurt, according to the agreement, they let him go for the saving of their brethren.

2 Maccabees 12:22 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Maccabees 12:22 say?
2 Maccabees 12:22 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “But when Judas his first band came in sight, the enemies, being smitten with fear and terror through the appearing of him who seeth all things, fled amain, one running into this way, another that way, so as that they were often hurt of their own men, and wounded with the points of their own swords.”
Where is 2 Maccabees 12:22 in the Bible?
2 Maccabees 12:22 is found in the Apocrypha, in the book of 2 Maccabees, chapter 12, verse 22.
Who wrote 2 Maccabees?
2 Maccabees is traditionally attributed to Anonymous epitomist of a (lost) five-volume work by Jason of Cyrene. Not a continuation of 1 Maccabees but a parallel — covering a shorter, earlier slice (c. 180–161 BC) with a more overtly theological and rhetorical style. It was written c. 124 BC.
What is the book of 2 Maccabees about?
2 Maccabees retells the early part of the Maccabean crisis with stirring rhetorical power. It contains the most famous martyrdom narratives of the Old Testament era — the priest Eleazar (ch. 6) and the mother with her seven sons (ch. 7), who choose torture and death rather than violate the Law. The book is also notable for its explicit affirmation of bodily resurrection, intercessory prayer for the dead, and the role of providence in Israel's history.
What are the major themes of 2 Maccabees?
2 Maccabees explores themes including Martyrdom, Resurrection, Temple, Providence, Hanukkah. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Maccabees 12:22.
What translation should I read 2 Maccabees 12:22 in?
2 Maccabees 12:22 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 2 Maccabees 12:22?
2 Maccabees 12:22 reads (KJVA): “But when Judas his first band came in sight, the enemies, being smitten with fear and terror through the appearing of him who seeth all things, fled amain, one running into this way, another that way, so as that they were often hurt of their own men, and wounded with the points of their own swords.” 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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