2 Maccabees 12:44 kjva — For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for…

King James Version with Apocrypha

"For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead."

— 2 Maccabees 12:44, King James Version with Apocrypha

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2 Maccabees 12:44 in Other Translations

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2 Maccabees 12 — Context

41

All men therefore praising the Lord, the righteous Judge, who had opened the things that were hid,

42

Betook themselves unto prayer, and besought him that the sin committed might wholly be put out of remembrance. Besides, that noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they saw before their eyes the things that came to pass for the sins of those that were slain.

43

And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection:

44

For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.

45

And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.

2 Maccabees 12:44 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Maccabees 12:44 say?
2 Maccabees 12:44 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.”
Where is 2 Maccabees 12:44 in the Bible?
2 Maccabees 12:44 is found in the Apocrypha, in the book of 2 Maccabees, chapter 12, verse 44.
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 12:44.
What translation should I read 2 Maccabees 12:44 in?
2 Maccabees 12:44 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 12:44?
2 Maccabees 12:44 reads (KJVA): “For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.” 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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