Key Verse Spotlight
2 Maccabees 9:11 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" Therefore he began in great part to cease from his arrogance, being broken in spirit, and to come to knowledge under the scourge of God, his pains increasing every moment. "
2 Maccabees 9:11
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
9 so that worms swarmed out of the impious man’s body, and while he was still living in anguish and pain, his flesh fell off, and by reason of the stench all the army turned with loathing from his decay.
10 The man who a little before supposed himself to touch the stars of heaven, no one could endure to carry because of his intolerable stench.
11 Therefore he began in great part to cease from his arrogance, being broken in spirit, and to come to knowledge under the scourge of God, his pains increasing every moment.
12 When he himself could not stand his own smell, he said these words: “It is right to be subject to God, and that one who is mortal should not think they are equal to God.”
13 The vile man vowed to the sovereign Lord, who now no more would have pity upon him, saying
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2 Maccabees 9:1
"Now about that time, Antiochus retreated in disorder from the region of Persia."
2 Maccabees 9:2
"For he had entered into the city called Persepolis, and he attempted to rob a temple and to control the city. Therefore the multitudes rushed in and the people of the country turned to defend themselves with weapons; and it came to pass that Antiochus was put to flight by the people of the country and broke his camp with disgrace."
2 Maccabees 9:3
"While he was at Ecbatana, news was brought to him about what had happened to Nicanor and the forces of Timotheus."
2 Maccabees 9:4
"Being overcome by his anger, he planned to make the Jews suffer for the evil deeds of those who had put him to flight. Therefore, with judgment from heaven even now accompanying him, he ordered his charioteer to drive without ceasing until he completed the journey; for he arrogantly said this: “I will make Jerusalem a common graveyard of Jews when I come there.”"
2 Maccabees 9:5
"But the All-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him with a fatal and invisible stroke. As soon as he had finished speaking this word, an incurable pain of the bowels seized him, with bitter torments of the inner parts—"
2 Maccabees 9:6
"and that most justly, for he had tormented other men’s bowels with many and strange sufferings."
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