4 Maccabees facts for kids
The Book of 4 Maccabees is an ancient text. It was written in Greek a very long time ago, around the first or second century AD. This book is special because it talks about how important it is to use your mind and strong faith to control your feelings and desires. It teaches that thinking clearly and having strong beliefs can help you make good choices, even when things are difficult.
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Old Testament Books of the Old Agreement common to all Christians and Jews)
Additional Books (common to Catholics and Orthodox)
Georgian Orthodox
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Contents
What is 4 Maccabees About?
The Book of 4 Maccabees is a philosophical work. It focuses on the idea that religious reason is stronger than human emotions. It uses stories from the Bible, especially from the Book of 2 Maccabees, to show this point. The book tells about Jewish martyrs who stayed true to their faith. They faced torture and death but did not give up their beliefs.
Main Idea: Reason Over Emotion
The main message of 4 Maccabees is about self-control. It teaches that a person's mind, guided by faith, can overcome pain and fear. The book gives examples of people who showed great courage. They chose to follow God's laws even when it meant suffering. This shows how powerful their faith and reason were.
Where is 4 Maccabees Found?
Most Bibles used by churches today do not include 4 Maccabees. It is not part of the official collection of books called the canon. However, it is found in some older versions of the Greek Bible. This Greek Bible is also known as the Septuagint.
In Different Bibles
For some Christian traditions, 4 Maccabees is an added section. It is often placed in an appendix or a special section. For example, it is part of the official Bible for the Georgian Orthodox Church. This means that in Georgia, this book is considered part of their holy scriptures.
Images for kids
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Fragment of a Coptic version of 4 Maccabees
See also
In Spanish: IV Macabeos para niños
