18 Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, a man already well advanced in years, and of a noble countenance, was compelled to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh. (WEB) 19 But he, welcoming death with honor rather than life with defilement, advanced of his own accord to the instrument of torture, but first spat out the flesh, (WEB) 20 as men ought to come who are resolute to repel such things as not even for the natural love of life is it lawful to taste. (WEB)
2 Maccabees 6:18–20
Semantically similar passages
4 Maccabees 9:15–17
15 “O most accursed tyrant, and enemy of heavenly justice, and cruel-hearted, I am no murderer, nor sacrilegious man, whom you torture, but a defender of the Divine law.” (WEB) 16 And when the spearmen said, “Consent to eat, that you may be released from your tortures,” (WEB) 17 he… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 7:24–25
24 This is why even boys, trained with the philosophy of religious reasoning, have conquered still more bitter tortures; (WEB) 25 for when the tyrant was manifestly vanquished in his first attempt, in being unable to force the old man to eat the unclean thing, (WEB)
1 Maccabees 1:62–64
62 Many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat unclean things. (WEB) 63 They chose to die, that they might not be defiled with the food, and that they might not profane the holy covenant; and they died. (WEB) 64 Exceedingly great wrath came upon Israel. (WEB)
4 Maccabees 8:1–2
1 then, indeed, vehemently swayed with emotion, he commanded to bring others of the adult Hebrews, and if they would eat of the unclean thing, to let them go when they had eaten; but if they objected, to torment them more grievously. (WEB) 2 The tyrant having given this… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 10:1–2
1 Now this one endured this praiseworthy death. The third was brought along, and exhorted by many to taste and save his life. (WEB) 2 But he cried out and said, “Don’t you know that the father of those who are dead is my father also, and that the same mother bore me, an… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 5:5–7
5 Antiochus, seeing him, said, (WEB) 6 “I would counsel you, old man, before your tortures begin, to taste the swine’s flesh, and save your life; for I feel respect for your age and hoary head, which since you have had so long, you appear to me to be no philosopher in r… (WEB)
2 Maccabees 14:41–43
41 But when the troops were at the point of taking the tower, and were forcing the door of the court, and asked for fire to burn the doors, he, being surrounded on every side, fell upon his sword, (WEB) 42 choosing rather to die nobly than to fall into the hands of the wi… (WEB)
2 Maccabees 6:27–29
27 Therefore, by bravely parting with my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age, (WEB) 28 and leave behind a noble example to the young to die willingly and nobly a glorious death for the revered and holy laws.” When he had said these words, he went immediately… (WEB)
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