Lessau
LocationsGeographical Setting
An unidentified site in Judea referenced in the Second Book of Maccabees as the location of a military engagement between Nicanor and Jewish forces.
What is the meaning of Lessau in the Bible?
A location mentioned solely in 2 Maccabees 14:16 as the scene of a battle between Nicanor and the Jews. The King James Version's 'Dessau' arises from a paleographic confusion of capital Greek letters.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the textual corruption behind 'Dessau' clarifies the geographical context of the Maccabean narrative and demonstrates how scribal errors in Greek manuscripts can lead to significant misidentifications in traditional English translations.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Lessau in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Lessau clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.