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13:1 Anno centesimo quadragesimo nono, cognovit Judas Antiochum Eupatorem venire cum multitudine adversus Judaeam,
* Footnotes
*H In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas understood that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea,
Ver. 1. Eupator. Several of his generals had been already defeated. He therefore comes in person. 1 B. vi. 28. C. — He was not above ten years old. But Lysias thought that his presence would animate the soldiers. H.
Τῷ δὲ ἐννάτῳ καὶ τεσσαρακοστῷ καὶ ἑκατοστῷ ἔτει προσέπεσε τοῖς περὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν, Ἀντίοχον τὸν Εὐπάτορα παραγενέσθαι σὺν πλήθεσιν ἐπὶ τὴν Ἰουδαίαν,
13:2 et cum eo Lysiam procuratorem et praepositum negotiorum, secum habentem peditum centum decem millia, et equitum quinque millia, et elephantos viginti duos, currus cum falcibus trecentos.
*H And with him Lysias the regent, who had charge over the affairs of the realm, having with him a hundred and ten thousand footmen, five thousand horsemen, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots armed with hooks.
Ver. 2. A hundred and ten thousand, &c. The difference between the numbers here set down and those recorded 1 Mac. iv. is easily accounted for, if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time more numerous than at another, either by sending away large detachments, or being diminished by sickness, or increased by receiving fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or occurrences. Ch. — There are many such difficulties in the Books of Kings, &c. Only some of the troops were permanent. W. — Most were auxiliaries, so that the number might often vary. Nothing is said of the chariots. 1 B. vi. 30.
καὶ σὺν αὐτῷ Λυσίαν τὸν ἐπίτροπον καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων, ἕκαστον ἔχοντα δύναμιν Ἑλληνικὴν πεζῶν μυριάδας ἕνδεκα, καὶ ἱππεῖς πεντακισχιλίους τριακοσίους, καὶ ἐλέφαντας εἰκοσιδύο, ἅρματα δὲ δρεπανηφόρα τριακόσια.
13:3 Commiscuit autem se illis et Menelaus : et cum multa fallacia deprecabatur Antiochum, non pro patriae salute, sed sperans se constitui in principatum.
*H Menelaus also joined himself with them: and with great deceitfulness besought Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country, but in hopes that he should be appointed chief ruler.
Ver. 3. Country. He had continued at Antioch, as the Jews would not receive him. C. iv. 24. C. — Yet now he pretended to be solicitous for their welfare, (H.) only that he might obtain power.
Καὶ Μενέλαος δὲ συνέμιξεν αὐτοῖς, καὶ παρεκάλει μετὰ πολλῆς εἰρωνείας τὸν Ἀντίοχον, οὐκ ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ τῆς πατρίδος, οἰόμενος δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς κατασταθήσεσθαι.
13:4 Sed Rex regum suscitavit animos Antiochi in peccatorem : et suggerente Lysia hunc esse causam omnium malorum, jussit (ut eis est consuetudo) apprehensum in eodem loco necari.
*H But the King of kings stirred up the mind of Antiochus against the sinner, and upon Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of all the evils, he commanded (as the custom is with them) that he should be apprehended and put to death in the same place.
Ver. 4. Evils. The ambition of Jason and of Menelaus had brought on all these disturbances. C. iv. 7. &c. and 1 B. i. 12. — Place. It would seem on the journey to Judea: but Josephus says he was slain after the king's return, at Antioch. The sacred historian relates what concerns him together. C. — In the. Gr. "conducting him to Berea." H.
Ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς τῶν βασιλέων ἐξήγειρε τὸν θυμὸν τοῦ Ἀντιόχου ἐπὶ τὸν ἀλιτήριον, καὶ Λυσίου ὑποδείξαντος τοῦτον αἴτιον εἶναι πάντων τῶν κακῶν, προσέταξεν, ὡς ἔθος ἐστὶν ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, προσαπολέσαι ἀγαγόντας αὐτὸν εἰς Βέροιαν.
13:5 Erat autem in eodem loco turris quinquaginta cubitorum, aggestum undique habens cineris : haec prospectum habebat in praeceps.
*H Now there was in that place a tower fifty cubits high, having a heap of ashes on every side: this had a prospect steep down.
Ver. 5. Down. A beam was laid across the walls, on which the criminal, having been well regaled with wine, was placed till he fell among the ashes. V. Max. ix. 2. — Hystaspes invented this punishment. C. — Prospect. Gr. "organ, (or round instrument)" (Prot.) like a wheel, (C.) "hanging (or whirling a person) on all sides headlong over the ashes. Thence all pushed him who was guilty of sacrilege, or of other crimes, forward to ruin." H. — Syr. passes over v. 5. and 6. C.
Ἔστι δὲ ἐν τῷ τόπῳ πύργος πεντήκοντα πηχῶν πλήρης σποδοῦ οὗτος δὲ ὄργανον εἶχε περιφερὲς πάντοθεν ἀπόκρημνον εἰς τὴν σποδόν.
13:6 Inde in cinerem dejici jussit sacrilegum, omnibus eum propellentibus ad interitum.
From thence he commanded the sacrilegious wretch to be thrown down into the ashes, all men thrusting him forward unto death.
Ἐνταῦθα τὸν ἱεροσυλίας ἔνοχον ὄντα, ἢ καί τινων ἄλλων κακῶν ὑπεροχὴν πεποιημένον, ἅπαντες προσωθοῦσιν εἰς ὄλεθρον.
13:7 Et tali lege praevaricatorem legis contigit mori, nec terrae dari Menelaum.
And by such a law it happened that Menelaus the transgressor of the law, was put to death: not having so much as burial in the earth.
Τοιούτῳ μόρῳ τὸν παράνομον συνέβη θανεῖν, μηδὲ τῆς γῆς τυχόντα Μενέλαον·
13:8 Et quidem satis juste : nam quia multa erga aram Dei delicta commisit, cujus ignis et cinis erat sanctus : ipse in cineris morte damnatus est.
And indeed very justly, for insomuch as he had committed many sins against the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which were holy: he was condemned to die in ashes.
πάνυ δικαίως. Ἐπεὶ γὰρ συνετελέσατο πολλὰ περὶ τὸν βωμὸν ἁμαρτήματα, οὗ τὸ πῦρ ἁγνὸν ἦν καὶ ἡ σποδὸς, ἐν σποδῷ τὸν θάνατον ἐκομισατο.
13:9 Sed rex mente effrenatus veniebat, nequiorem se patre suo Judaeis ostensurus.
*H But the king, with his mind full of rage, came on to shew himself worse to the Jews than his father was.
Ver. 9. With. Gr. "rendered barbarous by his designs," (H.) intending to punish the Jews worse than his father.
Τοῖς δὲ φρονήμασιν ὁ βασιλεὺς βεβαρβαρωμένος ἤρχετο, τὰ χείριστα τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ γεγονότων ἐνδειξόμενος τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις.
13:10 Quibus Judas cognitis, praecepit populo ut die ac nocte Dominum invocarent, quo, sicut semper, et nunc adjuvaret eos,
Which when Judas understood, he commanded the people to call upon the Lord day and night, that as he had always done, so now also he would help them:
Μεταλαβὼν δὲ Ἰούδας ταῦτα, παρήγγειλε τῷ πλήθει διʼ ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς ἐπικαλεῖσθαι τὸν Κύριον, εἴποτε ἄλλοτε, καὶ νῦν ἐπιβοηθεῖν τοῖς τοῦ νόμου καὶ πατρίδος καὶ ἱεροῦ ἁγίου στερεῖσθαι μέλλουσι,
13:11 quippe qui lege, et patria, sanctoque templo privari vererentur : ac populum, qui nuper paululum respirasset, ne sineret blasphemis rursus nationibus subdi.
Because they were afraid to be deprived of the law, and of their country, and of the holy temple: and that he would not suffer the people, that had of late taken breath for a little while, to be again in subjection to blasphemous nations.
καὶ τὸν ἄρτι βραχέως ἀνεψυχότα λαὸν μὴ ἐᾶσαι τοῖς δυσφήμοις ἔθνεσιν ὑποχειρίους γενέσθαι.
13:12 Omnibus itaque simul id facientibus, et petentibus a Domino misericordiam cum fletu et jejuniis, per triduum continuum prostratis, hortatus est eos Judas ut se praepararent.
So when they had all done this together, and had craved mercy of the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground for three days continually, Judas exhorted them to make themselves ready.
Πάντων δὲ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιησάντων ὁμοῦ καὶ καταξιωσάντων τὸν ἐλεήμονα Κύριον μετὰ κλαυθμοῦ καὶ νηστειῶν καὶ προπτώσεως ἐφʼ ἡμέρας τρεῖς ἀδιαλείπτως, παρακαλέσας αὐτοὺς ὁ Ἰούδας ἐκέλευσε παραγίνεσθαι.
13:13 Ipse vero cum senioribus cogitavit priusquam rex admoveret exercitum ad Judaeam et obtineret civitatem, exire, et Domini judicio committere exitum rei.
*H But he, with the ancients, determined before the king should bring his army into Judea, and make himself master of the city, to go out, and to commit the event of the thing to the judgment of the Lord.
Ver. 13. Ancients. The people were not convoked. C.
Καθʼ ἑαυτὸν δὲ σὺν τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις γενόμενος, ἐβουλεύσατο πρὶν εἰσβαλεῖν τοῦ βασιλέως τὸ στράτευμα εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν, καὶ γενέσθαι τῆς πόλεως ἐγκρατεῖς, ἐξελθόντας κρῖναι τὰ πράγματα τῇ τοῦ Κυρίου βοηθείᾳ.
13:14 Dans itaque potestatem omnium Deo mundi creatori, et exhortatus suos ut fortiter dimicarent, et usque ad mortem pro legibus, templo, civitate, patria, et civibus starent, circa Modin exercitum constituit.
So committing all to God, the Creator of the world, and having exhorted his people to fight manfully, and to stand up even to death for the laws, the temple, the city, their country, and citizens: he placed his army about Modin.
Δοὺς δὲ τὴν ἐπιτροπὴν τῷ κτίστῃ τοῦ κόσμου, παρακαλέσας τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ γενναίως ἀγωνίσασθαι μέχρι θανάτου περὶ νόμων, περὶ ἱεροῦ, πόλεως, πατρίδος, πολιτείας, ἐποιήσατο περὶ Μωδεῒν τὴν στρατοπεδείαν.
13:15 Et dato signo suis Dei victoriae, juvenibus fortissimis electis nocte aggressus aulam regiam, in castris interfecit viros quatuor millia, et maximum elephantorum cum his qui superpositi fuerant :
*H And having given his company for a watchword, The victory of God, with most valiant chosen young men, he set upon the king's quarter by night, and slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of the elephants, with them that had been upon him,
Ver. 15. Watchword that night. W. — He usually gave some pious sentence. C. vii. 23. — Quarter. Lit. "hall," (H.) a prætorium, or tent. — Four. Some Gr. and Lat. copies have "two." Syr. "three," though the old edit. of the Vulg. read, 14,000. — Greatest, carrying thirty-two men. 1 B. vi. 37. Gr. also, "the chief over the elephants, with all his troop in the house," (H.) or the servants. C. — Prot. "will all that were upon him." H. — This office was very considerable. C. xiv. 12. Grot. C.
Δοὺς δὲ τοῖς περὶ αὐτὸν σύνθημα Θεοῦ νίκης, μετὰ νεανίσκων ἀρίστων κεκριμένων ἐπιβαλὼν νύκτωρ ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλικὴν αὐλὴν, ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ ἀνεῖλεν εἰς ἄνδρας τετρακισχιλίους, καὶ τὸν πρωτεύοντα τῶν ἐλεφάντων σὺν τῷ κατʼ οἰκίαν ὄχλῳ συνέθηκε,
13:16 summoque metu ac perturbatione hostium castra replentes, rebus prospere gestis, abierunt.
And having filled the camp of the enemies with exceeding great fear and tumult, they went off with good success.
καὶ τὸ τέλος τὴν παρεμβολὴν δέους καὶ ταραχῆς ἐπλήρωσαν, καὶ ἐξέλυσαν εὑημεροῦντες.
13:17 Hoc autem factum est die illucescente, adjuvante eum Domini protectione.
Now this was done at the break of day, by the protection and help of the Lord.
Ὑποφαινούσης δὲ ἤδη τῆς ἡμέρας τοῦτʼ ἐγεγόνει, διὰ τὴν ἐπαρήγουσαν αὐτῷ τοῦ Κυρίου σκέπην.
13:18 Sed rex, accepto gustu audaciae Judaeorum, arte difficultatem locorum tentabat :
But the king having taken a taste of the hardiness of the Jews, attempted to take the strong places by policy:
Ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς εἰληφὼς γεῦσιν τῆς τῶν Ἰουδαίων εὐτολμίας, κατεπείρασε διὰ μεθόδων τοὺς τόπους.
13:19 et Bethsurae, quae erat Judaeorum praesidium munitum, castra admovebat : sed fugabatur, impingebat, minorabatur.
And he marched with his army to Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Jews: but he was repulsed, he failed, he lost his men.
Καὶ ἐπὶ Βαιθσούρᾳ φρούριον ὀχυρὸν τῶν Ἰουδαίων προσῆγεν· καὶ ἐτροποῦτο, προσέκρουεν, ἠλαττονοῦτο.
13:20 His autem qui intus erant, Judas necessaria mittebat.
Now Judas sent necessaries to them that were within
Τοῖς δὲ ἔνδον Ἰούδας τὰ δέοντα εἰσέπεμψε.
13:21 Enuntiavit autem mysteria hostibus Rhodocus quidam de judaico exercitu, qui requisitus comprehensus est, et conclusus.
*H But Rhodocus, one of the Jews' army, disclosed the secrets to the enemies, so he was sought out, and taken up, and put in prison.
Ver. 21. Prison. This traitor was either in the camp or at Bethsura. C.
Προσήγγειλε δὲ τὰ μυστήρια τοῖς πολεμίοις Ῥόδοκος ἐκ τῆς Ἰουδαϊκῆς τάξεως· ἀνεζητήθη δὲ, καὶ κατελήφθη, καὶ κατεκλείσθη.
13:22 Iterum rex sermonem habuit ad eos qui erant in Bethsuris : dextram dedit, accepit, abiit :
*H Again the king treated with them that were in Bethsura: gave his right hand: took theirs: and went away.
Ver. 22. Away. Cæsar said in the same laconic style, Veni, vidi, vici. H.
Ἐδευτερολόγησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐν Βαιθσούρᾳ δεξιὰν ἔδωκεν, ἔλαβεν, ἀπῄει, προσέβαλε τοῖς περὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν, ἥττων ἐγένετο,
13:23 commisit cum Juda, superatus est. Ut autem cognovit rebellasse Philippum Antiochiae, qui relictus erat super negotia, mente consternatus, Judaeos deprecans, subditusque eis, jurat de omnibus quibus justum visum est : et reconciliatus obtulit sacrificium, honoravit templum, et munera posuit.
*H He fought with Judas: and was overcome. And when he understood that Philip, who had been left over the affairs, had rebelled at Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and entreating the Jews, and yielding to them, he swore to all things that seemed reasonable, and, being reconciled, offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and left gifts.
Ver. 23. Overcome. Hence Eleazar signalized himself. 1 B. vi. 43. — Rebelled. Lysias persuaded him to treat the just exertions of Philip in this light. He was himself the usurper of the regency. He easily persuaded the young prince that peace was now most expedient; and conditions were granted to the Jews, which would have been very advantageous if they had been observed. But the king having offered sacrifice by the hands of the priests, and seeing the strength of the wall round Sion, ordered them to be demolished. C.
μετέλαβεν ἀπονενοῆσθαι τὸν Φίλιππον ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ τὸν ἀπολελειμμένον ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων, συνεχύθη· τοὺς Ἰουδαίους παρεκάλεσεν, ὑπετάγη, καὶ ὤμοσεν ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς δικαίοις· συνελύθη καὶ θυσίαν προσήγαγεν, ἐτίμησε τὸν νεὼν, καὶ τὸν τόπον ἐφιλανθρώπησε,
13:24 Machabaeum amplexatus est, et fecit eum a Ptolemaide usque ad Gerrenos ducem et principem.
*H He embraced Machabeus, and made him governor and prince from Ptolemais unto the Gerrenians.
Ver. 24. Gerrenians. Gerrus was on the frontiers of Egypt. Ptol. — It was formerly called Gerara. Gen. xx. 1. The successors of Judas afterwards possessed this government. C. — Gr. "He made Hegemonides governor from," &c. Usher, A. 3841.
καὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον ἀπεδέξατο· κατέλιπε στρατηγὸν ἀπὸ Πτολεμαΐδος ἕως τῶν Γεῤῥηνῶν ἡγεμονίδην,
13:25 Ut autem venit Ptolemaidam, graviter ferebant Ptolemenses amicitiae conventionem, indignantes ne forte foedus irrumperent.
*H But when he was come to Ptolemais, the men of that city were much displeased with the conditions of the peace, being angry for fear they should break the covenant.
Ver. 25. Of the. They disliked a Jewish governor, being always bitter against that nation. C. vi. 8. and 1 B. v. 15. and xii. 48. C. — Gr. "they or he raged, because they would break the agreements" (H.) with the Jews, (C.) or would revolt. Syr. Grot.
ἦλθεν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα· ἐδυσφόρουν περὶ τῶν συνθηκῶν οἱ Πτολεμαεῖς, ἐδείναζον γὰρ ὑπὲρ ὧν ἠθέλησαν ἀθετεῖν τὰς διαστάλσεις.
13:26 Tunc ascendit Lysias tribunal, et exposuit rationem, et populum sedavit, regressusque est Antiochiam : et hoc modo regis profectio et reditus processit.
Then Lysias went up to the judgment seat, and set forth the reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and thus matters went with regard to the king's coming and his return.
Προσῆλθεν ἐπὶ τὸ βῆμα Λυσίας, ἀπελογήσατο ἐνδεχομένως, συνέπεισε, κατεπρᾴυνεν, εὐμενεῖς ἐποίησεν, ἀνέζευξεν εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν· οὕτω τὰ τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς ἐφόδου καὶ τῆς ἀναζυγῆς ἐχώρησε.