The reign of Alexander and his successors: Antiochus rifles and profanes the temple of God: and persecutes unto death all that will not forsake the law of God, and the religion of their fathers.
King Alexander conquering manie countries, erecteth a new Monarchie. 6. who dying, his chief folowers succeede in seueral kingdomes of the same Monarchie. 11. King Antiochus approueth that a prophane schole be setup in Ierusalem, 17. subdueth Aegypt; 21. inuadeth Iudea; entreth by force into Ierusalem; spoyleth the temple, 25. and killeth manie. 30. Two yeares after sendeth an other spoyler; who killing manie, robbeth and burneth lerusalem: 35. fortisieth the towre of Dauid; 38. prophaneth al holie thinges: 4•. commandeth al to committe idolatrie; 47. and to forsake the rites of Gods law, 52. vpon paine of death. 57. He setteth vp an abominable idol in the Temple, 60. persecuteth, and murdereth those that conforme not themselues to these innouations.
1Now it came to pass, after that Alexander the son of Philip the Macedonian, who first reigned in Greece, coming out of the land of Cethim, had overthrown Darius, king of the Persians and Medes:Or egli avvenne, che Alessandro figliuolo di Filippo, re de' Macedoni a il quale regnò il primo nella Grecia, essendo uscito dal paese di Cethim, sconfisse Dario re de' Persiani e de' Medi:AND it came to passe, after that Alexander Philips sonne the Macedonian, that first reigned in Greece, being gone out of the land of Cethim, stroke Darius king of the Persians and the Medes:Et factum est, postquam percussit Alexander Philippi Macedo, qui primus regnavit in Græcia, egressus de terra Cethim, Darium regem Persarum et Medorum: 2He fought many battles, and took the strong holds of all, and slew the kings of the earth:Vinse molte battaglie, ed espugnò dappertutto le città forti, e uccise i re della terra.he made manie battels, and obteyned the munition of al, and slewe the kinges of the earth:constituit prælia multa, et obtinuit omnium munitiones, et interfecit reges terræ, 3And he went through even to the ends of the earth: and took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet before him.E si avanzò sino agli ultimi confini del mondo, e si arricchì colle spoglie di molte nazioni, e la terra si tacque dinanzi a lui.and he passed through euen to the ends of the earth: and tooke the spoiles of the multitude of the Gentils: and the earth was silent in his sight.et pertransiit usque ad fines terræ: et accepit spolia multitudinis gentium, et siluit terra in conspectu ejus. 4And he gathered a power, and a very strong army: and his heart was exalted and lifted up:E mise insieme un esercito poderoso e di straordinario valore, e il cuore di lui si innalzò, e si inalberò.And he gathered powre, and an armie exceding strong: and his hart was exalted and eleuated:Et congregavit virtutem, et exercitum fortem nimis: et exaltatum est, et elevatum cor ejus: 5And he subdued countries of nations, and princes; and they became tributaries to him.E si rendè padrone delle provincie delle nazioni e dei tiranni, i quali divennero suoi tributarii.and he obtayned the regions of the Gentils, and the tyrantes: and they were made tributaries to him.et obtinuit regiones gentium, et tyrannos: et facti sunt illi in tributum. 6And after these things, he fell down upon his bed, and knew that he should die.E quindi si allettò, e si conobbe mortale.And after these thinges, he fel downe in his bed, and he knew that he should dye.Et post hæc decidit in lectum, et cognovit quia moreretur.
7And he called his servants, the nobles that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.E chiamò i suoi servi i nobili, i quali erano stati educati con lui dalla prima età, e divise loro il suo regno, mentre era tuttora vivo.And he called his seruants the Nobles, that were brought vp with him from his youth: & he diuided his kingdom to them, when he yet liued.Et vocavit pueros suos nobiles, qui secum erant nutriti a juventute: et divisit illis regnum suum, cum adhuc viveret. 8And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died.Regnò Alessandro dodici anni, e morì.And Alexander reigned twelue yeares, and he died.Et regnavit Alexander annis duodecim, et mortuus est. 9And his servants made themselves kings, every one in his place:E i suoi servi occuparono il regno, ciascheduno nella sua provincia:And his seruants possessed the kingdom, euerie one in his place:Et obtinuerunt pueri ejus regnum, unusquisque in loco suo: 10And they all put crowns upon themselves after his death, and their sons after them, many years; and evils were multiplied in the earth.E si cinser tutti il diadema quand'ei fu morto, e dopo di essi i loro figliuoli per molti anni: e le miserie si moltiplicarono sopra la terra.and they did al put crownes on them after his death, & their sonnes after them manie yeares, & euils were multiplied in the earth.et imposuerunt omnes sibi diademata post mortem ejus, et filii eorum post eos annis multis, et multiplicata sunt mala in terra. 11And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus the Illustrious, the son of king Antiochus, who had been a hostage at Rome: and he reigned in the hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.Di là usci quella infetta radice, Antioco Epiphane, figliuolo del re Antioco: egli era stato in ostaggio a Roma, e pervenne al regno l'anno cento trentasette del regno dei Greci.And there came forth of them a sinful roote Antiochus Illustre, the sonne of king Antiochus, that had bene at Rome an hostage: and he reigned in the hundreth and seuen and thirteth yeare of the kingdom of the Greekes.Et exiit ex eis radix peccatrix, Antiochus illustris, filius Antiochi regis, qui fuerat Romæ obses: et regnavit in anno centesimo trigesimo septimo regni Græcorum. 12In those days there went out of Israel wicked men, and they persuaded many, saying: Let us go and make a covenant with the heathens that are round about us: for since we departed from them, many evils have befallen us.In quel tempo venner fuori degl'iniqui figliuoli di Israele, i quali miser su molti altri dicendo loro: Andiamo, e facciam lega colle nazioni circonvicine; perocché dopo che noi ci siamo apportati da esse, non abbiamo veduto se non disastri.In those dayes there went forth of Israel wicked children, & perswaded manie, saying: Let vs goe, and make a couenant with the Gentils, that are about vs: because since we departed from them, manie euils haue found vs.In diebus illis, exierunt ex Israël filii iniqui, et suaserunt multis, dicentes: Eamus, et disponamus testamentum cum gentibus, quæ circa nos sunt: quia ex quo recessimus ab eis, invenerunt nos multa mala.
13And the word seemed good in their eyes.E quegli approvarono questo discorso.And the talke semed good in their eyes.Et bonus visus est sermo in oculis eorum. 14And some of the people determined to do this, and went to the king: and he gave them license to do after the ordinances of the heathens.E alcuni del popolo risolutamente andarono al re; ed egli diede loro facoltà di vivere secondo i costumi delle genti.And some of the people determined, and went to the king: and he gaue them leaue to doe the iustice of the Gentils.Et destinaverunt aliqui de populo, et abierunt ad regem: et dedit illis potestatem ut facerent justitiam gentium. 15And they built a place of exercise in Jerusalem, according to the laws of the nations:Ed eglino edificarono un ginnasio in Gerusalemme secondo l'uso delle nazioni:And they built a schoole in Ierusalem, according to the lawes of the Nations:Et ædificaverunt gymnasium in Jerosolymis secundum leges nationum: 16And they made themselves prepuces, and departed from the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathens, and were sold to do evil:E abolirono il segno della circoncisione: e abbandonarono il Testamento santo, e si unirono colle nazioni, e si venderono per mal fare.and they made to them selues prepuces, and reuolted from the holie testament, and were ioyned to the Nations, and were solde to doe euil.et fecerunt sibi præputia, et recesserunt a testamento sancto, et juncti sunt nationibus, et venundati sunt ut facerent malum. 17And the kingdom was established before Antiochus, and he had a mind to reign over the land of Egypt, that he might reign over two kingdoms.E Antioco stabilitosi nel suo regno intraprese di farsi re anche dell'Egitto, e di avere il dominio di due regni.And the kingdom was prepared in the sight of Antiochus, & he begane to reigne in the land of Egypt, that he might reigne ouer two kingdoms.Et paratum est regnum in conspectu Antiochi, et cœpit regnare in terra Ægypti ut regnaret super duo regna. 18And he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great number of ships:Ed entrò nell'Egitto con numeroso esercito, con cocchi ed elefanti e cavalieri e con gran numero di navi:And he entered into Aegypt with great multitude, with chariots and elephants, and horsemen, and a copious multitude of shippes:Et intravit in Ægyptum in multitudine gravi, in curribus, et elephantis, et equitibus, et copiosa navium multitudine:
19And he made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt; but Ptolemee was afraid at his presence and fled, and many were wounded unto death.E diede battaglia a Tolomeo re d'Egitto; e Tolomeo temè l'incontro, e si fuggi, e molti furon feriti e uccisi.And he made warre agaynst Ptolomee the king of Egypt, and Ptolomee was afrayd at his presence, and fled, and manie fel wounded.et constituit bellum adversus Ptolemæum regem Ægypti, et veritus est Ptolemæus a facie ejus, et fugit, et ceciderunt vulnerati multi. 20And he took the strong cities in the land of Egypt: and he took the spoils of the land of Egypt.E quegli espugnò le città forti dell'Egitto, e saccheggio tutta il paese.And he tooke the fensed cities in the land of Aegypt: and he tooke the spoiles of the land of Aegypt.Et comprehendit civitates munitas in terra Ægypti, et accepit spolia terræ Ægypti. 21And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt, in the hundred and forty-third year, he returned and went up against Israel.E dopo di aver desolato l'Egitto, Antioco tornò indietro l'anno cento quarantatrè, e s'incamminò contro Israele,And Antiochus turned, after he strooke Aegypt in the hundreth and three and fourtith yeare: and he went vp to Israel,Et convertit Antiochus, postquam percussit Ægyptum in centesimo et quadragesimo tertio anno: et ascendit ad Israël, 22And he went up to Jerusalem, with a great multitude.E arrivò a Gerusalemme con grosso esercito.and went vp to Ierusalem with a great multitude.et ascendit Jerosolymam in multitudine gravi. 23And he proudly entered into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of proposition, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the little mortars of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornament that was before the temple: and he broke them all in pieces.Ed entrò arrogantemente nel luogo santo, e si prese l'altare d'oro e il candelabro colle lampane e tutti i vasi e la mensa di proposizione e i vasi delle libagioni e le coppe e i turiboli d'oro e il velo e le corone e l'ornato di oro, che stava sulla facciata del tempio, e fece tutto in pezzi.And he entered into the sanctification with pride, & tooke the golden altar, and the candlesticke of light, and al the vessels therof, and the table of proposition, and the libatories, and the phials, and the litle morrers of gold, and the vele, and the crownes, and the golden ornament, that was in the face of the temple: and he brake al into peeces.Et intravit in sanctificationem cum superbia, et accepit altare aureum, et candelabrum luminis, et universa vasa ejus, et mensam propositionis, et libatoria, et phialas, et mortariola aurea, et velum, et coronas, et ornamentum aureum, quod in facie templi erat: et comminuit omnia.
24And he took the silver and gold, and the precious vessels: and he took the hidden treasures, which he found: and when he had taken all away, he departed into his own country.E prese l'argento e l'oro e i vasi preziosi, e portò via i tesori nascosti, che ritrovò, e dato il sacco ad ogni cosa, se n'andò al suo paese;And he tooke the siluer and gold, and the desiderable vessels: and he tooke the hidden treasures which he found: and carying away he departed into his owne land.Et accepit argentum, et aurum, et vasa concupiscibilia: et accepit thesauros occultos, quos invenit: et sublatis omnibus, abiit in terram suam. 25And he made a great slaughter of men, and spoke very proudly.Avendo trucidala molta gente, e avendo parlato con gran superbia.And he made a slaughter of men,Et fecit cædem hominum, et locutus est in superbia magna. 26And there was great mourning in Israel, and in every place where they were:E grande fu il tutto in Israele e in tutto il paese.and spake in great pride. And great lamentation was made in Israel, and in euerie, place of theirs:Et factus est planctus magnus in Israël, et in omni loco eorum: 27And the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the virgins and the young men were made feeble, and the beauty of the women was changed.E i principi e i seniori gemevano; i giovani e le fanciulle erano senza fiato; e la beltà delle donne spari.and the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the youngmen, and the virgins were weakned, and the beautifulnes of the wemen was changed.et ingemuerunt principes et seniores; virgines et juvenes infirmati sunt: et speciositas mulierum immutata est. 28Every bridegroom took up lamentation: and the bride that sat in the marriage bed, mourned:Tutti gli sposi novelli menavan duolo e piangevan le spose sedendo sul letto nuziale:Euerie husband tooke lamentation: and the wemen that sate in the mariage bed, mourned:Omnis maritus sumpsit lamentum, et quæ sedebant in thoro maritali, lugebant: 29And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.E si commosse la terra per pietà dei suoi abitatori, e tutta la casa di Giacobbe fa nell'obbrobrio.and the land was moued vpon the inhabitants therein, & al the house of Iacob did put on confusion.et commota est terra super habitantes in ea, et universa domus Jacob induit confusionem. 30And after two full years, the king sent the chief collector of his tributes to the cities of Juda, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude.E di li a due intieri anni il re mandò il soprintendente de' tributi pelle città di Giuda, il quale arrivò a Gerusalemme con gran comitiva.And after two yeares of dayes the king sent a prince of tributes into the cities of Iuda, & he came to Ierusalem with a great multitude.Et post duos annos dierum, misit rex principem tributorum in civitates Juda, et venit Jerusalem cum turba magna.
31And he spoke to them peaceable words in deceit; and they believed him.E parlò alla gente benignamenle, ma con inganno; e quelli se ne fidarono.And he spake vnto them peaceable wordes in guile: and they beleued him.Et locutus est ad eos verba pacifica in dolo: et crediderunt ei. 32And he fell upon the city suddenly, and struck it with a great slaughter, and destroyed much people in Israel.Ma egli repentinamente assalì i cittadini, e ne fece gran macello, e trucidò moltissima gente d'Israele.And he fel vpon the citie sodenly, and stroke it with a great plague, and destroyed much people in Israel.Et irruit super civitatem repente, et percussit eam plaga magna, et perdidit populum multum ex Israël. 33And he took the spoils of the city, and burnt it with fire, and threw down the houses thereof, and the walls thereof round about:E spoglio la città, o vi mise il fuoco; e ne distrusse le case e le mura all'intorno:And he tooke the spoiles of the citie, and burnt it with fyre, and destroyed the houses therof, and the walles therof round about:Et accepit spolia civitatis: et succendit eam igni, et destruxit domos ejus, et muros ejus in circuitu: 34And they took the women captive, and the children, and the cattle they possessed.E menarono schiave le donne, e presero i ragazzi e i bestiami.and they led the wemen captiue, and the children, and the cattel they possessed.et captivas duxerunt mulieres, et natos et pecora possederunt. 35And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with strong towers, and made it a fortress for them:E cinsero la città di David di muraglia forte e grande e di massicce torri, ed ella serviva loro di fortezza.And they built the citie of Dauid with a great wal, and a strong, and with firme towers, and it was made a castel for them:Et ædificaverunt civitatem David muro magno et firmo, et turribus firmis, et facta est illis in arcem: 36And they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they fortified themselves therein: and they stored up armour and victuals, and gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem;E vi misero gente malvagia, uomini iniqui i quali vi si afforzarono, e vi radunarono armi e viveri; e messe insieme le spoglie di Gerusalemme,and they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they waxed strong therein: And they layd armour, and victuals, and gathered together the spoiles of Ierusalem:et posuerunt illic gentem peccatricem viros iniquos, et convaluerunt in ea: et posuerunt arma, et escas, et congregaverunt spolia Jerusalem:
37And laid them up there: and they became a great snare.Ivi le riposero: ed essi furono un gran flagello,and layd them vp there: and they became a great snare.et reposuerunt illic: et facti sunt in laqueum magnum. 38And this was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil devil in Israel.Stando ivi in aguato contro del luogo santo, e divennero un cattivo diavolo per Israele.And this was made for an embushment of the sanctification, and to be an il deuil in Israel.Et factum est hoc ad insidias sanctificationi, et in diabolum malum in Israël: 39And they shed innocent blood round about the sanctuary, and defiled the holy place.E spargevano il sangue innocente attorno al luogo santo, e contaminarono il santuario.And they shed innocent bloud round about the sanctification, and contaminated the sanctification.et effuderunt sanguinem innocentem per circuitum sanctificationis, et contaminaverunt sanctificationem. 40And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled away by reason of them and the city was made the habitation of strangers, and she became a stranger to her own seed, and her children forsook her.E per causa loro si aggirano gli abitanti di Gerusalemme, ed ella divenne stanza degli stranieri e straniera al suo popolo; e i suoi figliuoli l'abbandonarono.And the inhabitants of Ierusalem fled by reason of them, and it became the habitation of strangers, and she became stranger to her owne seede, and her children forsooke her.Et fugerunt habitatores Jerusalem propter eos, et facta est habitatio exterorum, et facta est extera semini suo, et nati ejus reliquerunt eam. 41Her sanctuary was desolate like a wilderness, her festival days were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach, her honours were brought to nothing.Il suo santuario restò in abbandono, come un deserto; le sue feste solenni si cambiarono in tutto, e i suoi sabati in obbrobrio e i suoi onori andarono in fumo.Her sanctification was desolate as a wildernes, her festiual dayes were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproche, her honours into naught.Sanctificatio ejus desolata est sicut solitudo; dies testi ejus conversi sunt in luctum, sabbata ejus in opprobrium, honores ejus in nihilum. 42Her dishonour was increased according to her glory, and her excellency was turned into mourning.La sua ignominia fu proporzionata alla sua gloria, e la sua grandezza fini in pianti.According to her glorie was her ignominie multiplied, and her highnes was turned into mourning.Secundum gloriam ejus multiplicata est ignominia ejus, et sublimitas ejus conversa est in luctum.
43And king Antiochus wrote to all his kingdom, that all the people should be one: and every one should leave his own law.E il re Antioco spedì lettere per tutto il suo regno, perché si riunisser tutti in un sol popolo, e rinunziasse ciascuno alla propria legge.And king Antiochus wrote to al his kingdom, that al the people should be one: and euerie one should leaue his owne law.Et scripsit rex Antiochus omni regno suo ut esset omnis populus unus: et relinqueret unusquisque legem suam. 44And all nations consented, according to the word of king Antiochus.E tutte le genti si accordarono in obbedire al comando del re Antioco;And al Nations consented according to the word of king Antiochus.Et consenserunt omnes gentes secundum verbum regis Antiochi: 45And many of Israel consented to his service, and they sacrificed to idols, and profaned the sabbath.E molti d'Israele si sottomisero a questa schiavitù, e sacrificarono agl'idoli, e violaron il sabato.and manie of Israel consented to his seruice, and they sacrificed to idols, and defiled the sabbath.et multi ex Israël consenserunt servituti ejus, et sacrificaverunt idolis, et coinquinaverunt sabbatum. 46And the king sent letters by the hands of messengers to Jerusalem, and to all the cities of Juda; that they should follow the law of the nations of the earth.E mandò il re suoi messaggieri a Gerusalemme e per tutte le città di Giuda con lettere, affinché abbracciasser le leggi delle nazioni della terra,And the king sent bookes by the handes of messengers into Ierusalem, & into al the cities of Iuda: that they should folow the law of the Nations of the earth,Et misit rex libros per manus nuntiorum in Jerusalem, et in omnes civitates Juda, ut sequerentur leges gentium terræ, 47And should forbid holocausts and sacrifices, and atonements to be made in the temple of God.E proibissero, che gli olocausti e i sacrifizj e le oblazioni si facessero al tempio di Dio,and should prohibite holocausts and sacrifices, & placations to be made in the temple of God,et prohiberent holocausta et sacrificia, et placationes fieri in templo Dei, 48And should prohibit the sabbath, and the festival days to be celebrated.E che non si santificasse il sabato, nè le solennità:and should prohibite the sabbath to be celebrated, and the solemne dayes.et prohiberent celebrari sabbatum, et dies solemnes: 49And he commanded the holy places to be profaned, and the holy people of Israel.E ordinò, che si profanassero i luoghi santi e il popol santo d'Israele.And he commanded the holie places to be defiled, and the holie people of Israel.et jussit coinquinari sancta, et sanctum populum Israël.
50And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swine’s flesh to be immolated, and unclean beasts,E ordinò che si ergessero altari e templi e idoli, e si immolassero carni di porco e bestie immonde,And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swines flesh to be immolated, and common beasts,Et jussit ædificari aras, et templa, et idola, et immolari carnes suillas, et pecora communia, 51And that they should leave their children uncircumcised, and let their souls be defiled with all uncleannesses, and abominations, to the end that they should forget the law, and should change all the justifications of God.E non circoncidessero i propri figliuoli, e si contaminassero con ogni sorta d'immondezze e di abominazioni, affinché si dimenticassero della legge di Dio, e conculcassero tutti i precetti di Dio.and to leaue their children vncircumcised, and their soules to be contaminated in al vncleannesses, and abominations, so that they should forget the law, and should change al the iustifications of God.et relinquere filios suos incircumcisos, et coinquinari animas eorum in omnibus immundis, et abominationibus, ita ut obliviscerentur legem, et immutarent omnes justificationes Dei: 52And that whosoever would not do according to the word of king Antiochus, should be put to death.E che tutti quelli che non obbedissero all'ordine del re Antioco, fossero messi a morte.And whosoeuer had not done acording to the word of king Antiochus, they should dye.et quicumque non fecissent secundum verbum regis Antiochi, morerentur. 53According to all these words he wrote to his whole kingdom: and he appointed rulers over the people that should force them to do these things.Di tal tenore furon le lettere spedite da lui per tutto il suo regno, e deputò magistrati, che costringessero il popolo a far tali cose.According to al these words wrote he to al his kingdom: and he appoynted princes ouer the people, that should force these thinges to be done.Secundum omnia verba hæc scripsit omni regno suo: et præposuit principes populo, qui hæc fieri cogerent. 54And they commanded the cities of Juda to sacrifice.E questi comandarono alle città di Giuda, che sacrificassero.And they commanded the cities of Iuda to sacrifice.Et jusserunt civitatibus Juda sacrificare. 55Then many of the people were gathered to them that had forsaken the law of the Lord: and they committed evils in the land:E molti del popolo si unirono con quelli, che avean abbandonata la legge del Signore, e fecero del male assai nel paese:And manie of the people were gathered to them, they that had forsaken the law of our Lord: and they did euils vpon the land:Et congregati sunt multi de populo ad eos qui dereliquerant legem Domini, et fecerunt mala super terram:
56And they drove away the people of Israel into lurking holes, and into the secret places of fugitives.E obbligarano il popolo d'Israele a fuggirsi in parti rimote e in luoghi, dove tener nascosta la loro fuga.and they chased forth the people of Israel in hidden corners, and in the secret places of fugitiues.et effugaverunt populum Israël in abditis, et in absconditis fugitivorum locis. 57On the fifteenth day of the month, Casleu, in the hundred and forty-fifth year, king Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and they built altars throughout all the cities of Juda round about:Ai quindici del mese di Casleu, l'anno cento quarantacinque, il re Antioco eresse l'idolo abominevole della desolazione sopra l'altare di Dio, e si eressero altari da tutte le parti in tutte le città di Giuda:The fiftenth day of the moneth Casleu, the hundreth fiue and fourtith yeare king Antiochus built the abominable idol of desolation vpon the altar of God, and through out al the cities of Iuda round about they builded altars:Die quintadecima mensis Casleu, quinto et quadragesimo et centesimo anno, ædificavit rex Antiochus abominandum idolum desolationis super altare Dei, et per universas civitates Juda in circuitu ædificaverunt aras: 58And they burnt incense, and sacrificed at the doors of the houses and in the streets.E davanti alle porte delle case e per le piazze abbruciavano incensi, e facevan sacrifizj:and before the gates of houses, and in the stretes they burnt frankincense,et ante januas domorum et in plateis incendebant thura, et sacrificabant: 59And they cut in pieces, and burnt with fire the books of the law of God:E stracciati i libri della legge di Dio, li gettavano ad ardere nel fuoco.& sacrificed. and the bookes of the law of God they burnt with fyre, cutting them:et libros legis Dei combusserunt igni, scindentes eos: 60And every one with whom the books of the testament of the Lord were found, and whosoever observed the law of the Lord, they put to death, according to the edict of the king.E se presso alcuno trovavano i libri del Testamento del Signore, e se alcuno osservava la legge del Signore, erano trucidati a tenor dell'editto del re.and with whomsoeuer were found the bookes of the testament of our Lord, and whosoeuer obserued the law of our Lord, they murdered him, according to the edict of the king.et apud quemcumque inveniebantur libri testamenti Domini, et quicumque observabat legem Domini, secundum edictum regis trucidabant eum.
61Thus by their power did they deal with the people of Israel, that were found in the cities month after month.Così violentemente trattavano il popol d'Israele, che trovavasi nelle città ogni mese.In their powre did they these thinges to the people of Israel, that was found in euerie moneth and moneth in the cities:In virtute sua faciebant hæc populo Israël, qui inveniebatur in omni mense et mense in civitatibus. 62And on the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed upon the altar of the idol that was over against the altar of God.E ai venticinque del mese eglino facean sacrifizj sopra l'altare, che era dirimpetto all'altare di Dio.And the fiue and twentith day of the moneth they sacrificed vpon the altar that was agaynst the altar.Et quinta et vigesima die mensis sacrificabant super aram, quæ erat contra altare. 63Now the women that circumcised their children were slain according to the commandment of king Antiochus,E le donne, che avesser circoncisi i loro figliuoli, erano trucidate secondo l'ordine del re Antioco,And the wemen that circumcided their children, were murdered according to the commandment of king Antiochus,Et mulieres, quæ circumcidebant filios suos, trucidabantur secundum jussum regis Antiochi, 64And they hanged the children about their necks in all their houses: and those that had circumcised them, they put to death.E impiccavano i bambini pel collo in tutte le case loro, e trucidavano chi gli avesse circoncisi.and they hang vp the children by the necks through out al their houses, and those that had circumcided them, they murdered.et suspendebant pueros a cervicibus per universas domos eorum: et eos, qui circumciderant illos, trucidabant. 65And many of the people of Israel determined with themselves, that they would not eat unclean things: and they chose rather to die, than to be defiled with unclean meats:Ma molti del popolo d'Israele fermarono dentro di se di non mangiar cibi immondi, ed elessero di piuttosto morire, che contaminarsi con impure vivande:And manie of the people of Israel determined with themselues, that they would not eate the vncleane thinges: & they chose rather to dye, then to be defiled with vncleane meates:Et multi de populo Israël definierunt apud se, ut non manducarent immunda: et elegerunt magis mori, quam cibis coinquinari immundis: 66And they would not break the holy law of God and they were put to death:E non vollero violare la legge santa di Dio, e furono trucidati.& they would not breake the holie law of God, & they were murdered,et noluerunt infringere legem Dei sanctam, et trucidati sunt:
67And there was very great wrath upon the people.E grande oltremodo fu l'ira contro quel popolo.and there was made great wrath vpon the people excedingly.et facta est ira magna super populum valde.
1:1
Year of the World 3668, Year before Christ 336.
Haydock
Now. Literally, "And." (Haydock)
Haydock
Greece, over the whole. He was chosen generalissimo. (Haydock)
Calmet
He conquered many of the Greeks, and overthrew Darius Condomanus, the year of the world 3674. (Calmet)
Worthington
Alexander [the Great] was the first who reigned in that great monarchy, which he founded. (Worthington)
1:2
Just. xii
Holds. He was never defeated. (Just. xii.)
1:3
Earth, even to India, beyond which the ancients knew of nothing.
Quiet, or silent; depopulated, (Isaias 14:7.) and obedient, Habacuc 2:20.
1:4
Just. xii
Up. He was spoiled by prosperity, (Calmet) and would pass for a god, and be styled "king of the world." (Just. xii.)
1:6
Bed. Some suppose through poison, (Diodorus xvii.; St. Jerome, ad Laetam.) or excess of wine. (Atheneus 10:11.)
Haydock
This was enough. (Haydock)
Calmet
So perished the man who would claim divine honours! (Calmet)
1:7
Haydock
Servants. On the ninth day of sickness which preceded his death, he admitted all his soldiers to kiss his hand. Then he asked his friends, if they thought they should find such another king? As they were silent, he predicted what bloodshed would ensue, and told them to bury him in the temple of Ammon. When they asked to whom he left the throne, he said, "to the most worthy." He gave his ring to Perdiccas; whence all inferred, that he should be regent till the proper heirs came of age. Perdiccas desired to know when he would have divine honours: to which Alexander [the Great] replied with these his last words, "when you are happy:" (Just. xii.; Diodorus xvii.) as much as to say, never. (Haydock)
Calmet
This seems contrary to the sacred historian. But his authority is far superior. (Calmet)
Challoner
Kingdom. This is otherwise by Q. Curtius; though he acknowledges that divers were of that opinion, and that it had been delivered by some authors. (liber[book] x.) But here we find from the sacred text that he was in error. (Challoner)
Worthington
By delivering his ring to Perdiccas, Alexander gave him authority to make this division. (Worthington)
Many assert, that he gave him directions in his last will. This was observed for some time, ver. 10.
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Year of the World 3681, Year before Christ 323.
Twelve. Josephus, etc. Some add, a few months. He was about thirty-three years old.
1:10
Calmet
Death, twelve years being expired, when all the posterity of Alexander [the Great] were dead. His generals gradually destroyed each other, and four took the diadem at the same time: Ptolemy, in Egypt; Seleucus, in Syria; Cassander, in Macedonia; and Lysimachus, in Thrace. (Just. xiii., and xv.) (Calmet)
Worthington
Those who choose to read in order, may, after the preface [in] 2 Machabees 2:20., read the above, then 2 Machabees 3:1. (Worthington)
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Year of the World 3829, Year before Christ 175.
Challoner
Antiochus the illustrious; Epiphanes, the younger son of Antiochus the great, who usurped the kingdom, to the prejudice of his nephew Demetrius, son of his elder brother, Seleucus Philopater. (Challoner)
Worthington
Epiphanes means "renowed." (Worthington)
Josephus
He took this title, particularly after the Samaritans had offered it to him. (Josephus, Antiquities xii.; Vaillant. A. 145.)
Calmet
His medals have always God prefixed, "the god appearing;" as he came opportunely, like a god, to defend the kingdom against the Egyptians, after he had been fourteen years a hostage at Rome. (Calmet)
Nothing could be more abject than his character. (St. Jerome, in Daniel viii., and ix.) (Atheneus 5:4., and 10:12.)
Challoner
Greeks, counting not from the beginning of the reign of Alexander [the Great], but from the first year of Seleucus Nicator. (Challoner)
Calmet
The era of the Seleucides began in spring or autumn, the year of the world 3692, the year before Christ 312, though the Chaldeans and Ptolemy date from the following spring. (Calmet)
Worthington
The Grecian monarchy had then stood twenty years. (Eusebius) (Worthington)
1:12
Men. Jason attempted to supplant Onias III and introduced pagan customs, when he was dead. Menelaus treated him in like manner. Being cited to pay what he had promised, he left Lysimachus in his place, who was slain in the temple, which he was robbing, 2 Machabees 4:
Calmet
Us. Thus the Jews complained in the days of Jeremias, (xliv. 18.) and the Christian religion was blamed for all the miseries which fell upon the Roman empire. (Calmet)
Haydock
St. Augustine proves in his City of God, that this accusation was false. (Haydock)
1:15
Lyranus
Exercise, to wrestle (Calmet) and teach. (Lyranus)
1:16
Made. St. Jerome thinks the attempt useless. But the Jews discovered the art. (St. Epiphanius; Pond. xvi.; Bartol.) (1 Corinthians 7:18.)
Calmet
Sold to the devil, becoming his instruments, 3 Kings 21:25., and Romans 7:14. (Calmet)
Go to 2 Machabees 4:7.
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Year of the World 3834, Year before Christ 170.
Worthington
Egypt. He coveted this kingdom, having Syria already. (Worthington)
Calmet
He was not very fit for war: but Egypt was not under Philometor a child, and Ephphanes made an easy conquest. This was his second visit to that country. While he besieged Alexandria, a report of his death was spread; and as he was informed that the Jews rejoiced at it, he fell upon them, ver. 21. (Calmet)
Worthington
After ver. 20, read 2 Machabees 4:21. (Worthington)
1:21
Year of the World 3834.
1:23
Worthington
Sanctuary. Josephus (Antiquities 12:6.) writes, that Antiochus slew such as opposed his entrance into the city, and afterwards those who opened the gates, but would have prevented his plundering the temple. (Worthington)
Josephus
Menelaus conducted the king, 2 Machabees 5:15. Profane authors condemn this conduct of the king towards a city subject to him. (Josephus, contra Apion 2.)
Calmet
Diodorus relates several fables on this occasion. (Calmet)
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Year of the World 3836, Year before Christ 168.
Worthington
The chief collector, etc. Apollonius. (Challoner) (2 Machabees 5:24.) (Worthington)
Haydock
He basely fell upon the unsuspecting citizens on a sabbath day. (Haydock)
1:33
Josephus
Fire, thus destroying a great part. (Josephus, Antiquities 12:7.)
1:35
Worthington
In it was placed a garrison of Macedonians. (Worthington)
This castle had been occupied by Syrians before. It was now enlarged, 2 Machabees 4:27., and 5:5.
1:38
Calmet
Sanctuary, to pillage all who came to the temple. (Calmet)
Challoner
An evil devil. Literally, an adversary, watching constantly to do harm, as the evil spirit is always watching and seeking whom he could devour. (Challoner)
1:40
1:43
Year of the World 3837, Year before Christ 167.
Haydock
Be one. This reason herself teaches. But the king wished to establish a false religion, or rather he desired to root out all religion, and to shew his authority. (Haydock)
Tacitus v
Demere superstitionem et mores Graecorum dare adnixus. (Tacitus v.)
Worthington
He was not content with plunder, unless he ruined souls. (Worthington)
1:45
Haydock
Service, or worship, (Calmet) introduced by Epiphanes. (Haydock)
1:49
People. He forced them to eat forbidden meat.
1:57
Year of the World 3837.
Calmet
Fifteenth. In all other places the 25th, whence this may be incorrect, (Calmet) or the altar was now set up, (Haydock) though sacrifices were not yet offered. (Calmet)
1:58
Calmet
Doors, to Trivia, Isaias 57:8. (Calmet)
1:59
Josephus
Law, and all the sacred writings. (Josephus; Sulpitius ii.)
Calmet
The pious Jews secreted what they could, and Judas took care to collect them, 2 Machabees 1:14., and 3:48. (Calmet)
1:61
Calmet
After month. The officers took an account of the slain, (Grotius) or the dedication of the statue was renewed, or rather the king's nativity was kept, 2 Machabees 6:7. (Calmet)
But this would only occur once a-year. People were compelled to sacrifice on the same day of each month on which the statue had been dedicated, ver. 62.
1:62
Over-against, or (Haydock) "upon," epi. The Greek altars were of a smaller size.
1:65
Calmet
Many. Eleazar, and the seven Machabees, etc. (Calmet)
1:67
Haydock
Wrath. God seemed displeased, as he was with too many. The pious were exposed to various trials, and to the fury of persecutors. (Haydock)
Worthington
Read 2 Machabees 5:11. (Worthington)
1:7
Divided his kingdom, etc.... This is otherwise related by Q. Curtius; though he acknowledges that divers were of that opinion, and that it had been delivered by some authors, lib. 10. But here we find from the sacred text, that he was in error.
1:11
Antiochus the Illustrius.... Epiphanes, the younger son of Antiochus the Great, who usurped the kingdom, to the prejudice of his nephew Demetrius, son of his elder brother Seleucus Philopater.—Ibid. Of the kingdom of the Greeks.... Counting, not from the beginning of the reign of Alexander, but from the first year of Seleucus Nicator.
1:30
The chief collector, etc.... Apollonius.
1:35
1:38
An evil devil.... That is, an adversary watching constantly to do harm, as the evil spirit is always watching and seeking whom he may devour.
1:57
The abominable idol, etc.... Viz., the statue of Jupiter Olympius.
1:1
B
Other kings reigned before Alexander in Grece but he vvas the first that reigned in that great Monarchie erected by himselfe.
1:7
By deliuering his ring to Perdicca, he gaue him auctoritie to distribute his kingdomes. Insinua li. 12. • •urtius. li. 10.
1:10
li. 2. c. 3. v. 1.
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Epiphanes, Noble in re•owme.
D
This Antiochus begane his reigne in the yeare 137. from Seleuchus the first king of Syria after Alexander. otherwise this vvas the 156 yeare of the Grecian Monarchie, Euseb in chroni•o.
1:16
li. 2. c. 4. v. 7.
1:17
F
Being established in the kingdom of Syria, he coueted also the kingdom of Aegypt.
1:20
li. 2. c. 4. v. 21.
1:21
H
1:23
Iosephus. li. 12. c. 6. vvriteth that Antiochus first killed such as vvould haue hindred his entrance into Ierusalem and aftervvards those that opened the gates vnto him, but vvould haue hindered him from spoyling the temple.
1:30
This vvas Apollonius, as appeareth li. 2. c. 5. v. 2•.
1:35
The tovvre of Sion fortified and kept.
1:36
by a garrison of Macedonians.
1:43
It sufficed not this cruel tyrant to spoile Gods people of their goodes, and manie of their liues, but he also peruerted manie in religion: because his master the diuel seeketh to destroy mens soules.
1:57
Daniels prophecie. ch. 9. vvas here in part fulfilled, as in a figure, and our Sauiour confirmeth it. •la•. 24 of Antichrist setting vp abomination of desolation in the holie place.
1:67
li. 2. c. 5. v. 11.
1:19
St Ephrem the Syrian † AD 373 Ephraim Syrus: Fifteen Hymns For the Feast of the Epiphany 8.4
4. The captive priests again in the well—hid and concealed the fire of the sanctuary,
1:1
1. AND IT CAME TO PASS, AFTER ALEXANDER (the Great) SON OF PHILIP (the) MACEDONIAN, WHO FIRST REIGNED IN GREECE, (namely, all of it, says Serarius): CAME OUT OF THE LAND OF CETHIM, — that is, from regions beyond the sea from Judea (for the Jews call these Cethim) such as Macedonia, Greece, Cyprus, etc., thus today the Italians call those who dwell beyond the Alps transmontane. Again, some by "Cethim" understand properly Macedonia (which today is called Albania), both because Philip and the Persians are called kings of the Cetheans, that is, of the Macedonians, I Mach. VIII, 5; and because Suidas in the word Latini and κίτιον asserts Macedonia to be called by prosthesis from Cethim, namely πάτεις and in Attic μάκεττα; thus also St. Jerome, book V in Isaiah cap. XXIII and in cap. XXVII of Ezekiel and XI of Daniel, understands by Cethim the islands of Macedonia; and St. Epiphanius, heresy 30, says Alexander is said to have come out of Cethim, that is, from Macedonia, because in it was a race of Cyprians and Rhodians, to whom this name properly belongs: for Cethim, according to Josephus, book 1 Ant. cap. VII, was properly called Cyprus, and from there any other islands. Now the Hebrews call all overseas regions islands, such as Italy, Greece, Macedonia. It favors this that Livy, book V, Decade II, names in Macedonia Citium, where the whole army of Perseus had assembled. It also favors the affinity of the word Macedonia with Cethim. Wherefore Dionysius on the situation of the world and Hesychius in the Lexicon call Macedonia Maceta, and the Macedonians Macetas. Whence Ausonius, in illustrious cities Epigr. II, "Macetumque attollere nomen." Indeed, Thucydides, book II, cap. II, says the Cyprians migrated to Macedonia, so that they could give to it their name Cethim. Thus also Theodore Annius, Pintus, Pererius in Isaiah II, understand by Cethim Macedonia. DARIUS KING OF THE PERSIANS — the last, surnamed Codomannus. Him Alexander the Great smote and killed in the sixth year of his reign, and then transferred the monarchy from Darius and the Persians to himself and to the Greeks, and having become monarch reigned six more years: for he died in the twelfth year of his reign. Moreover, Darius was formerly called Codamus, and kept an inn at Susa, says Dionysius, Chrysostom, oration 5; thence he was made prefect of Armenia, and finally king: wherefore he was not of royal stock, but feigned this by assuming the royal name Darius, and therefore Alexander invaded him and deprived him of a kingdom not due to him.
1:3
3. AND HE PASSED THROUGH EVEN TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, — subjugating all things to himself by arms even to the Ganges and the Indian Ocean, says Josephus, Livy and Justin. AND THE EARTH WAS SILENT IN HIS SIGHT — from fear of his strength and his continuous victories, so that no one dared resist him, nor open their mouth against him, just as mice are silent in the sight of a cat, and dogs before a lion.
1:4
4. AND HE GATHERED TOGETHER A FORCE AND AN ARMY, — that is, an army to be feared not so much by multitude as by the strength of the soldiers. For Alexander's soldiers were veterans, accustomed to labors and battles, spirited by continuous victories, so that they penetrated and subjugated all things. It is a hendiadys. Whence in Greek it is: he gathered strength, that is, a strong army. AND HIS HEART WAS LIFTED UP, — so much so that he affected divinity, and contended that he was born of Jupiter himself. This vain opinion he imbibed from his immense victories, and the flatteries of those who courted him, and from matters prospering beyond belief, so that, as Olympias testifies according to Aulus Gellius, book XIII, cap. IV, he made himself the lover of Juno. He wrote to the Greeks, foolishly, and ordered that they make him a god, as Aelian says, book II of Miscellaneous History, cap. XIX; but he was derided by the Lacedaemonians, and is accused of madness and stupor, as the same Aelian is the author, book V, cap. II. The priest of Ammon flattered him, calling him παιδίες, that is, boy, son, calling him παιδίος, that is, son of Jupiter.
1:6
1:7
7. AND HE CALLED THE YOUNG MEN, that is, the leaders, the princes intimate to him, such as were Ptolemy the son of Lagus, Seleucus, Antigonus, Aridaeus, Perdiccas, Cassander and others: AND HE DIVIDED HIS KINGDOM AMONG THEM. — The same thing is asserted by Josephus Gorionides, book III, and by St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechesis 4 on Holy Scripture, and by others. It is supported by what Curtius writes, book X, chapter x: "Some believed," he says, "that the provinces were distributed according to Alexander's will;" and he asserts that this has been handed down by various authors, although he himself holds the contrary opinion. Moreover, our Author, to whom the Greek and Latin Fathers, indeed the whole Church, has accorded sacred faith as to a sacred writer, is to be believed more than Diodorus, Justin, Curtius and Orosius, who assert that Perdiccas distributed the provinces among the Princes after Alexander's death: yet this could also have happened in this way, namely that Alexander, having given his ring to Perdiccas, as to one privy to his secrets, commanded him to divide his empire among twelve Princes. For Perdiccas did this, and certainly would not have done so, but would have retained much for himself, unless Alexander had commanded it. Again St. Thomas, the Gloss, Dionysius, Josephus, Stephen thus explain it: "He divided his kingdom among them," that is, he left it to be divided, explained and offered, as if to say Alexander, dying, designated no certain heir, but wished that the princes should divide it equally among themselves. Now hear Justin, book XII: "When his friends saw him failing, they sought whom he would make heir to the empire. He answered, the most worthy. Such was the greatness of his soul that, although he left his son Hercules, his brother Aridaeus, and his wife Roxana pregnant, forgetting kinship, he named the most worthy as heir. On the sixth day, his voice failing, he took the ring from his finger and gave it to Perdiccas. This matter settled the growing dissension of his friends. For although not named heir by his voice, he seemed to be chosen by this sign." Moreover, among these twelve heirs and successors of Alexander, the four principal ones were Ptolemy, who received Egypt; Antigonus, who received Asia; Aridaeus, who received Macedonia; Seleucus, who received Syria, Babylon and Persia, and after defeating Antigonus occupied Asia.
1:8
8. AND HE DIED — In Babylon, from poison given to him by the treachery of Antipater, says Bede and Q. Curtius; or as others say from excess, or from both: I have said more about the deeds of Alexander in Daniel, chapter VIII. See here the vanity of kings and kingdoms of the world. Behold Alexander, who had conquered the world and sought new worlds to conquer, enjoyed his empire for only six years, and in the sixth year died and was buried in a small tomb. Truly Juvenal, Satire X: One world does not suffice for the youth of Pella (Alexander), the wretched man rages within the narrow bounds of the world, etc. A sarcophagus will content him: death alone confesses how small are the bodies of men. Hence Apelles painted Alexander as if holding a thunderbolt in his hand, because like a thunderbolt he pervaded all things, but also immediately disappeared, like a thunderbolt. Peter Alphonsus relates that many philosophers (perhaps Gymnosophists, who had formerly resolved questions proposed by Alexander) ran to his funeral when they heard of Alexander's death. And one, he says, was saying: "Yesterday the spacious extent of the whole earth did not suffice for Alexander; now a space of three or four cubits suffices for him." Another was saying: "Yesterday Alexander could free many from death; today he cannot free himself." Another, when he saw his golden coffin: "Yesterday Alexander made gold into a treasure, today gold has made a treasure of him." Another: "Yesterday Alexander oppressed the earth, today he is oppressed by the earth." Finally Alexander's mother Olympias groaned: "O my son, who strove to be a partaker of heaven, you cannot even possess those things which are common to all mortals, earth and burial." For Alexander's corpse remained unburied for thirty days because of the dissension of the princes. Go now, sons of Adam, earth, like moles, heap field upon field, city upon city, kingdom upon kingdom, you who are to die tomorrow. O the cares of men! O how much emptiness is in things! Alexander was beautiful, now he is a putrid corpse: Cyrus was, now he is Irus: he was a cup-bearer, now he is food for worms; he was the terror of nations, now he is prey of demons: he was a renowned king of glory, now he is bellows and fuel of hell, and will be so forever throughout all eternity. Behold this mirror, O Reader, and say to yourself: "Today Alexander, tomorrow me."
1:11
11. AND THERE CAME FORTH OUT OF THEM A WICKED ROOT, ANTIOCHUS ILLUSTRIOUS, — that is to say, From one of the generals of Alexander, and after his death, the kings, was born Antiochus Epiphanes, namely from Seleucus, who, having conquered Antigonus, placed upon himself the diadem of Asia, in the year 12 after the death of Alexander; for from Seleucus in the sixth generation descended Epiphanes, that is, illustrious. More truly called by others Epimanes, that is, mad; both because he did many foolish and insane things, which Daniel recounted from Leonicus, XI, 21; and because, as if driven by infernal furies, he went mad, and raged most cruelly against the Jews. Polybius gives another reason, that he was poisoned by the Magi through magic, and was driven into delirium and madness of mind. Epiphanes is called a "wicked root," because just as from a root apples and fruits germinate, so from Epiphanes germinated all sins, of pride, avarice, lust, cruelty, impiety, sacrileges, etc., which we shall hear throughout this chapter and the following. Hence he himself was an express type and precursor of Antichrist, who in II Thessalonians II is called by Paul "the man of sin," because he will be most impious and most wicked. SON OF ANTIOCHUS THE KING (surnamed the Great), WHO HAD BEEN A HOSTAGE AT ROME. — For Antiochus the Great, defeated with Hannibal by Scipio Africanus, the brother of Scipio Africanus, because he had neglected the counsels of Hannibal, gave to Scipio and the Romans as a hostage of peace and treaty his younger son Antiochus Epiphanes. But Epiphanes, after his father died and his elder brother Seleucus Philopator was killed by treachery by Heliodorus, escaped secretly from Rome into Syria, and there began to reign in the year 137 of the Greek era, that is, in the year 145 after the death of Alexander the Great. For the years of the Greeks begin from Seleucus, who in the 12th year after the death of Alexander made himself king of Asia, and passed on the kingdom to his descendants, as I said in the Proem, Question III.
1:12
12. IN THOSE DAYS THERE CAME FORTH OUT OF ISRAEL WICKED CHILDREN, — whose leader was Jesus, the brother of the High Priest Onias, who, becoming a Gentile and a Greek, called himself Jason, and seized the High Priesthood, having cast out his brother Onias, concerning whom, book II, chapter IV, verse 7. Likewise Menelaus, Simon and the like, concerning whom, book II, chapter V. These, seeing the wickedness as well as the power of Antiochus Epiphanes, lord of Syria and Judea, conformed themselves to his impiety, so that they might obtain riches and honors from him, and be set over the other Jews, and become High Priests and governors, indeed lords of the Jews, namely: "The whole world is fashioned according to the example of the king." Just as therefore the pious king David made the Jews pious, so the impious Epiphanes made them impious.
1:14
14. HE GAVE (Epiphanes) THEM POWER, THAT THEY SHOULD DO THE JUSTICE OF THE GENTILES, — that is to say, that they should follow the rites and customs of the Gentiles, and especially false religion and idolatry, and free lust, and introduce them into Judea; whence follows: 15. AND THEY BUILT A GYMNASIUM IN JERUSALEM ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THE NATIONS. — in which namely the young men should learn not only the fables and letters of the Gentiles, as St. Thomas and Lyra think, the same to fence, to shoot arrows, to contend in running, jumping, discus, and to wrestle in the palaestra, etc., but also should be taught all luxury, even against nature, pederastic and sodomitic, whence to these gymnasia are added ephebia or brothels, book II, chapter IV, verse 12. And such things did impious kings of old erect in Judea, which are called houses of the effeminate, over which presided as a priestess and princess the mother of King Asa of Judea, III Kings XV, 12; but Asa and other pious kings removed them, and Herod restored them, as Josephus testifies, book XIV, chapter IX and book XV, chapter XI. Learn here that just as true religion is accompanied by purity and chastity; so false religion and heresy is accompanied by impurity and lust: certainly you will find bands of virgins, both of men and women, who religiously keep their vow of chastity to God throughout their whole life, only in the orthodox faith.
1:16
16. And they made themselves uncircumcised, — that is, they drew back with certain instruments and medicines the foreskin that had been cut off in circumcision, and caused it to grow again, so that by this deed they might avoid circumcision and Judaism, and profess Gentilism; for the reduction of the foreskin was the symbol of this thing. See what is said I Corinthians VII, 18, to those words: "Let him not be circumcised."
1:17
17. AND THE KINGDOM (of Asia and Syria) WAS PREPARED IN THE SIGHT OF ANTIOCH (Epiphanes); — for Seleucus Philopator, the elder brother of Epiphanes, was slain by the treachery of Heliodorus; wherefore Epiphanes, aided by Eumenes and Attalus, neighboring kings, easily occupied his father's kingdom alone. Not content with this: HE BEGAN TO REIGN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, — for as follows: 18. AND HE ENTERED INTO EGYPT WITH A GREAT MULTITUDE, — that is, abundant, namely with a numerous and large army. It is an enallage; for continuous quantity is put for discrete, namely great, or large for many. Thus "a very heavy fly" is called a multitude, Exodus VIII, 24. See the remarks there. Moreover Antiochus Epiphanes entered Egypt twice, pretending that he wished to aid Ptolemy Philometor, his nephew from his sister Cleopatra and a boy, but in reality with the intention that, excluding his nephew, he himself would add the kingdom of Egypt to his kingdom of Asia. First, he entered in the second year of his reign, of which II Maccabees IV, 21 treats. Second, in the sixth year of his reign, which was the 142nd year of the Greeks, of which this passage treats; for in the following year 143 he ascended from Egypt into Israel, as is said in verse 21.
1:23
23. AND HE ENTERED INTO THE SANCTUARY, — that is, the holy place, namely the temple most holy to the Jews, and from there he sacrilegiously took away THE GOLDEN ALTAR, that is, the altar of incense; AND THE GOLDEN TABLE, on which the 12 tribes offered to God 12 loaves OF PROPOSITION, AND the libation vessels, — that is, cups, bowls, and other vessels, by which wine, oil, and the blood of victims were poured out to God, that is, poured out at the horn of the altar.
1:25
25. AND HE MADE A SLAUGHTER OF MEN, namely, — as is said in II Maccabees V, 12: "There were slaughters of young men and of the aged and of women, and the destruction of infants, and the killing of virgins and of little ones. And in all three days eighty thousand were slain, forty thousand taken captive, and no fewer sold." The cause was that the Romans ordered Antiochus Epiphanes to depart from Egypt and to leave it free to Ptolemy Philometor, the friendly king; for Publius Popilius Lænas, the Roman Legate, who had been a friend of Antiochus Epiphanes at Rome, having arrived by ship at Alexandria, drawing a circle around Antiochus with a rod in the sand, said to him: "The Senate and people of Rome command that you depart from Egypt, and do not make war on the Ptolemies, and answer in this place what counsel you have: whether you desire peace or war." At which he, terrified, said: "If this pleases the Romans, we must depart." And so immediately he moved his army. Thus Josephus, book XII of Antiquities, chapter VI. Livy, book V, decade 5. Appian in the Syrian history, Justin and others. Wherefore then, gnashing his teeth, Antiochus moved his camp against the neighboring Jews, and poured out his indignation and fury upon them. AND HE SPOKE IN GREAT PRIDE, — boasting of himself, as if he were some earthly god, to whom all ought to obey, and to whom no one could resist, as his antitype the Antichrist will do. See the remarks on Daniel XI, 36.
1:27
27. AND THE BEAUTY OF WOMEN WAS CHANGED, — both because they themselves, having laid aside their fine garments, in common mourning put on dark and squalid garments; and because fear, sorrow and anguish made them pale and livid. Thus in the destruction of the Chaldeans Jeremiah says in Lamentations I, concerning virgins: "All the beauty of the daughter of Sion is departed;" concerning young men, chapter IV, 2: "The sons of Sion, glorious and clothed with fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen vessels;" and verse 7, concerning the Nazarites: "Her Nazarites were whiter than snow, purer than milk, ruddier than old ivory, fairer than sapphires; their face is become blacker than coal, and they are not known in the streets."
1:29
29. AND THE EARTH WAS MOVED, Judea was struck and shaken with great terror, sorrow and anguish, UPON THE INHABITANTS THEREOF, — namely on account of the Jews killed, captured and sold by Antiochus. 30. AND AFTER TWO YEARS OF DAYS, that is, after two complete years with all their days fully completed, so that moreover some additional days would pass, Antiochus Epiphanes SENT A PRINCE OF THE TRIBUTES, — whom he himself had placed in charge of collecting tributes, by name Apollonius to the Jews not only to be despoiled, but also to be slaughtered, as it is said in II Maccabees V, 24, who moreover. 33. HE BURNT IT (Jerusalem already despoiled by him) WITH FIRE, AND DESTROYED HIS HOUSES AND WALLS THEREOF ROUND ABOUT, — lest it should be able to rebel against Antiochus. 35. AND THEY BUILT THE CITY OF DAVID, — namely the citadel of Sion, which dominated the whole city beneath it like a rock or tower, WITH A GREAT (high) AND STRONG WALL. 36. AND THEY SET THERE A SINFUL NATION, namely rapacious soldiers, murderers and wicked men, who would plunder the Jews, bind them, and slay them. 38. AND THIS WAS MADE FOR SNARES TO THE SANCTIFICATION, — that is to the sanctuary, or temple, so that namely they might lay snares for the Jews going to the temple for sacrifice or prayer, and rushing forth from the citadel they would fall upon them, and despoil them, capture them, wound them. For Antiochus wished to abolish the worship of the true God, and to compel the Jews to adore his idols, and therefore he had placed the image of Jupiter Olympius in the temple. AND A GREAT EVIL TO ISRAEL, — both because these soldiers were of the devil, that is slanderers; for they slandered those going to the temple, as if they wished to fortify it against Antiochus; and because they themselves like demons plundered them, beat them, tore them, so much so that they filled and defiled the very temple with the blood of the slain; and finally because they compelled them from the worship of God to the worship of Jupiter, that is of the devil, and at the same time invited them to fornication in brothels adjoining the temple; which was a work altogether diabolical.
1:43
43. AND KING ANTIOCHUS WROTE a decree, by which he commanded THAT ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE ONE, that is, uniform in faith and religion, so that namely all his subjects would be united to him in the same superstition and idolatry, just as they were united in the same kingdom, and therefore THAT EVERY ONE SHOULD LEAVE HIS OWN LAW, — namely so that the Jews would leave the law and worship of their God given through Moses, and would take up the law and worship of Antiochus. It is expedient that in one kingdom there be one religion, but true and orthodox. For if it be false, it is expedient that there be many, so that the true may shine forth from the variety of false ones and be recognized, as Cardinal Hosius used to say.
1:45
45. AND MANY OF ISRAEL CONSENTED TO HIS SERVICE. — In Greek τῇ λατρείᾳ, that is to his latria, or sacred service, worship and adoration, so that namely they would worship no other God with latria, nor serve any other God, than the God of Antiochus their king, namely Jupiter Olympius, and Antiochus himself. For he wished to be worshipped together with Jupiter as a God. 46. AND THE KING SENT BOOKS, — that is letters and epistles. For the Hebrew sepher, that is book, signifies these. 49. AND HE COMMANDED THE HOLY THINGS TO BE DEFILED, that is the holy temple to be violated and profaned, and its holy sacrifices, rites, sabbaths, feasts, etc. AND THE HOLY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, — so that casting aside the holy faith and law of God he would defile himself with sacrilegious victims and superstitions of the gentiles and idols; whence explaining further he adds: 50. TO IMMOLATE SWINE'S FLESH, that is swine and pigs unclean by the law of Moses, and therefore forbidden to be eaten and immolated; AND COMMON BEASTS, that is unclean; for those things which are unclean were common to the gentiles; but those which are clean were peculiar and proper to the Jews, Leviticus XI. Hence God, wishing to convert St. Peter to Cornelius and the unclean gentiles to Christ, through a vision commanded him to eat unclean animals, saying: "What God hath cleansed, do not thou call common, that is unclean." Acts X, 15.
1:51
51. AND THEY CHANGED ALL THE JUSTIFICATIONS OF GOD, that is, they violated all the sanctions and laws of God; for these are called justices and justifications, because they prescribe what is equitable and just. 55. AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE WERE GATHERED TOGETHER TO THEM WHO HAD FORSAKEN THE LAW OF THE LORD, — to the apostates with them apostatizing from the law of God, namely to Jason, Alcimus, Menelaus, and the other leaders of Apostasy. 56. AND THEY DROVE OUT FROM THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL — those who were unwilling to apostatize; but who persevered steadfastly in the true law and worship of God, so that they were forced to flee to caves and caverns, and there to hide themselves. 57. ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE MONTH CASLEU (which corresponds to our November) HE BUILT (and placed) UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD in the temple of Jerusalem, AN ABOMINABLE IDOL OF DESOLATION — of Jupiter Olympius, which was to be the cause of all calamity and desolation, as Daniel had foretold in chapter XI, 11. 61. IN HIS POWER (in Greek ἐν ἰσχύι, that is, by force and strength, that is, violently) THE SATELLITES OF ANTIOCHUS WROUGHT THESE THINGS UPON THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, WHO WAS FOUND IN EVERY MONTH AND MONTH, that is, in any month, IN THE CITIES, — by month understand the New Moon, or the first day of the month, which was solemn and as it were sacred to the Jews; wherefore then from villages and hamlets they flowed together into the city to hear the law of God, just as the inhabitants of Rome on the same day flowed together to Rome, and hence the Calends are so called, as Leviticus XXVIII, 11 shows. The sense is, as if to say, the soldiers of Antiochus watched those who observed the New Moon according to the law of Moses, and severely punished them, indeed slew them. And in order to abolish the New Moon, that is, the solemnity of the first day of the month, they themselves.
1:62
62. ON THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF THE MONTH THEY SACRIFICED UPON THE ALTAR, erected by themselves to Jupiter Olympius, WHICH WAS AGAINST THE ALTAR — of holocausts, dedicated to God in the temple of Jerusalem. On this altar therefore they sacrificed not only to Jupiter, but also to Antiochus himself, as to a God. For he wished to be worshipped as a God, as Daniel foretold in chapter XI, 36; and therefore he was a type of the Antichrist. The idolaters were unwilling to sacrifice on the altar of God, lest they should appear to sacrifice to the God of the Hebrews; and in order to make it as it were profane and abominable to the people, wherefore they also placed on it the statue of Jupiter Olympius, before which on a nearby altar erected by themselves to Jupiter they sacrificed. 65. AND THEY CHOSE RATHER TO DIE, and were variously tortured, THAN TO BE DEFILED WITH UNCLEAN FOODS, — than to eat pork and similar things forbidden in Leviticus XI, as on this account Eleazar and the seven brothers of the Maccabees were tortured, II Maccabees VII. All these therefore were glorious martyrs in that ancient and rude age. Hear Josephus, book XII, chapter VII: "Wherefore daily they were slain, tortured with the most cruel torments, beaten with scourges and their bodies lacerated, while still alive and breathing they were fastened to crosses; but their wives and circumcised children they strangled according to the king's command, and hung them from the necks of the parents of the crucified." This is what Daniel foretold in XI 33 and 35: "And some of the learned shall fall, that they may be tried as by fire, and chosen, and made white even to the appointed time. 67. AND THE WRATH OF GOD WAS MADE VERY GREAT UPON THE PEOPLE, — as if to say, God, being indignant with the Jews on account of their crimes, permitted them to be so atrociously afflicted by Antiochus.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
1:1
… In the Bible he is mentioned precisely as the last "king of the Persians and the Medes" (1 Macc. 1:1).
… Dan. 8:21 ff. and 11:2 describe the power of the ram, or Alexander "king of the Greeks" ("first king of the Greeks": 1 Macc. 1:1; 6:2). The Seleucids too are "kings of the Greeks" (Dan. 10:20; Zech. 9:13; 1 Macc. 1:11; 8:18: against them the Jews ask help from the Romans, that they may free them from the "yoke of the Greeks").
Kittim (Kittijīm, in Jer. 2, 10)
… Alexander of Macedon is said to have come from K. (1 Macc. 1:1) and Perseus is presented as king of the K. (ibid. 8:5).
1:11
— A. III the Great (mentioned in I Macc. 1:11; 8:6-8), succeeded his murdered brother Seleucus III in 223 at the age of nineteen. …
… Dan. 8:21 ff. and 11:2 describe the power of the ram, or Alexander "king of the Greeks" ("first king of the Greeks": 1 Macc. 1:1; 6:2). The Seleucids too are "kings of the Greeks" (Dan. 10:20; Zech. 9:13; 1 Macc. 1:11; 8:18: against them the Jews ask help from the Romans, that they may free them from the "yoke of the Greeks").
I. ROME IN SACRED SCRIPTURE. - The Romans are perhaps spoken of in Dan. 11:30; of Rome or the Romans indirectly in 1 Macc. 1:11; 7:1, and directly in the account of the alliance requested (161 B.C.) by Judas Maccabeus to defend himself against the Syrian aggression (1 Macc. 8:1-32; 2 Macc. 4:11), later …
1:15
Circumcision (From Lat. circumcisio, «cutting around»; Gr. περιτομή; Heb. Milāh)
… If the Hellenistic influence produced renegades (some Jews, ashamed to appear circumcised in the eyes of the pagans in the public gymnasia, tried to conceal the marks of circumcision: 1 Macc. 1:15), nevertheless the majority of the Jews remained faithful to the ancestral prescriptions and offered heroic resistance to the persecutory laws of Antiochus Epiphanes, who had forbidden …
1:20
… Guided by Menelaus, he penetrated into the Temple and plundered it; he left Menelaus in office, surrounded by Syrian officials who slaughtered 40,000 Jews (I Macc. 1:20-29; II Macc. 5:11-21; Flavius Josephus, Antiq. …
In 168 Antiochus IV (v.) Epiphanes plundered the city, profaned the Temple, suspended its sacrifices and with his garrison established himself on the citadel, the Acra (v.), probably north-west of the Temple (I Macc. 1, 20-58); the Hellenization of the city would have been complete without the Maccabean reaction. …
1:21
Candelabrum with Seven Branches
… Kings 7:49; 2 Chron. 4:7, 20). The Mosaic candlestick, before the destruction of Solomon's temple in 587, is said to have been hidden (Strack-Billerbeck, III, pp. 181, 718). The candlestick of the temple of Zerubbabel was carried off by Antiochus IV (1 Macc. 1:21), and then Judas Maccabeus had a new one made
The treasure of the sanctuary, established by Moses, increased by gifts of the faithful and of sovereigns, underwent various vicissitudes and plunderings (Ex. 30:11-16; I Macc. 1:21-24; II Macc. 3:5, 21). In the temple restored by Herod the Great the g. must have been located in rooms to the right of the court of the women. …
… restored by Cyrus were placed in it. The dēbhir remained without the Ark; a stone marked its place, and the high priest on the kippūr placed the censer upon it. In the hēkhāl there was a single table, a single lampstand and the altar of incense (I Mach. 1, 21 ff.; 4, 49). It had two courts like Solomon's. …
1:29
Maccabees (Greek Μακκαβαῖοι, Vulgate Machabaei)
… prohibition, under penalty of death, of the observance of the Sabbath, of circumcision, and of the legal abstinences; the abolition of the legitimate cult and the profanation of the altar of holocausts with the offering of sacrifices to Olympian Zeus (I Mach. 1, 29-51; II Mach. 6, 1-7), determined the revolt.
1:30
2. A., "chief of the tax collectors" (I Macc. 1, 30), sent by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to Jerusalem to impose Hellenization through terrorism. …
1:33
… sanctuary was actually designated by the name "Mount S." (τὸ ὄρος Σιών; I Mach. 4:37-60; 6:48, 62; 10:11; 14:26). There the valiant Maccabees entrenched themselves to resist the troops stationed by Antiochus Epiphanes in the Acra or "city of David" (ibid. 1:33; 7:32; 14:36); probably the name of the original acropolis had also migrated to designate a fortress situated on the slopes of the western hill. …
1:36
… and šōrēr ("enemy": Haman) in Esth. 7:4 and 8:1. While the Vulgate of the Old Testament transliterates satan 5 times, the Septuagint admits oṇrā only in 1 Kings 11:14, 23. Διάβολος also occurs in Wis. 2:24 (origin of "death in the world") and 1 Macc. 1:36.
… Hebrew Bible nine times as a common noun: "adversary" in war (1 Sam. 29:4; 1 Kings 5:18; 11:14, 23, 25) or in court (Ps. 108:6) or one who bars the way: 2 Sam. 19:23; cf. Matt. 16:23 and Matt. 8:33: Jesus rebuffs Peter who obstructs his path to the cross; 1 Macc. 1:36 the Akra fortress is erected εἰς ἀνάβολον, as a "barrier." In three passages (Job 1-2; Zech. 3:1-2; 1 Chron. 21:1) it designates the being who accuses man before God or induces him …
1:41
Amos (Hebrew 'Āmōs «Who Bears a Burden», distinct from the name of Isaiah’s father 'Āmōs «Robust»)
… The divine authority of the book is attested in Tob. 2:6, in the allusion of I Mach. 1:41 (Am. 8:10) and in the quotation by St. Stephen (Acts 7:42).
1:51
Circumcision (From Lat. circumcisio, «cutting around»; Gr. περιτομή; Heb. Milāh)
… to conceal the marks of circumcision: 1 Macc. 1:15), nevertheless the majority of the Jews remained faithful to the ancestral prescriptions and offered heroic resistance to the persecutory laws of Antiochus Epiphanes, who had forbidden circumcision (1 Macc. 1:51); many women risked their lives to circumcise their sons (1 Macc. 1:65 ff.). …
1:57
I Macc. 1:57 sees the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy in the "construction" of an idolatrous altar (βωμός) upon the altar of holocausts on the 15th of Kislev in 168 B.C., an altar that Antiochus …
… The term, derived, like the others of the Hebrew calendar in the post-exilic era, from the Babylonian system, appears in the Bible only in the post-exilic writings (Zech. 7:1; Neh. 1:1; 1 Macc. 1:57; 2 Macc. 1:9, 18). From the time of Judas Maccabeus, on the 25th of this month it became customary to celebrate solemnly the feast of the "dedication of the Temple" or Hānukkāh (1 Macc. 4:52-59).
1:59
Maccabees (Greek Μακκαβαῖοι, Vulgate Machabaei)
… oppressive measures that had kindled the revolt were revoked (ibid. 11, 27-33). In consequence of this Judas re-entered Jerusalem and restored the Temple to the Yahwistic cult, and on the 25th of Kislev, exactly three years after its profanation (I Mach. 1, 59), the perpetual sacrifice was resumed on the altar of holocausts. …
1:60
… It is already found in the Bible: St. Paul (II Cor. 3:14) speaks of the "reading of the Old T."; I Macc. 1:60 describes the persecution promoted by Antiochus IV Epiphanes against "the books of the T. of the Lord."
1:62
… "construction" of an idolatrous altar (βωμός) upon the altar of holocausts on the 15th of Kislev in 168 B.C., an altar that Antiochus IV Epiphanes dedicated to his patron god Zeus Olympios (II Macc. 6:2), and in the sacrifice offered upon it ten days later (I Macc. 1:62). For Dan. as for I and II Macc. such sacrilege marks the culmination of impiety. …
1:65
Circumcision (From Lat. circumcisio, «cutting around»; Gr. περιτομή; Heb. Milāh)
… majority of the Jews remained faithful to the ancestral prescriptions and offered heroic resistance to the persecutory laws of Antiochus Epiphanes, who had forbidden circumcision (1 Macc. 1:51); many women risked their lives to circumcise their sons (1 Macc. 1:65 ff.). …
… The Egyptian midwives (Ex. 1, 15 ff.), the prophet Elijah (III Kings, 17 ff.), Tobit (2, 9); the Maccabees (I Mach. 1, 65-67; 2, 19-26; II Mach. 6, 23-26) found themselves faced with unjust laws and refused to observe them. …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.