Letters of the Jews of Jerusalem to them that were in Egypt. They give thanks for their delivery from Antiochus: and exhort their brethren to keep the feast of the dedication of the altar, and of the miraculous fire.
The Iewes in Ierusalem write to the Iewes in Aegypt, 7. signifying that they had writte before of manie afflictions past: 9. and now write againe, rendering thankes to God for their deliuerie from Antiochus: 18. exhorting their bretheren to kepe the feast of Scenopegia: rec••ing the miracle of water returning into fire: 24. when Nehemias prayed: 33. and that the king built a temple in memorie therof.
1To the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt; the brethren, the Jews that are in Jerusalem, and in the land of Judea, send health and good peace.Ai fratelli Giudei, che sono nell'Egitto, i fratelli Giudei di Gerusalemme, e della Giudea, salute, e pace sincera.TO THE bretheren, the Iewes that are through out Aegypt, the bretheren, the Iewes that are in Ierusalem, and that are in the countrie of Iurie, send health, and good peace.Fratribus qui sunt per Ægyptum Judæis, salutem dicunt fratres qui sunt in Jerosolymis Judæi, et qui in regione Judææ, et pacem bonam. 2May God be gracious to you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants:Vi conceda Dio le sue grazie, e si ricordi dell'alleanza fatta con Abramo, e Isacco, e Giacobbe suoi servi fedeli:God doe good to you, and remember his testament, that he spake to Abraham, and Isaac, and Iacob, his faithful seruantes:Benefaciat vobis Deus, et meminerit testamenti sui, quod locutus est ad Abraham, et Isaac, et Jacob servorum suorum fidelium: 3And give you all a heart to worship him, and to do his will with a great heart, and a willing mind.E dia a tutti voi un cuore per adorarlo, e per fare la sua volontà di gran cuore, e con animo volonteroso.and geue he vnto you al an hart to worshippe him, and to doe his wil with a great hart, and a willing minde.et det vobis cor omnibus ut colatis eum, et faciatis ejus voluntatem, corde magno et animo volenti. 4May he open your heart in his law, and in his commandments, and send you peace.Apra egli il cuor vostro alla intelligenza della sua legge, e de' suoi comandamenti, e dia la pace.Open he your hart in his law, and in his precepts, and make peace.Adaperiat cor vestrum in lege sua, et in præceptis suis, et faciat pacem. 5May he hear your prayers, and be reconciled unto you, and never forsake you in the evil time.Esaudisca le vostre preghiere, e si plachi con voi, e non vi abbandoni nel cattivo tempo.Heare he your prayers, and be he reconciled vnto you, neither forsake he you in the euil time.Exaudiat orationes vestras, et reconcilietur vobis, nec vos deserat in tempore malo. 6And now here we are praying for you.E noi siamo, qui facendo preghiere per voi.And now here we are praying for you.Et nunc hic sumus orantes pro vobis. 7When Demetrius reigned, in the year one hundred and sixty-nine, we Jews wrote to you in the trouble and violence that came upon us in those years, after Jason withdrew himself from the holy land, and from the kingdom.Sotto il regno di Demetrio l'anno cento sessantanove noi Giudei scrivemmo a voi intorno alla tribolazione, e alle violenze, che ci assalirono in quegli anni, dopo che Giasone se n'andò dalla terra santa, e dal regno.When Demetrius reigned, in the yeare one hundreth sixtie nine, we Iewes wrote vnto you in the tribulation, and violence, that came vpon vs in these yeares, since Iason reuolted from the holie land, and from the kingdom.Regnante Demetrio, anno centesimo sexagesimo nono, nos Judæi scripsimus vobis in tribulatione et impetu qui supervenit nobis in istis annis, ex quo recessit Jason a sancta terra, et a regno.
8They burnt the gate, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed to the Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifices, and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.Furono abbruciate le porte (del tempio), fu sparso il sangue innocente, ma facemmo ricorso a Dio, e fummo esauditi, e offerimmo il sagrifizio, e l'oblazione, di fior di farina, e accendemmo le lucerne, o ponemmo i pani sopra la mensa.They burnt the gate, and shed innocent bloud: and we prayed to our Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifice, and fine floore, and lighted the lampes, and serforth there breades.Portam succenderunt, et effuderunt sanguinem innocentem: et oravimus ad Dominum, et exauditi sumus, et obtulimus sacrificium et similaginem, et accendimus lucernas, et proposuimus panes. 9And now celebrate ye the days of Scenopegia in the month of Casleu.Ora voi celebrate i giorni de' tabernacoli nel mese di Casleu.And now celebrate ye the dayes of Scenopegia of the moneth Cesleu.Et nunc frequentate dies scenopegiæ mensis Casleu. 10In the year one hundred and eighty-eight, the people that is at Jerusalem, and in Judea, and the senate, and Judas, to Aristobolus, the preceptor of king Ptolemee, who is of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that are in Egypt, health and welfare.L'anno cento ottant'otto il popolo di Gerusalemme, e della Giudea, e il Senato, e Giuda ad Aristobolo precettore del re Tolomeo, il quale è della stirpe de' sacerdoti sacri, e a' Giudei dell'Egitto, salate, e pace.In the yeare one hundreth eightie eight, the people that is at Ierusalem, and in Iurie, and the senate, and Iudas, to Aristobolus the maister of Ptolomee the king, who is of the stocke of the annointed priestes, and to those Iewes, that are in Aegypt health, and welfare.Anno centesimo octogesimo octavo, populus qui est Jerosolymis et in Judæa, senatusque et Judas, Aristobolo magistro Ptolemæi regis, qui est de genere christorum sacerdotum, et his qui in Ægypto sunt Judæis, salutem et sanitatem. 11Having been delivered by God out of great dangers, we give him great thanks, forasmuch as we have been in war with such a king.Avendoci Dio liberati da gravi pericoli, ne rendiamo a lui solenni ringraziamenti, avendo noi avuto da combattere con tal re.Being deliuered by God out of great dangers, we geue him thankes magnifically, as who haue fought against such a king.De magnis periculis a Deo liberati, magnifice gratias agimus ipsi, utpote qui adversus talem regem dimicavimus. 12For he made numbers of men swarm out of Persia, that have fought against us, and the holy city.Perocché egli fece venir dalla Persia quel bulicame di gente, che fecero guerra a noi, e alla santa città.For he made them swarme out of Persis, that haue fought against vs, and the holie oi•ie.Ipse enim ebullire fecit de Perside eos qui pugnaverunt contra nos et sanctam civitatem.
13For when the leader himself was in Persia, and with him a very great army, he fell in the temple of Nanea, being deceived by the counsel of the priests of Nanea.Ma lo stesso condottiere trovandosi nella Persia con esercito innumerabile, perì nel tempio di Nanea, per tradimento de' sacerdoti di Nanea:For when he was captaine in Persis, & with him a very great armie, he fel in the temple of Nania, being deceiued by the counsel of Nan•a•s priestes.Nam cum in Perside esset dux ipse, et cum ipso immensus exercitus, cecidit in templo Naneæ, consilio deceptus sacerdotum Naneæ. 14For Antiochus, with his friends, came to the place as though he would marry her, and that he might receive great sums of money under the title of a dowry.Imperocché Antioco essendo andato co' suoi amici in quel luogo per isposarla, e ricevere gran somma di denaro a titolo di dote:For Antiochus, & his freindes came to the place as to dwel with her, & that he might receiue much money vnder the title of a dowrie.Etenim cum ea habitaturus venit ad locum Antiochus et amici ejus, et ut acciperet pecunias multas dotis nomine. 15And when the priests of Nanea had set it forth, and he with a small company had entered into the compass of the temple, they shut the temple,E i sacerdoti avendo messo fuora il danaro, ed essendo egli entrato con pochi altri nella parte interiore del tempio, quelli, entrato che fu Antioco, chiusero il tempio.And when Naneaes priestes had layde it forth, and he with a few was entered within the compasse of the temple, they shut the temple,Cumque proposuissent eas sacerdotes Naneæ, et ipse cum paucis ingressus esset intra ambitum fani, clauserunt templum, 16When Antiochus was come in: and opening a secret entrance of the temple, they cast stones and slew the leader, and them that were with him, and hewed them in pieces; and cutting off their heads, they threw them forth.E aperta una segreta entrata del tempio, a furia di sassate uccisero il condottiere, e i compagni, e li fecero in pezzi, e troncate le loro teste li gettarono fuora.when Antiochus was entered in: & a secrete entrance of the temple being opened, casting stones they stroke the duke, and them that were with him, and diuided them in peeces, and cutting of their heades they threw them forth.cum intrasset Antiochus: apertoque occulto aditu templi, mittentes lapides percusserunt ducem et eos qui cum eo erant: et diviserunt membratim, et capitibus amputatis foras projecerunt.
17Blessed be God in all things, who hath delivered up the wicked.Benedetto in ogni cosa Iddio, il quale distrasse gli empj.Blessed be the God in al thinges, who hath deliuered vp the impious.Per omnia benedictus Deus, qui tradidit impios. 18Therefore, whereas we purpose to keep the purification of the temple on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, we thought it necessary to signify it to you: that you also may keep the day of Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was given when Nehemias offered sacrifice, after the temple and the altar was built.Noi adunque essendo per celebrare ai venticinque del mese di Casleu la purificazione del tempio, abbiam creduto necessario di darcene parte, affinchè voi pure celebriate il giorno de' tabernacoli, e la solennità del fuoco, il quale fu a noi conceduto allora quando Nehemia, ristorato il tempio, e l'altare, offerse i sagrifizj.We therefore meaning to keepe the purification of the temple the fiue and twentith day of the moneth Casleu, thought it necessary to signifie vnto you: that you also may kepe the day of Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was geuen when Nehemias, after the temple was built and the altar, offered sacrifice.Facturi igitur quinta et vigesima die mensis Casleu purificationem templi, necessarium duximus significare vobis: ut et vos quoque agatis diem scenopegiæ, et diem ignis, qui datus est quando Nehemias ædificato templo et altari obtulit sacrificia. 19For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that then were worshippers of God, took privately the fire from the altar, and hid it in a valley where there was a deep pit without water, and there they kept it safe, so that the place was unknown to all men.Imperocché quando i padri nostri furon menati nella Persia, i sacerdoti d'allora timorati di Dio, preso il fuoco dell'altare, lo nascoser segretamente in una valle, dov'era un pozzo profondo, e asciutto, e ivi lo posero in sicuro, non essendovi nissuno, che sapesse nulla di quel luogo.For when our fathers were caryed into Persis, the priestes that then were the worshippers of God, taking the fire from the altar, hid it secretly in a valley where there was a pitte deepe, and dry, and therin they saued it, so that the place was vnknowne to al men,Nam cum in Persidem ducerentur patres nostri, sacerdotes qui tunc cultores Dei erant, acceptum ignem de altari occulte absconderunt in valle, ubi erat puteus altus et siccus, et in eo contutati sunt eum, ita ut omnibus ignotus esset locus. 20But when many years had passed, and it pleased God that Nehemias should be sent by the king of Persia, he sent some of the posterity of those priests that had hid it, to seek for the fire: and as they told us, they found no fire, but thick water.Ma passati molti anni, essendo piaciuto a Dio, che Nehemia venisse spedito dal re di Persia (nella Giudea), i nipoti di que' sacerdoti, che lo avean nascosto furon mandati a cercar il fuoco, e com'essi ci raccontarono non trovarono fuoco, ma acqua densa.But when manie yeares had passed, and i• pleased God that Nehemias should be sent of the king of Persis: he sent the nephewes of those priestes, that had hid it, to seeke our the fire: and as they told vs, they found not fire, but thic•ke water.Cum autem præterissent anni multi, et placuit Deo ut mitteretur Nehemias a rege Persidis, nepotes sacerdotum illorum qui absconderant, misit ad requirendum ignem: et sicut narraverunt nobis, non invenerunt ignem, sed aquam crassam.
21Then he bade them draw it up, and bring it to him: and the priest, Nehemias, commanded the sacrifices that were laid on, to be sprinkled with the same water, both the wood, and the things that were laid upon it.Ma il sacerdote Nehemia ordinò loro di attingerne, e portarne a lui, e che le vittime poste sull'altare, e le legna messevi sopra, con quell'acqua fossero asperse.And he bad them draw, & bring vnto him and the sacrifices, that were layd on, the priest Nehemias commanded to be sprinckled with the same water, and the wood, and the thinges that were layde therupon.Et jussit eos haurire, et afferre sibi: et sacrificia quæ imposita erant, jussit sacerdos Nehemias aspergi ipsa aqua: et ligna, et quæ erant superposita. 22And when this was done, and the time came that the sun shone out, which before was in a cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that all wondered.E fatto questo, allorché il sole, che prima era tralle nuvole, cominciò a spargere la sua luce, si accese con ammirazione di tutti un gran fuoco.And as this was done, & the time was come that the sunne shone forth, which before was in a cloude, there was kindled a great fire, so that al merueiled.Utque hoc factum est, et tempus affuit quo sol refulsit, qui prius erat in nubilo, accensus est ignis magnus, ita ut omnes mirarentur. 23And all the priests made prayer, while the sacrifice was consuming, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering.Or tutti i sacerdoti oravano mentre si consumava il sagrifizio, intonando Gionata, e gli altri rispondendo.And al the priestes made prayer, whiles the sacrifice was consuming, Ionathas beginning, and the rest answering.Orationem autem faciebant omnes sacerdotes, dum consummaretur sacrificium, Jonatha inchoante, ceteris autem respondentibus. 24And the prayer of Nehemias was after this manner: O Lord God, Creator of all things, dreadful and strong, just and merciful, who alone art the good king,E l'orazione di Nehemia fu in questo modo: Signore Dio, Creator di tutte le cose, terribile, e forte, giusto, e misericordioso, che solo se' il buon re,And the prayer of Nehemias was in this maner: O LORD God creatour of al, dreadful, and strong, iust and mereiful, which only art the good king,Et Nehemiæ erat oratio hunc habens modum: Domine Deus omnium creator, terribilis et fortis, justus et misericors, qui solus est bonus rex, 25Who alone art gracious, who alone art just, and almighty, and eternal, who deliverest Israel from all evil, who didst choose the fathers, and didst sanctify them:Il solo eccellente, il solo giusto e onnipotente, ed eterno, tu che liberi Israele da tutti i mali, tu che eleggesti i padri nostri, e li santificasti,only giuer, only iust, and omnipotent, and eternal, which deliuerest Israel from al euil, which madest the fathers elect, and didst sanctifie them.solus præstans, solus justus et omnipotens et æternus, qui liberas Israël de omni malo; qui fecisti patres electos, et sanctificasti eos:
26Receive the sacrifice for all thy people Israel, and preserve thy own portion, and sanctify it.Accetta questo sagrifizio per tutto il popol tuo d'Israele, e custodisci, e santifica la tua eredità.Receiue the sacrifice for al thy people Israel, and kepe thy part, and sanctisie it.accipe sacrificium pro universo populo tuo Israël, et custodi partem tuam, et sanctifica. 27Gather together our scattered people, deliver them that are slaves to the Gentiles, and look upon them that are despised and abhorred: that the Gentiles may know that thou art our God.Riunisci i fratelli nostri dispersi, e libera quelli, che sono schiavi delle nazioni, e volgi lo sguardo a quelli, che vivono nel disprezzo, e nell'ignominia, affinchè conoscan le genti, che tu se' il Dio nostro.Gather together our dispersion deliuer them, that serue the Gentils, and regard the contemned & abhorred: that the Gentils may know that thou art our God.Congrega dispersionem nostram, libera eos qui serviunt gentibus, et contemptos et abominatos respice, ut sciant gentes quia tu es Deus noster. 28Punish them that oppress us, and that treat us injuriously with pride.Umilia quei, che ci opprimono, e ci insultano superbamente.Afflict them that oppresse vs, and that doe contumelie in pride.Afflige opprimentes nos, et contumeliam facientes in superbia. 29Establish thy people in thy holy place, as Moses hath spoken.Ritorna il popol tuo al luogo tuo santo secondo la parola di Mosè.Place thy people in thy holie place, as Moyses saydConstitue populum tuum in loco sancto tuo, sicut dixit Moyses. 30And the priests sung hymns till the sacrifice was consumed.E i sacerdoti cantavano inni sino alla consumazione del sagrifizio.And the priestes sang hymnes, til the sacrifice was consumed.Sacerdotes autem psallebant hymnos usquequo consumptum esset sacrificium. 31And when the sacrifice was consumed, Nehemias commanded the water that was left to be poured out upon the great stones.Finito il quale Nehemia ordinò, che l'acqua, che restava si spargesse sopra pietre grandi.And when the sacrifice was consumed, of the rest of the water Nehemias cōmanded the greater stones to be throughly washed.Cum autem consumptum esset sacrificium, ex residua aqua Nehemias jussit lapides majores perfundi. 32Which being done, there was kindled a flame from them: but it was consumed by the light that shined from the altar.Lo che appena fu fatto, vi si accese gran fiamma, la quale però fu assorbita dalla luce, che sfavillò dall'altare.Which thing as it was done, out of them was kindled a flame: but by light also, that shined from the altar, it was consumed.Quod ut factum est, ex eis flamma accensa est: sed ex lumine quod refulsit ab altari, consumpta est.
33And when this matter became public, it was told to the king of Persia, that in the place where the priests that were led away, had hid the fire, there appeared water, with which Nehemias and they that were with him had purified the sacrifices.Ma divulgatasi tal cosa, fu riferito al re de' Persiani come nel luogo, dove i sacerdoti menati in ischiavitù avean nascosto il fuoco, si era veduta dell'acqua, colla quale Nehemia, e quelli, che erano con lui avean consumati i sagrifizj;And as the thing was made manifest, it was told the king of the Persians, that in the place, wherin those priestes that were transported, had hid fire, there appeared water, with the which Nehemias, and they that were with him, purified the sacrifices.Ut vero manifestata est res, renuntiatum est regi Persarum quod in loco in quo ignem absconderent hi qui translati fuerant sacerdotes, aqua apparuit, de qua Nehemias, et qui cum eo erant, purificaverunt sacrificia. 34And the king considering, and diligently examining the matter, made a temple for it, that he might prove what had happened.E il re, ponderata la cosa, e verificatala diligentemente, fece far ivi un tempio in prova del fatto:And the king considering, and diligently examining the matter, made a temple for it, that he might approue that which was done.Considerans autem rex, et rem diligenter examinans, fecit ei templum, ut probaret quod factum erat: 35And when he had proved it, he gave the priests many goods, and divers presents, and he took and distributed them to them with his own hand.E accertato che fu della cosa, donò molti beni ai sacerdoti, e di sua propria mano distribuì loro più, e più regali.And when he had approued it, he gaue to the priestes manie good thinges, and diuerse giftes, and taking them with his owne hand, he gaue to them.et cum probasset, sacerdotibus donavit multa bona, et alia atque alia munera: et accipiens manu sua, tribuebat eis. 36And Nehemias called this place Nephthar, which is interpreted purification. But many call it Nephi.E Nehemia diede a quel luogo il nome di Nephtar, che vuoi dir purificazione: ma molti lo chiamano Nephi.And Nehemias called this place Nephthar, which is interpreted purification. But it is called with manie Nephi.Appellavit autem Nehemias hunc locum Nephthar, quod interpretatur Purificatio: vocatur autem apud plures Nephi.
1:1
Calmet
It seems these were most considered; perhaps being more numerous. (Calmet)
Haydock
They had also a schismatical temple. (Haydock)
1:7
Year of the World 3861, Year before Christ 143.
Demetrius Nicator. The date refer to what goes before.
Calmet
Nine. This author dates from autumn, whereas the preceding begins the era of Seleucides, in spring, which accounts for the apparent contradictions. (Calmet)
Worthington
Trouble. As they had written when in distress, so they now testify their joy and gratitude to God, begging their brethren to keep the dedication of the new altar. (Worthington)
This first letter, sent during the heat of the persecution raised by Epiphanes, is lost.
Haydock
Kingdom. Judea was then tributary to Egypt; yet Jason applied to the Syrian monarch, and instead of waiting for the death of Onias III, wished to purchase his dignity, and to change the manners of the people. Josephus gives contradictory accounts of these affairs, (Calmet) if he be really the author of 4 Machabees. (Haydock)
1:8
Calmet
Flour, (mincha) including corn, etc. After Judas had purified the temple, the usual sacrifices were offered. (Calmet)
1:9
Scenopegia; viz., the encenia, or feast of the dedication of the altar, called here scenopegia, or feast of the tabernacles, from being celebrated with the like solemnity. (Challoner) (Chap. 10:6.)
Calmet
The real feast occurs in the month of Tisri. (Calmet)
1:10
Year of the World 3880, Year before Christ 124.
Clement [of Alexander]
Eight. Thus the preceding letter is dated, according to many, (Menochius) as there was no Judas or Aristobolus known at this time. But Judas, the Essene prophet, (chap. 2:14.; Worthington) must have flourished about that period; (Josephus, Antiquities 13:19.; Calmet) and one Aristobolus wrote something in the Scripture for Philometor. (Clement [of Alexander], Strom. v.; Eusebius, Hist. 2:17.)
Rupert
After Philadelphus, the kings of Egypt had commonly Jews among their preceptors. (Rupert, Vict. 10:15.)
Calmet
This person is supposed to have instructed Physcon. (Calmet)
1:11
Challoner
King. Antiochus Sidetes, who began to make war upon the Jews, while Simon was yet alive; (1 Machabees 15:39.) and afterwards besieged Jerusalem, under John Hircanus. So that the Judas here mentioned (ver. 10.) is not Judas Machabeus, who was dead long before the year 188 of the kingdom of the Greeks, for he died in the year 146 of that epoch; (see above, 1 Machabees 2:70., also the note on 2 Machabees 1:2.) but either Judas, the eldest son of John Hircanus, or Judas the Essene, renowned for the gift of prophecy, who flourished about that time. (Challoner)
Epiphanes may as well be meant. The ancestors of those who wrote resisted him.
1:12
Persia. This country is not specified in the Roman and Alexandrian Septuagint. Other copies have, "He God made them who attacked the holy city flee in swarms to Persia." (Syriac; Vatable)
Calmet
The name of Persia now comprised all the dominions of Antiochus; Rupert understands Sidetes. (Calmet)
1:13
Her temple at Ecbatana was renowned, 1 Machabees 6:1.
1:14
Menochius
Dowry. Thus the pagans played with religion. (Menochius)
Dion. Seneca
Anthony having espoused the Minerva of Athens, required the city to give him 1000 talents for her portion. (Dion. Seneca, suasov. 1.)
Calmet
Heliogabalus and Caligula pretended to marry the celestial Venus or the moon. (Calmet)
1:16
Haydock
Slew. Literally, "struck." Greek, "stoned." Yet Epiphanes escaped, (chap. 10:9., and 1 Machabees vi.) having received some wounds. But a fall from his chariot, and vexation, hastened his death. (Haydock)
Calmet
Some of his followers, who had advanced farther into the temple, perished. (Calmet)
1:18
Haydock
Scenopegia. The dedication was observed by the people bearing branches, in memory of their late forlorn condition on the mountains. (Haydock)
See ver. 2.
Calmet
Fire. This feast occurred in Tisri, 2 Esdras 8:1, 14. (Calmet)
1:19
Challoner
Persia. Babylonia, called here Persia, from being afterwards a part of the Persian empire. (Challoner)
Worthington
Thus St. Chrysostom (H. 6. in Mat.) says, the Jews were delivered from "the Persian captivity." (Worthington)
All beyond the Euphrates [River] was now called Persia.
Doubdan
Valley of Topheth, where (Calmet) it is still shewn. (Doubdan.)
Haydock
The miraculous pit was enclosed by Artaxerxes, 2 Machabees 5:33. (Haydock)
Worthington
Four miracles occurred respecting this fire, ver. 20, 22, 32. (Worthington)
1:21
Haydock
The priest. Greek, "Nehemias ordered the priests to sprinkle with the water both," etc. (Haydock)
Calmet
Modern Jews say the sacred fire was not in the second temple. But Gorionides and 4 Machabees admit this fact. (Calmet)
Haydock
Elias obtained fire upon his sacrifice nearly in the same manner. (Haydock)
1:23
1:29
Haydock
Spoken, promising these favours, Deuteronomy 30:3. (Haydock)
1:32
Calmet
Altar. This second flame came immediately from heaven, and overpowered that proceeding from the mud. (Calmet)
1:34
Challoner
A temple. That is, an enclosure or a wall round about the place where the fire was hid, to separate it from profane uses, to the end that it might be respected as a holy place. (Challoner)
Calmet
Such open enclosures are often styled temples. (Calmet)
Haydock
Greek, "But the king enclosing it, made it sacred, (ieron) having examined the fact." (Haydock)
1:35
La Haye
Hand. The copies vary much. (La Haye.)
1:36
Grotius
Nephthar, or rather Necphar. (Grotius)
Calmet
Nephi. Greek has the former word. Roman copy and Syriac, Naphtai; may be derived from Chaldean phetir, "pure, unmixed." (Calmet)
Worthington
Nephthar may signify "deliverance," as sacred things are rescued from common use. (Worthington)
1:9
Scenopegia.... Viz., the Encenia, or feast of the dedication of the altar, called here Scenopegia, or feast of tabernacles, from being celebrated with the like solemnity.
1:11
Such a king.... Viz., Antiochus Sidetes, who began to make war upon the Jews, whilst Simon was yet alive. 1 Mac. 15.39. And afterwards besieged Jerusalem under John Hircanus. So that the Judas here mentioned, ver. 10, is not Judas Machabeus, who was dead long before the year 188 of the kingdom of the Greeks, for he died in the year 146 of that epoch, (see above 1 Mac. chap. 2., ver. 70, also the note on chap. 1, ver. 2,) but either Judas the eldest son of John Hircanus, or Judas the Essene, renowned for the gift of prophecy, who flourished about that time.
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Persia.... Babylonia, called here Persia, from being afterwards a part of the Persian empire.
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A temple.... That is, an enclosure, or a wall round about the place where the fire was hid, to separate it from profane uses, to the end that it might be respected as a holy place.
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e
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As they had vvritten before in their afflictions, so novv they exhorte their bretheren to be thankful to God, and amongst other meanes to shevv their gratful minde by celebrating the feast of dedication of the nevv altar.
li 2. •. 4. v. 7.
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It semeth that either this Iudas vvas the first sonne of Iohn Hyr•amus (othervvise called Aristobolus) or rather Iudas Essenus of vvhom, ch. 2. v. 14. and of vvhom Iosephus vvriteth. li. 13. •. 19.
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Chaldea being nere to Persis, is sometimes comprehended vnder the same name so Mamertinus, in Panager•ca ad Iulia. reciteth Tigris and Euphrates amongst the riuers of Persi. & S. Chrysostom. ho. 6. in Math. saith the Ievves vvere deliuered from captiuitie of Per••s, meaning Babylon.
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In this fire vvere foure miracles. First it vvas not changed into ayre but into vvater. v. 20.
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Secondly this vvater being cast on the hostes of sacrifice vvas kindled as fire. v. 22.
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Thirdly, it burned also being cast vpon stones. v. 32.
Fourth, it vvas extinguished by the light that came from the altar. v. 32.
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Nephthar, signifieth deliuerie, vvhich is the effect of purification, for the temple & other holie thinges being purified, were deliuered from prophane vse.
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St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 On the Duties of the Clergy 3.17
99. For when our fathers were carried away into Persia,
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St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 On the Duties of the Clergy 3.17
100. So they went to Persia, free only in their religion; for that alone could not be torn from them by their captivity. After a length of time,
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St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 On the Duties of the Clergy 3.17
101. When this sign became known, the king of Persia ordered a temple to be built on that spot where the fire had been hidden and the water afterwards found, to which many gifts were made. They who were with holy Nehemiah called it Naphthar,
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1. TO THE BRETHREN WHO ARE THROUGHOUT EGYPT THE JEWS SEND GREETING. THE BRETHREN, THE JEWS WHO ARE IN JERUSALEM. — For Egypt abounded in Jews, both because it was near to them, and because Ptolemy Lagus, the first king of Egypt after Alexander the Great, had led 220,000 Jews captive into Egypt, and also because recently under Ptolemy Philometor, Onias the son of Onias the third High Priest had built a magnificent temple at Heliopolis in Egypt similar to the one in Jerusalem, and there acted as High Priest, to which therefore many of the Jews flocked, especially because in Egypt they were safe from the Seleucids, namely from the Antiochuses and Demetriuses, who continually harassed Judea. The Jews therefore write from Jerusalem to the Jews who were in Egypt, as it were to brethren, that is to their kinsmen and fellow-citizens, friendly and fraternal letters, both that they might keep them in the true faith, religion and union with the Synagogue or Church, lest namely they should make a schism from Jerusalem and the temple on account of their own temple at Heliopolis, just as at the same time the Jews dwelling in Samaria, by erecting a temple on mount Gerizim, made a schism from the Jews and the temple in Jerusalem, as appears John cap. IV. See concerning the temple at Heliopolis Josephus, lib. XII, cap. I and VI, and book XIII, cap. VI. To remove therefore this schism, the Jews from Jerusalem, and Judas wrote this letter to the Jews dwelling in Egypt.
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4. MAY HE OPEN YOUR HEART IN HIS LAW, — that is to say, may God illuminate and inflame you with heavenly light through His grace, that you may fully know His law, and having known it, may fulfill it, especially that you may return from your temple at Heliopolis, your own High Priest, and the sacrifices forbidden by God there, back to Jerusalem and our temple and to the High Priest Jonathan. For God had forbidden sacrifice to be offered to Him anywhere except in the temple in Jerusalem, Deut. cap. XII, 11 and Levit. VII, 3. AND MAY HE MAKE PEACE, — both from wars, and rather from the division of the temple and schism, that you may coalesce with us into one synagogue, and come together with us to one temple, and there celebrate the feast of Tabernacles, as follows.
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7. In the reign of Demetrius (called the younger, Nicanor, son of Demetrius Soter) in the year one hundred and sixty-nine — of the Greeks, for this was the third year of the reign of Demetrius, who after three years, namely in the year 172 of the Greeks, was taken captive by Arsaces king of the Parthians, as was said I Maccab. XIV, vers. 4 and 3. From the time Jason departed, — concerning whom cap. IV, vers. 7.
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8. THEY SET FIRE TO THE GATE, that is to say, at the instigation of the impious Jason, Antiochus through his satellites set fire to the gates of Jerusalem and the temple and the other cities of Judea. But WE PRAYED TO THE LORD, AND WE WERE HEARD, so that through the power of Judas Maccabeus there was made a purification of the profaned temple, and a new dedication, in which therefore now in the newly dedicated temple WE OFFERED SACRIFICE, and restored the rest to its former state, namely WE LIGHTED THE LAMPS seven in the golden candlestick with seven branches, AND WE SET FORTH THE LOAVES 12, — according to the 12 tribes of Israel on the table of the loaves of proposition.
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9. AND (that is, for this reason) NOW CELEBRATE FREQUENTLY (and by celebrating frequently) THE DAYS OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, — that is, the feast of the Dedication instituted by Judas Maccabeus in memory of the purification and new dedication of the temple made by him, and this on the 25th day of the month Casleu, which corresponds to our November. Note that the feast of Tabernacles properly was the feast of Tabernacles, which was celebrated for eight days in the month Tisri, that is in September; but here by catachresis they call the feast of the Dedication the feast of Tabernacles, because this was similar: for both were celebrated with great rejoicing of all the people with branches, thyrsuses, trumpets and tympani for eight days, as is evident from I Maccabees IV, 54 and II Maccabees X, 6, where it is said that the feast of the Dedication was instituted and celebrated "in the manner of the feast of Tabernacles;" whence it is called "Tabernacles of Casleu," not of Tisri. They exhort therefore that the Jews in Egypt celebrate the feast of the Dedication by the carrying of green branches, by the blast of trumpets, and similar signs of rejoicing, but not that they offer victims to God in the temple of Heliopolis: for this was forbidden by the law of God. Thus the Maccabees, fleeing in the mountains, celebrated Tabernacles with thyrsuses without sacrifices, as is evident cap. X, vers. 6.
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10. In the year 188 (of the Greeks), THE PEOPLE WHICH IS AT JERUSALEM AND IN JUDEA, AND THE SENATE AND JUDAS. — This Judas, says Rupertus, lib. X On the Victories of the Word of God, cap. XV, Serarius, Salianus, Mariana and others, appears to be the author of this later epistle, and thus of this entire second book of Maccabees, namely Judas the Essene, who, as Josephus says lib. XIII, cap. XIX, at this time on account of the gift of prophecy was held in great esteem by all, and after 20 years predicted the death of Antigonus, the son of John Hyrcanus, which indeed followed shortly after. And Josephus adds that his predictions never failed, but always came to pass in reality. Sanchez, however, thinks this Judas was the son of John Hyrcanus, the leader and High Priest, who at this time had succeeded his father, and was the leader and High Priest of Israel, according to Josephus, lib. XX Antiq. cap. VIII. Where he adds that this Judas was called by another name Aristobulus, and reigned for only one year; wherefore dying without a son, he left the kingdom and the high priesthood to his brother Alexander, who was called by another name Jannaeus. But it is an obstacle that this Judas or Aristobulus first placed a diadem upon himself, and named himself king of Judea, and killed his mother by starvation in chains: and he killed his brother Antigonus already mentioned; and he kept the rest of his brothers in chains as long as he lived, according to Josephus, lib. XIII Antiq. cap. XIX and XX, all of which things appear unworthy of the sacred writer. Add that this Aristobulus reigned in the year not 188, as is said here, but 200 of the Greeks, as Salianus and others have shown. Wherefore in this year 188, John Hyrcanus, the father of Aristobulus, still presided over Israel, and it was more fitting for him rather than for his son Aristobulus to write this epistle. Finally, Bellarmine, lib. I On the Word of God, cap. XV, thinks this Judas to be Judas Maccabeus. But he had fallen in battle 36 years before. Furthermore, here begins the later epistle, and scarcely does it have a title. For two epistles are thought to be joined here by Rupertus, lib. X, cap. XV, the Gloss, Lyra, Bellarmine, Melchior Canus, lib. II On the Places, cap. X, Medina, lib. VI On Faith, cap. XIII. But it seems more true that there is not two, but only one epistle written in the year 188 of the Greeks, in which, however, they refresh and renew the epistle written by themselves in the year 169 of the Greeks, as if to say: We indeed wrote these things in that year, but in this year we write to you what follows: but for that manner of speaking they repeat the greeting, with the addition of the proper names of those who send the letters, and of those to whom they are sent, which at the beginning had been omitted. Thus Salianus and Sanchez. TO ARISTOBULUS, MASTER OF PTOLEMY THE KING, WHO IS OF THE RACE OF THE CHRISTIANS (that is, of those anointed with holy oil) THE PRIESTS. — This Aristobulus, says Rabanus, was by nation a Jew, but is known to have been a peripatetic philosopher, who wrote commentaries on an explanation of Moses for Philometor Ptolemy, as the chronographers relate. Thus Rabanus. He understands, however, Eusebius, whose words these are in the Chronicle at the beginning of the reign of Philometor: "Aristobulus," he says, "whom the second book of Maccabees mentions at the beginning, and whom it is established was skilled in Aristotelian philosophy: similarly the hands and other members, when they are said of God, are to be understood in the book which he wrote for Ptolemy, he declares, etc." The same thing is asserted by Clement of Alexandria, lib. V Strom. Eusebius adds that he was descended from Pareadi, where the Jordan has its origin: "It seems," says Salianus, "that he obtained the name of the king's master, either from that book written, in which he taught King Philometor, or because he taught him concerning the things of the Mosaic law, which he then included in that book." Others, however, think he was the master of Ptolemy Lathyrus, who was the son of Ptolemy Physcon: for the words seem to mean this. For as Rupertus says in the place cited: "The kings of Egypt were accustomed from the time of Ptolemy Philadelphia (who had the law interpreted for himself by 72) to have Jewish masters." Where note: Physcon was the younger brother of Philometor; hence when he died without issue, he succeeded him in the kingdom, and he was reigning at this time: hence to his son Lathyrus he seems to have given Aristobulus, a Jewish priest, as master.
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11. WE GIVE THANKS TO HIM, INASMUCH AS WE HAVE FOUGHT AGAINST SUCH A KING, — who was afterwards slain in Persia by the priests of the goddess Nanaea, as follows. You will ask who this king was. First, some think it was Antiochus the Great, who was the father of Antiochus Epiphanes and, fighting with Hannibal against the Romans, was defeated by Scipio, who from this received the cognomen Africanus. But this Antiochus had died 58 years before, namely in the year 124 of the Greeks. Add to this: this Antiochus was not an enemy of the Jews, but a friend, as Josephus testifies, book XII, chapter III. Second, others understand Antiochus Epiphanes, who was the most bitter enemy of the Jews and the temple. Thus Torniellus, Bellarmine, in the place cited, and Pererius, book IX on Daniel. But Epiphanes was not slain in the temple of Nanaea, as is said here, but was struck down in Babylon and expired by the hand of God, as we shall hear in chapter IX. Emmanuel Sa responds that this epistle does not have the authority of Holy Scripture, just as neither do the other epistles of the Spartans, Romans and others cited in these books, and therefore it can be mistaken and err, but Holy Scripture alone narrates that they wrote thus. But this is a harsh thing to say. For in this way the same could be said of the whole of this book, which is the Epistle of Jude, and of the Jerusalemites to the Jews of Egypt: which God forbid. Third, and most probably, Serarius and Salianus here, and Rupertus, book X On the Victories of the Word of God, chapter XVI, Michael Medina, book VI On Right Faith in God, chapter XIII, Sigonius, in book II of Sulpicius, think this to be Antiochus Sidetes, son of Demetrius Soter, and brother of Demetrius Nicator, who, after Nicator was captured by Arsaces, occupied the kingdom of Asia and Syria: for he, as we heard in book I, chapter XV, under Simon the High Priest, and under John Hyrcanus, son of Simon, afflicted the Jews and Jerusalem, and besieged John in it, according to Josephus; but when pressed by the Parthian war, he made peace with John and the Jews, and led them with him against the Parthians, where he also perished. For Sidetes reigned at this time, when Epiphanes and his father had long since departed from life. Therefore τὸ "ebullire" signifies three things. First, the great multitude and ardor of the soldiers of Sidetes, namely that, as flies or frogs most numerous from water, that is from Syria and Persia, they boiled forth and invaded Persia, all flowing together from every side to plunder it. Second, that in Persia they were slain and died in great number, just as flies and frogs, shortly after they are born from water, are suffocated and die in the same. Third, that Persia, having made them corpses, expelled and cast them forth from itself into tombs and the abyss, just as the sea spits forth corpses and vomits them onto the shore.
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12. HE (God) INDEED MADE THEM BOIL FORTH FROM PERSIA WHO FOUGHT AGAINST US AND THE HOLY CITY, — namely Jerusalem, which Sidetes besieged. See Josephus. This verse is difficult; for τὸ "from Persia" is not in the Greek at this place, but at the end of the verse in this manner: He indeed made them boil forth who fought against us, and the holy city into Persia. Whence Salianus, for "from Persia," thinks we should read "into Persia," so that the sense is, as if to say, God made it so that Sidetes our enemy, with great forces and ardors, as if boiling forth and raging, rushed into Persia, and there perished. But all manuscripts have: "from Persia." Wherefore some give this sense, as if to say, God made it so that Sidetes not only from Syria, but also from Persia gathered great forces from the remnants which his brother Demetrius Nicator, defeated and captured by Arsaces, had left there. Whence it came to pass that, like his brother, he was struck down there by the Persians. But this sense does not rightly cohere with what follows: "For when in Persia," etc., where his death is narrated. I say therefore: for "made boil forth" the Greek is ἐξέβρασεν, that is, cast out, spat forth, vomited forth; for ἐκβράσσειν signifies to cast out, to boil forth, to rage forth, to overflow, to expel, and is attributed to the sea which, boiling in its surge, casts shells and corpses onto the shore; likewise to a boiling pot which, overflowing, spits forth foam and water: whence ἐκβράσματα are called the remains of a ship from shipwreck cast onto the shore: likewise pustules which after sickness break forth on the lips. The sense therefore is, as if to say, God made Antiochus Sidetes our enemy with his fervent forces boil forth from Persia, that is, cast him forth, expelled him, vomited him forth from Persia as a corpse or dead body; for He made it so that in Persia, in the temple of Nanaea, wishing to plunder it, he was slain by the priests, as follows.
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13. FOR WHEN HE HIMSELF WAS A LEADER IN PERSIA, (that is to say, when Antiochus Sidetes, king and leader of the army, invaded Persia,) AND WITH HIM AN IMMENSE (in Greek ἀνυπόστατος, that is irresistible, which could scarcely be resisted) ARMY, THEY FELL (in Greek κατεκόπησαν, that is, they were struck down) IN THE TEMPLE OF NANEA, — the pagan historians disagree with Scripture and among themselves (and therefore Scripture, not they, is to be believed here) concerning the manner of the death of Antiochus Sidetes. For Josephus and Justin, book XXXVIII, assert that he was slain in battle by the Parthians or Persians. Appian in his Syriac history asserts that he was conquered by the Parthians and killed himself. Aelian, book X On Animals, chapter XXXIV, says he threw himself down a precipice. Eusebius says: "Arsaces the Parthian, he says, killed Antiochus." Others think he was killed by his brother Demetrius, who was released by Arsaces and recovered his kingdom. But this disagreement proves that they had nothing certain about this matter, and gave credence to various false rumors of the common people. Wherefore we must believe Holy Scripture, which here asserts that he was stoned and killed by the priests of the temple of Nanea when he wished to plunder it. Furthermore, Nanea was a goddess of the Gentiles, who was either Diana, as St. Thomas, Lyran, Pererius and Pagninus think, in the Hebrew Names, from Nanen, he says, in the Persian language is Diana; or rather Venus, as Serarius and Salianus show from Agatharchides, Berossus, Clement, Athenodorus, Symmachus, Giraldus and others; for the Persians worshipped both Venus and Diana; but what follows is more fitting for Venus.
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14. FOR WHEN ANTIOCHUS CAME TO DWELL WITH HER AT THE PLACE (the temple of Nanea), and his friends, and TO RECEIVE MUCH MONEY BY WAY OF DOWRY. — For "to dwell" the Greek is συνοικεῖν, that is to dwell with her as with his spouse. Antiochus therefore feigned that he wished to enter into marriage with the goddess Nanea, so that under this honest pretext he might plunder her temple, as if he were about to receive all her offerings in place of a dowry; but the priests, suspecting the fraud and plunder, gave a dowry not of gems, but of stones, that is, they stoned and killed him. Moreover, certain ancient kings of old wished to be regarded as certain earthly gods, and accordingly boasted that they entered into marriages with goddesses. Hear Seneca in book I of his Suasories: "The Athenians betrothed Minerva to Antony in marriage; Antony said he would take her, but by way of dowry he would impose upon them a thousand talents." Thus Antiochus Grypus boasted himself the husband of the Moon, Numa of Egeria, Anchises of Venus (from whom Aeneas is feigned to have been born), Heliogabalus of Urania, Peleus of Thetis; whence some think that rite flowed from Peleus, by which on the feast of the Ascension they solemnly betroth the sea to Venus, that is Thetis, by casting a ring into the sea. Moreover, of these royal marriages with goddesses, clear witnesses are Josephus, Plutarch in the life of Marcus Crassus, Xiphilinus, Herodotus, Isocrates and Suetonius, who in the life of C. Caligula, chapter XXI, writes that he claimed himself to be the husband of Venus.
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15. And when the priests of Nanea had promised (promised to Antiochus Sidetes that they would give him those monies as a dowry) THOSE MONIES, AND HE HIMSELF WITH FEW COMPANIONS HAD ENTERED WITHIN THE PRECINCT OF THE TEMPLE (as if about to celebrate sacred rites of embrace), THEY SHUT THE TEMPLE.
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16. WHEN ANTIOCHUS HAD ENTERED, AND A SECRET PASSAGE OF THE TEMPLE HAVING BEEN OPENED (in the upper ceiling, or in the walls of the temple, from there), CASTING STONES (in Greek: striking with stones like lightning) THEY STRUCK DOWN THE LEADER (king Antiochus Sidetes), AND THEY DIVIDED HIM LIMB BY LIMB, AND HAVING CUT OFF HIS HEADS THEY CAST THEM OUT, — spreading among his soldiers and the common people that Sidetes was struck down and blasted by some god rival to Antiochus, who desired the goddess Nanea for himself as a bride, lest they themselves, as if authors of the slaying, be slaughtered by the soldiers of Sidetes. And hence so many various opinions about the death of Sidetes emanated to the common people, as being hidden, which I recounted from Justin, Appian and others in verse 13. And so the Jews here give thanks to God for such a tyrant and enemy, Sidetes, being struck down. Wherefore Scaliger and some others write ridiculously that Antiochus was not struck down in the temple of Nanea, but escaped by flight and returned safely to Antioch.
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18. THEREFORE, ABOUT TO CELEBRATE ON THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF THE MONTH OF CASLEU THE PURIFICATION OF THE TEMPLE, — that is to say, about to celebrate on the 25th of Casleu the feast of the Encaenia in memory of the purification and new dedication of the temple made by Judas Maccabeus, I Maccabees IV, verse 52. WE HAVE DEEMED IT NECESSARY TO SIGNIFY TO YOU, THAT YOU ALSO MAY KEEP THE DAY OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES (that is, the feast of the Encaenia similar to the Feast of Tabernacles, as I said in verse 9), AND THE DAY OF FIRE. — For on that same day, the 25th of Casleu, when they offered sacrifices in the aforesaid Encaenia, fire sent down from heaven by God was cast upon them to consume them, and therefore the feast of the giving of fire was instituted, which on the same day, the 25th of Casleu, or certainly on the following day (so that the feast of fire might have its own proper day), was celebrated: the history of which matter is explained at length in what follows.
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19. FOR WHEN OUR FATHERS WERE LED INTO PERSIA (that is, into Chaldea or into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar). — Chaldea is here called Persia both because many Jews who were led away into Chaldea were scattered throughout Persia, Media, and other regions subject to the Chaldeans: and because in the time of Nehemiah, when the fire was given, the monarchy of the Chaldeans had been transferred to the Persians; for then Artaxerxes, king of the Persians, ruled over both the Chaldeans and the Persians: wherefore all regions then subject to the Persians, among which was Chaldea, are called Persia, as Serarius proves from St. Chrysostom, Lucan and others. THEY SECRETLY TOOK THE FIRE FROM THE ALTAR AND HID IT IN A VALLEY WHERE THERE WAS A DEEP AND DRY WELL, — that is, they hid the fire in the well, which was in the valley. This fire, as is evident from Leviticus IX, 24, was first given by God to Aaron, when he first offered sacrifice on the altar made by Moses: for it was consumed by this heavenly fire, so that God might approve it and show it was pleasing to Him: wherefore He also commanded that this fire be preserved thereafter always with added wood and fuel, so that the sacrifices of posterity might be burned to God by none other than this divine fire, Leviticus VI, 12, whence in chapter X, 1, 2, God slew Nadab and Abihu, because they had offered incense with profane fire. But when the Chaldeans had destroyed the city, the altar and the temple, the priests brought out this fire lest it perish and hid it in the aforesaid valley and well, hoping that God would restore this fire after their return from Babylon. Thus Rupertus, book X On the Victories of the Word of God, chapter XVIII: "The fire," he says, "dying, which could not be nourished, which had nowhere to be nourished, they entrusted to be restored, in which is the hope of the resurrection of the dead, nor did hope deceive them. How?" because God here explained this hope of theirs through Nehemiah. In like manner St. Ambrose praises the faith, hope and piety of these priests, book I On Duties, chapter XIV: "It was not their concern," he says, "to dig up gold, to hide silver, which they might preserve for their posterity, but in the midst of their extremity having care for honor they thought the sacred fire ought to be preserved: lest either impurity contaminate it, or the blood of the dead extinguish it, or the heap of deformed ruins abolish it. They went therefore into Persia free by religion alone, because religion alone could not be extorted from them through captivity. After a long time, however, when it pleased God, He gave this thought to the king of the Persians, that the temple should be restored in Judea, and that the legitimate rites should be repaired in Jerusalem. For the sake of this gift of grace the king of the Persians sent Nehemiah the priest. But he sent with him the descendants of those priests, who, about to depart from their native land, had hidden the sacred fire lest it perish."
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20. THAT NEHEMIAS MIGHT BE SENT BY THE KING OF THE PERSIANS. — Nehemias was sent three times by the king of the Persians into Judea: first, by Cyrus in the first year of his reign; for then Nehemias with Zorobabel, Esdras and Jesus the High Priest returned from the Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem, and thus he was one of the foremost and leaders of those returning, as is evident from I Esdras II, 2, and Nehemias VII, 7 and 65. Second, he was sent by Artaxerxes Longimanus in the 20th year of his reign, Nehem. II, 1. Third, by the same in the 32nd year of his reign, as is evident from Nehem. cap. ult. 6. The question is therefore concerning which mission the discourse here is, and consequently when this mission of fire from heaven made to Nehemias occurred. Franciscus Ribera, lib. V De Templo, cap. XVII, very probably understands this of the second mission; for this was the proper mission of Nehemias alone. Wherefore this happened in the 20th year of Artaxerxes at the feast of Tabernacles, which Nehemias first solemnly celebrated after his return from Persia, as is evident from Nehem. VII, and therefore at that feast, when he himself according to the law offered the appointed sacrifices, fire sent from heaven by God inflamed and consumed the sacrifices. For this reason, in memory of this benefit, the Jews thereafter celebrated the feast of the giving of fire on the very feast of Tabernacles on which it was first given, and for this reason it is said here in verse 9: "And now keep the days of the feast of tabernacles." But it is more probable that fire was given by God shortly after the first mission of Nehemias made by Cyrus, namely in the sixth year of Darius Hystaspes on the third day of the month of Adar, that is February. For then the structure of the new temple was completed, and its solemn dedication was made with the offering of very many victims, as is evident from Esdras VI, 15 and 16. Therefore then sacred fire was given from heaven by which the victims were to be burned according to Levit. VI, 12, where it is forbidden that victims be burned with common and profane fire, and therefore it is commanded that the priests keep and preserve the sacred fire sent from heaven according to Levit. VIII. Otherwise indeed the Hebrews for seventy years (for so many years elapsed from the sixth year of Darius, when the temple was dedicated by sacrifices, until the 20th year of Artaxerxes, who sent Nehemias a second time into Judea), would have lacked sacred fire in the temple, and would have immolated all their victims with profane and common fire, which God had forbidden by his law. You will say: In the sixth year of Darius Nehemias was a young man, and Zorobabel, Esdras and Jesus the High Priest were more worthy than he; wherefore this mission of fire should rather be attributed to them than to Nehemias. I answer that all these were coeval with Nehemias, and therefore equal or nearly equal to him in age. But these things are attributed to Nehemias rather than to others: first, on account of the zeal for religion in which he excelled; second, on account of his nobility and dignity: for he was one of the foremost leaders of the Jews returning from Babylon. Third, because he himself was held in great honor by Artaxerxes, and was indeed his cupbearer; whence he was created by him governor and prince of Judea, and rebuilt the walls and houses of Jerusalem, and established the city with the best laws and made it stable, all of which are evident from the book of Nehemias. You will say secondly: From what has been said it follows that on the third day of Adar, that is February, on which the fire was given, the feast of fire should be celebrated, not on the 25th of Casleu, as is said here. I answer that before Antiochus Epiphanes and Judas Machabeus the feast of fire was celebrated on the day on which it was given, namely on the third day of Adar. But because Antiochus Epiphanes profaning the temple also extinguished or removed the sacred fire given from heaven; hence Judas Machabeus purifying the temple, and restoring the altar and victims on the 25th of Casleu on that same day received this sacred fire again from God, and therefore on the same day, or certainly on the following day, he ordained that the feast of the giving, or rather of the restoration of fire, should be celebrated as it were a proper feast. For Judas, with the sacred fire extinguished, could not sacrifice with profane fire: for this was forbidden by law; wherefore it was necessary that God restore this fire. He did this when from the stones of the temple and altar once ignited under Nehemias, again under Judas by God's command this sacred fire burst forth, as is expressly asserted in cap. X, 3, where it is said of Judas: "And having purified the temple, they made another altar, and taking fire from the stones that were once ignited (under Nehemias), they offered sacrifices." But this happened in the purification and new dedication of the temple, which was made by Judas on the 25th of Casleu, as is said there in verse 5. Thus Sanchez: Those ignited stones, he says, I understand to be those which Nehemias sprinkled with thick water, which they first absorbed, then were burned by the fire which burst forth from that water; wherefore in these stones the seeds of sacred fire seem to have been preserved for the future: for from them at the time of Judas the same flame burst forth. Thus also Serarius, Quæst. XIII. Whence Gorionides: "When," he says, "they had arranged the wood, they did not find the holy fire; but they cried out to the Lord, and fire came forth from the stone which was placed under the altar, adding wood to it; that fire lasted until the third captivity," which namely occurred in the time of Vespasian. The Hebrews therefore err in saying that sacred and heavenly fire was lacking in the second temple, which was built after the return from Babylon.
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21. AND THE SACRIFICES THAT HAD BEEN LAID UPON IT, THE PRIEST NEHEMIAS COMMANDED TO BE SPRINKLED WITH THIS SAME WATER,—and this twice, once for burning the victims, a second time for kindling the stones and imparting to them the power of kindling, concerning which see verses 31 and 32. Thus Sanchez.
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Hence it is evident that this epistle, being written in the year 188 of the Greeks, was given after the deeds of Judas, Jonathan, and Simon, described in book I, and therefore it is fittingly appended to the end of the first book. For the first book ends in the death of Simon, which occurred in the year of the Greeks 177. Wherefore this epistle was written eleven years after Simon's death, or this second book of Maccabees. But the former part of the epistle was written in the year 169 of the Greeks, written somewhat before the captivity and slaughter of Jonathan; for this was done by Tryphon in the year of the Greeks 170, as has been said. Simon succeeded Jonathan, as has been said in book I, chapter XIII, verse 41. Wherefore this part of the epistle should be placed in this order of time, in book I, chapter XII, before verse 39. 22. The time came when the sun shone forth, which before WAS IN A CLOUD, AND A GREAT FIRE WAS KINDLED.—It appears that God here used the sun, and by its rays drew forth thick vapors from the thick water, and by constantly striking them with its rays inflamed them, and thus produced fire, just as comets, wandering stars, will-o'-the-wisps, halos, fiery dragons, etc., are produced in the air from vapors by the force of the sun. Tropologically this fire represents the Holy Spirit who sat in the form of fire upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, and gave them fiery minds and tongues, so that they might set the whole world on fire with the fire of divine love, and thus make men, like thick water cold and sluggish, become fiery and flaming. Thus St. Ambrose, book I of the Offices, XIV: "That," he says, "fire was a type of the Holy Spirit, who was to descend after the Lord's ascension, and was to remit the sins of all; who, like fire, inflames the faithful soul and mind." See Ribera, book V On the Temple, chapter XVII. See also what I have written at length on this fire at Leviticus IX, 13, where I have enumerated 17 analogies of this fire and charity. Hear St. Chrysostom, homily 11 on Hebrews: "Do we not," he says, "marvel that fire once descended and consumed all things? It may be that fire also now descends far more wonderful than that; and consumes all things that are set before it, or rather does not consume them, but lifts them up to heaven. For it does not reduce what is offered to ashes; but offers gifts to God. Such were the prayers of Cornelius, Acts X."
1:23
23. JONATHAN BEGINNING,—This Jonathan was not the high priest, as some think, but a Levite and singer, indeed the chief of the singers, whose office it then was. Thus Lyra and Serarius.
1:31
31. When the sacrifice had been consumed (namely, burned by the fire striking forth from the water of the stones), Nehemias commanded the remaining water to be poured upon THE GREATER STONES.
1:32
32. WHEN THIS WAS DONE, A FLAME WAS KINDLED FROM THEM; BUT IT WAS CONSUMED BY THE LIGHT THAT SHONE FORTH FROM THE ALTAR,—that is to say, the fire and bright burning flame which had consumed the victims on the altar, leaping forth from it, consumed the flame from the water kindled in the greater stones, and this for the first reason, because the greater light of the altar obscured and consumed the lesser light of the stones; secondly, because this fire by the law of Leviticus VI, 12, ought to remain on the altar alone, as a sacred fire and proper to it for burning victims; wherefore it could not remain on the stones, lest anyone abuse it to superstition. Thirdly, that it might be signified that this fire came forth not by the force of the sun, but of God (whose symbol was the altar) the sun being as it were an instrument to which God added greater force to produce fire from water and brought it into light. Fourthly, that this fire might kindle the stones, and impart to them not a physical, but a moral power to produce fire in case of necessity, as they produced it in the purification and dedication of the temple made by Judas Maccabeus. Thus Sanchez.
1:33
33. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE KING OF THE PERSIANS,—namely to Darius Hystaspes, in whose sixth year these things happened as I have said; or as others wish, to Artaxerxes Longimanus, the nephew of Darius, whose cupbearer was Nehemias.
1:34
34. Considering, however, the king. — Serarius in place of "considering" thinks should be read "joining together" or "sealing up". For in Greek it is περιφράξας, that is, "fencing around" he made him a temple, as if to say the king established a temple for the fire, and surrounded it with a fence for the reverence of the place. HE MADE HIM A TEMPLE. — First, St. Ambrose, book I of the Duties, chapter XIV, says the king built a temple in the place where thick water had been found, afterwards turned into fire. For the Persians worshipped fire as God, as testified by Brissonius, book II On the Kingdom of the Persians. Second, Genebrardus in Notes on Chronicles, and Bede in chapter II of Esdras, whom Serarius cites and praises, Question XIV, think the king constructed in the same place some sacred building, such as was the pool of Bethesda; for the Greek ἱερόν signifies that place, which was formerly profane, became sacred, so that now in it there was some veneration of God and religious reverence of the divine: whence the king fenced it around, as the Greek has it. Third, Lyra explains it as if to say King Darius ordered the temple of Jerusalem to be rebuilt. But this had already been rebuilt: for in it thick water was turned into fire. Fourth, as if to say King Artaxerxes made the temple already built by his grandfather Darius, that is, adorned it splendidly and enriched it magnificently. Thus Nebuchadnezzar, says Daniel IV: "Is not this Babylon which I have built for the house of the kingdom," that is, I enlarged, adorned, and made it the royal seat of the Babylonian Monarchy? For before him Babylon was built by Nemrod, Genesis X. Thus Romulus is said to have built Rome, that is, to have adorned and enlarged it; for as Virgil says: Before Romulus there was "King Evander, founder of the Roman citadel." Thus St. Thomas, Lyra, Dionysius, Hugh and Sanchez. The first sense of St. Ambrose, as it is the first obvious, so it is the plainest. For the Persians built many temples for fire, which were hence called pyreia (although whether in the same place where the thick water was found, this temple was erected by the king, as St. Ambrose wishes, Holy Scripture does not express). For fire, the noblest of the elements, by its splendor, heat, activity, etc., is expressed as a symbol of God and divinity, according to that: "Our God is a consuming fire," Hebrews XII, 29. See what is said there, and Exodus III, 2. THAT HE MIGHT PROVE WHAT HAD BEEN DONE, — that he might praise, celebrate this miracle of fire born from water, and adorn the temple for perpetual memory of the matter.
1:36
36. AND NEHEMIAS CALLED THIS PLACE NEPHTAR. WHICH IS INTERPRETED PURIFICATION, — from the root Pathar which in Hebrew or Chaldaic, Syriac, Persian and Arabic signifies to free, to send forth, to dismiss, and is attributed to a captive, who from the filth and squalor of prison is freed and sent forth pure, just as here the temple profaned by the Chaldeans, squalid and turned to ashes and filth, by Nehemias through dedication and the sacred fire descended from heaven was purified, sanctified, and consecrated to God. Hence Phatir in Arabic is called pure bread, unleavened; and the Chaldean, Exodus XXIII, 15, calls the feast of Unleavened Bread chagga de pattiraia. To Nephtar alludes naphtha, which is a kind of "bitumen," says Pliny, book II, chapter CCV, "this liquid has great affinity with fires, and they leap forth into it immediately from wherever it is seen," just as here fire leaped into the thick water for the purification and sanctification of the temple. Moreover among the ancients lustration and purification were made through sulphur and fire. Whence Pliny, book XXXV, chapter XV: "Sulphur," he says, "has a place in religious rites for purifying houses by fumigation." Namely they thought that in fire, that is, in sulphurous and bituminous matter, there was something celestial and divine, so that those things which among them were sacred, lightning and thunderbolts, had the odor of sulphur, and their very light was sulphurous, as written there by Pliny. Hence also the Greeks call sulphur θεῖον, and the Romans carefully took care of places struck by lightning, and raising altars and slaying two-year-old victims, called them bidentalia. Thus Gyraldus, syntag. 17 and from him Serarius. Finally the Syriac text in this place has thus: They called it (the place) who are of the house of Nehemias (the Nehemites) Genephath, which is interpreted cleanliness (or purification); but it is called by many Nephri. The Arabic moreover thus: Those who are of Nehemias called this place Techephtha, which is interpreted purity. But it is called among many Nephi (Syriac) Nephti from the root nuph, which signifies many things, namely to wash, to sprinkle, to shake, to sift: hence נופת nophet is a honeycomb and נפה naphah is a region, province. Nephi therefore is a place cleansed, elevated, honored, consecrated and enlarged. For Aphti in Syriac signifies to enlarge.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
1:1
Dedication of the Temple (Heb. Hānuk-Kāh)
… In one of these letters addressed to the Egyptian Jews (II Mach. 1, 1-2. 18), Judas is placed, for his historical importance, alongside Moses, Solomon and Nehemiah.
Maccabees (Greek Μακκαβαῖοι, Vulgate Machabaei)
… presentation of the circumstances that determined the uprising (ibid. 3:1-7:42). At the beginning of the book are inserted two or three letters from the Jews of Jerusalem to those of Egypt, recommending that they celebrate the feast of the Dedication (ibid. 1:1-2:32).
1:8
The rite of the p. of the p. was maintained until 70 A.D. (I Mach. 4:51; II Mach. 1:8; 10:3; Hebr. 9:2).
1:9
… 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).
1:10
or high priest, cf. II Mach. 1:10; Lev. 21:10, of the Septuagint), but usually (30 times) as a noun. …
Sanhedrin (Συνέδριον « Assembly »)
… The New Testament, Flavius Josephus and ancient rabbinic writings speak of it. For the preceding period, sure traces of it are found only in the books of Maccabees (I Mach. 11:23; 12:6; 14:28; II Mach. 1:10; 4:44; 11:27). This allows the conclusion that the s. was constituted in the time of the Seleucids (v.) or shortly before. …
1:13
In II Macc. 9:2, P. is said to be the city whose temple, dedicated to Nanea (ibid. 1:13), Antiochus IV Epiphanes, shortly before his death, wished to plunder; in I Macc. 6:1 such a city is not named, but is placed in Elam. …
1:23
Jonathan (Heb. Jēhōnāthān and Jōnāthān; Vulgate I. and Ionathas)
After the discoveries at Elephantine, many critics hold that Jābānān is to be inserted into the text, as the father of J. 14-15. Two heads of a priestly stock (Neh. 12:14, 18). 16. Priest in the time of Nehemiah (II Macc. 1:23), whom many identify with the high priest of no. 13. 17. Levite of the stock of Asaph (Neh. 12:35).
1:27
… B]; Ps. 146:2; Jud. 5:19 [Vulg. 23]; II Macc. 1:27; John 7:35; James 1:1; I Pet. 1:1), and except for the last text cited, which seems to allude to the whole body of Christians (the "new Israel") dispersed among the pagan nations, …
1:46
… of the island of Rhodes were called bishops (cf. F. Prat, Evēques, in DThC, V, coll. 1658-59). In the Septuagint translation this name designates governors (Iude, 9, 28), prefects (II Esdr. 11, 9), magistrates (Is. 60, 17), royal ambassadors (II Mach. 1, 46), and God himself (Iob. 20, 20; Sap. 1, 6). In the New Testament the word ἐπίσκοπος is used only five times, four of which designate the superiors of the Christian community (Act. …
1:57
Eleazar (Heb. 'El'āzār, "God Has Helped")
… Generally Jerusalem or Antioch in Syria is thought of; the latter city seems better to correspond to the historical context (cf. 2 Macc. 1:57-65). Of E., besides 2 Macc., Jewish writings speak, late or spurious, such as 4 Macc. 5:1 ff., where the narrative of the canonical book is repeated, adding legendary elements to it. Angelo Penna
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.