Antiochus and Lysias again invade Judea. Menelaus is put to death. The king’s great army is worsted twice. The peace is renewed.
Menelaus a fugitiue Iewe is put to death. 9. Antiochus with his great armie is defeated twise, with losse of manie men. 23. Philippe rebelling, peace is renewed. 24. And Iudas is made Lord of Ptolemais.
1In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas understood that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea,L'anno cento quarantanove Giuda intese come Antioco Eupatore veniva con gran gente contro i Giudei,IN the yeare an hundred fourtie nine Iudas vnderstood, that Antiochus Eupator came with a multitude agaynst Iurie,Anno centesimo quadragesimo nono, cognovit Judas Antiochum Eupatorem venire cum multitudine adversus Judæam, 2And with him Lysias, the regent, who had charge over the affairs of the realm, having with him a hundred and ten thousand footmen, five thousand horsemen, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots armed with hooks.E con lui Lisia tutore, che aveva il maneggio degli affari, che avea seco cento dieci mila fanti, e cinque mila cavalli, e ventidue elefanti, e cocchi falcati trecento.and with him Lysias the procuratour, and cheefe ouer the affayres hauing with him of footemen an hundred tenne thousand, & of horsemen fiue thousand, & elephants twentie two, chariots with hookes three hundred.et cum eo Lysiam procuratorem et præpositum negotiorum, secum habentem peditum centum decem millia, et equitum quinque millia, et elephantos viginti duos, currus cum falcibus trecentos. 3Menelaus also joined himself with them: and with great deceitfulness besought Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country, but in hopes that he should be appointed chief ruler.E si mischiò con essi anche Menelao, e con grande artifizio cercava di placare Antioco non perché amasse la salute della patria, ma sulla speranza di esser messo in possesso del principato.And Menelaus also ioyned him selfe with them: and with much deceite besought Antiochus, not for the weale of his contrie, but hoping that he should be appoynted to the principalitie.Commiscuit autem se illis et Menelaus: et cum multa fallacia deprecabatur Antiochum, non pro patriæ salute, sed sperans se constitui in principatum. 4But the King of kings stirred up the mind of Antiochus against the sinner, and upon Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of all the evils, he commanded (as the custom is with them) that he should be apprehended and put to death in the same place.Ma il Re de' regi voltò il cuore di Antioco contro quel peccatore, e avendogli Lisia rappresentato come quegli era la causa di tutti i mali, il re comandò, che lo prendessero, e lo facessero morire in quello stesso luogo secondo la loro consuetudine.But the king of kinges stirred vp Antiochus mind against the sinner, & Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of al the euils, he commanded (as the custome is with them) that being apprehended he should be killed in the same place.Sed Rex regum suscitavit animos Antiochi in peccatorem: et suggerente Lysia hunc esse causam omnium malorum, jussit (ut eis est consuetudo) apprehensum in eodem loco necari.
5Now there was in that place a tower fifty cubits high, having a heap of ashes on every side: this had a prospect steep down.Era nel luogo stesso una torre di cinquanta cubiti, piena tutta d'una gran massa di cenere: di li vedeasi (solo) il precipizio:And there was in the same place a tower of fiftie cubites, hauing an heape of ashes on euerie side: this had a prospect steepe downe.Erat autem in eodem loco turris quinquaginta cubitorum, aggestum undique habens cineris: hæc prospectum habebat in præceps. 6From thence he commanded the sacrilegious wretch to be thrown down into the ashes, all men thrusting him forward unto death.Ordinò, che di li quel sacrilego fosse gettato nella cenere, dandogli tutti la spinta per farlo perire.From thence he commanded the sacrilegious person to be throwne downe into the ashes, al thrusting him forward to death.Inde in cinerem dejici jussit sacrilegum, omnibus eum propellentibus ad interitum. 7And by such a law it happened that Menelaus the transgressor of the law, was put to death: not having so much as burial in the earth.Con tal legge dovette morire il prevaricator della legge Menelao, senza che fosse seppellito nella terra.And by such law it chanced the transgressour of the law to dye: & Menelaus not to be put into the earth.Et tali lege prævaricatorem legis contigit mori, nec terræ dari Menelaum. 8And indeed very justly, for insomuch as he had committed many sins against the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which were holy: he was condemned to die in ashes.E ciò molto giustamente; perocchè avendo egli commessi molti delitti contro l'altare di Dio, il di cui fuoco, o la cenere son cose sante, fu egli condannato a morire nella cenere.And in deede very iustly, because he committed manie offences toward the altar of God, the fyre and ashes wherof was holie: himself was condemned into the death of ashes.Et quidem satis juste: nam quia multa erga aram Dei delicta commisit, cujus ignis et cinis erat sanctus: ipse in cineris morte damnatus est. 9But the king, with his mind full of rage, came on to shew himself worse to the Jews than his father was.Ma il re veniva con animo furibondo per farsi conoscere a' Giudei più cattivo del padre suo.But the king furiouse in mind, came to shew himself worse to the Iewes then his father.Sed rex mente effrenatus veniebat, nequiorem se patre suo Judæis ostensurus.
10Which when Judas understood, he commanded the people to call upon the Lord day and night, that as he had always done, so now also he would help them:Le quali cose avendo sapute Giuda ordinò al popolo, che invocasse di e notte il Signore, affinchè come in tutte le altre occasioni, così adesso gli aiutasse:Which thinges when Iudas vnderstood, he cōmanded the people that day and night they should inuocate our Lord, that as alwayes now also he would helpe them:Quibus Judas cognitis, præcepit populo ut die ac nocte Dominum invocarent, quo, sicut semper, et nunc adjuvaret eos, 11Because they were afraid to be deprived of the law, and of their country, and of the holy temple: and that he would not suffer the people, that had of late taken breath for a little while, to be again in subjection to blasphemous nations.Come quelli, che temevano di aver a perdere e la legge, e la patria, è il tempio santo; e non permettesse, che restasse soggetto di nuovo alle bestemmiatrici nazioni quel popolo, che poco prima avea cominciato alcun poco a respirare.as who were afrayed to be depriued of the law, & their countrie, & the holie temple: and that he would not suffer the people that had of late taken breath a litle while, to be againe subdued to the blasphemous nations.quippe qui lege, et patria, sanctoque templo privari vererentur: ac populum, qui nuper paululum respirasset, ne sineret blasphemis rursus nationibus subdi. 12So when they had all done this together, and had craved mercy of the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground for three days continually, Judas exhorted them to make themselves ready.E così avendo fatto tutti d'accordo, e implorata la misericordia del Signore, con lagrime, e digiuni, prostrati per terra per tre interi giorni, Giuda gli esortò a mettersi all'ordine.Al therfore doing it together, and crauing mercie of our Lord with weeping & fastinges, being prostrate for three dayes continually, Iudas exhorted them to prepare them selues.Omnibus itaque simul id facientibus, et petentibus a Domino misericordiam cum fletu et jejuniis, per triduum continuum prostratis, hortatus est eos Judas ut se præpararent. 13But he, with the ancients, determined before the king should bring his army into Judea, and make himself master of the city, to go out, and to commit the event of the thing to the judgment of the Lord.Ed egli col parer de' seniori risolvè di uscire in campagna prima che il re si accostasse coll'esercito alla Giudea, e si rendesse padrone della città; e di rimettere al Signore l'esito dell'affare.But he with the ancients consulted, before the king should bring his armie to Iurie, and winne the citie, to goe out, and to committe the euent of the thing to the iudgement of our Lord.Ipse vero cum senioribus cogitavit priusquam rex admoveret exercitum ad Judæam et obtineret civitatem, exire, et Domini judicio committere exitum rei.
14So committing all to God, the Creator of the world, and having exhorted his people to fight manfully, and to stand up even to death for the laws, the temple, the city, their country, and citizens: he placed his army about Modin.Rassegnatosi adunque totalmente alle disposizioni di Dio Creatore dell'Universo, ed esortati i suoi a combattere virilmente, e a difendere sino alla morte le leggi, il tempio, la città, la patria, e i cittadini, si accampò coll'esercito vicino a Modin.Committing therfore the power and charge of al to God, the creatour of the world, and hauing exhorted his companie to fight manfully, and to stand euen to death for the lawes, the temple, the citie, their countrie, and citizens: he placed his armie about Modin.Dans itaque potestatem omnium Deo mundi creatori, et exhortatus suos ut fortiter dimicarent, et usque ad mortem pro legibus, templo, civitate, patria, et civibus starent, circa Modin exercitum constituit. 15And having given his company for a watchword, The victory of God, with most valiant chosen young men, he set upon the king’s quarter by night, and slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of the elephants, with them that had been upon him,E dato per segno a' suoi la vittoria di Dio, fatta una scelta della più robusta gioventù, assalì di notte tempo il quartiere del re, e uccise nel campo quattro mila uomini, e il più grande degli elefanti con quelli, che gli stavan sopra:And hauing geuen a signe to his companie of the victorie of God, with most valient yong men piked out, by night setting vpon the kings court, in the campe he slew foure thousand men, and the greatest of the elephants, with them that had bene placed thereupon,Et dato signo suis Dei victoriæ, juvenibus fortissimis electis nocte aggressus aulam regiam, in castris interfecit viros quatuor millia, et maximum elephantorum cum his qui superpositi fuerant: 16And having filled the camp of the enemies with exceeding great fear and tumult, they went off with good success.E riempiuti di terrore, e di scompiglio gli alloggiamenti, dopo sì felice impresa si ritirarono.and he filled the campe of the enemies with exceeding feare and perturbation, and the thinges being prosperously atcheiued, they departed.summoque metu ac perturbatione hostium castra replentes, rebus prospere gestis, abierunt. 17Now this was done at the break of day, by the protection and help of the Lord.E ciò fu fatto al primo spuntare del giorno, assistendoli Dio colla sua protezione.And this was done when the day appeared, the protection of our Lord helping him.Hoc autem factum est die illucescente, adjuvante eum Domini protectione.
18But the king having taken a taste of the hardiness of the Jews, attempted to take the strong places by policy:Ma il re dopo aver fatto saggio dell'audacia de' Giudei, cercava con arte di impadronirsi de' posti scabrosi:But the king hauing taken a taste of the hardines of the Iewes, attempted the difficultie of the places by policie:Sed rex, accepto gustu audaciæ Judæorum, arte difficultatem locorum tentabat: 19And he marched with his army to Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Jews: but he was repulsed, he failed, he lost his men.E si accostò coll'esercito a Bethsura, la quale era una fortezza de' Giudei ben munita: ma era rispinto, trovava inciampi, scapitava.and he moued his campe to Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Iewes: but he was put to flight, he fel, he was diminished.et Bethsuræ, quæ erat Judæorum præsidium munitum, castra admovebat: sed fugabatur, impingebat, minorabatur. 20Now Judas sent necessaries to them that were withinE Giuda mandava a que' di dentro ciò che lor bisognava.And to them that were within Iudas sent necessaries.His autem qui intus erant, Judas necessaria mittebat. 21But Rhodocus, one of the Jews’ army, disclosed the secrets to the enemies, so he was sought out, and taken up, and put in prison.Ma un certo Rhodoco nell'esercito de' Giudei faceva la spia a' nemici, ma fu cercato, e si trovò, e si messe in prigione.But one Rhodocus of the Iewes armie vttered the secretes to the enemies, who being sought for was apprehended, and shut vp.Enuntiavit autem mysteria hostibus Rhodocus quidam de judaico exercitu, qui requisitus comprehensus est, et conclusus. 22Again the king treated with them that were in Bethsura: gave his right hand: took theirs: and went away.E il re parlamentò di nuovo con quelli, che erano in Bethsura, e data loro la sua parola, e ricevuta la loro, se v'andò:Againe the king had talke with them that were in Bethsura: he gaue the right hand: he tooke it: he went away.Iterum rex sermonem habuit ad eos qui erant in Bethsuris: dextram dedit, accepit, abiit: 23He fought with Judas: and was overcome. And when he understood that Philip, who had been left over the affairs, had rebelled at Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and entreating the Jews, and yielding to them, he swore to all things that seemed reasonable, and, being reconciled, offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and left gifts.Venne alle mani con Giuda, e fu vinto. Indi avendo saputo come si era ribellato Filippo lasciato in Antiochia al maneggio degli affari, perdutosi di animo si raccomandò a' Giudei, e si umiliò ad essi, e giurò tutto quello che parve giusto, e fatta la riconciliazione offerse sagrifizio, rendè onore al tempio, e gli fece dei doni:He ioyned battel with Iudas, he was ouercome. And as he vnderstood that Phillippe rebelled at Antioch, who was left ouer the affayres, dismayed in mynde intreating the Iewes, and yelding vnto them, he sweareth concerning al thinges that seemed reason, & being reconciled he offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and gaue hosts.commisit cum Juda, superatus est. Ut autem cognovit rebellasse Philippum Antiochiæ, qui relictus erat super negotia, mente consternatus, Judæos deprecans, subditusque eis, jurat de omnibus quibus justum visum est: et reconciliatus obtulit sacrificium, honoravit templum, et munera posuit.
24He embraced Machabeus, and made him governor and prince from Ptolemais unto the Gerrenians.Abbracciò Maccabeo, e lo fece governatore, e principe da Tolemaide fino ai Gerreni.He embraced Machabeus, & made him gouernor & prince from Ptolemais euen to the Gerrenians.Machabæum amplexatus est, et fecit eum a Ptolemaide usque ad Gerrenos ducem et principem. 25But when he was come to Ptolemais, the men of that city were much displeased with the conditions of the peace, being angry for fear they should break the covenant.Ma essendo Antioco arrivato a Tolemaide, quei cittadini erano molto malcontenti di quelle convenzioni, e di quella amicizia, con paura, che di dispetto non rompessero la confederazione.But after, as he came to Ptolemais the Ptolemaians tooke greuously the couenant of amitie, being offended lest perhaps they would breake their league.Ut autem venit Ptolemaidam, graviter ferebant Ptolemenses amicitiæ conventionem, indignantes ne forte fœdus irrumperent. 26Then Lysias went up to the judgment seat, and set forth the reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and thus matters went with regard to the king’s coming and his return.Allora Lisia salì sulla tribuna, e avendo renduto conto dell'affare, calmò il popolo, e se ne tornò ad Antiochia. Tal ebbe fine il viaggio, e il ritorno del re.Then Lysias went vp to the iudgement seate, and declared the reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and in this maner the kinges iorney and returne proceded.Tunc ascendit Lysias tribunal, et exposuit rationem, et populum sedavit, regressusque est Antiochiam: et hoc modo regis profectio et reditus processit.
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Year of the World 3841, Year before Christ 163.
Calmet
Eupator. Several of his generals had been already defeated. He therefore comes in person, 1 Machabees 6:28. (Calmet)
Haydock
He was not above ten years old. But Lysias thought that his presence would animate the soldiers. (Haydock)
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Challoner
A hundred and ten thousand, etc. The difference between the numbers here set down and those recorded [in] 1 Machabees iv., is easily accounted for, if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time more numerous than at another, either by sending away large detachments, or being diminished by sickness, or increased by receiving fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or occurrences. (Challoner)
Worthington
There are many such difficulties in the Books of Kings, etc. Only some of the troops were permanent. (Worthington)
Most were auxiliaries, so that the number might often vary. Nothing is said of the chariots, 1 Machabees 6:30.
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Calmet
Country. He had continued at Antioch, as the Jews would not receive him, 2 Machabees 4:24. (Calmet)
Yet now he pretended to be solicitous for their welfare, (Haydock) only that he might obtain power.
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Evils. The ambition of Jason and of Menelaus had brought on all these disturbances, 2 Machabees 4:7., etc., and 1 Machabees 1:12.
Calmet
Place. It would seem on the journey to Judea: but Josephus says he was slain after the king's return, at Antioch. The sacred historian relates what concerns him together. (Calmet)
Haydock
In the. Greek, "conducting him to Berea." (Haydock)
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Down. A beam was laid across the walls, on which the criminal, having been well regaled with wine, was placed till he fell among the ashes. (V. Max. 9:2.)
Calmet
Hystaspes invented this punishment. (Calmet)
Haydock
Prospect. Greek, "organ, (or round instrument)" (Protestants) like a wheel, (Calmet) "hanging (or whirling a person) on all sides headlong over the ashes. Thence all pushed him who was guilty of sacrilege, or of other crimes, forward to ruin." (Haydock)
Calmet
Syriac passes over ver. 5 and 6. (Calmet)
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With. Greek, "rendered barbarous by his designs," (Haydock) intending to punish the Jews worse than his father.
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Calmet
Ancients. The people were not convoked. (Calmet)
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Worthington
Watchword that night. (Worthington)
He usually gave some pious sentence, chap 7:23.
Quarter. Literally, "hall," (Haydock) a praetorium, or tent.
Four. Some Greek and Latin copies have "two." Syriac, "three," though the old edition of the Vulgate read, 14,000.
Calmet
Greatest, carrying thirty-two men, 1 Machabees 6:37. Greek also, "the chief over the elephants, with all his troop in the house," (Haydock) or the servants. (Calmet)
Haydock
Protestants, "will all that were upon him." (Haydock)
Calmet
This office was very considerable, 2 Machabees 14:12. (Grotius) (Calmet)
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Calmet
Prison. This traitor was either in the camp or at Bethsura. (Calmet)
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Haydock
Away. Caesar said in the same laconic style, Veni, vidi, vici. (Haydock)
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Overcome. Hence Eleazar signalized himself, 1 Machabees 6:43.
Calmet
Rebelled. Lysias persuaded him to treat the just exertions of Philip in this light. He was himself the usurper of the regency. He easily persuaded the young prince that peace was now most expedient; and conditions were granted to the Jews, which would have been very advantageous if they had been observed. But the king having offered sacrifice by the hands of the priests, and seeing the strength of the wall round Sion, ordered them to be demolished. (Calmet)
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Ptol
Gerrenians. Gerrus was on the frontiers of Egypt. (Ptol.)
Calmet
It was formerly called Gerara, Genesis 20:1. The successors of Judas afterwards possessed this government. (Calmet)
Usher
Greek, "He made Hegemonides governor from," etc. (Usher, the year [of the world] 3841.)
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Calmet
Of the. They disliked a Jewish governor, being always bitter against that nation, 2 Machabees 6:8., and 1 Machabees 5:15., and 12:48. (Calmet)
Grotius
Greek, "they or he raged, because they would break the agreements" (Haydock) with the Jews, (Calmet) or would revolt. (Syriac) (Grotius)
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A hundred and ten thousand, etc.... The difference between the numbers here set down, and those recorded, 1 Mac. 4, is easily accounted for; if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time more numerous than at another; either by sending away large detachments, or being diminished by sickness; or increased by receiving fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or occurrences.
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W
13:2
In the first booke, ch. 6 v. 30. the number of this armie differeth from the number here recorded, the cause is for that sometimes those only are counted vvhich vvere permanent, sometimes others are also counted vvhich came vncertainly. The like difficulties of differences occurre often in the bookes of kinges and Paralipomenon.
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The vvatch word this night was: The victorie of God.
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li. 1. c. 7. v. 1.
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2. One hundred ten thousand foot soldiers, five thousand horsemen, and twenty-two elephants. — You will say: in book I, chapter VI, verse 30, one hundred thousand foot soldiers and 20 horsemen are numbered, and 32 elephants. I answer that on various days the number of forces was various; for others were being added to this, now the old ones sent elsewhere were departing.
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3. And Menelaus associated himself with them, — who had been appointed by Antiochus Epiphanes as the false high priest of the Jews, asking from Eupator, the son of Epiphanes, that he confirm this High Priesthood, and consequently the Principate (for at that time the High Priest was at the same time prince) for himself. See what is said in chapter IV, verse 23 and at the end. 4. But the King of kings (God) stirred up the mind of Antiochus against the sinner (that is, against the apostate and traitor to his country Menelaus, so that being indignant he might punish him according to his deserts) with Lysias suggesting that this was the cause of all evils, — that is, of all the seditions and wars which the Jews were stirring up against Antiochus, because they could not endure Menelaus the insolent and sacrilegious false high priest. Thus Josephus. He ordered him to be seized in that same place and put to death, — namely to be cast down from a high tower. For thus the Syrians were accustomed to punish traitors, the sacrilegious and the wicked, concerning which more in the following verses.
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5. Now there was in that same place a tower fifty cubits high, having a heap of ashes all around it. — It seems our Interpreter had a different Greek exemplar; for the modern one reads thus: There was in that place a tower 50 cubits high, full of ashes, having a heap of ashes at the bottom. And this had an instrument round on all sides sloping down into the ashes; here they thrust to destruction the one guilty of sacrilege, and some other evil-doers, or those having excess. The Zurich version thus: In that place there was a tower 50 cubits high full of dust, which had a machine turning round, sloping down into dust on all sides. There they thrust to destruction him who had been condemned for sacrilege, or whoever had committed some other notable evil. This kind of punishment was devised by Darius Ochus, king of the Persians, to punish the authors of a conspiracy whom he had sworn he would not kill with iron. For as Valerius Maximus says, book IX, chapter II: "He filled an enclosed place with high walls with ashes, and placing wood underneath, with food and drink set out kindly, he placed those received in it, from which being overcome by sleep they fell into that treacherous heap." The same is taught by Ovid in the Ibis. And as the slain by the fraud of the second Darius, So let his succeeding ashes devour his bones.
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6. Thence he ordered the sacrilegious man to be cast into ashes. — See here the just and fitting punishment of retaliation inflicted by God the avenger upon Menelaus: for he caused him to be buried and covered with profane ashes, because he himself had scattered the ashes of God's altar and defiled it with his sacrileges, as is expressly stated, verse 8. 9. But the king (Antiochus Eupator), unrestrained in mind (being indignant and raging against the Jews rebelling against him), was coming to show himself more wicked (more cruel) than his father (Antiochus Epiphanes, most cruel) to the Jews. 10. When Judas learned of these things, he commanded the people to invoke the Lord day and night; — for three days as follows. Behold here is the prelude, and as it were the origin of public litany, or continuous prayer, both by night and by day for 40, indeed 72 hours. These were the spiritual weapons of Judas, by which he always triumphed over his enemies. 14. Therefore, committing all things to God, — that is, Judas committing himself and his people, and resigning them to God as it were the Lord of all to His good pleasure, by night invaded the camp of Antiochus, so that he might either conquer, or fall for God and his country, as God should will.
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15. And having given the sign of God's victory to his men, — that is, Judas gave to his men this military sign, or watchword, namely "God the victor," or "God's victory," or "God the helper." For he was accustomed to give this sign to his men as it were an omen of victory, as appears in chapter VIII, verse 23. Whence Judas, with God as leader, soon slew four thousand of the enemy, and struck down the rest, so that they thought of death.
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18. But the king, having tasted a taste of the boldness of the Jews (when namely he had tasted, that is perceived, and had in fact experienced the boldness of Judas, by which he dared with few men to break into his camp and slaughter four thousand, fearing lest he should dare greater and more things, turning from force to craft) by craft attempted the difficulty of the places, — that is, through cunning, deceit and treachery he attempted to seize the more difficult places of Judaea to be conquered. Wherefore, 19. Against Bethsura, etc., he moved his camp, but was put to flight, was repulsed, was diminished. — Vatablus: he was worn down, both by hunger, and by diseases, and by the arms of the besiegers equally as by Judas rushing upon him suddenly. Bethsura was a most fortified stronghold situated on rock and cliff (for Bethsur in Hebrew means the same as house of stone); whence Josephus, book XIII, chapter IX, says that Bethsura was the most fortified place of all Judaea. It was to the south of Jerusalem, distant from it five stadia, that is 624 paces, so that it might defend it against the incursions of the Idumeans and other enemies. Wherefore Antiochus could not take Bethsura by force, especially since Judas was present and continually sent food and supplies to the besieged, as follows.
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21. But Rhodocus revealed the mysteries (that is, secrets, or hidden things) to the enemies: — probably Salianus holds the opinion that these mysteries were certain secret ways and means by which food was supplied to Bethsura, which the treacherous Rhodocus laid bare to the enemies, intending to desert to them: but when the matter was revealed) he was investigated and found, and was cast into prison. That this is so is gathered from the following verse.
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22. Again the king held parley with those who were in Bethsura: he gave his right hand, received it, departed, — that is, the king first addressed the soldiers of Bethsura to surrender, but was repulsed by them, because Judas supplied food to the besieged by secret ways. But when Antiochus learned of these ways through Rhodocus the traitor and blocked them, he again addressed the soldiers, now laboring from hunger, and bent them to surrender.
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23. He joined battle (with Judas): he was defeated. — that is, Antiochus, having taken Bethsura, proceeded to neighboring Jerusalem; but there he was repulsed and defeated by Judas, see what is said in book I, chapter VI, verse 51. Thus Sanchez, although Salianus refers these things to the four thousand slain by Judas in the camp of Antiochus, verse 15, before Bethsura was taken. But when he learned that Philip was rebelling, — to whom Antiochus Epiphanes, dying, had handed over his ring and diadem, and had entrusted his son Eupator with the kingdom. He, hearing that Lysias was the guardian of Eupator and was administering the kingdom, rebelled against both, and occupied Antioch. Wherefore Lysias, in order to besiege him at Antioch, capture him and kill him, sought and obtained peace with Judas and the Jews. See what is said in book I, chapter VI, verses 14 and 55. The Jews beseeching and submitting to him. — Vatablus, exaggerating the matter more liberally, thus translates: "Being disturbed, he humbly submitted himself to the Jews, swore to whatever conditions, made peace, offered sacrifice, paid honor to the temple, treated the place with kindness, and embraced Maccabaeus," etc.
13:24
24. And he made him (Judas) a leader and prince from Ptolemais as far as the Gerrenes (that is, the Gerasenes). — In Greek: He left Judas as a leader of war from Ptolemais as far as the principality of the Gerrenes, so that in the name of Antiochus, as it were a viceroy, he might administer those regions. 25. But when he came to Ptolemais, the Ptolemeans bore it heavily, the joining of friendship, being indignant lest perhaps they should break the covenant. — In Greek, They were indignant because they wished to make the covenants void: which some explain thus, that is to say, The Ptolemeans bore it indignantly that certain things were granted by Antiochus to the Jews, on account of which the Ptolemeans themselves wished to make the covenants of peace void. But this sense does not agree with the Latin Vulgate, which plainly attributes to the Jews the fear of breaking the covenant, that is to say, The Ptolemeans were indignant at this covenant made by Antiochus with the Jews, and especially with Judas Maccabaeus, as if they had been subjected to him as a viceroy, because they feared lest Judas and the Jews, now made more powerful, should become insolent, and break the covenant made with the king, and should also compel themselves and the neighboring regions, as now subject to Judas, to rebel with him against the same. For the Ptolemeans were enemies of the Jews, as is evident from the fact that they themselves killed Jonathan, the brother of Judas, captured through treachery with his men, as was said in book I, chapter XII, verse 48.
13:26
26. Then Lysias ascended the tribunal (as it were a high and elevated platform, from which he could be seen and heard by all), and set forth the reason (why this covenant had been made, namely that it was expedient, both for the king and for themselves, with Judas and the Jews, as men most brave, most fortunate, most just and most faithful, to cultivate peace, and thus) he appeased the people (in tumult).
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
13:1
Maccabees (Greek Μακκαβαῖοι, Vulgate Machabaei)
… During the fighting there also fell the son of Mattathias, Eleazar, who was crushed by an elephant that he himself had killed in order to put to death the King whom he erroneously believed to be upon the elephant (I Mach. 6, 28-47; II Mach. 13, 1. 2. 9-17). But the victory did not bring Lysias its fruits, because he was forced to abandon the region to return to Syria, where the pretender Philip had arrived from the east. …
13:4
… The impious and ambitious Menelaus was had killed there (163 B.C.) by Antiochus V Eupator (II Macc. 13, 4 [Greek text]; Flavius Josephus, Antiq. …
13:12
Triduum, Octave (Octiduum), Novena
… for three days and three nights to avert the danger of extermination (Esth. 4, 16); Daniel undertakes a fast, with prayers, of three weeks (Dan. 10, 2-3); Judas Maccabeus imposes on himself and his men a fast with prayers for three continuous days (II Mach. 13, 12); all practices that demonstrate, in the Jewish people, a preference for these penitential tridua, for the purpose of obtaining special graces. …
13:23
… Meanwhile, since his rival Philip had returned to Antioch, Lysias had to raise the siege and make peace with Judas Maccabeus, granting the Jews full religious freedom (I Mach. 6:57-63; II Mach. 13:23-26), and he defeated Philip (according to Flavius Josephus, Antiq. …
Meanwhile, however, L. learned that the general Philip was attempting to supplant him in Antioch; he concluded peace with the Jews, defeated and killed Philip (1 Macc. 6:55-63; 2 Macc. 13:23), but was in turn killed together with Antiochus V, by order of Demetrius I, son of Seleucus IV Philopator, in 162 B.C. (cf. 2 Macc. 14:1 ff.).
13:25
… Destroyed in 302 by Ptolemy I, it was restored and embellished by Ptolemy II. Its inhabitants were hostile to the Jews (1 Macc. 5:15, 22; 2 Macc. 13:25); Jonathan, at first received with honors, was taken prisoner there
13:43
Maccabees (Greek Μακκαβαῖοι, Vulgate Machabaei)
… With words of deep emotion are taught the resurrection of bodies (II Macc. 7:11; 12:43-44; 14:46), the efficacy of prayer and sacrifice for the dead and of the prayer of the saints for those who are still on earth (ibid. 13:43-44; 15:12-16), the existence of the angels and their intervention, even with miraculous effects, in aid of the people in the most critical moments. …
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.