Antiochus repulsed from Elimais, 5. and hearing of the ouerthrow of his armie in lurie, falleth vehemently sick: 11. and acknowleging his calamities to haue happened, for he hath done against the Iewes, dyeth. 17. His young sonne Antiochus Eupator succedeth. 18. Iudas besiegeth the Macedonians fortresse. 21. Relapsed Iewes solicite the king, 28. and he cometh with a terrible huge armie. 32. Iudas therfore leauing the siege meeteth the enemie. 43. Eleazar going vnder an elephant killeth him and so himselfe is also slaine. 47. The king taketh Bethsura by composition. 51. and bendeth his forces against Ierusalem. 55. By Lysias aduice the king maketh peace with the Iewes; 62. but breaking his othe destroyeth the wal of Sion; 63. and returning recouereth Antioch from Philippe.
1Now king Antiochus was going through the higher countries, and he heard that the city of Elymais in Persia, was greatly renowned, and abounding in silver and gold,Or il re Antioco andava attorno per le provincie superiori; e senti dire com'eravi nella Persia la città di Elimaide celeberrima e abbondante di oro e di argento,AND king Antiochus walked through the higher countries, and he heard that there was a citie Elymais in Persis most noble, and plentiful in siluer, and gold,Et rex Antiochus perambulabat superiores regiones, et audivit esse civitatem Elymaidem in Perside nobilissimam, et copiosam in argento et auro, 2And that there was in it a temple exceeding rich; and coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields, which king Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian, that reigned first in Greece, had left there.Con un ricchissimo tempio, dove erano veli e corazze e scudi ai oro lasciativi da Alessandro di Filippo re di Macedonia, che regnò prima nella Grecia.and a temple therin exceding rich: and couerings thereof gold, and brigantines, and shildes, which Alexander philips sonne the king of Macedonia that reigned first in Grece left there.templumque in ea locuples valde, et illic velamina aurea, et loricæ, et scuta, quæ reliquit Alexander Philippi rex Macedo, qui regnavit primus in Græcia. 3So he came, and sought to take the city and to pillage it; but he was not able, because the design was known to them that were in the city.E andò colà, e cercava di farsi padrone della città, e saccheggiarla, ma non gli riuscì, perché il suo disegno si riseppe da quelli che tenevano la città:And he came, and sought to take the citie, and to spoile it, and he could not, because the word was knowen to them that were in the citie.Et venit, et quærebat capere civitatem, et deprædari eam: et non potuit, quoniam innotuit sermo his qui erant in civitate: 4And they rose up against him in battle, and he fled away from thence, and departed with great sadness, and returned towards Babylonia.E andarono ad assalirlo, ed egli se ne fuggi, e si ritirò con gran dispiacere, e tornò a Babilonia.And they rose vp into battel, and he fled from thence, and departed with great sorow, and returned into Babylonia.et insurrexerunt in prælium, et fugit inde, et abiit cum tristitia magna, et reversus est in Babyloniam. 5And whilst he was in Persia there came one that told him how the armies that were in the land of Juda were put to flight:E venne nella Persia chi portogli la nuova, come l'esercito, che era nel paese di Giuda era stato rotto:And there came one that told him in Persis, that the campes that were in the land of Iuda, were put to flight:Et venit qui nuntiaret ei in Perside, quia fugata sunt castra quæ erant in terra Juda:
6And that Lysias went with a very great power, and was put to flight before the face of the Jews, and that they were grown strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils which they had gotten out of the camps which they had destroyed:E come Lisia essendosi avanzato con un fioritissimo esercito era stato sconfitto dai Giudei, i quali si fortificavan di armi e di possanza colle molte spoglie acquistate del campo, che aveano espugnato:and that Lysias went with great powre with the first, and was put to flight before the face of the Iewes, and they grew strong with armour, and force, and manie spoiles, which they tooke out of the campes, which they destroyed:et quia abiit Lysias cum virtute forti in primis, et fugatus est a facie Judæorum, et invaluerunt armis, et viribus, et spoliis multis, quæ ceperunt de castris, quæ exciderunt: 7And that they had thrown down the abomination which he had set up upon the altar in Jerusalem, and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls as before, and Bethsura also, his city.E come essi aveano atterrata l'abominazione eretta da lui sopra l'altare, che era in Gerusalemme, e che aveano cinto di alte mura, come era prima, il santuario, ed anche la loro città di Bethsura.and that they threw downe the abomination which they had builded vpon the altar that was in Ierusalem, and the sanctification they compassed about as before with high walles, yea and Bethsura his citie.et quia diruerunt abominationem, quam ædificaverat super altare quod erat in Jerusalem: et sanctificationem, sicut prius, circumdederunt muris excelsis, sed et Bethsuram civitatem suam. 8And it came to pass, when the king heard these words, that he was struck with fear, and exceedingly moved: and he laid himself down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not fallen out to him as he imagined.Or tali cose avendo udite il re si sbigottì e si turbo grandemente, e si allettò, e per la maninconia, che si prese per essergli andate le cose a rovescio de' suoi desiderii, diede in languore.And it came to passe as the king heard these wordes, he was sore afrayd, and was moued excedingly: and he lay downe vpon his bed, and fel into sicknes for sorow, because it was not chanced to him as he thought.Et factum est ut audivit rex sermones istos, expavit, et commotus est valde: et decidit in lectum, et incidit in languorem præ tristitia, quia non factum est ei sicut cogitabat. 9And he remained there many days: for great grief came more and more upon him, and he made account that he should die.E si trattenne colà molti giorni; perocchè la sua maninconia andava crescendo, e si crede' vicino a morte.And he was there for manie dayes: because there was renewed in him great sorowfulnes, and he made account to dye.Et erat illic per dies multos, quia renovata est in eo tristitia magna, et arbitratus est se mori.
10And he called for all his friends, and said to them: Sleep is gone from my eyes, and I am fallen away, and my heart is cast down for anxiety:E chiamò a se tutti i suoi amici, e disse loro: Il sonno è bandito da' miei occhi, ed ho il cuore abbattuto e oppresso dall'affanno,And he called al his freindes, and sayd to them: Sleepe is departed from mine eyes, and I am fallen away, & my hart is gone for pensifenes:Et vocavit omnes amicos suos, et dixit illis: Recessit somnus ab oculis meis, et concidi, et corrui corde præ sollicitudine: 11And I said in my heart: Into how much tribulation am I come, and into what floods of sorrow wherein now I am: I that was pleasant and beloved in my power!E dico dentro di me: A qual tribolazione mi son io condotto, e in qual pelago di tristezza mi trovo io, che era felice e amato nella mia dignità.and I sayd in my hart: Into how great tribulation am I come, & into what waues of sorow, wherin now I am: who was pleasant, and beloued in my powre!et dixi in corde meo: In quantam tribulationem deveni, et in quos fluctus tristitiæ, in qua nunc sum: qui jucundus eram, et dilectus in potestate mea ! 12But now I remember the evils that I have done in Jerusalem, from whence also I took away all the spoils of gold, and of silver, that were in it, and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Juda without cause.Ma ora io mi ricordo de' mali fatti da me in Gerusalemme, donde ancora io portai via le spoglie d'oro e d'argento, che vi trovai, e mandai a dispergere tutti gli abitanti della Giudea, senza ragione.But now I remember the euils, that I haue done in Ierusalem, from whence also I tooke away al the spoiles of gold, and of siluer, that were in it, and I sent to take away the inhabitants of Iewrie, without cause.Nunc vero reminiscor malorum quæ feci in Jerusalem, unde et abstuli omnia spolia aurea et argentea quæ erant in ea, et misi auferre habitantes Judæam sine causa. 13I know, therefore, that for this cause these evils have found me: and behold I perish with great grief in a strange land.Io riconosco adesso, che per questo mi sono piombata addosso queste sciagure; ed ecco che io mi muoio per gran tristezza in paese straniero:I know therfore that for this cause haue these euils found me: and loe I perish with great sorow in a strange countrie.Cognovi ergo quia propterea invenerunt me mala ista: et ecce pereo tristitia magna in terra aliena. 14Then he called Philip, one of his friends, and he made him regent over all his kingdom.E chiamò Filippo uno de' suoi amici, e lo fece soprintendente di tutto il suo regno:And he called philip, one of his frendes, and he made him chiefe ouer al his kingdom.Et vocavit Philippum, unum de amicis suis, et præposuit eum super universum regnum suum:
15And he gave him the crown, and his robe, and his ring, that he should go to Antiochus, his son, and should bring him up for the kingdom.E gli consegnò il diadema e la stola e l'anello, affinché andasse a trovare Antioco suo figliuolo, e lo educasse pel regno.And he gaue him the crowne, and his robe, and ring, that he should bring Antiochus his sonne, & should bring him vp to reigne.et dedit ei diadema, et stolam suam, et annulum, ut adduceret Antiochum filium suum, et nutriret eum, et regnaret. 16So king Antiochus died there in the year one hundred and forty-nine.E ivi morì il re Antioco l'anno cento quarantanove.And Antiochus the king died there in the yeare an hundreth fourtie nine.Et mortuus est illic Antiochus rex anno centesimo quadragesimo nono. 17And Lysias understood that the king was dead, and he set up Antiochus, his son, to reign, whom he had brought up young: and he called his name Eupator.E Lista intese la morte del re, e proclamò re Antioco suo figliuolo cui egli avea allevato da piccolo, e gli diede il soprannome di Eupatore.And Lysias vnderstood that the king was dead, and he appoynted Antiochus his sonne to reigne, whom he brought vp a young man: and he called his name Eupator.Et cognovit Lysias quoniam mortuus est rex, et constituit regnare Antiochum filium ejus, quem nutrivit adolescentem: et vocavit nomen ejus Eupator. 18Now they that were in the castle, had shut up the Israelites round about the holy places: and they were continually seeking their hurt, and to strengthen the Gentiles.Frattanto quelli che erano nella fortezza, tenevano rinserrato Israele intorno ai luoghi santi, e cercavano sempre di fargli del male, e di fortificare le nazioni.And they that were in the castel, had inclosed Israel round about the holie places: and they sought them euils alwayes, and the strengthning of the Gentils,Et hi qui erant in arce, concluserant Israël in circuitu sanctorum: et quærebant eis mala semper, et firmamentum gentium. 19And Judas purposed to destroy them: and he called together all the people, to besiege them.E Giuda pensò di levarseli d'attorno e radunò tutto il popolo per assediarli.And Iudas thought to destroy them: and he called together al the people, to besiege them.Et cogitavit Judas disperdere eos: et convocavit universum populum, ut obsiderent eos. 20And they came together, and besieged them in the year one hundred and fifty, and they made battering slings and engines.E messa insieme la gente cominciaron l'assedio nell'anno cento cinquanta, e fabbricaron baliste e altre macchine.And they came together, and besieged them in the yeare an hundredth fiftie, and they made balists and engins.Et convenerunt simul, et obsederunt eos anno centesimo quinquagesimo, et fecerunt ballistas et machinas.
21And some of the besieged got out: and some wicked men of Israel joined themselves unto them.E alcuni degli assediati usciron fuori, e si uniron con essi alcuni empi del popolo d'Israele,And certaine of them that were besieged, went forth: & some impious men of Israel ioyned them selues vnto them,Et exierunt quidam ex eis qui obsidebantur: et adjunxerunt se illis aliqui impii ex Israël, 22And they went to the king, and said: How long dost thou delay to execute judgment, and to revenge our brethren?E andarono davanti al re, e dissero: Quando mai farai tu giustizia, e vendicherai i nostri fratelli?and they went to the king, and sayd: How long doest thou not iudgements, and reuengest our bretheren?et abierunt ad regem, et dixerunt: Quousque non facis judicium, et vindicas fratres nostros ? 23We determined to serve thy father, and to do according to his orders, and obey his edicts:Noi ci risolvemmo di servire il padre tuo, e di obbedirlo, e di osservar le sue leggi:We decreed to serue thy father, and to walke in his precepts, and obey his edicts:Nos decrevimus servire patri tuo, et ambulare in præceptis ejus, et obsequi edictis ejus: 24And for this they of our nation are alienated from us, and have slain as many of us as they could find, and have spoiled our inheritances.E per questo quelli di nostra nazione si alienaron da noi, e trucidovano quanti trovavano di noi altri, e mettevano a ruba i nostri beni.and the children of our people for this alienated them selues from vs, and whosoeuer were found of vs, they were slayne, and our inheritances were spoiled.et filii populi nostri propter hoc alienabant se a nobis, et quicumque inveniebantur ex nobis, interficiebantur, et hæreditates nostræ diripiebantur. 25Neither have they put forth their hand against us only, but also against all our borders.E non hanno straziato così noi soli, ma han tutto lo stesso per tutto il nostro paese:And not to vs only haue they extended the hand, but also into al our coasts.Et non ad nos tantum extenderunt manum, sed et in omnes fines nostros: 26And behold they have approached this day to the castle of Jerusalem to take it, and they have fortified the strong hold of Bethsura:E per di più oggi assediano la fortezza di Gerusalemme per impadronirsene e hanno fortificata Bethsura:and behold they haue approched this day to the castel in Ierusalem to take it, and they haue fortified a fortresse in Bethsura:et ecce applicuerunt hodie ad arcem Jerusalem occupare eam, et munitionem Bethsuram munierunt:
27And unless thou speedily prevent them, they will do greater things than these, and thou shalt not be able to subdue them.E se tu non li previeni con celerità, faranno cose più grandi, e tu non potrai tenergli a freno.and vnles thou preuent them more spedely, they wil doe greater thinges then these, and thou shalt not be able to winne them.et nisi præveneris eos velocius, majora quam hæc facient, et non poteris obtinere eos. 28Now when the king heard this, he was angry: and he called together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and them that were over the horsemen.E il re, udito questo, si riscaldò assai, e raunò tutti i suoi amici e i principali dell'esercito e i capitani della cavalleria:And the king was angrie, as he heard these thinges: and he called together al his freinds, and the princes of his armie, and them that were ouer the horsemen.Et iratus est rex, ut hæc audivit: et convocavit omnes amicos suos, et principes exercitus sui, et eos qui super equites erant: 29There came also to him from other realms, and from the islands of the sea, hired troops.E anche da altri regni e dalle isole gli vennero delle milizie prese a soldo.Yea and of other realmes, and of the ilands by the sea there came vnto him hyred armies.sed et de regnis aliis et de insulis maritimis venerunt ad eum exercitus conductitii. 30And the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and thirty-two elephants trained to battle.E il suo esercito era di cento mila fanti e di venti mila cavalli e di trentadue elefanti addestrati alla battaglia.And the number of his armie was an hundred thousand footemen, and twentie thousand horsemen, and elephants thirtie two, taught to battel.Et erat numerus exercitus ejus, centum millia peditum, et viginti millia equitum, et elephanti triginta duo, docti ad prælium. 31And they went through Idumea, and approached to Bethsura, and fought many days, and they made engines: but they sallied forth, and burnt them with fire, and fought manfully.E passando per l'Idumea andarono ad accostarsi a Bethsura, e la combatterono per molti giorni, e fecero delle macchine: ma quelli usciti fuora le abbruciarono, e si difenderono virilmente.And they came through Idumea, and approched to Bethsura, and fought manie dayes, and they made engins and came forth, and burnt them with fyre, and fought manfully.Et venerunt per Idumæam, et applicuerunt ad Bethsuram, et pugnaverunt dies multos: et fecerunt machinas, et exierunt, et succenderunt eas igni, et pugnaverunt viriliter.
32And Judas departed from the castle, and removed the camp to Bethzacharam, over against the king’s camp.E Giuda si ritirò dalla fortezza, e mosse il campo verso Bethzacara dirimpetto agli alloggiamenti del re.And Iudas departed from the castel, and remoued the campe to Bethzacaram against the kings campe.Et recessit Judas ab arce, et movit castra ad Bethzacharam contra castra regis. 33And the king rose before it was light, and made his troops march on fiercely towards the way of Bethzacharam: and the armies made themselves ready for the battle, and they sounded the trumpets:E il re alzatosi avanti giorno spinse con furia l'esercito per la strada di Bethzacara, e gli eserciti si messero in ordine per la battaglia, e dieder fiato alle trombe:And the king arose before it was light, and stirred the bands into fiercenes against the way to Bethzacaram: and the armies made themselues readie to the battel, and they sounded with trumpets:Et surrexit rex ante lucem, et concitavit exercitus in impetum contra viam Bethzacharam: et comparaverunt se exercitus in prælium, et tubis cecinerunt: 34And they shewed the elephants the blood of grapes, and mulberries, to provoke them to fight.E quelli fecer veder agli elefanti il sugo dell'uva e delle more per aizzargli a combattere:and to the elephants they shewed the bloud of the grape, and of the mulberie, to prouoke them to the battel.et elephantis ostenderunt sanguinem uvæ et mori, ad acuendos eos in prælium: 35And they distributed the beasts by the legions: and there stood by every elephant a thousand men in coats of mail, and with helmets of brass on their heads: and five hundred horsemen set in order were chosen for every beast.E spartirono quegli animali tralle legioni, e attorno a ciascuno degli elefanti stavano mille uomini con corazze fatte a maglia con morioni di bronzo in testa; e cinquecento scelti cavalieri erano dappresso a ciascuna di quelle bestie.And they diuided the beasts by the legions: and there stood by euerie elephant a thousand men in coates of maile, & helmets of brasse on their heads: and fiue hundred horsemen set in order were chosen for cuerie beast.et diviserunt bestias per legiones, et astiterunt singulis elephantis mille viri in loricis concatenatis, et galeæ æreæ in capitibus eorum: et quingenti equites ordinati unicuique bestiæ electi erant. 36These before the time wheresoever the beast was they were there: and whithersoever it went, they went, and they departed not from it.Questi anticipatamente trovavansi per tutto dove era la bestia, e andavano dove ella andava, e non si allontanavan da lei.These before the time whersoeuer the beast was, there were they: and whither soeuer it went, they went, and they departed not from it.Hi ante tempus, ubicumque erat bestia, ibi erant: et quocumque ibat, ibant, et non discedebant ab ea.
37And upon the beast, there were strong wooden towers which covered every one of them: and engines upon them, and upon every one thirty-two valiant men, who fought from above: and an Indian to rule the beast.Ed eranvi oltre a ciò sopra ciascuna bestia delle torri di legno salde, che loro servivano di difesa, e sopra di esse delle macchine; e in ciascheduna torre trentadue uomini valorosi, i quali combattevano da quella, e un Indiano guidava la bestia.Yea & vpon them were strong woodden to wres prorecting euerie beast: & vpon them engins, and vpon euerie one thirtie two men of strength, which fought from aboue: & within the master of the beast.Sed et turres ligneæ super eos firmæ protegentes super singulas bestias: et super eas machinæ: et super singulas viri virtutis triginta duo, qui pugnabant desuper: et Indus magister bestiæ. 38And the rest of the horsemen he placed on this side and on that side, at the two wings, with trumpets to stir up the army, and to hasten them forward that stood thick together in the legions thereof.E il rimanente della cavalleria diviso in due parti fu messo ai due fianchi, perché animasse l'esercito col suon delle trombe, e tenesse serrate le file delle legioni.And the residue of the horsemen he placed on this side and on that side into two parts, with trumpets to stir vp the armie, & to vrge them that stood thicke together in the legions therof.Et residuum equitatum hinc et inde statuit in duas partes, tubis exercitum commovere, et perurgere constipatos in legionibus ejus. 39Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold, and of brass, the mountains glittered therewith, and they shone like lamps of fire.Or quando il sole percosse negli scudi d'oro e di bronzo, rimandaron questi la luce ai monti, risplendendo come lampade accese.And as the sunne did shine vpon the bucklers of gold, and of brasse, the mountaynes glistered there with, and they glistered as lampes of fire.Et ut refulsit sol in clypeos aureos et æreos, resplenduerunt montes ab eis, et resplenduerunt sicut lampades ignis. 40And part of the king’s army was distinguished by the high mountains, and the other part by the low places: and they marched on warily and orderly.E una parte dell'esercito del re camminava in ordine per le alture de' monti, e l'altra nel basso, e si avanzavano con circospezione e in bell'ordine.And part of the kings armie was seuered by the high montaynes, and an other part by the low places: and they marched warely and orderly.Et distincta est pars exercitus regis per montes excelsos, et alia per loca humilia: et ibant caute et ordinate.
41And all the inhabitants of the land were moved at the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the rattling of the armour, for the army was exceeding great and strong.E tutti gli abitanti del paese eran commossi alle voci di quella moltitudine, e al muoversi di tanta gente e al frastuono dell'armi; perocchè grande assai e forte era quell'esercito.And al the inhabitants of the land were moued at the voice of the multitude of them, and the marching of the troupe, & the ratling of the armour, for it was an armie exceding great and strong.Et commovebantur omnes inhabitantes terram a voce multitudinis, et incessu turbæ, et collisione armorum: erat enim exercitus magnus valde, et fortis. 42And Judas and his army drew near for battle: and there fell of the king’s army six hundred men.E Giuda col suo esercito si avvicinò per venire alle mani; e morirono dell'esercito del re secento uomini.And Iudas approched, and his armie into battel: & there fel of the kings armie six hundred men.Et appropiavit Judas et exercitus ejus in prælium, et ceciderunt de exercitu regis sexcenti viri. 43And Eleazar, the son of Saura, saw one of the beasts harnessed with the king’s harness: and it was higher than the other beasts; and it seemed to him that the king was on it:Ma Eleazaro figliuolo di Saura osservò un elefante bordato alla reale, e più alto di tutti gli altri, e giudico, che sopra di esso vi fosse il re:And Eleazar the sonne of Saura saw one of the beasts harnessed with the kings harnes: and it was eminent aboue the other beasts; and it semed to him that the king was on it:Et vidit Eleazar filius Saura unam de bestiis loricatam loricis regis: et erat eminens super ceteras bestias, et visum est ei quod in ea esset rex: 44And he exposed himself to deliver his people, and to get himself an everlasting name.E sacrificò se stesso per liberare il suo popolo, e acquistarsi un nome eterno.and he gaue himself to deliuer his people, and to get him self an euerlasting name.et dedit se ut liberaret populum suum, et acquireret sibi nomen æternum. 45And he ran up to it boldly in the midst of the legion, killing on the right hand, and on the left, and they fell by him on this side and that side.E corse animosamente verso l'elefante per mezzo alla legione, uccidendo a destra e a sinistra, e sbaragliando chi gli si parava davanti.And he ranne to it boldly in the middes of the legion, killing on the right hand, & on the left, and they were slaine of him on this side and that side.Et cucurrit ad eam audacter in medio legionis, interficiens a dextris et a sinistris, et cadebant ab eo huc atque illuc.
46And he went between the feet of the elephant, and put himself under it: and slew it, and it fell to the ground upon him, and he died there.E andò tra' piedi dell'elefante, e se gli mise sotto, e lo uccise, e cadendo l'elefante sopra di lui, rimase egli alla schiaccia.And he went vnder the feete of the elephant, and put himself vnder him, and slew him: and it fel to the ground vpon him, and he died thereEt ivit sub pedes elephantis, et supposuit se ei, et occidit eum: et cecidit in terram super ipsum, et mortuus est illic. 47Then they seeing the strength of the king and the fierceness of his army, turned away from them.Ma i Giudei vedendo quanto era forte e accalorito l'esercito del re, fecer la ritirata.And they seing the kinges powre, and the fiercenes of his armie, turned them selues aside from them.Et videntes virtutem regis, et impetum exercitus ejus, diverterunt se ab eis. 48But the king’s army went up against them to Jerusalem: and the king’s army pitched their tents against Judea and Mount Sion.E le schiere del re andaron dietro ad essi verso Gerusalemme, e posero il campo nella Giudea presso al monte di Sion.But the kings campe went vp against them vnto Ierusalem: and the kings campe approched to Iurie and mount Sion.Castra autem regis ascenderunt contra eos in Jerusalem, et applicuerunt castra regis ad Judæam, et montem Sion. 49And he made peace with them that were in Bethsura: and they came forth out of the city, because they had no victuals, being shut up there, for it was the year of rest to the land.E il re fece accordo con quelli che erano in Bethsura, i quali uscirono da quella città, perché standovi dentro non avean più da mangiare, essendo quello l'anno sabatico della terra.And he made peace with them that were in Bethsura: and they came forth out of the citie, because there were no victuals for them there benig shút vp, because it was the sabbaths of the land.Et fecit pacem cum his qui erant in Bethsura: et exierunt de civitate, quia non erant eis ibi alimenta conclusis, quia sabbata erant terræ. 50And the king took Bethsura: and he placed there a garrison to keep it.Onde il re s'impadroni di Bethsura, e vi messe presidio a custodirla.And the king tooke Bethsura: and he placed there a garrison to kepe it.Et comprehendit rex Bethsuram: et constituit illic custodiam servare eam. 51And he turned his army against the sanctuary for many days: and he set up there battering slings, and engines, and instruments to cast fire, and engines to cast stones and javelins, and pieces to shoot arrows, and slings.E andò a posare il campo presso al luogo santo per molti giorni; e ivi preparò delle baliste e altre macchine e dardi infuocati, e degli strumenti da scagliar pietre, e degli strumenti da gettar frecce e delle fionda.And he turned the place of the sanctification manie dayes: & he placed there arbalists and engins, and instruments to cast fyre, and peeces to cast stones, and arrowes, & scorpions to shoote arrowes, and slings.Et convertit castra ad locum sanctificationis dies multos: et statuit illic ballistas, et machinas, et ignis jacula, et tormenta ad lapides jactandos, et spicula, et scorpios ad mittendas sagittas, et fundibula.
52And they also made engines against their engines, and they fought for many days.E quelli fecero anch'essi delle macchine per opporre alle loro, e si difesero per molti giorni.And they also made engins against their engins, and they fought manie dayes.Fecerunt autem et ipsi machinas adversus machinas eorum, et pugnaverunt dies multos. 53But there were no victuals in the city, because it was the seventh year: and such as had stayed in Judea of them that came from among the nations, had eaten the residue of all that which had been stored up.Ma la città mancava di vettovaglie, perché era il settimo anno, e quelli d'altre nazioni, che eran rimasi nella Giudea avean consumato tutto quello che si era messo da parte.But there were no victuals in the citie, for that it was the seuenth yeare: and they that had remayned in Iurie of the Gentils, had consumed their remaynes, that had bene layd vp.Escæ autem non erant in civitate, eo quod septimus annus esset: et qui remanserant in Judæa de gentibus, consumpserant reliquias eorum, quæ repositæ fuerant. 54And there remained in the holy places but a few, for the famine had prevailed over them: and they were dispersed every man to his own place.E restò poca gente nel luogo santo, perchè eran ridotti alla fame, e si sbandarono andando ciascuno a casa sua.And there remayned in the holies few men, because famine had preuailed ouer them: and they were dispersed euerie man into his place.Et remanserunt in sanctis viri pauci, quoniam obtinuerat eos fames: et dispersi sunt unusquisque in locum suum. 55Now Lysias heard that Philip; whom king Antiochus while he lived had appointed to bring up his son, Antiochus, and to reign,Ma Lisia avendo udito, come Filippo (eletto dal re Antioco, quand'era ancor vivo, ad educare Antioco suo figliuolo pel regno)And Lysias heard that Philip, whom king Antiochus when he liued, had appointed to bring vp his sonne to reigne,Et audivit Lysias quod Philippus, quem constituerat rex Antiochus cum adhuc viveret, ut nutriret Antiochum filium suum, et regnaret, 56Was returned from Persia, and Media, with the army that went with him and that he sought to take upon him the affairs of the kingdom:Era tornato di Persia e di Media coll'esercito, che avea seco, e cercava di prendere in mano gli affari del regno;was returned from Persis, and Media, and the armie that went with him, and that he sought to take vpon him the affayres of the kingdom:reversus esset a Perside et Media, et exercitus qui abierat cum ipso, et quia quærebat suscipere regni negotia:
57Wherefore he made haste to go, and say to the king and to the captains of the army: We decay daily, and our provision of victuals is small, and the place that we lay siege to is strong, and it lieth upon us to take order for the affairs of the kingdom.Se ne andò in fretta a dire al re e ai capitani dell'esercito: Noi ci consumiamo ogni di più, e abbiamo pochi viveri, e il luogo, che assettiamo è assai forte e siamo in necessità di provvedere alle occorrenze del regno.and he hastened to goe, and to say to the king, and to the princes of the armie: We decay dayly, and there is litle victual for vs, and the place that we besiege, is fensed, & it lyeth vpon vs to take order for the kingdom.festinavit ire, et dicere ad regem, et duces exercitus: Deficimus quotidie, et esca nobis modica est; et locus, quem obsidemus, est munitus, et incumbit nobis ordinare de regno. 58Now, therefore, let us come to an agreement with these men, and make peace with them and with all their nation.Porgiam dunque la mano a costoro, e facciam pace con essi e con tutta la loro nazione:Now therfore let vs geue the right handes to these men, and make peace with them, and with al their nation.Nunc itaque demus dextras hominibus istis, et faciamus cum illis pacem, et cum omni gente eorum: 59And let us covenant with them, that they may live according to their own laws, as before. For because of our despising their laws, they have been provoked, and have done all these things.E concediam loro di governarsi, come prima, colle loro leggi; perocchè, a causa delle loro leggi disprezzate da noi si sono messi in ardenza, ed han fatte tutte queste cose.And let vs decree for them, that they walke in their owne ordinances as before. For, because of their ordinances which we dispised, they haue bene wrath, and haue done al these thinges.et constituamus illis ut ambulent in legitimis suis sicut prius: propter legitima enim ipsorum, quæ despeximus, irati sunt, et fecerunt omnia hæc. 60And the proposal was acceptable in the sight of the king, and of the princes: and he sent to them to make peace: and they accepted of it.Piacque questo partito al re e ai principi e mandò a far la pace con essi, ed ei l'accettarono.And the word was liked in the sight of the king, and of the princes: and he sent vnto them to make peace: and they receiued it.Et placuit sermo in conspectu regis et principum: et misit ad eos pacem facere, et receperunt illam.
61And the king and the princes swore to them: and they came out of the strong hold.E il re e i principi la giurarono, e quegli usciron dalla fortezza.And the king and the princes sware to them: and they came out of the fortresse.Et juravit illis rex et principes, et exierunt de munitione. 62Then the king entered into Mount Sion, and saw the strength of the place: and he quickly broke the oath that he had taken, and gave commandment to throw down the wall round about.E il re entrò nel monte di Sion e osservò le fortificazioni di quel luogo, e tosto violò il giuramento fatto, perchè comandò, che si atterrasse il muro all'intorno.And the king entred mount Sion, and saw the munition of the place: and he brake quickly the othe which he sware, and commanded to destroy the wal round about.Et intravit rex montem Sion, et vidit munitionem loci: et rupit citius juramentum quod juravit, et mandavit destruere murum in gyro. 63And he departed in haste and returned to Antioch, where he found Philip master of the city: and he fought against him, and took the city.E si parti in fretta, e tornò ad Antiochia, e trovò Filippo, che si era fatto padrone della città e venne con lui a battaglia, e ricuperò la città.And he departed in hast, and returned to Antioche, and found Philip ruling ouer the citie: and he fought against him and wanne the citie.Et discessit festinanter, et reversus est Antiochiam, et invenit Philippum dominantem civitati: et pugnavit adversus eum, et occupavit civitatem.
6:1
Year of the World 3840, Year before Christ 164.
Calmet
The city. Greek Alexandrian, etc., "a city in Elymais," etc. The Roman copy, Syriac, Josephus, style the place Elymais, where the temple was. (Calmet)
St. Jerome
Profane authors agree that this temple was very rich, and that Epiphanes attempted to plunder it. (St. Jerome, in Daniel xi.)
Calmet
Nanea. Venus or Diana was the deity there adored, whom the king pretended he would marry, 2 Machabees 1:13., and 9:2. (Calmet)
Worthington
The account of the death of Epiphanes is given to ver. 16., and 2 Machabees ix. (Worthington)
6:4
Calmet
Battle. It is not known whether Elymais belonged to the king. Strabo (16) observes it was very jealous of its liberty, which it maintained against the Persians and the successors of Alexander [the Great]. (Calmet)
Worthington
Babylonia. At last he returned towards the country of Babylon. But before he arrived, the news of his generals' bad success in Judea filled him with vexation, and brought on desperate diseases, ver. 8., and 2 Machabees 9:5. (Worthington)
He intended to pass by the country or city of Babylon, but was prevented by illness on the mountains which divide it from Persia.
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Calmet
Persia, at Ecbatana. He expired at Tabis, having fallen from his chariot, etc., 2 Machabees ix. (Calmet)
6:12
Worthington
Evils. All this repentance was fictitious, 2 Machabees ix. (Worthington)
6:14
Calmet
Friends, educated with him. He appointed him regent instead of Lysias. (Calmet)
Appian
His son Eupator was only nine years old. (Appian.)
Calmet
He made him appear and be recognized by the army. Eupator means one "born of a good father." (Calmet)
6:16
Year of the World 3841.
Worthington
Nine. He began his persecution the year [of the kingdom of the Greeks?] 143, so that it lasted six years and almost four months, or 2300 days, (Daniel 8:14.) during which time Judas purified the temple, some months before the death of Epiphanes. (Worthington)
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Year of the World 3841.
Fifty. How then was peace made in [the year of the kingdom of the Greeks?] 148, as we read [in] 2 Machabees 11:21.? Usher ([the year of the world] 3841) supposes the era was reckoned according to the Chaldean custom, which defers it six months. Basnage (II. 1.) rather thins that the letter is placed out of its proper order, and should occur at the beginning of Eupator's reign. See 2 Machabees 10.
Haydock
Slings, or to thrown stones, etc., ballistas. (Haydock)
The Greek and Josephus rather indicate terraces, or towers where the machines were placed.
6:30
Hundred. The 2 Machabees 11:2., specifies 80,000. But it speaks of a subsequent action.
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Idumea. The passes on the north were probably occupied.
Calmet
Bethsura lay to the south of Jerusalem. (Calmet)
6:32
Calmet
Bethzacharam, a defile (Josephus) between the city and Bethsura. Judas abandoned the siege of the castle on Sion. (Calmet)
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Worthington
Blood of grapes, or wine, (Deuteronomy 32:14.) and the juice of mulberries incite elephants to fight, as the smell of some sorts of blood causes dogs to hunt. (Vales. Phil. lxxxii.) (Worthington)
Calmet
This might be done to accustom the elephants to the sight of blood. (Calmet)
Plutarch
White colours irritate them most, as red do bulls. (Plutarch, de Fort. Alex.)
Elian
Sometimes wine and spirits were given them to drink, when they were to trample on criminals: but it was only shewn them when going to battle, as by drinking they lose their strength. (Elian, Hist. 2:40., and 13:8., and 3 Machabees 5:30.)
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Thirty-two. Bochart looks upon this and other such accounts as fabulous. He does not determine how many might fight in these towers; but allows that there must have been above two or three, as some would correct the Greek text, "two or three strong men fighting with darts upon them." An elephant has been known to carry above 5000 pounds, and thirty-two men would weigh no more than 4800. Pliny ([Natural History?] 8:7.) observes that sixty people have been seen upon an elephant. Eupator probably had his from India, where they are larger than in Africa. A person of that country was deemed fittest to manage them.
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Menochius
Trumpets. It would seem as if the infantry had none. Yet this does not appear probable. The Greek reads in a different manner. Some copies have "to stir up and enclose them in the defiles," which seems useless; or "to keep them together in the phalanxes," (Alexandrian manuscript; Calmet) as the Vulgate has read. (Menochius)
6:39
Gold. The Argyraspides of Alexander [the Great] had "shields of silver." His successors might surpass this magnificence; or the officers might have golden and the soldiers brazen bucklers.
6:42
Six, etc., before the exploit of Eleazer. Others fell afterwards, 2 Machabees 11:11., specifies 11,000 foot, and 600 horse. Josephus says 1000 of the vanguard.
6:43
Haydock
Saura. Greek, "Avaron," (Calmet) Alexandrian, "the Sauaran." (Haydock)
Menochius
He is styled Abaron, (chap. 2:5.) the brother of Judas. (Calmet) (Josephus) (Sa) (Menochius)
Arabic says "his servant." This feat is attributed to Judas, (2 Machabees 13:15.) as he was general, and approved of, or "commanded" Eleazar to act thus, according to Ben. Gorion, (III. 20.) and the Arabic.
Calmet
Harness, for greater security. The skin is very hard, except under the belly. (Calmet)
Elephants in the army of Antiochus the great, or rather "the coward," were richly adorned. (Flor. 2:8.)
Curtius viii
Porus, king of India, rode on one covered with gold. (Curtius viii.)
6:44
Haydock
Name. This motive has made some condemn the exploit. But surely a person may seek to acquire fame, even by exposing himself to danger. Eleazar might well hope that the beast would not fall so suddenly. The other motive specified is truly noble and virtuous, and we cannot condemn this hero without stronger proofs. St. Gregory (Mor. 19:13.) represents him as a figure of the proud: but he might not therefore be one of the number, (Calmet) no more than Esau, who was a type of the reprobate, Malachias 1:3. (Haydock)
Worthington
St. Ambrose (Off. 1:40.) highly commends the fortitude of this soldier exposing himself to the danger of death for religion. (Worthington)
6:46
Pliny
Under it. The rhinoceros attacks the elephant in that most vulnerable part. (Pliny, [Natural History?] 8:20.)
6:47
Calmet
Them. Judas thought proper to retire to the temple, which alone was fortified, and in his power. The citadel of Sion held for the king, and the city was defenceless. Only what lay to the north of Bethsura was then called Judea. The Idumeans occupied the rest. Eupator blockaded the temple, and besieged Bethsura, which he took, ver. 41. This siege is related more at length, 2 Machabees 12:19. It cost the king a great deal. (Calmet)
6:50
Year of the World 3841.
6:51
Battering slings. Literally, balistas. (Haydock) See ver. 20.
Silius
Fire, or the long javelin, falarica, mentioned by Livy xxi. Incita sulcatum tremula secat aera flamma. (Silius.)
Tertullian
Pieces. Literally, "scorpions," (Haydock) a sort of pointed dart, (Calmet) filled with poison, virus qua figit effundit. (Tertullian, scorp.)
6:55
Calmet
King. Lysias had thus been displaced, ver. 14. (Calmet)
Providence permitted that he should seek his own interest, and thus deliver Judas from the most imminent danger.
6:58
Josephus
Come. Literally, "give our right hands," (Haydock) the sign of the most inviolable engagements among the Persians. (Josephus, Antiquities xvii. ultra.[last chapter.])
6:59
Before, by leave of Cyrus, Alex.[Alexander the Great], etc.
Despising. Greek, "abolished." They had made the attempt.
6:62
Haydock
Oath. Eupator was not above ten years old, (ver. 14, 20.) so that Lysias must bear the greatest blame. He seems to have prepossessed the king against Philip, the regent. (Haydock)
6:63
Calmet
City, and slew Philip. (Josephus, Antiquities 12:15.) (Calmet)
Worthington
Read 2 Machabees 13:1. (Worthington)
6:31
But they sallied forth.... That is, the citizens of Bethsura sallied forth and burnt them, that is, burnt the engines of the besiegers.
6:36
These before the time.... That is, these were ready for every occasion.
6:4
The ful historie of Antiochus Epiphanes his death is vvritten in this chapter to the 16. v. and in al the 9. of the second booke.
Finally he returned into the countrie of Babylon: but before he arriued there he heard the bad newes of his armie in Iurie, & fel into intolerable and desperate diseases, v. 8. and li. 2. ch. 9. v 5.
6:12
Al this vvas but seaned repentance li. • ch. 9. v 13.
6:16
Antiochus begane to persecute the Ievves in the yeare. 143. ch 1. v. 21. and dying this yeare, 149 it appeareth that his persecution dured about six yeares, or some vvhat more agreable to the answer of the Angel. Dan. 8. v. 14. that it should indure. 2300. dayes, vvhich make six yeares, & almost foure monethes. vvithin vvhich time Iudas by his valure obteyned & purged the holie places, in the yeare 148. ch. 6. v 52 some monethes before Antiochus death.
li. 2. c. 9. v. 1.
6:17
S
li. 2. c. 10. v. 10.
6:18
V
6:34
Bloud of the grup (vvine Deut •2. v 14.) a•• iuyce of mulberies do incite elephantes to fight. A• some kinde of bloud or smel therof doth incire houndes to hunt. Vallesius c. 82 sacrae Philosophia.
6:46
S Ambiose li. 1 c. 40 Offic. highly commendeth the fortitude of this souldiat putting himself in so present danger of death fighting for religion.
6:63
li. 2. c. 13. v. 1.
6:43
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Duties of the Clergy 1.40
207. Mark the courage of the leader, Judas Maccabæus, as exemplified in the character of one of his soldiers. Eleazar,
6:1
1. Et rex Antiochus (Epiphanes, cum quo hucusque Judæ et Judæis fuit contentio et bellum. Hic ergo perrexit) ELYMAIDEM, (quæ alio nomine dicta est Persepolis, id est Persarum civitas, imo metropolis, II Machab. ix, ut expilaret) TEMPLUM IN EA LOCUPLES — Veneri dicatum; sed a civibus fuit repulsus. Hebræi enim Persiam vocant Elam, unde Elamitas appellant Persas, et Elymaidam, quam Græci vocant Persepolim. Sic Hebraice Bethsames a Græcis vocatur Heliopolis, a Latinis Civitas Solis. Sic Simon Hebraice vocatur Chananæus, Græce Zelotes, Latine Æmulator. Porro «templum» hoc Veneri fuisse dicatum asserit Appianus, licet Josephus et S. Hieronymus in cap. viii Daniel. putent fuisse Dianæ, Justinus vero, lib. XXXII, Jovis Dindymæi.
6:4
4. REVERSUS EST IN BABYLONIAM, — ibique mœrore mortuus anno regni sui 12, qui fuit Græcorum annus 149: fuse mors ejus describitur libro II, cap. ix. Nota: «Reversus est,» id est reverti cœpit, perrexit Babylonem, sed eo non pervenit, mortuus enim est in montibus Persidis et Mediæ juxta Ecbatanam, ut dicitur lib. II, cap. IX, 3 et 27. «Reversus» ergo significat actum inchoatum, non perfectum: unde pro ἀνοστρέψας, id est reversus est, Græca, Vaticana et Regia habent ἀποστρέψαι, id est reverti, sive ut reverteretur, hoc est, abscessit inde repetens Babyloniam, ut vertit Vatablus. Quocirca Pererius, in Daniel. cap. XI, et Salianus censent Antiochum defunctum in montibus Mediæ, licet Serarius malit eum ibi graviter ægrotare cœpisse, sed Babylone esse defunctum.
6:7
7. ET QUIA DIRUERUNT (Judas et Judæi) ABOMINATIONEM, (id est abominabile idolum Jovis Olympii, quod Antiochus super altare in templo collocarat): ET SANCTIFICATIONEM, (id est sanctuarium, sive sanctum templum) CIRCUMDEDERUNT MURIS.
6:12
12. Nunc vero reminiscor malorum. — Ecce conscientia scelestum arguit, ut agnoscat se ob sua scelera et sacrilegia contra Deum, templum et Judæos commissa cruciari et ad mortem adigi. En quam verum: «Conscientia mille testes!» Id patet in Caino vago et profugo ob cædem fratris Abelis, Genes. IV, in fratribus Josephum vendentibus, Genes. XLII, 21, in Juda proditore, Matth. XXVII, 4. Urgente enim pœna, statim conscientia menti culpam, quasi pœnæ causam, in memoriam revocat, eamque sua increpatione castigat et pulsat.
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15. Et dedit ei (Philippo sibi intimo) DIADEMA ET STOLAM SUAM, ET ANNULUM, — ut ea quasi regis insignia deferret ad filium suum Antiochum Eupatorem puerum, eumque educaret et dirigeret, quasi pædagogus, ac sibi in regno substitueret curando, ut ipse regnaret, ne Demetrius ejus consobrinus regnum invaderet, uti re ipsa fecit.
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17. ET COGNOVIT LYSIAS, QUONIAM (quod) MORTUUS EST REX ANTIOCHUS (Epiphanes), ET CONSTITUIT REGNARE (ut regnaret, hoc est regem proclamavit) ANTIOCHUM FILIUM EJUS (novennem, ait Appianus in Syriaco), ET VOCAVIT NOMEN EJUS EUPATOR, — id est bono et felici patre natus, magnis natalibus ortus; Epiphanis, id est illustris patris generosus et illustris filius. Sic εὐπατρία vocatur generosa filia. Et εὐπατρίδαι dicti sunt a Theseo nobiles Atheniensium, teste Plutarcho in Theseo, qui et in Publicola Patricios Romanorum vocat εὐπατρίδας, idemque nomen Budæus in epist. Doctor. Venetis attribuit. Aliter Pagninus in nomin. Hebraicis: «Eupator,» inquit, idem est quod «bonus pater,» id est bonus Princeps. Hic enim subditos amat quasi filios, eisque se benignum et beneficum quasi patrem exhibet. Prius etymon videtur aptius et verius. Nam Syri, ait Appianus in Syriaco, Antiocho cognomen addiderunt Eupatori propter patris virtutem, quasi dicerent eum felicem, cui talis pater contigisset.
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18. Et hi qui erant in arce, — q. d. Milites Antiochi occupantes arcem Sion, scientes Judam cum copiis abesse, excurrendo continuo vexabant præsidiarios paucos, quos Judas in arce vicina priori objecta ad eos compescendum collocarat; quin et CONCLUSERANT ISRAEL IN CIRCUITU SANCTORUM, (ut extra suam arcem et templum pedem efferre non auderent: atque hac ratione augebatur semper) FIRMAMENTUM GENTIUM, — hoc est, robur et fortitudo Antichistarum. Quare Judas cum toto exercitu eos arcemque Sion obsedit anno 150 Græcorum, qui fuit annus secundus Eupatoris.
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21. Et adjunxerunt se illis aliqui impii ex Israel, — invidentes gloriæ Judæ, qui proinde regem Antiochum Eupatorem adierunt, excitantes eum ut Judam contereret, sperantes se in locum Judæ ab eo substituendos, ut Judææ forent præfecti et domini. Erant ergo hi apostatæ et proditores Israelis.
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28. ET IRATUS EST REX — Antiochus Eupator juvenis, imo puer excitatus a Lysia et suis consiliariis, qui proinde contra Judam collegit centum millia peditum et 20 millia equitum cum 32 elephantis qui erant DOCTI AD PRÆLIUM.
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31. Et exierunt (Judæi obsessi ex sua arce Bethsura), et succenderunt eas (machinas ab Eupatore contra se erectas) et pugnaverunt viriliter, — fortiter se suamque Bethsuram propugnando.
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34. ET ELEPHANTIS OSTENDERUNT SANGUINEM (succum sive liquorem, puta rubentem instar sanguinis) UVÆ ET MORI (ex arbore moro) AD ACUENDOS EOS IN PRÆLIUM, — ut viso quasi sanguine concitarentur et efferarentur ad sanguinem hostium fundendum. Licet enim elephantes, tauri, leones non egeant hac provocatione, cum dracones aliaque animalia sibi infesta cernunt, ea tamen indigent in prælio hominum: nam cum hominibus non habent antipathiam. Porro elephantes hos fuisse enormes et robustissimos liquet ex eo quod erant Indici; nam Indum habebant magistrum: Indici autem sunt maximi et validissimi, longeque Lybios superant, teste Livio, lib. XXXVII. Rursum ex eo quod quilibet elephas dorso gestaret turrim celsam et validam in eaque 32 armatos cum telorum armorumque copia. Insuper ex eo quod cuilibet elephanti assisterent quingenti equites, ita ut 32 elephantis universim assisterent sedecim millia equitum cum elephantis et pro elephantis depugnantium. Eo major fuit virtus Judæ et Judæorum cum tantis monstris generose dimicantium. Insuper cuique elephanto assistebant mille pedites, quare 32 elephantis assistebant 32 millia peditum. Nota primo priscos elephantis usos, et etiamnum Indos uti in præliis ob causas quas recenset Vegetius, lib. III De re milit. cap. xxiv: «Elephanti, inquit, in præliis magnitudine corporum, barritus horrore, formæ ipsius novitate, homines equosque conturbant. Hos contra Romanum exercitum primus in Lucania rex Pyrrhus eduxit. Postea Annibal in Africa, rex Antiochus in Oriente, Jugurtha in Numidia copiosos habuerunt adversus quos diversa excogitata sunt genera armorum:» his adde primo fœtorem, qui in elephantis tam gravis est ut equi hostium eum ferre non valentes aufugiant, nisi illi prius assueverint; secundo, elephantem præ aliis animalibus esse docilem, adeo ut proxime ad docilitatem, prudentiam et sagacitatem hominum accedat, ut docent Plinius, lib. VIII, cap. 11, Aristoteles, lib. IX Hist. anim. cap. xlvi. Docetur ergo præliari, et quomodo in prælio se gerere, quæque munia obire debeat. Recenset ea Ælianus, lib. XII et XXII; tertio, elephantes æque ac tauros objectu sanguinis irritari, efferari et concitari, ut in hostem ruant, uti docet Valesius S. Philos. cap. LXXXII. Ex adverso noster Sanchez censet colorem sanguineum uvæ et mori elephantis fuisse ostensum, ut meminissent se hoc succo a vulneribus curatos, et rursum si in prælio vulnerentur fore curandos. Vulnera enim et morbos elephantis a rectoribus curari vino nigro tradit Ælianus, lib. XI, cap. vii, Arrianus et Strabo. Id quod apte congruit tropologiæ. Si enim sanguis uvæ accendit elephantem, ut memor beneficii et curationis per illum ab hero acceptæ pro eo depugnet et in gladios hastasque proruat, quid nos facere oportet intuentes Christum qui pro nobis omnem suum sanguinem vitamque in cruce profudit? Addit Ælianus, lib. III De animalibus, vinum dari elephantis ad potandum, ut eo accensi, quasi ebrii in enses armaque ruant. Idem apud Judæos factum docet lib. III Machab. cap. v: «Jussit, inquit, Hermon elephantorum præfectus, ut proxima die thus largis manipulis cum vino mero plurimo potui daretur elephantis omnibus numero quingentis, ut potui affatim præbito efferati ad mortem Judæis afferendam introducerentur.» Thus enim vino immixtum sensus hebetat, eisque stuporem immittit. Sic vinum epotum a tauris aliisque animalibus eos facit animosos et audaces, imo feroces et furiosos, ut in obvios quosque irruant.
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35. ET ASTITERUNT SINGULIS ELEPHANTIS MILLE VIRI IN LORICIS CONCATENATIS, — quæ scilicet instar retis, annulis seu hamulis inter se connectebantur, unde et hamatæ et squamatæ dicebantur, quali indutus erat Goliath duellans cum Davide, I Reg. cap. xvii, 5.
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36. Hi ante tempus ubicumque erat bestia, ibi erant, — q. d. Hi mille viri, cum celeritatem gressus elephantis æquare non possent, præibant elephantem; quare ante tempus, quo bestia ad certum locum adveniebat, ipsi illam in eodem præveniebant: dum enim cernerent bestiam ad certum locum contendere, ipsi per semitas breviores et directas, eodem procurrebant, et bestiam prævertebant.
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37. SED ET TURRES LIGNEÆ SUPER EOS FIRMÆ, — habentes sua valla et loricas, quibus erant «protegentes» tum ipsos milites, tum eorum machinas. ET SUPER SINGULAS (turres) VIRI VIRTUTIS (id est strenui et fortissimi), TRIGINTA DUO QUI PUGNABANT DESUPER (in subjectos hostes; unde eos facile sternebant): ET INDUS MAGISTER (rector) BESTIÆ, — unde liquet hos elephantes fuisse Indicos, qui longe grandiores et robustiores sunt Africanis; hi enim vix sex, vel septem armatos portant. Ita ex Livio, Plinio, Solino et aliis Gesnerus et Aldrovandus in elephante.
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39. ET UT REFULSIT SOL IN CLYPEOS AUREOS ET ÆREOS, RESPLENDUERUNT MONTES AB EIS, (tum quia exercitus hic in suos ordines distributus, sole clypeos eorum reverberante, intuentibus totidem videbatur in se exhibere montes ære et auro splendentes; tum quia ordines hi erant in vallibus, ut habet Græcus; quare ex vallibus fulgor in clypeis radiis solis excitatus, reverberabatur in vicinos montes, ut illi toti fulgidi et splendentes apparerent,) SICUT LAMPADES IGNIS, — id est accensæ et ignitæ, præsertim quia, ut sequitur, pars exercitus regii per montes, pars per valles incedebat. S. Ambrosius, lib. I Offic. xli, hæc ad elephantos refert: «Hi enim, inquit, ad ortum solis, velut montes quidam armorum corusco, tanquam lampadibus ardentibus refulgebant.»
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42. ET CECIDERUNT DE EXERCITU REGIS SEXCENTI VIRI. — Judas ergo statim initio prælii prostravit sexcentos milites Antiochi, ac mox quatuor millia, ut dicitur, lib. II, cap. xiii, vers. 18.
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43. ET VIDIT ELEAZAR FILIUS SAURA UNAM DE BESTIIS. — Hic Eleazar fuit frater Judæ Machabæi, ait Josephus, cap. 11, vers. 5, cognominatus est Avaron vel Abaron, unde pro «Saura» Josephus legit Auran, Codex Basilii Abaran. Nam in Græco non est τοῦ «filius,» sed tantum Eleazar Avaran. Unde Vatablus vertit: Eleazar, qui vocatur Avaran, id est fortis eorum. Sic et Gorionides, Serarius, Salianus et alii. Addit Gorionides eum hortatu fratris sui Judæ aggressum esse elephantem. Hinc et Eleazari fratris Judæ nulla fit mentio, uti fit Jonathæ, et Simonis et Joannis fratrum Judæ. Videtur ergo hic Eleazar fuisse frater Judæ, qui hic generose sub elephante occubuit. Dices: Quomodo ergo Vulgata habent «filius Saura?» Respondeo, Eleazar erat filius Mathathiæ, qui cognominatus est «Saura,» vel, ut Græca habent, Avaran, vel Abaran, id est fortis eorum. Ipse enim vexillum fortitudinis contra Antiochum primus erexit. Porro cognomen hoc Abaron Mathathias ad filium suum Eleazarum transtulit ob egregiam ejus animi corporisque fortitudinem. Erant enim Hebræi polyonomi et plura a variis dotibus, vel eventis sortiebantur nomina, vel potius agnomina: forte ex שאבירון seabbiron vel seavaran, id est cui est fortitudo, per crasin factum est «Saura,» sicut Genes. XLIX pro Silo, id est Messias, Septuaginta legerunt שלו Selo, id est quæ illi, scilicet Christo reposita sunt, puta regnum æternum et gloria æterna. Simili enim modo plura nomina propria usu contracta, imo corrupta et detorta videmus; Sanchez tamen negat Eleazarum hunc fuisse fratrem Judæ.
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44. ET DEDIT SE (in pugnam contra elephantem, ideoque in certam mortem hoc fine primario,) UT LIBERARET POPULUM SUUM) ab invasione regis Antiochi Eupatoris; secundario, ut) ACQUIRERET SIBI NOMEN ÆTERNUM, — tum in terra apud homines, ut eos suo exemplo incitaret ad similia heroica facinora, tum potius in cœlo apud Deum et S. Angeles. Atque utrumque consecutus est. Nam ut ait S. Ambrosius loco mox citando: «Rex territus unius fortitudine pacem rogavit.»
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46. ET IVIT SUB PEDES ELEPHANTIS, — ut ventrem ejus perfoderet, itaque eum faceret ruere, ac ruina sua regem opprimere, qua tamen se quoque opprimendum sciebat. Intendebat ergo directe regem occidere, indirecte vero intendebat permittere se quoque eadem ruina opprimi, sine qua regem occidere non poterat. Sic milites in acie primum locum ambiunt, ut primi in urbem, vel hostem insiliant, etiamsi sciant plerosque eorum cadendos et occubituros, hancque mortem putant suam esse gloriam. Sic Samson concussis columnis domum evertit, ut satrapas Philisthæorum ruina domus obrueret, etiamsi eadem se obruendum sciret, Judic. xvi, 29. Vide ibi dicta. Quocirca Eleazarum a robore et zelo laudant S. Ambrosius, S. Gregorius, Serarius, Salianus et alii passim. Simile facinus narrat Xenophon, lib. VII Cyropæd. de quodam, qui ventre equi Cyri transfixo Cyrum dejecit. Audi S. Ambrosium, libro I Offic. cap. xl: «Quanta igitur virtus, inquit, animi, primo ut mortem non timeret; deinde ut circumfusus legionibus inimicorum, in confertos raperetur hostes, medium penetraret agmen, et contempta morte ferocior, abjecto clypeo, utraque manu vulneratæ molem bestiæ subiret ac sustineret; post infra ipsam succederet, quo pleniori feriret ictu. Cujus ruina inclusus magis quam oppressus, suo est sepultus triumpho. Nec fefellit opinio virum, quamvis regius fefellerit habitus. Tanto enim virtutis spectaculo defixi hostes, irruentis bestiæ, sic trepidaverunt, ut impares se omnes unius virtuti arbitrarentur.» Et mox: «Itaque Eleazarus hæredem virtutis suæ pacem reliquit.» ET CECIDIT (elephas) SUPER IPSUM (Eleazarum, qui se ei supposuerat), ET MORTUUS EST ILLIC. — Eleazarus, oppressus ab elephante supra se cadente. Symbolice S. Gregorius, lib. XIX Moralium cap. xiii: «Eleazar, ait, in prælio elephantem feriens stravit; sed sub ipso, quem exstinxit, occubuit. Quos ergo iste significat, quem sua victoria oppressit, nisi eos, qui vitia superant, sed sub ipsa, quæ subjiciunt, superbiendo succumbunt? Quasi enim sub hoste, quem prosternit, moritur, qui de culpa quam superat, elevatur.»
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47. Et videntes (Judas et Judæi) VIRTUTEM REGIS, (id est exercitum regis tam validum et copiosum, ut ipsi pauci eum prosternere non possent, prudenti consilio ad tempus) DIVERTERUNT SE AB EIS, — et perrexerunt ad obsidendum arcem in monte Sion ab Antiochistis occupatam. Similiter rex tot suorum a Juda cæsis territus se subduxit, nec ausus fuit Judam abeuntem insequi, sed Bethsuram obsedit. Nota: In hisce libris per «virtutem» intelligitur validus exercitus; hunc enim significat Græcum δύναμις.
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49. ET FECIT PACEM CUM EIS, QUI ERANT IN BETHSURA, (cum pacto, ut eos fame morientes sineret egredi et alimenta quærere, ipse vero Bethsuram occuparet:) QUIA SABBATA ERANT TERRÆ, — id est quia erat annus septimus, sive sabbaticus, quo nec serere, nec metere licebat, sed terræ danda erat sua quies juxta legem Exodi xxiii. Simili ratione Herodes fame cepit Jerosolymam in anno sabbatico, uti narrat Josephus, lib. XIV, cap. xxviii.
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51. ET CONVERTIT (rex Antiochus Eupator) CASTRA AD LOCUM SANCTIFICATIONIS, (ut templum et arcem, quam juxta illud ad tutelam erexerat Judas, cap. IV, vers. 60, expugnaret:) ET STATUIT ILLIC BALISTAS, etc., ET SCORPIOS, (quæ erant machinæ, sive catapultæ) AD MITTENDAS SAGITTAS ET FUNDIBULA, — Græce σφενδόνας, id est fundas, sive balistas majores, quæ lapides grandes fundebant et jaculabantur in urbem, de quibus vide Vegetium, Lypsium, Valtrinum et alios.
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55. ET AUDIVIT LYSIAS QUOD PHILIPPUS, etc. — Lysias, qui regebat Eupatorem regem, utpote puerum, timens Philippum, ne se suo loco graduque extruderet, eo quod Philippus a patre Antiocho Epiphane moriente constitutus fuisset gubernator regni æque ac filii Eupatoris, suasit Eupatori pacem facere cum Judæis, ac contra Philippum pergere, ne is regnum invaderet; itaque factum est: unde II Mach. xiii, 22, hæc supplentur et adduntur, quæ valde Judæ fortitudinem et victoriam commendant: «Iterum rex sermonem habuit ad eos qui erant in Bethsuris: dextram dedit, accepit: abiit, 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, Machabæum amplexatus est, et fecit eum a Ptolemaide usque ad Gerrenos ducem et principem.»
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62. Et rupit citius juramentum, (quia arcem erectam a Juda ad templi tutelam curavit everti, dum, ut sequitur, MANDAVIT DESTRUERE MURUM (arcis) IN GYRO. Sed mox regem perfidiæ suæ pænituit, qui cupiens uti auxilio, et robore Judæ et Judæorum contra Philippum, cum eo fædus renovavit, Judamque amplexatus fecit eum ducem et principem, uti jam dixi ex II Machabæorum xiii.
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63. Et pugnavit adversum eum (Philippum sibi rebellantem, eumque captum occidit) ET OCCUPAVIT CIVITATEM — Antiochiam, adjutus valde auxiliis Judæ et Judæorum, uti narrat Josephus et Gorionides. Porro Antiochia est metropolis Syriæ, urbs celeberrima, quam Orontes fluvius interfluit, postea a Justiniano Imperatore dicta Theopolis, id est Dei civitas. In ea primum sedit Petrus Apostolus, ibique primum fideles appellati sunt Christiani. Dicta est Antiochia ab Antiocho, sicut Epiphania ab Epiphane, Alexandria ab Alexandro, Roma a Romulo, Constantinopolis a Constantino fundatore. Porro Antiochiam condidit Seleucus Nicanor, qui primus post Alexandrum Magnum in Asia et Syria regnavit, eamque ex nomine patris sui Antiochi Antiochiam nuncupavit, et Syriæ caput constituit, ait S. Isidorus, lib. XV Origin. cap. i.
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— A. IV (175-163 a. C.) detto Epiphanés («il manifesto [dio]»), ma chiamato talvolta dai sudditi Epimanés «il pazzo» (Ateneo, Δειπνοσφαιστιά, 10), è il Seleucide di cui più parla la Bibbia (Dan. 11, 11-45; I Mach. 1, 11-67; 2; 3; 6, 1-16; II Mach. 4, 7-9, 20). Fu il più esecrando persecutore d'Israele. …
In II Mach. 9, 2 vien detta P. la città il cui tempio, dedicato a Nanea (ibid. 1, 13), Antioco IV Epifane, poco prima di morire, volle depredare; in I Mach. 6, 1 tale città non è nominata, ma è posta in Elam. …
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… Dan. 8, 21 sgg. e 11, 2 descrive la potenza dell'ariete o Alessandro «re dei Greci» («primo re dei Greci»: I Mach. 1, 1; 6, 2). Anche i Seleucidi sono «re dei Greci» (Dan. 10, 20; Zach. 9, 13; I Mach. 1, 11; 8, 18: contro essi i Giudei chiedono aiuto ai Romani, che li liberino dal «giogo dei Greci»).
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ABOMINAZIONE DELLA DESOLAZIONE
… Lagrange, J. Göttsberger, B. Rigaux, P. F. Ceuppens, anche questo passo si riferirebbe a Antioco IV) o di Antioco IV Epifane (11, 31; 12, 11). Siqqûs esprime l'idea principale (in I Mach. 6, 7; appare solo: τὸ ββέλυγμα): « dobrobrio, orrore, cosa orrenda »; è designazione esecutiva degli dei o idoli pagani (I Reg. 2, 5; per lo più al plurale: Os. 9, 10, e spesso in Ier. …
… B. fu potentemente fortificata (I Mach. 6, 7, 26), ma due anni dopo venne occupata a tradimento da Antioco V Eupatore (I Mach. 6, 49 sq.). …
… Fu fortificato al tempo dei Maccabei (ibid. 6, 7; 13, 52; Eccl. 50, 1 sg.). …
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Eupatore (I Mach. 6, 14-17) ed intraprese con lui un'altra
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… Ma tosto A. V con Lisia fu ucciso dalle truppe per ordine del cugino Demetrio I, fuggito da Roma e proclamato re (I Mach. 6, 17-74; II Mach. 10, 10-14, 2; Flavio Giuseppe, Antiq. …
6:18
… Gionata, suo successore (160), approfittando delle lotte interne in Siria, rioccupa parte della città e ripara i quartieri saccheggiati da Antioco (I Mach. 6, 18-62), mentre Simone ne completa i lavori di fortificazione e nel 142 riduce al silenzio la fortezza siriana, l'Acra (I Mach. 13, 49).
rusalemme, conquistò Bethsur (I Mach. 6, 18-34).
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ACRA (AKRA: GR. 'ἌΓΞΑ' «FORTEZZA»)
… Dopo vari tentativi dei primi due Maccabei, Giuda (I Mach. 6, 19) e Gionata (ibid. 11, 20-22; 41; 12, 35-37), solo Simone riuscì ad occuparla nel 142 (ibid. 13, 49-52), coronando così l'opera maccabeica della liberazione dall'aborrito giogo seleucida. …
6:28
MACCABEI (GR. ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙ͂ΟΙ, VOLG. MACHABAEI)
… Durante il combattimento cadde pure il figlio di Mattatia, Eleazaro, che fu schiacciato da un elefante ch'egli stesso aveva ucciso allo scopo di dare la morte al Re che erroneamente credeva sopra l'elefante (I Mach. 6, 28-47; II Mach. 13, 1. 2. 9-17). Ma la vittoria non portò a Lisia i suoi frutti, perché fu costretto ad abbandonare la regione per rientrare in Siria, ove era giunto dall'est il pretendente Filippo. …
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37,32) e per i suoi abitanti «figli di S.» (ibid. 10,32; Ps. 68,36; Ier. 3,23). Al tempo poi delle lotte maccabaiche il santuario giudaico fu indicato realmente con il nome di «Monte S.» (τὸ ὄρος Σιών; I Mach. 4, 37-60; 6,48.62; 10,11; 14,26). Ivi i prodi Maccabei si trincerarono per resistere alle truppe poste da Antioco Epifane nell'Acra o «città di David» (ibid. 1,33; 7,32; 14,36); probabilmente anche …
6:49
… B. fu potentemente fortificata (I Mach. 6, 7, 26), ma due anni dopo venne occupata a tradimento da Antioco V Eupatore (I Mach. 6, 49 sq.). …
… fu completamente trascurata, almeno prima dell'esilio (cf. Lev. 26, 34, 35, 43; Neb. 10, 31). Per una epoca più recente si hanno alcune documentazioni circa la sua osservanza, ma sempre con il rilievo sulle difficoltà pratiche che ne conseguivano (cf. I Mach. 6, 49, 53; Flavio Giuseppe, Antiq. …
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gli Ebrei, vinse ed uccise Filippo (I Mach. 6, 55-63;
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… Essendo intanto il suo rivale Filippo tornato ad Antiochia, Lisia dove levar l'assedio e far la pace con Giuda Maccabeo, concedendo ai Giudei piena libertà religiosa (I Mach. 6, 57-63; II Mach. 13, 23-26), e vinse Filippo (secondo Flavio Giuseppe, Antiq. …
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… Antioco Eupatore ne distrusse parte dei muri (I Mach. 6, 62), restaurati poi da Ionathan. …
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MACCABEI (GR. ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙ͂ΟΙ, VOLG. MACHABAEI)
… religiosa ai Giudei (II Mach. 11, 22-26). Scontenti ne furono i Giudei ellenizzanti, specialmente il sommo sacerdote Menelao, che Lisia fece uccidere per impedire i suoi intrighi; poi rientrò ad Antiochia, scacciandone Filippo, che si rifugiò in Egitto (I Mach. 6, 63; II Mach. 9, 29).
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · Douay-Rheims originale (Douai 1609-10), trascrizione 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')). Pubblico dominio.