Bacchides and Alcimus returning into Iurie make great slaughter. 5. More then two partes of Iudas smal troupe flying away, he with eight hundred, setteth vpon the enemie, 14. ouerthroweth the strongest part of their armie: 16. but an other part coming at his back, with great slaughter on both parties, Iudas is slaine: 19. and most honorably buried. 23. Much euil encreaseth in Israel. 28. Ionathas is made captaine general. 36. The children of Iambrie kil his brother, which he reuengeth. 43. Being enuironed by Bacchides chaceth him away to his fensed places, killing manie. 54. Alcimus beginning to deface the temple, is striken with a palsie, and dyeth miserably. 57. So they haue peace two yeares. 58. Bacchides coming with a new armie: 62. Ionathas and Simon retyre into Bethbessen. 65. there defend themselues, and annoy the enemie. 69. who blaming his counsellers, maketh peace, and departeth.
1In the mean time, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them.Frattanto Demetrio, udita la morte di Nicanore, e la sconfitta del suo esercito, risolvi di mandar di nuovo nella Giudea Bacchide e Alcimo, e con essi la destra ala del suo esercito.IN the meane time as Demetrius heard that Nicanor was fallen and his armie in the battel, he added to send Bacchides and Alcimus againe into Iurie, and the right wing with them.Interea, ut audivit Demetrius quia cecidit Nicanor et exercitus ejus in prælio, apposuit Bacchidem et Alcimum rursum mittere in Judæam, et dextrum cornu cum illis. 2And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew many people.E preser la strada, che mena a Galgala, posero il campo a Masaloth, che è in Arbelle, e la presero, e uccisero molta gente.And they went the way, that leadeth into Galgal, and camped in Masaloth, which is in Arbellis: and they wanne it, & slew of men manie soules.Et abierunt viam quæ ducit in Galgala, et castra posuerunt in Masaloth, quæ est in Arbellis: et occupaverunt eam, et peremerunt animas hominum multas. 3In the first month of the hundred and fifty-second year they brought the army to Jerusalem:Il primo mese dell'anno cento cinquantadue si avvicinarono coll'esercito a Gerusalemme:In the first moneth of the yeare an hundreth and fiftie two they brought the armie nere to Ierusalem:In mense primo anni centesimi et quinquagesimi secundi, applicuerunt exercitum ad Jerusalem: 4And they arose and went to Berea, with twenty thousand men, and two thousand horsemen.E si mossero, e andarono a Berea con venti mila fanti e due mila cavalli.and they arose, and went into Beraea twentie thousand men, and two thousand horsemen.et surrexerunt, et abierunt in Beream viginti millia virorum, et duo millia equitum. 5Now Judas had pitched his tents in Laisa, and three thousand chosen men with him:E Giuda era alloggiato a Laisa con tremila uomini scelti:And Iudas had camped in Laisa, and three thousand chosen men with him:Et Judas posuerat castra in Laisa, et tria millia viri electi cum eo: 6And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.E i suoi osservando la moltitudine di quell'esercito, si sbigottirono grandemente, e molti abbandonarono gli alloggiamenti, e non vi rimasero se non ottocento soldati.& they saw the multitude of the armie that they were manie, and they feared excedingly: and manie withdrew themselues out of the campe, and there remayned of them but eight hundred men.et viderunt multitudinem exercitus, quia multi sunt, et timuerunt valde: et multi subtraxerunt se de castris, et non remanserunt ex eis nisi octingenti viri.
7And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down: because he had not time to gather them together, and he was discouraged.E Giuda veggendo diminuito cotanto l'esercito, e il nemico, che lo stringeva dappresso, si sentì serrare il cuore e venir meno, perché non avea campo di andare a riunirli.And Iudas saw that his armie shrunke away, and the battel pressed vpon him, and his hart was broken: because he had not time to gathr them together, and he was discoureged.Et vidit Judas quod defluxit exercitus suus, et bellum perurgebat eum, et confractus est corde, quia non habebat tempus congregandi eos, et dissolutus est. 8Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and go against our enemies, if we may be able to fight against them.Ma disse a quei che restavano: Su via, andiamo incontro ai nostri nemici, e tentiamo la battaglia.And he sayd to them that were remayning: Let vs rise, and goe to our aduersaries, if we may be able to fight against them.Et dixit his qui residui erant: Surgamus, et eamus ad adversarios nostros, si poterimus pugnare adversus eos. 9But they dissuaded him, saying: We shall not be able, but let us save our lives now, and return to our brethren, and then we will fight against them: for we are but few.Ma quelli nel distoglievano, dicendo: Noi non abbiam forze da farlo: ma per adesso mettiamoci in salvo, e torniamo a trovare i nostri fratelli, e allora verremo a combattere con costoro, perocché ora noi siamo pochi.And they diswaded him, saying: We are not able, but let vs saue our liues now, and returne to our brethren, and then we wil fight against them: and we are few.Et avertebant eum, dicentes: Non poterimus, sed liberemus animas nostras modo, et revertamur ad fratres nostros, et tunc pugnabimus adversus eos: nos autem pauci sumus. 10Then Judas said: God forbid we should do this thing, and flee away from them: but if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our glory.Giuda però disse: Lungi da noi il fuggire da loro, e se è venuta la nostra ora muoiasi valorosamente pei nostri fratelli, e non si imprima questa macchia alla nostra gloria.And Iudas sayd: God forbid we should doe this thing, to flee from them: and if our time be neere, let vs dye manfully for our bretheren, and let vs not stayne our glorie.Et ait Judas: Absit istam rem facere ut fugiamus ab eis: et si appropiavit tempus nostrum, moriamur in virtute propter fratres nostros, et non inferamus crimen gloriæ nostræ. 11And the army removed out of the camp, and they stood over against them: and the horsemen were divided into two troops, and the slingers, and the archers, went before the army, and they that were in the front were all men of valour.E l'esercito nemico mosse il campo, e venne loro incontro, la cavalleria divisa in due parti, i frombolatori e gli arcieri alla testa dell'esercito, e nelle prime file tutta gente di maggior valore.And the armie moued out of the campe, and they stood to meete them: and the horsemen were diuided into two parts, and the slingers, and the archers went before the armie, and of the foreward al mightie.Et movit exercitus de castris, et steterunt illis obviam: et divisi sunt equites in duas partes, et fundibularii et sagittarii præibant exercitum, et primi certaminis omnes potentes.
12And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion drew near on two sides, and they sounded the trumpets:E Bacchide era nel corno destro, e le schiere si avvicinavano da due lati, e le trombe sonavano:And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion approched on two sides, and they sounded with trumpets:Bacchides autem erat in dextro cornu, et proximavit legio ex duabus partibus, et clamabant tubis: 13And they also that were on Judas’s side, even they also cried out, and the earth shook at the noise of the armies: and the battle was fought from morning even unto the evening.E i soldati di Giuda alzarono anche essi le grida, e la terra si mosse al rumor degli eserciti, e la zuffa durò dal mattino fino alla sera.and they also cried out that were on Iudas side, euen they also, and the earth was moued at the voice of the armies: and the battel was fought from morning euen vntil the euening.exclamaverunt autem et hi qui erant ex parte Judæ etiam ipsi, et commota est terra a voce exercituum: et commissum est prælium a mane usque ad vesperam. 14And Judas perceived that the stronger part of the army of Bacchides was on the right side, and all the stout of heart came together with him:Ma Giuda osservò, che il meglio dell'esercito di Bacchide era all'ala destra; ed egli prese seco i più valorosi:And Iudas saw that the stronger part of the armie was on the right hand, & al the stout of hart came together with him:Et vidit Judas quod firmior est pars exercitus Bacchidis in dextris, et convenerunt cum ipso omnes constantes corde: 15And the right wing was discomfited by them, and he pursued them even to the mount Azotus.Co' quali sconfisse quella destra ala, e inseguì il nemico fino al monte di Azoto.and the right side was discomfited of them, and he pursewed them euen to the mount of Azotus.et contrita est dextera pars ab eis, et persecutus est eos usque ad montem Azoti. 16And they that were in the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they followed after Judas, and them that were with him, at their back:Ma quelli dell'ala sinistra veggendo rotta l'ala destra si mossero a seguir Giuda e i suoi alle spalle.And they that were in the left wing, saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they folowed after Iudas, and them that were with him at the backe:Et qui in sinistro cornu erant, viderunt quod contritum est dextrum cornu, et secuti sunt post Judam, et eos qui cum ipso erant, a tergo:
17And the battle was hard fought, and there fell many wounded of the one side and of the other.E rincrudì la battaglia, e molti furono feriti e uccisi dall'una e dall'altra parte.and the battel grew sore, and there fel manie wounded of these and of them.et ingravatum est prælium, et ceciderunt vulnerati multi ex his et ex illis. 18And Judas was slain, and the rest fled away.E Giuda fu ucciso, e gli altri fuggirono.And Iudas was slaine, and the rest fled.Et Judas cecidit, et ceteri fugerunt. 19And Jonathan and Simon took Judas, their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of their fathers, in the city of Modin.E Gionata e Simone presero il corpo di Giuda loro fratello, e gli diedero sepoltura nel sepolcro dei padri suoi nella città di Modin.And Ionathas and Simon tooke Iudas their brother, and buried him in the sepulcher of their fathers in the citie Modin.Et Jonathas et Simon tulerunt Judam fratrem suum, et sepelierunt eum in sepulchro patrum suorum in civitate Modin. 20And all the people of Israel bewailed him with great lamentation, and they mourned for him many days.E tutto il popolo d'Israele fece gran duolo, e lo piansero per molto tempo,And al the people of Israel lamented him with great lamentation, and they mourned manie dayes,Et fleverunt eum omnis populus Israël planctu magno, et lugebant dies multos, 21And said: How is the mighty man fallen, that saved the people of Israel!E dicevano: Come mai è perito l'eroe, che era la salute del popolo d'Israele?and sayd: How is the mightie fallen, that saued the people of Israel!et dixerunt: Quomodo cecidit potens, qui salvum faciebat populum Israël ! 22But the rest of the words of the wars of Judas, and of the noble acts that he did, and of his greatness, are not written: for they were very many.Ma altre guerre di Giuda e altre azioni grandi del suo valore non le abbiamo descritte, perché troppo grande ne è il numero.And the rest of the wordes of Iudas battels, and of the valient acts that he did, and of his greatnes are not described: for they were exceding manie.Et cetera verba bellorum Judæ, et virtutum, quas fecit, et magnitudinis ejus, non sunt descripta: multa enim erant valde. 23And it came to pass, after the death of Judas, that the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the confines of Israel, and all the workers of iniquity rose up.Ma dopo la morte di Giuda scapparon fuora gli iniqui in tutto il paese d'Israele, e alzaron il capo tutti quelli, pe' quali era un mestiere il mal fare.And it came to passe: after the death of Iudas, there came forth the wicked men in al the costs of Israel, and there arose al that wrought iniquitie.Et factum est: post obitum Judæ emerserunt iniqui in omnibus finibus Israël, et exorti sunt omnes qui operabantur iniquitatem.
24In those days there was a very great famine, and they and all their country yielded to Bacchides.In quel tempo fu grandissima fame, e tutto il paese e gli abitanti si soggettarono a Bacchide.In those dayes was made an exceding great famine, and al their countrie with themselues yelded to Bacchides.In diebus illis facta est fames magna valde, et tradidit se Bacchidi omnis regio eorum cum ipsis. 25And Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country:E Bacchide fece scelta degli uomini empii, e li pose al governo del paese:And Bacchides chose the impious men, and appointed them lords of the countrie:Et elegit Bacchides viros impios, et constituit eos dominos regionis: 26And they sought out, and made diligent search after the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance of them, and abused them.Eglino andavan in cerca con tutta diligenza degli amici di Giuda, e li presentavano a Bacchide ed ei si vendicava sopra di loro, e gli straziava.and they sought out, and searched for the freindes of Iudas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he tooke reuenge on them, & scorned them.et exquirebant, et perscrutabantur amicos Judæ, et adducebant eos ad Bacchidem, et vindicabat in illos, et illudebat. 27And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the day, that there was no prophet seen in Israel.E grande fu la tribolazione d'Israele, e tale, che la simile non vi fa dal tempo, che non si vide profeta in Israele.And there was made great tribulation in Israel, such as was no• since the day, that there was no prophete seene in Israel.Et facta est tribulatio magna in Israël, qualis non fuit ex die qua non est visus propheta in Israël. 28And all the friends of Judas came together, and said to Jonathan:E si adunarono tutti gli amici di Giuda, e dissero a Gionata:And al the freinds of Iudas gathered, and sayd to Ionathas:Et congregati sunt omnes amici Judæ, et dixerunt Jonathæ: 29Since thy brother Judas died there is not a man like him to go forth against our enemies, Bacchides, and them that are the enemies of our nation.Dopo la morte di Giuda tuo fratello non si trova uomo simile a lui, che prenda la pugna contro Bacchide e contro i nemici di nostra gente.Since thy brother Iudas died, there is not a man like vnto him, to goe forth against the enemies, Bacchides, & them that are the enemies of our nation.Ex quo frater tuus Judas defunctus est, vir similis ei non est, qui exeat contra inimicos nostros, Bacchidem et eos qui inimici sunt gentis nostræ. 30Now, therefore, we have chosen thee this day to be our prince, and captain, in his stead, to fight our battles.Ora noi ti abbiam oggi eletto per principe in luogo di lui, e condottiere nelle nostre guerre.Now therfore thee haue we chosen this day to be for him our prince, and captayne to wage our battel.Nunc itaque, te hodie elegimus esse pro eo nobis in principem, et ducem ad bellandum bellum nostrum.
31So Jonathan took upon him the government at that time, and rose up in the place of Judas, his brother.E Gionata accettò allora il principato succedendo in luogo di Giuda suo fratello.And Ionathas tooke vpon him at that time the princedom, and arose in the place of Iudas his brother.Et suscepit Jonathas tempore illo principatum, et surrexit loco Judæ fratris sui. 32And Bacchides had knowledge of it, and sought to kill him.E venne ciò a notizia di Bacchide e cercò di ucciderlo.And Bacchides vnderstood it, and sought to kil him.Et cognovit Bacchides, et quærebat eum occidere. 33And Jonathan, and Simon, his brother, knew it, and all that were with them: and they fled into the desert of Thecua, and they pitched by the water of the lake Asphar,Ma se v'accorse Gionata e Simone suo fratello e tutti quelli che eran con lui, e se ne fuggirono nel deserto di Thecua, e si fermarono presso al lago di Asphar.And Ionathas vnderstood it, & Simon his brother, and al that were with them: and they fled into the desert of Thecua, and they pitched by the water of the lake Asphar.Et cognovit Jonathas, et Simon frater ejus, et omnes qui cum eo erant: et fugerunt in desertum Thecuæ et consederunt ad aquam lacus Asphar. 34And Bacchides understood it, and he came himself, with all his army, over the Jordan, on the sabbath day.E Bacchide ne fu informato, ed egli col suo esercito in giorno di sabato andò di la dal Giordano.And Bacchides vnderstood it, and in the day of the Sabbaths came him self, and al his armie ouer Iordan.Et cognovit Bacchides, et die sabbatorum venit ipse et omnis exercitus ejus trans Jordanem. 35And Jonathan sent his brother, a captain of the people, to desire the Nabutheans his friends, that they would lend them their equipage, which was copious.E Gionata mandò suo fratello capo del popolo a pregare i Nabathei suoi amici, che imprestasser loro i lor preparativi di guerra, che erano grandi.And Ionathas sent his brother captayne of the people, to desire the Nabutheians his freindes, that they would lend him their prouision, which was copious.Et Jonathas misit fratrem suum ducem populi, et rogavit Nabuthæos amicos suos, ut commodarent illis apparatum suum, qui erat copiosus. 36And the children of Jambri came forth out of Madaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went away with them.Ma i figliuoli di Jambri usciti da Madaba presero Giovanni e tutto quel che avea seco, e con questo se n'andarono.And the children of Iambri issued forth of Madaba, and tooke Iohn, and al thinges that he had, and went away hauing them.Et exierunt filii Jambri ex Madaba, et comprehenderunt Joannem et omnia quæ habebat, et abierunt habentes ea.
37After this it was told Jonathan, and Simon, his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride out of Madaba, the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan, with great pomp.Dopo tali cose fu riferito a Gionata e a Simone suo fratello, che i figliuoli di Jambri celebravano con solennità un matrimonio, e conducevano con gran pompa da Madaba la sposa, la quale era figliuola di uno de' principi grandi di Chanaan.After these wordes, it was told Ionathas, and Simon his brother, that the children of Iambri make a great mariage, and bring the bride out of Madaba, the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan with great pompe.Post hæc verba, renuntiatum est Jonathæ et Simoni fratri ejus, quia filii Jambri faciunt nuptias magnas, et ducunt sponsam ex Madaba filiam unius de magnis principibus Chanaan cum ambitione magna. 38And they remembered the blood of John, their brother: and they went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain.E si ricordarono della uccisione di Giovanni loro fratello, e si mossero, e si messero a coperto dietro un monte.And they remembred the bloud of Iohn their brother: and they went vp, and hid them selues vnder the couert of the mountayne.Et recordati sunt sanguinis Joannis fratris sui: et ascenderunt, et absconderunt se sub tegumento montis. 39And they lifted up their eyes, and saw: and behold a tumult, and great preparation: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends, and his brethren to meet them with timbrels, and musical instruments and many weapons.Quando, alzati gli occhi, videro a un tratto un gran tumulto e un grandioso apparato; e lo sposo andava incontro a quelli coi suoi amici e fratelli al suono di timpani e altri strumenti musicali, con molta gente armata.And they lifted vp their eyes, and saw: and loe a tumult, and great preparation: and the bridegrome came forth, and his freindes, and his bretheren to meete them with timbrils, and musical instruments, and manie weapons.Et elevaverunt oculos suos, et viderunt: et ecce tumultus, et apparatus multus: et sponsus processit, et amici ejus, et fratres ejus obviam illis cum tympanis, et musicis, et armis multis. 40And they rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and slew them, and there fell many wounded, and the rest fled into the mountains, and they took all their spoils:E usciron dall'imboscata, e dieder loro addosso, e molti furon feriti e uccisi, e il resto fuggirono alla montagna: e quelli presero le loro spoglie:And they rose vpon them out of the embushement, and slew them, and there fel manie wounded, & the rest fled into the mountaines, and they tooke al the spoiles of them:Et surrexerunt ad eos ex insidiis, et occiderunt eos, et ceciderunt vulnerati multi, et residui fugerunt in montes: et acceperunt omnia spolia eorum:
41And the marriage was turned into mourning, and the noise of their musical instruments into lamentation.E le nozze si cambiarono in duolo, e i loro concerti di musica in lamentazioni.& the mariage was turned into mourning, and the voice of their musical instruments into lamentation.et conversæ sunt nuptiæ in luctum, et vox musicorum ipsorum in lamentum. 42And they took revenge for the blood of their brother: and they returned to the bank of the Jordan.Ed eglino vendicarono il sangue del loro fratello, e se ne tornarono verso le rive del Giordano.And they tooke reuenge of the bloud of their brother: & they returned to the banke of Iordan.Et vindicaverunt vindictam sanguinis fratris sui: et reversi sunt ad ripam Jordanis. 43And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the sabbath day even to the bank of the Jordan, with a great power.E avendo ciò risaputo Bacchide, andò con grosso esercito in giorno di sabato fino alla riva del Giordano.And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the day of the Sabbaths euen to the brinke of Iordan with a great powre.Et audivit Bacchides, et venit die sabbatorum usque ad oram Jordanis in virtute magna. 44And Jonathan said to his company: Let us arise, and fight against our enemies: for it is not now as yesterday, and the day before.E Gionata disse ai suoi: Su via combattiamo contro i nostri nemici; perocchè noi non siamo nel caso di ieri e dei giorni precedenti.And Ionathas sayd to his companie: Let vs arise, and fight against our enemies: for it is not to day as yesterday, and the day before.Et dixit ad suos Jonathas: Surgamus, et pugnemus contra inimicos nostros: non est enim hodie sicut heri et nudiustertius: 45For behold the battle is before us, and the water of the Jordan on this side and on that side, and banks, and marshes, and woods: and there is no place for us to turn aside.Perocchè in faccia è il nemico, da destra e da sinistra le acque del Giordano e le sue rive e paduli e boscaglie, e non abbiam dove voltarci.For loe battel directly against vs, and the water of Iordan on this side and on that side, & bankes, and marrises, and forests: and there is no place to turne aside.ecce enim bellum ex adverso, aqua vero Jordanis hinc et inde, et ripæ, et paludes, et saltus: et non est locus divertendi. 46Now, therefore, cry ye to heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. And they joined battle.Or voi alzate le voci al cielo, affinché siate liberati dai vostri nemici. E s'attaccò lo zuffa.Now therfore crie ye vnto heauen, that you may be deliuered out of the hand of your enemies. And battel was ioyned.Nunc ergo, clamate in cælum, ut liberemini de manu inimicorum vestrorum. Et commissum est bellum.
47And Jonathan stretched forth his hand to strike Bacchides, but he turned away from him backwards.E Gionata tentò di uccider Bacchide; ma questi lo schivo tirandosi indietro:And Ionathas stretched forth his hand to strike Bacchides, and he turned aside from him backwards.Et extendit Jonathas manum suam percutere Bacchidem, et divertit ab eo retro: 48And Jonathan, and they that were with him, leapt into the Jordan, and swam over the Jordan to them.E Gionata e i suoi si gettarono nel Giordano, e lo passarono a nuoto sotto gli occhi de' nemici.And Ionathas lept aside, and they that were with him into Iordan, and they swame ouer Iordan to them:et desiliit Jonathas, et qui cum eo erant, in Jordanem, et transnataverunt ad eos Jordanem. 49And there fell of Bacchides’ side that day a thousand men: and they returned to Jerusalem,E de' soldati di Bacchide perirono in quel giorno mille uomini, e se ne tornarono a Gerusalemme;and there fel of Bacchides part that day a thousand men: and they returned into Ierusalem,Et ceciderunt de parte Bacchidis die illa mille viri. Et reversi sunt in Jerusalem, 50And they built strong cities in Judea, the fortress that was in Jericho, and in Ammaus, and in Bethoron, and in Bethel, and Thamnata, and Phara, and Thopo, with high walls, and gates, and bars.E fecero delle piazze forti nella Giudea, la fortezza di Jerico e di Ammaum e di Bethoron e di Bethet e di Thamnata e di Phara e di Thopo con alle mura e con parte e sbarre.and built fensed cities in Iurie, the fortresse that was in Iericho, and in Ammaum, & in Bethoron, and in Bethel, and Thamnata, and Phara, and Thopo with high walles, and gates, and lockes.et ædificaverunt civitates munitas in Judæa, munitionem quæ erat in Jericho, et in Ammaum, et in Bethoron, et in Bethel, et Thamnata, et Phara, et Thopo muris excelsis, et portis, et seris. 51And he placed garrisons in them, that they might wage war against Israel:E Bacchide vi pose presidj, affinché molestassero Israele:And he placed a garrison in them, that they might exercise emnities against Israel:Et posuit custodiam in eis, ut inimicitias exercerent in Israël: 52And he fortified the city of Bethsura, and Gazara, and the castle, and set garrisons in them, and provisions of victuals:E fortificò Bethsura e Gazara e la città della, e vi pose presidio e provvisioni da bocca.and he fensed the citie Bethsura, and Gazara, and the castel, and set garisons in them, and prouision of victuals:et munivit civitatem Bethsuram, et Gazaram, et arcem, et posuit in eis auxilia, et apparatum escarum:
53And he took the sons of the chief men of the country for hostages, and put them in the castle in Jerusalem in custody.E prese in ostaggio i figliuoli de' principali del paese, e li chiuse nella cittadella di Gerusalemme.and he tooke the sonnes of the princes of the countrie for hostages, & put them in the castel in Ierusalem into ward.et accepit filios principum regionis obsides, et posuit eos in arce in Jerusalem in custodiam. 54Now in the year one hundred and fifty-three, the second month, Alcimus commanded the walls of the inner court of the sanctuary to be thrown down, and the works of the prophets to be destroyed: and he began to destroy.Or nell'anno cento cinquantatré il secondo mese Alcimo comando che fosse atterrato il muro della casa santa interiore, e che si distruggessero le opere de' profeti; e cominciò a farle atterrare.And in the yeare an hundred fiftie three, the second moneth, Alcimus commanded the walles of the inner holie house to be destroyed, and the workes of the prophets to be destroyed: and he began to destroy.Et anno centesimo quinquagesimo tertio, mense secundo, præcepit Alcimus destrui muros domus sanctæ interioris, et destrui opera prophetarum: et cœpit destruere. 55At that time Alcimus was struck: and his works were hindered, and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak a word, nor give order concerning his house.Allora Alcimo fu percosso (da Dio), e i suoi disegni rimaser sospesi, ed egli perdè la favella e perde l'uso delle membra per paralisia, e non poté più dir parola, nè dar sesto alle cose di sua casa.In that time was Alcimus strooken: and his workes were stayed, and his mouth was stopped, and he was dissolued with the palsey, neither could he speake a word any more, and geue commandement touching his house.In tempore illo percussus est Alcimus: et impedita sunt opera illius, et occlusum est os ejus, et dissolutus est paralysi, nec ultra potuit loqui verbum, et mandare de domo sua. 56And Alcimus died at that time in great torment.E morì in quel tempo Alcimo in mezzo a grandi dolori.And Alcimus died at that time with great torment.Et mortuus est Alcimus in tempore illo cum tormento magno. 57And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead: and he returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two years.E Bacchide vedendo, come Alcimo era morto, se ne tornò al re: e il paese fu in calma per due anni.And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead: and he returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two yeares.Et vidit Bacchides quoniam mortuus est Alcimus, et reversus est ad regem. Et siluit terra annis duobus.
58And all the wicked held a council, saying: Behold Jonathan, and they that are with him, dwell at ease and without fear: now, therefore, let us bring Bacchides hither, and he shall take them all in one night.Ma tutti i cattivi uomini formaron questo disegno, e dissero: Gionata e i suoi se ne stanno tranquilli senza verun timore: ora è tempo di far venire Bacchide, il quale ti premierà tutti in una notte.And al the wicked thought saying: Behold Ionathas, and they that are with him, dwel in silence securely: now therfore let vs bring Bacchides, and he shal take them al in one night.Et cogitaverunt omnes iniqui, dicentes: Ecce Jonathas, et qui cum eo sunt, in silentio habitant confidenter: nunc ergo adducamus Bacchidem, et comprehendet eos omnes una nocte. 59So they went, and gave him counsel.E andarono a dare a lui questo consiglio.And they went, and gaue him counsel.Et abierunt, et consilium ei dederunt. 60And he arose to come with a great army: and he sent secretly letters to his adherents that were in Judea to seize upon Jonathan, and them that were with him: but they could not, for their design was known to them.Ed ei si mosse per venire con grosso esercito, e scrisse segretamente ai suoi amici, che erano nella Giudea, che mettesser le mani addosso a Gionata e alla sua gente: ma non poteron farlo, perché questi ebber vento dei loro disegni.And he arose to come with a great armie: and he sent secretly epistles to his felowes that were in Iurie, to take Ionathas, and them that were with him: but they could not, because their counsel was knowen to them.Et surrexit ut veniret cum exercitu multo: et misit occulte epistolas sociis suis qui erant in Judæa, ut comprehenderent Jonathan, et eos qui cum eo erant: sed non potuerunt, quia innotuit eis consilium eorum. 61And he apprehended of the men of the country, that were the principal authors of the mischief, fifty men, and he slew them.E Gionata fece prigioni cinquanta uomini del paese, che erano i primi autori di questa trama, e li fece morire:And he apprehended of the men of the countrie, that were the principal of the mischife, fiftie men, and he slew them.Et apprehendit de viris regionis, qui principes erant malitiæ, quinquaginta viros, et occidit eos: 62And Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him, retired into Bethbessen, which is in the desert: and he repaired the breaches thereof, and they fortified it.E Gionata e Simone colla loro gente si ritirarono a Bethbessen, la quale è nel deserto, e ne ristorarono le rovine, e la fortificarono.And Ionathas retyred aside, and Simon, and they that were with him into Bethbessen, which is in the desert: and he built vp the ruins therof, and they fortified it.et secessit Jonathas, et Simon, et qui cum eo erant, in Bethbessen, quæ est in deserto: et exstruxit diruta ejus, et firmaverunt eam.
63And when Bacchides knew it, he gathered together all his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Judea.E venne ciò alle orecchie di Bacchide, il quale messe insieme tutte le sue schiere, e mandò avviso a quelli che erano nella Giudea.And Bacchides vnderstood it, and gathered together al his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Iurie.Et cognovit Bacchides, et congregavit universam multitudinem suam: et his, qui de Judæa erant, denuntiavit. 64And he came, and camped above Bethbessen, and fought against it many days, and made engines.E andò a porre il campo sopra Bethbessen, e l'assedio per molti giorni, e alzò le sue macchine.And he came, and camped aboue Bethbessen, and assaulted it manie dayes, and made engins.Et venit, et castra posuit desuper Bethbessen: et oppugnavit eam dies multos, et fecit machinas. 65But Jonathan left his brother, Simon, in the city and went forth into the country, and came with a number of men,Ma Gionata lasciò nella città Simone suo fratello, e andò pel paese, e tornò con assai gente,And Ionathas left Simon his brother in the citie, and went forth into the countrie, and came with a number,Et reliquit Jonathas Simonem fratrem suum in civitate, et exiit in regionem, et venit cum numero: 66And struck Odares, and his brethren, and the children of Phaseron, in their tents, and he began to slay, and to increase in forces.E assali Odaren e i suoi fratelli e i figliuoli di Phaseron nelle loro tende, e principiava a fare strage, e a far mostra grande del suo valore:and stroke Odares, and his bretheren, and the children of Phaseron in their tabernacles, & he began to slay, and to grow in forces.et percussit Odaren et fratres ejus, et filios Phaseron in tabernaculis ipsorum: et cœpit cædere, et crescere in virtutibus. 67But Simon, and they that were with him, sallied out of the city, and burnt the engines,Quando Simone e la sua gente uscirono dalla città, e dieder fuoco alle macchine,But Simon and they that were with him, went out of the citie, and burnt the engins,Simon vero, et qui cum ipso erant, exierunt de civitate, et succenderunt machinas, 68And they fought against Bacchides, and he was discomfited by them: and they afflicted him exceedingly, for his counsel, and his enterprise was in vain.E assalirono Bacchide, e lo sconfissero, e lo rendettero molto afflitto per essere andati in fumo i suoi disegni e i suoi tentativi.and they fought against Bacchides, and he was discomfited by them: and they afflicted him excedingly, because his counsel, and his conflict was in vayne.et pugnaverunt contra Bacchidem, et contritus est ab eis: et afflixerunt eum valde, quoniam consilium ejus et congressus ejus erat inanis.
69And he was angry with the wicked men that had given him counsel to come into their country, and he slew many of them: and he purposed to return with the rest into their country.E sdegnato con que' malvagi uomini, i quali lo avean consigliato a venir nel loro paese, ne fece morire molti: ed egli risolvè di tornarsene col rimanente de' suoi al suo paese.And being angrie against the wicked men, that had geuen him counsel to come into their countrie, he slewe manie of them: but himself thought with the rest to depart into their countrie.Et iratus contra viros iniquos, qui ei consilium dederant ut veniret in regionem ipsorum, multos ex eis occidit: ipse autem cogitavit cum reliquis abire in regionem suam. 70And Jonathan had knowledge of it, and he sent ambassadors to him to make peace with him, and to restore to him the prisoners.Lo che avendo saputo Gionata, gli spedì ambasciadori per far pace con lui, e rendergli i prigionieri.And Ionathas vnderstood it, and he sent vnto him legates to make peace with him, and to render vnto him the captiues.Et cognovit Jonathas: et misit ad eum legatos componere pacem cum ipso, et reddere ei captivitatem. 71And he accepted it willingly, and did according to his words, and swore that he would do him no harm all the days of his life.Ed ei volentieri gli ammesse, e fece quello che volle Gionata, e giurò, che per tutto il tempo di sua vita non farebbe a lui verun male.And he tooke it gladly, and did according to his wordes, & sware that he would doe him no harme al the dayes of his life.Et libenter accepit, et fecit secundum verba ejus, et juravit se nihil facturum ei mali omnibus diebus vitæ ejus. 72And he restored to him the prisoners which he before had taken out of the land of Juda: and he returned, and went away into his own country, and he came no more into their borders.E restituì a lui i prigionieri, che avea fatti per l'avanti nel paese di Giuda: e si parti, e se n'andò al suo paese, e non ritornò mai più nella Giudea.And he rendered vnto him the captiues, which he before had taken for a praye, out of the land of Iuda: and returning he departed into his owne countrie, and he added no more to come into their coasts.Et reddidit ei captivitatem, quam prius erat prædatus de terra Juda: et conversus abiit in terram suam, et non apposuit amplius venire in fines ejus. 73So the sword ceased from Israel: and Jonathan dwelt in Machmas, and Jonathan began there to judge the people, and he destroyed the wicked out of Israel.E fini in Israele la guerra. E Gionata risedeva a Machmas, e ivi diede principio ad amministrar giustizia al popolo, e sterminò da Israele gli empi.And the sword ceased out of Israel: and Ionathas dwelt in Machmas, & Ionathas began there to iudge the people, and he destroyed the impious out of Israel.Et cessavit gladius ex Israël: et habitavit Jonathas in Machmas, et cœpit Jonathas ibi judicare populum, et exterminavit impios ex Israël.
9:1
Year of the World 3843, Year before Christ 161.
Haydock
Time. About a year after Nicanor's death, (chap. 7:50., and 2 Machabees 15:38.; Worthington) or in the same year, the year [of the world] 3843; (Calmet) so that the Romans had not time to send Judas assistance. (Haydock)
Josephus ([Antiquities?] 12:17.) erroneously supposes that Alcimus was dead, and Judas his successor, while Simon was the civil ruler and general. He[Josephus] elsewhere (B.[Antiquities?] 20:8.) asserts that Jonathas was next high priest to Alcimus, who certainly officiated after the death of Judas, ver. 54.
Bacchides had been already in Judea, 1 Machabees 7:8. Now the right wing, composed of the best troops, and usually commanded by the prince when he was present, is entrusted to him.
9:2
Masaloth, or Masal, was in the tribe of Aser, Josue xvi.[xxi.?] 30.
St. Jerome speaks of Arbela, nine miles from Legion. See Osee 10:14.
9:4
Berea, or Beroth, in Benjamin, not far from Laisa, or Lesen, (Josue 18:25.) where Judas was encamped, (Calmet) with 3000 (Gorion) ; Josephus says 1000; Rufin translates 2000.
9:7
Worthington
Down. The strongest are not free from the first emotions of trouble; but trusting in God, they are assured either of a temporal or eternal victory. (Worthington)
9:10
Haydock
Stain. Literally, "bring a crime." (Haydock)
9:12
Legion. So the Vulgate commonly renders Greek "phalanx," (Calmet) a compact body of 8000 men, used by the Macedonians. The Roman legion consisted of 6726, (Veget.) or 6666. The two phalanxes were in each wing supported by cavalry, which endeavoured to surround Judas.
9:15
Azotus. Not belonging to the Philistines, but some place unknown, which Josephus styles Asa.
9:18
Calmet
Slain. Gorionides relates that the sight of Judas made Bacchides flee towards Azotus. He lost 15,000, when the rest of the army came upon Judas now fatigued; and as Bacchides returned to the charge, the hero fell upon heaps of the slain. Thus died this great man who saved Israel, ver. 21. (Calmet)
Worthington
Gloriosiorem triumphis mortem invenit. The most mighty in the sight of men may fall; but the fortitude of Judas, proved by former heroic actions and by success, was now rendered perfect by this most glorious death. (St. Ambrose, Of. 1:41.) (Worthington)
Calmet
Never was there a more accomplished and virtuous champion. He had all the qualities of a holy priest and a valiant soldier, as well as of a religious prince, always bent on promoting the glory of his people, 1 Machabees 3:3. He was an admirable copy of Jesus Christ, the great original of all the saints. In the most dismal times he was chosen to save religion and the people. Almost alone, and wandering from place to place, he gains the most signal victories, forms a league with Gentiles, purifies the temple, acts both as high priest and as prince of the nation, and at last gives his life for his brethren. Thus Christ by his life and death unites all in one Church, and procures the remission of sin. (Calmet)
9:19
St. Jerome
It is wonderful that they should be shewn at Antioch. (St. Jerome, loc.)
Calmet
But these were the relics of the seven brothers, 2 Machabees 7:1. (Calmet)
9:22
Many. Thus only some of our Saviour's actions are recorded, for the same reason, John 21:25.
9:24
Haydock
All. Josephus says, "Many." We find some (Calmet) joining Jonathan, ver. 28. (Haydock)
Worthington
When the people are without a ruler, they fall, Proverbs 11:14. (Worthington)
9:26
Josephus
Abused them, and "afterwards slew them all." (Josephus, Antiquities 13:1.)
9:27
Josephus
No prophet since the days of Malachi, (Calmet) or the return from captivity. (Josephus)
9:28
Worthington
Jonathan, or (Haydock) Jonathas, was the third general captain of this family, and succeeded Judas in the pontificate, though Alcimus still usurped the dignity (chap. 9:9.) as in the lifetime of Judas. (Worthington)
9:33
Calmet
Asphar, or "asphaltite lake" (Gorion) of Sodom; so called on account of the bitumen, or asphalte. (Calmet)
9:34
9:35
Worthington
Lend. Some copies read, "to entrust unto them." They wished not to be embarrassed with useless baggage. It all fell into the hands of Jambri, (Calmet) who slew John. (Worthington)
9:37
Haydock
Madaba. Greek, "Nadabath." Josephus, "Gabatha." It seems, as the sons of Jamri lived at Madaba, the spouse would not be conducted out of that place, (Calmet) unless they might reside sometimes in the country. (Haydock)
Josephus
Chanaan, or "Arabia." (Josephus)
Calmet
Chanaan denotes any infidel. (Calmet)
9:42
Worthington
Revenge. To punish faults with moderation and justice, is a virtue. Children and subjects are sometimes exposed to temporal chastisements, for the faults of their parents or leaders; yet this is for their own advancement in piety, or in punishment for the share they have had in the crime, or to prevent them from imitating it. (St. Thomas Aquinas, [Summa Theologiae] 2:2. q. 108.) (Worthington)
9:44
Before, when we were in the desert of Thecua, and could decline fighting; (Menochius) or, notwithstanding the sabbath, we must engage, 1 Machabees 2:41.
9:48
Worthington
To them. Jonathas swam to another place on the same side, otherwise there would have been no battle. (Worthington)
Haydock
But this had taken place, when a thousand were slain; though Bacchides fled from Jonathan, ver. 47, 49. (Haydock)
Haydock
The Greek and Josephus seem more full: (Calmet) "Swam over, and they (the enemies) did not cross the Jordan after them." (Haydock)
Menochius
Bacchides did not pursue the Jews. (Menochius)
Haydock
Protestant marginal note quotes Josephus, ([Antiquities?] 13:1.) who says two thousand were slain. (Haydock)
9:50
Thopo, or Taphua. The two last were in Ephraim.
9:53
Castle, on the highest part of Sion, ver. 52., and 1 Machabees 1:35.
Calmet
Custody, without doing them any farther injury. (Calmet)
9:54
Year of the World 3844, Year before Christ 160.
Haydock
Alcimus. Josephus ([Antiquities?] 12:17.) confesses that Judas was high priest. But he mistakes when he says he succeeded Alcimus, who it hence appears survived him a year, (ver. 3, 18.) and was only an usurper. He should therefore be corrected by this book, rather than it should be rejected because it differs from him, or any such authors.(Worthington; ver. 1, 28.) (Haydock)
Grotius
Walls, before the most holy place, (Josephus; Lyranus) or between the priests and people, (Salien; Menochius) or which separated the Jews from the Gentiles, as if to remove all distinction. (Grotius)
Josephus
It is probable that he removed the wall which went round the inner temple and the altar of holocausts, (Calmet) which Alexander restored. (Josephus, Antiquities 13:21.)
Calmet
Prophets. Aggeus and Zacharias had been as it were the architects and directors of the temple. (Calmet)
9:55
House. He could not make his will.
9:58
Year of the World 3846, Year before Christ 158.
9:61
He. Jonathas slew those who had given information.
9:62
Bethbessen, in the desert of Jericho, (Menochius) the same with Bethagla. Josephus, "Bethalaga."
9:66
Odares, people of the country who adhered to Bacchides.
Increase, or shew himself in the field with a large army, (Calmet) or to penetrate the army of the enemy. (Syriac; Josephus; Grotius)
9:69
Worthington
Slew. Evil counsel is prejudicial to the giver. (Worthington)
9:73
Calmet
Machmas. The capital of Sion was still in the hands of the enemy. Jonathas made good use of the alliance with the Romans, and began to lay the foundations of the national independence, and to act like the ancient judges. (Calmet)
9:1
This happened about a yeare after the death of Nicanor. ch. 7. v. 50, li. 2, c. 15, 38.
9:7
Strongest men are not free from first motions of perturbation, but reflecting vpon their ovvne infirmitie, and considing in Gods prouidence, take corege in a good cause, being assured either of temporal victorie, or of eternal glorie As now it happened to this most glorious Champion. v. 18.
9:21
The mightie may fal in the sight of men, but Iudas his fortitude proued and confirmed by former heroical actes, vvith prosperous successe, vvas now perfectly consummate by this most glorious end. S. Ambr. li. 1. c. 4•. Offre.
9:23
VVhere there is no gouernour the people shal fal. Pro. 11. v. 14.
9:28
Ionathas the third general captaine of the Macha, bees vvas also high priest after the death of Iudas. Though Alcimus by the kinges fauoure vniustly vsurped the office, (ch. 7. v. 9.) vvhiles Iudas yet liued, and vntil this time. v 54.
9:36
They also killed him. v. 38. 42.
9:42
To reuenge or punish faultes in due measure, & other right circumstances is a special vertue, moderating mans defence of his person, honour, or right vvithout crueltie, or remisnes: and so the children sometimes are temporally punished, for their parents finnes, and the communitie for their leaders, either for their consent before the fact or after; or to preuent that they doe not the like. S. Tho. 2. 2. q. 108.
9:46
Concordanza 2. Par. 20. v. 3.
9:48
Ionathas and his men svvame not to the other side, but to an other place on the same side: for othervvise the armies had bene parted by the riuer: and so there had bene no conflict that time.
9:54
Iosephus li. 12. c. 17. confesseth that Iudas vvas highpriest, but erreth in saying he succeded after Alcimus: neither considering that Alcimus vvas not in dede high priest, but an vsurper: nor that he liued after Iudas: vvho vvas slaine a yeare before this time v. 3 & 18. VVherby, and by manie other such errors, vve see that Iosephus is rather to be corrected by this booke then to disalovv this booke because it differeth from Iosephus, or other like auctors.
9:69
Euil counsel hovv soeuer it happeneth to them that folovv it, is euer hurtful to them that geue it.
9:8
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Duties of the Clergy 1.41
… “Let us not leave,” he says, “any stain upon our glory.” Thus, then, engaging in battle after having fought from sunrise till evening, he attacks and quickly drives back the right wing, where he sees the strongest troop of the enemy to be. But whilst pursuing the fugitives from the rear he gave a chance for a wound to be inflicted.
9:3
3. In mense primo (Nisan, id est, Martio) anni 152 (Græcorum), APPLICUERUNT EXERCITUM (Bacchides et Alcimus: fuisse triginta armatorum millia ait Gorionides, lib. III, cap. xxv) AD JERUSALEM, ut eam obsiderent et caperent; sed audientes Judam colligere suos, ut obsidionem solveret, ea relicta, abierunt, ut Judæ occurrerent.
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4. ET ABIERUNT IN BEREAM VIGINTI MILLIA VIRORUM, ET DUO MILLIA EQUITUM, ut cum Juda dimicarent; reliqua enim ex triginta millibus octo millia Bacchides per præsidia distribuit, ita ut contra Judam eduxerit duntaxat viginti duo millia.
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6. ET MULTI SUBTRAXERUNT SE DE CASTRIS, nimirum bis mille et ducenti; nam ex tribus millibus cum Juda mansere tantum 800, quos ipse in aciem eduxit contra Bacchidem. Mirum eos immemores opis divinæ toties expertæ, et tot victoriarum Judæ, tam turpiter eum deseruisse! sed hæc est hominum infirmitas, inconstantia, infidelitas, quam parit subitus metus et pavor. Præsertim accedente mala furtorum, libidinum, aliorumque militarium scelerum conscientia: hæc enim milites facit timidos, ut in ea mori non audeant.
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7. ET CONFRACTUS EST CORDE, id est, «ut tædio affectus, ait S. Thomas, quia ingentem habebat zelum, nec eum exsequi poterat,» uti Christus (cujus Judas fuit typus) in horto cœpit pavere et tædere, Matth. xxvi. Secundo et plenius, q. d. Perculsus et magna animi perturbatione correptus pene concidit: nesciebat enim quid in rebus tam arctis consilii caperet, sed natura naturalique ope, et consilio deficiente erexit animum per solitam in Deo confidentiam, et magnanimitatem, constituens cum paucis confligere cum tam numeroso hoste, et gloriose vel vincere, vel mori. Sic Julius Cæsar multos validosque hostes non fugiebat, sed ambiebat, ut in iis virtutem suam bellicam ostenderet, teste S. Augustino, lib. V De Civitate, cap. xii; sed Julius par cum pari fere numero, Judas vero longe impar cum numerosissimis dimicabat, eosque sternebat.
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10. ABSIT ISTAM REM FACERE, UT FUGIAMUS AB EIS; (generoso enim duci turpe est fugere, et fugiendo victum se fateri, malleque vitam fugiendo conservare, quam pugnando gloriose mori: etsi ergo Judas licite et prudenter potuisset fugere, ac dicere cum Demosthene: «Vir fugiens denuo pugnabit,» tamen præ animi magnitudine, et quia nunquam hucusque fugerat, sed semper pugnaverat, et pugnando vicerat, fortius et gloriosius esse duxit non fugere, sed pugnare, præsertim quia fidebat Deo, cujus ope cum paucis toties hostes tam numerosos profligarat. Itaque, vel vincere voluit, vel generose mori; ait ergo:) ET SI APPROPIAVIT TEMPUS (occumbendi et moriendi) NOSTRUM (nobis a Deo statutum, et decretum ab æterno,) MORIAMUR IN VIRTUTE, (in fortitudine, nimirum fortiter pugnantes, ne inulti, sed magna strage hosti illata pie cadamus) PROPTER FRATRES NOSTROS, pro aris et focis, pro patria, pro religione, pro Deo dimicantes. Quæ enim gloriosior mors nobis obtingere potest? ET NON INFERAMUS CRIMEN (notam, labem, dedecus) GLORIÆ NOSTRÆ, ut qui gloriose semper in acie stetimus, fronteque adamantina hosti restitimus, nunc timidi fugiendo ei terga obvertamus, ut ab eo insequente quasi oves fugientes ignavi cædamur et mactemur. Gloriam ergo hic non hominum vanam et inanem, sed Dei veram et solidam Judas captavit: decrevit enim pro Dei religione pugnare et vincere, vel mori. Ita S. Ambrosius, lib. I Offic. cap. xii: «Judas, ait, cum nongentis (Noster et Septuaginta habent octingentis) viris bellum adorsus, volentibus his cedere, ne multitudine opprimerentur, gloriosam magis mortem, quam turpem fugam suasit: Ne crimen nostræ relinquamus gloriæ. Itaque commisso prælio, cum a primi diei ortu in vesperam dimicaretur, dextrum cornu, in quo validissimam manum advertit hostium, aggressus facile avertit. Sed dum fugientes sequitur a tergo vulneri locum præbuit, ita gloriosiorem triumphis mortem invenit.» Sic S. Antonius solus dæmonum plurimorum conflictum non fugiebat, sed omnes ad duellum provocabat, malens ab eis occidi, quam fugere. Nam cum ab eis cæsus fuisset usque ad mortem, a suis semimortuus domum relatus, jussit se ad locum palæstræ reportari, ibique dæmones provocans: «Ecce, inquit, ego hic sum Antonius, non fugio vestra certamina, etiamsi majora faciatis, nullus me separabit a charitate Christi,» psallebatque dicens: Si consistant adversum me castra, non timebit cor meum, quia Dominus illuminatio mea et salus mea, quem timebo? Dominus protector vitæ meæ, a quo trepidabo? Dominus mihi adjutor, et ego exultabo super inimicos meos. Ita S. Athanasius in ejus vita. Sic Judas hic instar leonis, qui nunquam fugit, quanticumque hostes eum invadant, fugere noluit, sed cum paucis plurimos invasit, et superavit.
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15. ET CONTRITA EST DEXTERA PARS AB EIS, ET PERSECUTUS EST EOS. Victor ergo in hoc prælio exstitit Judas eo gloriosior, quo cum paucis tam multos stravit. In hac pugna error commissus est, quod ceteri milites Judæ non se opposuerint sinistro cornui Bacchidis, illudque præliando, vel potius prælium simulando distinuerint, ne Judam et cæteros a tergo sequeretur et cæderet. Hæc enim fuit causa cædis Judæ et fugæ sociorum. Unde Vegetius, lib. III, cap. xx, hunc modum, quo pauci multos vincere possint, præscribit: «Cum instructæ acies ad congressum veniunt, tunc tu sinistram alam tuam a dextra adversarii longius separabis, ne vel missilia ad eam, vel sagittæ perveniant. Dextram autem alam tuam sinistræ alæ illius junge, et ibi primum inchoa prælium: ita ut cum equitibus optimis, et probatissimis peditibus sinistram partem illius, ad quam te junxeris, aggrediaris, atque circumeas, et detrudendo atque supercurrendo ad hostium terga pervenias. Quod si semel adversarios exinde pellere cœperis, accedentibus tuis indubitatam victoriam consequeris, et pars exercitus tui, quam ab hoste submoveris, secura durabit.»
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17. Et Judas cecidit, non tam ex vulneribus quam ex pugnandi cædendique labore et lassitudine, ait Gorionides. Idem asserit Josephus, quem audi: «Id conspicati, qui sinistrum cornu tenebant, a tergo adorti Judam circumveniunt: qui videns nullum superesse effugium, urgentibus circumquaque hostibus, in vestigio cum suis constitit, et cæsis hostium plurimis, lassitudine magis quam vulneribus confectus, cecidit non inultus. Quo prostrato, non habentes amplius quem sequerentur milites orbati tanto imperatore, tum demum in fugam effusi sunt. Ita victoria Bacchidi cessit: non cruenta solum, sed etiam pudenda cum 22 millibus, octingenti viri non solum totum diem restiterint, sed robur ipsum exercitus contriverint, fuderint, fugarint, et cæsum ducem suum incolumes e prælio sui fratres abstulerint. Allegorice Judas heros fuit typus Christi, qui in cruce cadens et moriens vicit ipsam mortem, peccata, diabolum et infernum, omnesque hostes fortissime debellavit. Judæ fortitudinem imitati sunt primi Gentilium duces. Leonidas Spartanus cum trecentis Xerxi ducenti in aciem undecies centena militum millia ad Thermopylas se opponens, vincendo occumbere maluit, quam fugiendo vitam servare; unde ad suos conversus sic ait: «Prandete, commilitones, tanquam apud inferos cœnaturi.» Ita Valerius Maximus, lib. IV, cap. vii. Plutarchus in Laconicis sequentia affert. Idem Leonidas, ab Eporis rogatus num quid aliud facere statuisset, respondit: «Nihil aliud ago, quam verbotenus barbarorum transitum impediturus, sed revera pro Græcis moriturus.» Idem cum aruspex diceret ex extis exercitui portendi victoriam, sed duci mortem, lætus navalem pugnam agressus vincendo occubuit, suaque morte patriæ victoriam peperit. Idem fecit Codrus rex Atheniensium mutato habitu hostem lacessens, a quo occisus Atheniensibus victoriam sua morte juxta oraculum sancivit. Rursum Leonidas, rogatus cur fortes viri gloriosam mortem ingloriæ vitæ anteponant, respondit: «Quoniam alterum naturæ proprium, alterum peculiariter suum esse ducunt. Nam naturæ beneficio vivunt et ignavissimi, ac honeste mori non contingit, nisi virtute præditis, et fortibus. Fugere enim ignominiosum est et duci et patriæ contra manentem, aut mori, aut vincere utrique honestissimum.» Lacedæmonii, ait Plutarchus, juventutem nil aliud docebant, quam ut magistratui obtemperantes, omniaque contemnentes vitæ pericula, aut in prælio vincerent, aut fortiter caderent. Agesilaus, rogatus qua ratione duci pararetur gloria, respondit: «Si mortem contempserit,» nihil enim magnum geri potest ab eo qui vitæ suæ metuit et consulit. Bias ab Iphicrate circumsessus, rogatus quid eo articulo faciendum foret, respondit: «Quid aliud, ait, nisi ut vos servemini, ego pugnando moriar?» Lacæna clypeum imponens filio: «Fili, inquit, aut hunc, aut super hunc,» q. d. Sic rem gere in prælio, ut aut victor clypeum reportes, aut mortuus in eo domum reporteris. Pelopydas iturus ad conflictum, cum uxor obsecraret ut vitæ suæ caveret, ait hoc dicendum esse privato, non duci. Ducis enim est pro patria fortiter pugnando occumbere. Hæc omnia Plutarchus in Lacon. Epaminondas, ait Valerius Maximus, lib. III, cap. ii, in prælio, «apud Leuctram trajectus hasta, sanguine et spiritu deficiens, recreare se conantes, primum an clypeus suus salvus esset; deinde, an fusi hostes penitus forent, interrogavit. Quæ postquam ex animi sententia comperit: Non finis, inquit, commilitones, meæ vitæ, sed melius et altius initium advenit. Nunc enim vester Epaminondas nascitur, quia sic moritur. Thebas ductu et auspiciis meis caput Græciæ factas video, et fortis et animosa civitas Spartana jacet armis nostris abjecta, amara dominatione Græcia liberata est, orbus quoque non tantum sine liberis morior: quoniam mirificas filias Leuctram et Mantineam relinquo.» E corpore deinde suo hastam educi jussit, eoque vulnere expiravit. Quod si eum Dii immortales victoriis suis perfrui passi essent, sospes gloriosior patriæ mænia non intrasset.» Hæc duces mundi: quid nunc faciat dux, et miles Christi non pro vana caducaque, ut illi, sed pro vera sempiternaque gloria dimicans et decertans? ET CETERI FUGERUNT, sicut fugiunt milites, cæso duce, et oves cæso pastore, et sicut Apostoli fugerunt, Christo crucifixo, cujus typus hic fuit Judas: in eo enim consistebat totum robur Israelis. Quæres: Unde tanta clades Judæ et Judæorum tam fortium et invincibilium? Respondeo. Prima causa fuit militum metus et perfidia, quod bis mille et ducenti Judam ducem suum deseruerunt, et cum eo remanserunt tantum 800 qui humanis viribus non poterant diu resistere 22 millibus hostium. Adde militum rapinas, stupra aliaque scelera quæ Deus punire voluit. Secunda causa fuit humana infirmitas et inconstantia, per quam fit ut etiam strenuissimi et peritissimi artis suæ in ea aliquando aberrent: uti ergo impossibile est ut sagittarius sagittandi peritissimus, adeo ut semper fere sagitta scopum configat, quin semel a scopo aberret, si sæpius v. g. centies in eum sagittet; sic impossibile est ut duces et milites bellicosissimi ita semper pugnent et vincant, ut nunquam vincantur. Hinc sicut peritissimi natatores pereunt natando, sic optimi duces et milites pereunt pugnando. Tertia, quod prælium sit res periculosissima; volant enim tela et sagittæ passim per aerem instar grandinis: quare nunc hunc, nunc illum tangunt, et occidunt. Nam ut ait Eccli. cap. III, vers. 27: «Qui amat periculum in illo peribit;» et ut aiebat David de cæso Uria in prælio: «Nunc hunc, nunc illum consumit gladius,» II Reg. xi, 25. Novi in Belgio ducem audacissimum, cujus hoc erat axioma, generosum militem non posse diu vivere; quia cum se audacter assiduis exponat vitæ periculis, vix posse evadere, quin cito ictu aliquo lethali perimatur. Unde et Poeta: Turpe senex miles: turpe senilis amor. Deus enim permittit causas secundas suo cursui: et esto suos sæpe protegat, tamen tandem permittit eos cursui naturæ, præsertim quia omnibus semel moriendum est. Permittit ergo quemque mori in suo opere et exercitio, ut militem in bello, agricolam in agricultura, fabrum in fabricando, doctorem in studio, etc. Sic plerosque martyres Deus ab igne, leonibus, aquis, etc., servavit illæsos; sed tandem permisit eos gladio perimi, ut martyrii laurea eos coronaret. Quarta fuit quod Judas, suorum fuga se videns desertum, consternatus noluerit fugere, uti prudenter facere poterat, sed ex animi magnanimitate maluerit pugnando occumbere. Hoc enim duci decorum est, adeoque hæc mors ei est gloriosa: unde generosi milites non aliam optant mortem, quam mori præliando. Fuit ergo hæc mors Judæ gloriosa, utpote quam obiit in pugna, qua cum paucis hostium plurimorum dextrum cornu confregit, totque eorum millia cecidit, et fugientes insecutus vulnus lethale a tergo accepit, victorque occubuit. Quare mors hæc Judæ fuit instar triumphi, et tot victoriarum trophæi, uti fuit Samsoni, Jonathæ, Josiæ, cæterisque heroibus, ait Serarius. Addunt Thalmudici: «In hoc sacro bello, plerique, dum viverent, filii erant diaboli et peccati. At post mortem, Dei filii, martyrio eorum peccata expiante;» et adjungit in Psal. LXXVIII Genebrardus: «Audis quanta sit vis belli sacri contra Turcas et hæreticos, ut parum probos, sanctos et martyres efficiat: ubi vinci salutare, vincere gloriosum.» Commode tamen hoc intelligendum docent, quæ imperatori Phocæ volenti, ut militibus omnibus contra fidei hostes cadentibus, martyrum nomen honosque impenderetur; ab Antistitibus responsa fuere, ut quidem scribit in Can. xiii Balsamon, et Baronius tom. VIII Annal. anno Domini 610. Ita Serarius. Quinta, quod Judas confractus animo, cum in tantis angustiis se constitutum videret, expresse non confugerit ad Deum, nec ejus opem implorarit, uti facere solebat, sed totum se et suos ad conflictum instantem et urgentem compararit. Esto enim implicite, et virtualiter omnem suam fiduciam in Deo collocaret, tamen explicite et formaliter Deum non obsecravit: quare Deus eum sibi et naturæ permisit, juxta quam solus tot hostibus succubuit. Hinc disce homines in arctis constitutos ita angustiis suis sæpe absorberi, ut de Deo invocando non cogitent; quod tamen tunc maxime facere deberent, cum a nullo alio, nisi a Deo iis eripi possint. Quare Judæ exemplo sapiamus, ut in magnis periculis, vel tentationibus constituti illico Dei gratiam, opemque suppliciter magna cum fiducia imploremus; sic enim eam impetrabimus, et per eam salvabimur. Sexta, Deus hoc casu voluit humiliare Judam, ne in suis viribus et victoriis superbiret. Sic Deus permittit viros sanctos in aliqua minora peccata labi, ut graviora, præsertim vanæ gloriæ et superbiæ, effugiant. Septima. Deus Judæ et cæteris ostendere voluit omnia in hoc mundo esse vana, fragilia et caduca, eumque ab iis per mortem transferre ad veram vitam, et beatam immortalitatem: ad hanc enim ducit mors, quasi via, illaque sæpe in speciem misera, abjecta, et ut hominibus videtur tantis viris indigna. Sic principes Apostolorum S. Petrum et Paulum permisit Deus a Nerone indigne occidi, ut per hoc majorem in cœlis patientiæ coronam accipere mererentur. Sic Jordanem, qui S. Dominico in generalatu ordinis Prædicatorum successit, permisit in mari submergi, cumque nonnulli indolerent, et pene murmurarent, quod vir tam sanctus tam vilem mortem subiisset, ipse nonnullis apparens eos reprehendit, asserens se per illam mortem ab omnibus culpis nævisque expiatum transiisse ad beatam immortalitatem. Justus enim, quacumque morte præoccupatus fuerit, in refrigerio erit, quia in justitia sua Deique gratia moritur. Sic S. Franciscus Xaverius, moliens Sinarum conversionem in ipso eorum aditu in extrema rerum omnium inopia desertus ab omnibus, miseram, ut hominibus videbatur, sed viro Apostolico dignam mortem obiit. Aliam causam dat Rupertus, lib. X De victor. verbi Dei cap. ult. Petrus Blesensis, Epist. CXLVI, Emmanuel Sa et nonnulli alii, nimirum displicuisse Deo fœdus a Juda et Jonatha initum cum Romanis, quod non satis confisi sint soli Deo, ideoque post hoc fœdus omnia eis infeliciter cessisse, eosque cito occubuisse. Verum superius ostendi hoc fœdus prudenter ab eis fuisse initum; sic enim fidendum est Deo, ut humana adminicula non negligantur: ita Serarius sub finem libri, Quæst. XXIII. Porro Judas sex duntaxat annis dux præfuit Israeli, quibus tot tantaque gessit, quanta vix ulli gesserunt, qui 50 annis Reipublicæ præfuerunt. Ducatum enim iniit anno 146 Græcorum, quo mortuus est pater ejus Mathathias, I Machab. II, 70; occubuit vero anno 152 Græcorum, ut patet hoc cap. iii, qui fuit Demetrii regis Syriæ annus secundus, Ptolemæi Philometoris regis Ægypti vigesimus, ante Christi ortum annus 159. Ita Salianus et alii.
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22. ET CÆTERA VERBA (id est gesta et facta verbis et historiis exprimenda) BELLORUM JUDÆ ET VIRTUTUM (Græce ἀνδραγαθιῶν, id est virilium operum, sive heroicorum facinorum) QUAS FECIT, ET MAGNITUDINIS EJUS NON SUNT DESCRIPTA: MULTA ENIM ERANT VALDE, q. d. Pauca e multis Judæ heroice gestis recensui, ut ex ungue agnoscas leonem: longe enim plura gessit, quæ nimis longum foret enarrare. Hinc patet incomparabilem belli ducem fuisse Judam, quo nullus fuerit superior, vix ullus æqualis et par; nullus enim cum tam paucis tantas hostium copias toties superavit, et prostravit; nullus pro patria, pro fide, pro templo, pro Dei cultu usque ad mortem per omnem vitam ita desudavit, ita præliatus est, ac tandem pugnando occubuit, ut Judas. Quare non dubium eum Sanctorum Ducum (si non martyrum, quod tamen nonnulli volunt) catalogo a Deo inscriptum, meritis per tot facinora coronis in cœlo decorari, etsi nomen ejus martyrologiis Christianorum inscriptum non legamus. Historia tamen scholastica, et Petrus de Natalibus Episcopus Esquilinus Judam vocant Sanctum, eumque catalogo Sanctorum adscribunt mense octobri. Vide eum lib. IX Catalogi Sanctorum, cap. ii, ubi fuse Judæ, quasi sancti viri, vitam enarrat, ac cap. seq. fratrum ejus Jonathæ et Simonis, æque ac patris Mathathiæ, quos omnes sanctos nuncupat, virtutesque heroicas eorum, quasi Sanctorum recenset.
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23. Post obitum Judæ emerserunt iniqui, q. d. apostatæ, qui eo vivo hiscere non audebant, eo mortuo erexerunt cornua, ut regis Demetrii Gentilismum et idololatriam in Israelem inducerent. Hi ergo urserunt Judæos, ut se dederent Bacchidi duci Demetrii, præsertim, quia ut sequitur:
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24. IN DIEBUS ILLIS FACTA EST FAMES MAGNA VALDE, tum ex Dei apostatas castigantis vindicta, tum quod Bacchides frumenta, vel absumpserat, vel perdiderat: hisce de causis tradidit se Bacchidi omnis regio eorum, exceptis Jonatha et Simone, eorumque asseclis, quorum electione et rogatu.
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31. SUSCEPIT JONATHAS IN TEMPORE ILLO PRINCIPATUM, tam civilem quam sacrum, puta tam Ducatum, quam Pontificatum.
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33. ET FUGERUNT (quia pauci erant, nec tot hostibus et apostatis resistere poterant) IN DESERTUM THECUÆ, ex qua prodiit mulier illa Thecuitis, quæ Absalonem Davidi reconciliavit, lib. II Regum xiv, 2.
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35. Et Jonathas misit fratrem suum (Joannem, de quo cap. II, 2, ducem populi a Jonatha creatum, ut ejus foret vicarius et belli dux:) ET ROGAVIT NABUTHÆOS (incolas urbis Nabo nobilis et præclaræ, sitæ in tribu Ruben, Numer. xxxii, 38,) AMICOS SUOS, UT COMMODARENT ILLIS APPARATUM SUUM, armorum et machinarum bellicarum, quo carebat Jonathas et Judæi, qui pene inermes profugerant in desertum Thecue, ut dictum est vers. 33.
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36. Et exierunt filii Jambri ex Madaba, faventes Bacchidi potius quam Jonathæ. Madaba erat in tribu Ruben non longe a Nabo, et Nabuthæis. Audi Adrichomium: «Madaba, vel Madeba Hebraice idem est quod aquæ doloris, vel manantes, primaria quondam Ammonitarum urbs, sita in planitie, cui et nomen dedit postea Amorrhæorum, quia eam jure belli abstulerant, et muris cinxerant. Habet in circuitu montes, paludes et saltus. Hujus cives cum Joannem Machabæum interfecissent, in ejus ultionem multi eorum, a Jonatha occisi sunt. Quam postea Hyrcanus non sine labore, sexto demum mense cepit; permansit usque ætatem Hieronymi, antiquum nomen retinens.» COMPREHENDERUNT JOANNEM, spoliaverunt et occiderunt; sed ejus necem egregie ultus est Jonathas, ut sequitur vers. 37.
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41. ET CONVERSÆ SUNT NUPTIÆ IN LUCTUM, cæso sponso cum asseclis, ac cæteris spoliatis. Sic sæpe in hoc mundo plausus vertitur in planctum, cantus in lamentum, et extrema gaudii luctus occupat. Qui sapit ergo, mundum contemnat, et cœlum ambiat.
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43. IN VIRTUTE MAGNA, id est, cum exercitu magno et valido; hunc enim significat δύναμις, id est virtus, robur, potentia, fortitudo.
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44. SURGAMUS ET PUGNEMUS CONTRA INIMICOS NOSTROS: NON EST ENIM HODIE SICUT HERI ET NUDIUS TERTIUS, ut possimus libere abire, vel pugnam declinare, vel fuga elabi. Sumus enim hostibus numerosis vicini, et ab eis pene cingimur; nam alia ex parte Jordane, paludibus et saltibus in viis concludimur, ut effugere nequeamus; quare necesse est cum Bacchide confligere. Faciamus ergo ex inevitabili necessitate virtutem, et acerrime non tam pro vita, quam pro patria, templo et Deo dimicemus, ut vincamus, vel pugnando moriamur, uti fecit Judas frater meus, vers. 9. Hunc esse sensum liquet ex eo quod subdit: 45. Ecce enim bellum ex adverso (a Bacchide instante nobis imminet), aqua vero Jordanis hinc et inde nos cingit et transitu prohibet. Acer hic est militi stimulus ad pugnandum, quem duces ei proponunt, ut generose pugnet cum aut vincere debet, aut mori. Simili modo Annibal, teste Livio lib. XXI: «Dextra lævaque duo maria claudunt, nullam ne ad effugium quidem navem habemus, etc., hic vobis vincendum aut moriendum, milites, est.» Idem lib. XXII, de Romanis in angustum redactis: «Ab lateribus montes et lacus; a fronte et a tergo hostium acies claudebat, apparuitque nullam nisi in dextra ferroque salutis spem esse.»
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47. ET EXTENDIT JONATHAS MANUM SUAM PERCUTERE (ut occideret) BACCHIDEM, ET DIVERTIT AB EO RETRO, q. d. Bacchides vertendo se et retrorsum resiliendo ictum Jonathæ declinavit.
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48. Et dissiliit (Græca et Latina nonnulla manuscripta ac Hugo habent desiluit) Jonathas et qui cum eo erant in Jordanem, et transnataverant ad eos Jordanem, q. d. Jonathas cum vim hostium repressisset, cæsis mille viris, ipsoque pene duce Bacchide, videretque se cum tam paucis male armatis diu cum tot millibus hostium armatissimis confligere non posse, habuit tempus tuto se cum suis subducendi. Nam insiliit in Jordanem, eumque vestitus et armatus natando transmisit; nec hostes, utpote ab eo cæsi, regressique eum insequi, aut transitum Jordanis impedire sunt ausi. Itaque, Jonathas et Judæi secure «tranaverunt ad eos,» puta ad suos, qui paulo ante Jordanem transierant. «Tranaverunt,» inquam, «Jordanem;» unde Græca clarius et plenius habent: Et insiliit Jonathas et qui cum eo erant Judæorum et transnataverunt in ulteriorem ripam, et non transierunt (hostes, scilicet, Bacchidis milites) ad eos Jordanem. Et Josephus: «Cum, inquit, Bacchides caute ictum Jonathæ declinasset, Jonathas cum suis desilientes commiserunt se flumini, et in oppositam ripam enataverunt, hostibus non ausis trajicere.» Hinc Salianus suspicatur in Vulgata esse mendum, et pro «tranaverunt ad eos,» legendum «non tranaverunt ad eos;» q. d. Hostes non ausi sunt tranare Jordanem, sequique Jonatham et Judæos, qui eum tranarant, ne ab eis interimerentur, vel aquis suffocarentur. Sed omnia exemplaria latina legunt affirmative «transverunt ad eos,» juxta sensum initio dictum. Ita Sanchez.
9:49
49. ET CECIDERUNT DE PARTE BACCHIDIS DIE ILLA MILLE VIRI. Josephus auget more suo numeratque bis mille. ET REVERSI SUNT IN JERUSALEM, non Jonathas, sed Bacchides cum suis copiis. Hic enim tenebat urbem Jerusalem, imo arcem Sion, totamque fere Judæam. Ita Josephus, Salianus, Sanchez et alii idque patet ex sequentibus.
9:50
50. ET ÆDIFICAVERUNT (Bacchides, ejusque asseclæ missi a rege Demetrio ad occupandam Judæam) CIVITATES MUNITAS IN JUDÆA, ut per eas reliquam Judæam sibi subjectam detinerent, ne Jonathas superveniens ex ea ipsos expelleret.
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51. ET POSUIT CUSTODIAM IN EIS. Custodiam vocat præsidium militum, quos Bacchides in urbibus jam dictis collocavit, ut eas contra Jonathæ irruptiones custodirent et propugnarent.
9:52
52. Et posuit in eis auxilia (scilicet, præsidia militum jam dicta) et apparatum escarum, hoc est annonam copiosam, ut obsidionem Jonathæ se absente diu sustinere possent, ne pressi fame cogerentur deditionem facere.
9:53
53. ET ACCEPIT (Bacchides) FILIOS PRINCIPUM REGIONIS OBSIDES, ne Principes, sive primores Judæ sibi rebellarent, et cum Jonatha conspirarent, ideoque eorum filios, quasi obsides conclusit in arce Sion, ut ibi custodirentur, ne ad suos profugerent.
9:54
54. Et anno 153 (Græcorum) mense secundo PRÆCEPIT ALCIMUS, (Pseudo Pontifex ac scelestus apostata et proditor, qui Demetrium regem excitarat, ut Bacchidem contra Judam Machabæum, ejusque fratres mitteret, sibique Pontificatum excluso Juda conferret, cap. vii, 1 et seq.) DESTRUI MUROS DOMUS SANCTÆ INTERIORIS, ut se Pontificem et templi dominum sese ostenderet. Græce: Jussit dirui murum aulæ sanctorum interioris. Nonnulli murum hunc accipiunt eum, quem Judas Machabæus, cap. IV, 60, templo obtendit ad ejus custodiam, ne in illud irruerent Demetriani occupantes arcem vicinam Sion. Verum hic murus erat aulæ exterioris, non interioris, nec erat opus prophetarum, ut sequitur, sed Judæ Machabæi. Quare murus hic intelligendus est templi, puta Sancti, et Sancti Sanctorum; vel potius atrii sacerdotum, templo sive Sancto adjacentis. Hoc enim atrium dicitur aula, sive domus interior respectu atrii laicorum, quod dicebatur aula, sive domus exterior. Nam inter utrumque hoc atrium interjectus erat murus altitudinis trium cubitorum, quem Josephus Gysum vocat, ut sacerdotes a laicis disterminaret, ne laici ad atrium sacerdotum, et altare holocaustorum, quod in eo erat, accedere possent. Alcimus ergo murum hunc intermedium cœpit destruere, tum ut sacerdotes et sacrificia profanaret, tum ut laici et gentiles ad altare holocaustorum accedere possent, in eoque æque ac sacerdotes sacrificare. Ita Salianus, Sanchez et alii. ET DESTRUI OPERA PROPHETARUM, nimirum murum atrii sacerdotum jam dictum: hunc enim æque ac reliquum templum jussu Dei exstrui jusserunt prophetæ Aggæus et Zacharias, qui et suis oraculis urgebant populum assidue ad inchoatam templi fabricam prosequendam et perficiendam, ita ut templum, operaque facta in templo ad ejus ornatum dici possint, debeantque horum prophetarum pariter, ac Ezechielis, qui et cap. xl templi fabricandi ideam descripsit, ut juxta eam ædificarent. Forte etiam peculiaria quædam fuere in atrio hoc monumenta horum, et aliorum prophetarum, quibus significaretur, tum eorum sanctitas et prophetia, tum eos fabricæ templi fuisse auctores et promotores.
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55. IN TEMPORE ILLO (cum scilicet sacrilegas manus immitteret in muri sacri jam dicti demolitionem) PERCUSSUS EST (a Deo templi sui tutore, et sacrilegii vindice) ALCIMUS (sacrilegus), ET IMPEDITA SUNT OPERA ILLIUS (in demoliendo atrii templi muro), ET OCCLUSUM EST OS EJUS (blasphemum quo murum hunc, quasi Pontifex dirui præceperat), ET DISSOLUTUS EST PARALYSI, NEC ULTRA POTUIT LOQUI VERBUM ET MANDARE DE DOMO SUA, q. d. Non potuit condere testamentum, nec de rebus domus suæ disponere, qui inique de domo Dei disposuerat, illamque diruere voluerat. Justa ergo et congrua sceleri et sacrilegio Alcimi a Deo inflicta est hæc pæna. Scelestus hic Judæus et apostata, ut Demetrio et Græcis placeret, pro Hebræo Joacim, quod ei erat proprium, Græcum nomen vicinum assumpsit, seque vocavit Alcimum, Græce ἄλκιμον, id est fortem, validum, strenuum, ferocem, ut Demetrius eo quasi duce ad debellandum Judam et Jonatham uteretur, qui et revera ipso usus est; sed Deus sacrilegum mox castigavit, eumque paralysi dissolvit; itaque debilitavit et prostravit, ut ne verbum quidem eloqui posset, nimirum: Sequitur superbos ultor a tergo Deus, ut ἄλκιμον, id est robustum faciat, ἄλγιστον, id est molestissimum, tristissimum, doloribus et cruciatibus confectum.
9:56
56. ET MORTUUS EST ALCIMUS IN TEMPORE ILLO CUM TORMENTO MAGNO, nimirum anno 153 Græcorum, ut dictum est vers. 54, qui fuit annus secundus ducatus Jonathæ. Quare errat Josephus, dum scribit Alcimo morienti in Pontificatu successisse Judam Machabæum. Nam Judas jam anno præcedenti, puta 152 Græcorum, ut dictum est cap. ix, 3 et seqq. occubuerat. Modico ergo tempore sua impietate et pseudo-Pontificatu gavisus est Alcimus, scilicet, per biennium duntaxat. Nam eum iniit anno 151 Græcorum, ut dictum est cap. vii, 1 et 5; finiit vero 153 Græcorum, mense secundo, ut hic dicitur. Tam breve est gaudium impiorum, tam brevis impietas, cui mox succedit longissima gehennæ æternitas.
9:57
57. Et siluit terra (quievit Judæa a bellis et infestatione Bacchidis) annis duobus, quibus Jonathas se suosque erexit et armavit.
9:58
58. ET COGITAVERUNT OMNES INIQUI, Judæi apostatæ, et Jonathæ æmuli, ac inimici et proditores, qui vocarunt secreto Bacchidem, ut Jonatham nihil cogitantem mali, noctu caperet et opprimeret, sed frustra: Deo enim dirigente, innotuit Jonathæ eorum proditio.
9:61
61. ET APPREHENDIT (non Bacchides, ut vult Josephus, sed Jonathas suos proditores) DE VIRIS REGIONIS, QUI ERANT PRINCIPES MALITIÆ (proditionis) 50 VIROS ET OCCIDIT EOS.
9:62
62. ET SECESSIT JONATHAS ET SIMON ET QUI CUM EO ERANT IN BETHBESSEN, QUÆ ERAT IN DESERTO: ET EXSTRUXIT DIRUTA EJUS, ET FIRMAVERUNT EAM. Jonathas fraude apostatarum et proditorum, ac validis copiis Bacchidis tota Judæa exclusus, cum fratre Simone, et paucis asseclis, secessit in urbem Bethbessen sitam in deserto Jericho in tribu Benjamin, non longe a Jordane, eamque munivit, ut in ea se suosque contra Bacchidem defenderet. Audivit id Bacchides, et collectis omnibus copiis Bethbessen obsedit, ut Jonatham cum omnibus suis ibidem collectis opprimeret, itaque bellum omne finiret. Quid ad hæc Jonathas et Simon?
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65. ET RELIQUIT JONATHAS SIMONEM FRATREM SUUM IN CIVITATE (ut eam contra Bacchidem propugnaret), ET EXIIT IN REGIONEM (vicinam colligere milites), et venit cum numero, cum numeroso exercitu.
9:66
66. Et percussit Odaren. Erat hic unus ex amicis et ducibus Bacchidis. Aliqui, pro «Odaren» legentes «Oduren,» censent hoc nomen non esse proprium, sed appellativum, ut significet obsessorem viarum, sive prædonem et latronem; hunc enim significat Græcum ὁδοῦρος. Et cœpit cædere (socios et amicos Bacchidis sparsos per campestria, ibique in tabernaculis secure degentes, ex inopinato eos invadens) et crescere in virtutibus. Græce ἐν δυνάμεσι, id est in exercitibus, q. d. Jonathas collecta manu invasit Odaren cum suis, aliosque socios Bacchidis cecidit; inde pluribus ad se concurrentibus, auctisque copiis æque ac animis, invasit ipsa castra Bacchidis, quæ Bethbessen obsidebant, dato signo Simoni fratri, ut ex urbe erumpens hostes obsidentes a fronte invaderet, quos ipse a tergo invadebat, ita factum ut hostes utrimque invasi tanta vi utrobique ab utroque cæderentur, itaque Simon machinas eorum, quibus urbem impetebant, combureret, ut sequitur. Ita Josephus, lib. XIII, cap. i, quem audi: «Relicto ad oppidi tutelam Simone fratre, clam egressus Jonathas, et collectis in vicina regione suæ factionis hominibus, noctu in Bacchidis castra irruit, et multis trucidatis, effecit ut frater adventum cognosceret. Quamprimum enim tumultum sensit in castris hostium, eruptione facta incendit eorum machinas, cæde etiam non mediocri edita.» Ita quoque Hugo, Salianus, Sanchez et alii. Addit Gorionides Bacchidem fugisse in desertum, ibique captum a Jonatha, supplicem ei factum jurasse se omnia quæ e Judæa ceperat redditurum; itaque pace firmata liberum dimissum in Syriam ad suos rediisse. Sed nil tale habet Scriptura, imo contrarium indicat, scilicet, Jonatham priorem pacem petiisse a Bacchide, ideoque parum æquas Judæis conditiones accepisse, ut patebit vers. 70.
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69. ET MULTOS EX EIS OCCIDIT. Bacchides, cæsus a Jonatha, iram vertit in apostatas Judæos, qui eum e Syria in Judæam contra Jonatham evocaverant, promittentes ei securam de ipso, utpote de bello non cogitante, victoriam; quare videns se ab eis in fraudem inductum, et a Jonatha cæsum, eos, quasi mali sui auctores, occidit. Vide hic ut malum consilium consultori sit pessimum, et in ejus jugulum redeat. IPSE AUTEM COGITAVIT CUM RELIQUIS ABIRE IN REGIONEM SUAM. Hoc unum cogitans, ait Josephus, quomodo ex sua et regis dignitate obsidione ficte imposito, exercitum posset sine ignominia reducere Antiochiam ad regem Demetrium, ideoque conditiones pacis a Jonatha oblatas statim acceptavit.
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70. ET COGNOVIT JONATHAS, ET MISIT AD EUM LEGATOS COMPONERE PACEM, ET REDDERE EI CAPTIVITATEM, id est captivos. Hæc enim fuit conditio pacis, ut utrimque captivi commutarentur et redderentur. Jonathas prior petiit pacem, quia res ejus et Judæorum erant afflictæ, ideoque nec Jerusalemam quam tenebat Bacchides, nec alias Judææ urbes ab eo petere est ausus.
9:73
73. Et cessavit gladius in Israel, id est cessavit bellum et prælia, in quibus multi gladio perimuntur, ac de facto multi hic in Israel perempti erant. ET HABITAVIT JONATHAS IN MACHMAS. Jonathæ Principis et Pontificis propria sedes erat Jerusalem et templum; sed hanc occupantibus Bacchidianis, Jonathas sedem sibi elegit in oppido Machmas, quod situm erat in confinio tribuum Benjamin et Ephraim, ibique cœpit jus dicere populo, ac apostatas ex Israel exterminare, totamque Rempublicam Israelis componere, æque ac ibidem fecerat Samuel, judex et princeps, lib. I Reg. VII, 5.
9:1
… A. poté finalmente spadroneggiare e tentare anche una riforma del culto; ma mentre abbatteva «il muro del cortile interno del Santuario» fu colpito da apoplessia (159 a. C.). I Mach. 7, 5-50; 9, 1-57; II Mach., 14, 3-27.
… l'astuzia, a dissolvere il partito di Giuda Maccabeo (I Mach. 7, 8-25). Ritornato in Giudea con un esercito per vendicare la sconfitta di Nicanore, ad Elasa (forse presso el-Birèh) vinse i pochi (800) soldati di Giuda, il quale rimase ucciso nella lotta (I Mach. 9, 1-18). Ristabilito il dominio siro, B. dovette a lungo sostenere una guerriglia snervante contro i nazionalisti radunatisi nei monti meridionali intorno a Gionata Maccabeo. …
MACCABEI (GR. ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙ͂ΟΙ, VOLG. MACHABAEI)
… mischia e riuscì a sfondare l'ala destra del nemico e inseguirlo per lungo tempo; ma una conversione concentrica dell'ala sinistra lo prese alle spalle e con molti altri guerrieri rimase morto sul campo, mentre i resti delle sue truppe si sbandarono (I Mach. 9, 1-22).
9:2
ARBELA ("ΑΡΒΗΛΑ [ΤᾺ]) DI GALILEA
perì Giuda Maccabeo (I Mach. 9, 2). Secondo le
9:4
… chiamata Bě'ěrah, Volg. Bera (Iud. 9, 21; cf. I Par. 7, 37) e Bě'ěrath, Volg. Beroth «pozzi» (Ios. 9, 17). Quivi Bacchide e Alcino, generali di Demetrio Sotero, si accamparono poco prima della battaglia in cui Giuda Maccabeo trovò la morte (I Mach. 9, 4; Volg. Berea).
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… Cf. I Mach. 9, 9-10, 50; II Mach. 14-15.
9:15
AZOTO (EBR. ʾAŠDĀDH; ASIR. AŠDĀDH; GR. ʾAŠḎŌR; OGGI EŠDĀDH)
In I Mach. 9, 15, in luogo di « montagna di A. », ignota ed in contrasto col contesto, è stato proposto di leggere « montagna di Hasor » che sarebbe la Baal-Hasor di II Sam. 13, 23, l'odierna Gebel el-ʾAsār (F.-M. …
9:19
MODIN (SETTANTA ΜΟΔΕΙ͂Ν E ΜΩΔΕΙ͂Ν)
MODIN (Settanta μοδεῖν e μωδεῖν). - Città della Giudea, patria dei Maccabei (I Mach. 2, 1.15. 23) dove ebbero sepoltura Mathathia e i suoi due figli Giuda e Ionathan (I Mach. 2, 70; 9, 19; 13, 25. 30). Il Talmud la pone a 15 miglia da Gerusalemme e l'Onomasticon presso Diospoli (Lidda), dove si vedevano le tombe.
9:23
IONATHAN (EBR. JĒHŌNĀTHĀN E JŌNĀTHĀN; VOLGATA I. E IONATHAS)
… Ma Trifone, che ambiva il trono, lo prese prigioniero a tradimento e lo uccise (I Mach. 9, 23-13, 23). Un altro I. fu inviato da Simone Maccabeo ad occupare Ioppe (ibid. 13, 11); può esser lo stesso guerriero segnalatosi ad Asor (ibid. 11, 70), o un suo fratello.
9:27
… I veri autori non potevano proclamarsi profeti, considerandosi già da tempo chiusa l'età profetica (I Mach. 4, 46; 9, 27); né potevano far credere che Dio affidasse i suoi segreti a oscuri meditativi.
9:32
MACCABEI (GR. ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙ͂ΟΙ, VOLG. MACHABAEI)
… Il delitto fu subito vendicato da Ionathan che, passato il Giordano, irruppe improvvisamente su Madabath (Hirbet et-Tejm, 2 km. a sud di Madaba) durante una festa nuziale (1 Mach. 9, 32, 35-42). Nel ritorno, dopo breve scontro con le truppe di Bacchide, che erano venute ad attenderlo ai guadi del Giordano, si mise in salvo passando a nuoto il fiume insieme ai suoi …
9:33
THECUA (EBR. TĒQŌĀ; SETTANTA ΘΕΚΩ͂ E ΘΕΚΟΥ͂Σ)
… l'esilio, collaborò alla restaurazione delle mura di Gerusalemme (Neh. 3, 5, 27). Nel deserto di T. presso la fontana di Asphar (Hirbet ez-Zafan) si riunirono Ionathan e Simone maccabei con i loro combattenti per sfuggire alle insidie di Bacchide (I Mach. 9, 33).
9:36
… appoggio nella guerra contro Bacchide, fu ucciso dai figli di Iambri, potente famiglia di M. Gionata e Simone vendicarono l'affronto in occasione di un solenne matrimonio che si celebrava nei dintorni di M., a Nadabah, probabilmente l'odierno et-Tejm (I Mach. 9, 36-
9:37
… Alla morte di Alcimo ritornò in Antiochia, lasciando molti presidi in munite fortezze; ma nel 157 a. C. era di nuovo in Giudea, dove, non potendo aver ragione di Gionata, che gli sfuggiva sempre, venne ad un accomodamento (I Mach. 9, 37-73).
Sebbene non manchino allusioni ad elementi accessori o cerimoniali (cf. Gen. 29, 22, 27; Edec. 14, 10; Ps. 18, 6; Is. 61, 10; Ier. 7, 34; 16, 9; Cant. 3, 11; I Mach. 9, 37; Mt. 25, 1 ecc.), nella Bibbia solo in Tob. 8, 24 si parla di un documento scritto redatto all'atto del m.
La città di N., oggi comunemente identificata con Mehajjet, è ricordata in Num. 32, 3; 33, 47, dalla stele di Mesa, da Is. 15, 2; Ier. 48, 1; I Mach. 9, 37, dall'Onomasticum, e dalla Vita di Pietro Iberico (sec. v). Presso la sua fontana, o 'Ajûn Gedejd, è stata rinvenuta in una grotta una collezione di vasi del 1° periodo del bronzo; …
9:45
MACCABEI (GR. ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙ͂ΟΙ, VOLG. MACHABAEI)
… una festa nuziale (1 Mach. 9, 32, 35-42). Nel ritorno, dopo breve scontro con le truppe di Bacchide, che erano venute ad attenderlo ai guadi del Giordano, si mise in salvo passando a nuoto il fiume insieme ai suoi e disperdendosi di nuovo nel deserto (ibid. 9, 45-49), dove si diede ad organizzare un nuovo esercito.
9:50
… Essendo su una delle antiche strade che univano Gerusalemme alla costa, le due città avevano grande importanza strategica, per cui si spiegano le cure che in tutti i tempi furono poste nel fortificarle (I Reg. 9, 17; I Mach. 9, 50). Nei pressi di B. Giosuè ottenne la celebre vittoria sui re cananei confederati (Jos. 10, 10). Le due B. furono identificate da Clarke nel 1801: la prima, B. superiore (Bejt 'Ur …
EMMAUS. - 1. Città celebre nella storia dei Maccabei (I Mach. 3, 40; 4, 3; 9, 50), capoluogo di toparchia nel 47 a. C. (Fl. Giuseppe, Bell. …
9:52
Nel 166 a. C. G. è nel confine della provincia di Giudea (I Mach. 4, 15; 7, 45). Nel 160 a. C. è fortificata da Bacchide (I Mach. 9, 52); nel 142 è conquistata da Simone Maccabeo, il quale allontana i pagani per insediarsi degli ebrei (I Mach. 13, 43-48). A quel periodo appartengono alcune iscrizioni ebreo-grechi …
9:57
MACCABEI (GR. ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙ͂ΟΙ, VOLG. MACHABAEI)
… Ionathan, informato dei propositi dei suoi avversari, fece una sortita dal deserto, uccidendo una cinquantina dei maggiori agitatori (ibid. 9, 57-61) e poi si ritirò nella fortezza di Bethbesse (Hirbet Bejt Başşah a sud-est di Betlemme), che resistì agli assalti di Bacchide. …
9:62
MACCABEI (GR. ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙ͂ΟΙ, VOLG. MACHABAEI)
… Bacchide accettò e così Ionathan poté liberamente stabilirsi a Machmas (Muhmâs, 15 km. al nord di Gerusalemme), fortificandosi e impiantandovisi da padrone (ibid. 9, 62-73).
9:73
MACHMAS (EBR. MIKMĀS E MIKMĀS; GR. MAYZĀZ; ARABO MUḤMĀS)
M. compare nella descrizione profetica di Isaia che vede l'esercito assiro marciare su Gerusalemme (Is. 10, 28-9). Ionathan Maccabeo, vinto Bacchide generale greco-siriano, ca. il 158 a. C. vi pose la sua residenza amministrando la giustizia (I Mach. 9, 73). Un'iscrizione musiva in greco, datata verso il sec. VI, parla di un Valentino, il quale con la moglie ed i figli contribuirono all'erezione e all'abbellimento della chiesa locale. …
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.