Holie fire, and the booke of the law were conserued by Ieremie the prophet, in the transmigration into Babylon. 4. Likewise the Tabernacle of Moyses the Arke, and Altar of incense in a secrete place. 8. As Moyses had dedicated the Tabernacle, and Salomon the Temple: 14. so Iudas Machabeus clensing the Temple, and making a new Altar, instituted a feast of the Dedication therof. 20. The Preface of the Auctor abridging the historie of the Machabees written by Iason in fiue bookes.
1Leggesi negli scritti del profeta Geremia, com'egli ordinò a quelli, che erano condotti in altro paese, che prendessero il fuoco nella maniera, che si è detto, e diede avvertimenti a questi, che erano menati altrove.AND it is found in the descriptions of Ieremie the prophet, that he commanded them that went in transmigration, to take the fire, as it was signified, & as he commanded them that were caried away in transmigration.Invenitur autem in descriptionibus Jeremiæ prophetæ, quod jussit eos ignem accipere qui transmigrabant, ut significatum est, et ut mandavit transmigratis. 2And how he gave them the law, that they should not forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, seeing the idols of gold, and silver, and the ornaments of them.E diede loro la legge, affinchè non si scordassero de' comandamenti del Signore, e non cadessero in errore alla vista de' simolacri d'oro, e d'argento, e della loro pompa.And he gaue them a law that they should not forget the precepts of our Lord, and that they should not erre in their mindes, seing the idols of gold, and siluer, and the ornaments of them.Et dedit illis legem, ne obliviscerentur præcepta Domini, et non exerrarent mentibus, videntes simulacra aurea et argentea, et ornamenta eorum. 3And with other such like speeches, he exhorted them that they would not remove the law from their heart.E con altre simili ammonizioni gli esortava a non rigettare dal cuor loro la legge.And saying other like thinges, he exhorted them that they would not remoue the law from their hartEt alia hujusmodi dicens, hortabatur ne legem amoverent a corde suo. 4It was also contained in the same writing, how the prophet, being warned by God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should accompany him, till he came forth to the mountain where Moses went up, and saw the inheritance of God.E nelle scritture stesse si conteneva come il profeta per avviso datogli da Dio, ordinò, che il tabernacolo, e l'arca andasser seco, fino che arrivò a quel monte, sul quale sali Mosè, e donde vide l'eredità di Dio:And it was in the same writing, how the propher commanded by the diuine answer made to him, that the tabernacle, & the arke should folow in company with him, til he came forth into the mount in which Moyses ascended, and saw the inheritance of God.Erat autem in ipsa scriptura, quomodo tabernaculum et arcam jussit propheta divino responso ad se facto comitari secum, usquequo exiit in montem in quo Moyses ascendit, et vidit Dei hæreditatem.
5And when Jeremias came thither he found a hollow cave: and he carried in thither the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.E giunto colà Geremia trovò una caverna, e vi ripose dentro il tabernacolo, e l'arca, e l'altare degli incensi, e ne accecò l'ingresso.And Ieremie coming thither found a place of a caue: & he brought the tabernacle, and the arke, and the altar of incense in thither, and stopped the doore.Et veniens ibi Jeremias, invenit locum speluncæ: et tabernaculum, et arcam, et altare incensi intulit illuc, et ostium obstruxit. 6Then some of them that followed him, came up to mark the place: but they could not find it.E alcuni di quelli, che lo seguivano si avvicinarono per notare il luogo, ma non poteron poi rinvenirlo.And there came certaine withal, that folowed, to marke the place for themselues: and they could not finde it.Et accesserunt quidam simul, qui sequebantur, ut notarent sibi locum: et non potuerunt invenire. 7And when Jeremias perceived it, he blamed them, saying: The place shall be unknown, till God gather together the congregation of the people, and receive them to mercy.E quando Geremia seppe tal cosa gli sgridò, e disse: Il luogo sarà ignoto, fino a tanto che Dio riunisca tutto il popolo, e faccia misericordia.And as Ieremie vnderstood it, blaming them he sayd: that the place shal be vnknowne, til God gather together the congregation of the people, and become propicious:Ut autem cognovit Jeremias, culpans illos dixit: Quod ignotus erit locus donec congreget Deus congregationem populi, et propitius fiat: 8And then the Lord will shew these things, and the majesty of the Lord shall appear, and there shall be a cloud as it was also shewed to Moses, and he shewed it when Solomon prayed that the place might be sanctified to the great God.E allora il Signore manifesterà tali cose, e apparirà la Maestà del Signore, e verrà la nuvola, quale fa veduta da Mosè, e quale apparve allorché Salomone domandò che il tempio fosse consagrato al grande Iddio.and then our Lord wil shew these thinges, and the maiestie of our Lord shal appeare, & there shal be a cloude as it was also mad•manifest to Moyses, and as when Salomon prayed that the place might be sanctified to the great God, he did manifest these thinges.et tunc Dominus ostendet hæc, et apparebit majestas Domini, et nubes erit, sicut et Moysi manifestabatur, et sicut cum Salomon petiit ut locus sanctificaretur magno Deo, manifestabat hæc.
9For he treated wisdom in a magnificent manner: and like a wise man, he offered the sacrifice of the dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.Perocché egli fece grandiosa mostra di sua sapienza, e come sapiente offerse il sagrifizio della dedicazione, e santificazione del tempio.For he handled wisedom magnifically: as hauing wisedome, did he offer the sacrifice of the dedication, and of the consummation of the temple.Magnifice etenim sapientiam habens, obtulit sacrificium dedicationis et consummationis templi. 10And as Moses prayed to the Lord, and fire came down from heaven, and consumed the holocaust: so Solomon also prayed, and fire came down from heaven and consumed the holocaust.Come Mosè fece orazione al Signore, e scese fuoco dal cielo, e consumò l'olocausto; così ancor Salomone fece orazione, e scese fuoco dal cielo, e consumò l'olocausto.As Moyses also prayed to our Lord, and as Salomon prayed, and fire came downe from heauen, and consumed the holocaust.Sicut et Moyses orabat ad Dominum, et descendit ignis de cælo et consumpsit holocaustum, sic et Salomon oravit, et descendit ignis de cælo et consumpsit holocaustum. 11And Moses said: Because the sin offering was not eaten, it was consumed.E Mosè disse: Non è stato mangiato quello, che fu offerto per lo peccato, ma è stato consunto dal fuoco.And Moyses sayd: Because that which was for sinne, was not eaten, it was consumed.Et dixit Moyses: Eo quod non sit comestum quod erat pro peccato, consumptum est. 12So Solomon also celebrated the dedication eight days.Salomone parimente celebrò per otto giorni la dedicazione.In like maner Salomon also eight dayes celebrated the dedication.Similiter et Salomon octo diebus celebravit dedicationem. 13And these same things were set down in the memoirs, and commentaries of Nehemias: and how he made a library, and gathered together out of the countries, the books both of the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings, and concerning the holy gifts.E queste stesse cose erano registrate negli scritti, e ne' commentarj di Nehemia, dove dicesi come egli formò la biblioteca, e radunò da tutte parti i libri e de' profeti, e di David, e le lettere dei re, e dei loro doni.And these self same thinges were put in the descriptions, and commentaries of Nehemias: and after what sort he making a librarie gathered together bookes of the prophetes, and of Dauid, and the epistles of the kinges; and concerning the donaries.Inferebantur autem in descriptionibus et commentariis Nehemiæ hæc eadem: et ut construens bibliothecam congregavit de regionibus libros et prophetarum et David, et epistolas regum, et de donariis.
14And in like manner Judas also gathered together all such things as were lost by the war we had, and they are in our possession.Similmente anche Giuda rimesse insieme tutto quello, che si era smarrito nel tempo della guerra, che sostenemmo, e tutto questo si trova presso di noi.And in like maner Iudas also such thinges as were fallen away by the warre that happened to vs, gathered them al together, and they are with vs.Similiter autem et Judas ea quæ deciderant per bellum quod nobis acciderat, congregavit omnia, et sunt apud nos. 15Wherefore, if you want these things, send some that may fetch them to you.Se voi pertanto desiderate queste cose, mandate persone, che a voi le portino.If therfore you desire these thinges, send some that may fetch them vnto you.Si ergo desideratis hæc, mittite qui perferant vobis. 16As we are then about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you: and you shall do well, if you keep the same days.Essendo adunque noi per celebrare la festa della purificazione, ve ne abbiam dato avviso, e voi ben farete, se fa rete festa per que' giorni.We therfore meaning to kepe the purification haue written vnto you: You shal doe wel then, if you kepe these dayes.Acturi itaque purificationem scripsimus vobis: bene ergo facietis, si egeritis hos dies. 17And we hope that God, who hath delivered his people, and hath rendered to all the inheritance, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary,E Dio, il quale ha liberato il suo popolo, e ha renduto a tutti la loro eredità, e il regno, e il sacerdozio, e il luogo santo,And God that hath deliuered his people, and rendered the inheritance to al, the kingdom, and the priesthoode, and the sanctification,Deus autem, qui liberavit populum suum, et reddidit hæreditatem omnibus, et regnum, et sacerdotium, et sanctificationem, 18As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and will gather us together from every land under heaven into the holy place.Conforme avea promesso nella legge, abbiamo speranza, che ben presto farà a noi misericordia, e ci riunirà da quanti luoghi sono sotto del cielo, nel luogo santo.as he promised in the law, we hope that he wil quickly haue mercie vpon vs, and wil gather vs together from vnder heauen into the holie place.sicut promisit in lege, speramus quod cito nostri miserebitur, et congregavit de sub cælo in locum sanctum. 19For he hath delivered us out of great perils, and hath cleansed the place.Perocché da grandi pericolo egli ci ha liberati, ed ha purificato il luogo santo.For he hath deliuered vs out of great perils, and hath purged the place.Eripuit enim nos de magnis periculis, et locum purgavit.
20Now as concerning Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar:Quello poi che riguarda Giuda Maccabeo, e i suoi fratelli, e la purificazione del gran tempio, e la dedicazione dell'altare,Concerning Iudas Machabeus, and his brethren, and of the purification of the great temple, and of the dedication of the altar,De Juda vero Machabæo, et fratribus ejus, et de templi magni purificatione, et de aræ dedicatione, 21As also the wars against Antiochus, the Illustrious, and his son, Eupator:E le guerre avvenute sotto Antioco l'illustre, e sotto il suo figliuolo Eupatore,Yea and of the battels that perteyne to Antiochus the Noble, and his sonne Eupator:sed et de præliis quæ pertinent ad Antiochum Nobilem et filium ejus Eupatorem, 22And the manifestations that came from heaven to them, that behaved themselves manfully on the behalf of the Jews, so that, being but a few they made themselves masters of the whole country, and put to flight the barbarous multitude:E i segni veduti in cielo favorevoli a quelli, che valorosamente combatterono per la nazione Giudea, talmente che essendo in piccol numero liberarono il paese, e posero in rotta la moltitudine de' barbari,and of the apparitions, that were made from heauen to them, that did manfully for the Iewes, so that being few they reuenged the whole countrie, and put to flight the barbarous multitude:et de illuminationibus quæ de cælo factæ sunt ad eos qui pro Judæis fortiter fecerunt, ita ut universam regionem, cum pauci essent, vindicarent, et barbaram multitudinem fugarent, 23And recovered again the most renowned temple in all the world, and delivered the city, and restored the laws that were abolished, the Lord with all clemency shewing mercy to them.E ricuperarono il tempio più celebre, che sia al mondo, e la città messero in libertà, e alle leggi abolite rendettero l'osservanza, rendutosi propizio ad essi il Signore, che tutto rimesse in calma,and repayred the most famous temple in al the world, and deliuered the citie, and the lawes that were abolished, were restored, our Lord with al clemencie being made propicious vnto them.et famosissimum in toto orbe templum recuperarent, et civitatem liberarent, et leges quæ abolitæ erant, restituerentur, Domino cum omni tranquillitate propitio facto illis. 24And all such things as have been comprised in five books by Jason, of Cyrene, we have attempted to abridge in one book.Queste cose comprese in cinque libri da Giasone di Cirene, abbiam noi tentato di restringere in un solo volume.Also the thinges which by Iason the Cyrenean, are comprised in fiue bookes we haue attempted to abridge in one volume.Itemque ab Jasone Cyrenæo quinque libris comprehensa tentavimus nos uno volumine breviare.
25For considering the multitude of books, and the difficulty that they find that desire to undertake the narrations of histories, because of the multitude of the matter,Perocché considerando noi la moltitudine de' libri, e la difficoltà, che nasce dalla moltiplicità delle cose per quelli, che bramano di internarsi nei racconti istorici,For considering the multitude of bookes, and the difficultie to them, that wil attempt the narrations of histories, because of the multitude of matters:Considerantes enim multitudinem librorum, et difficultatem volentibus aggredi narrationes historiarum propter multitudinem rerum, 26We have taken care for those indeed that are willing to read, that it might be a pleasure of mind: and for the studious, that they may more easily commit to memory: and that all that read might receive profit.Abbiam proccurato, che quelli, che amano di leggere abbiano onde con tentar l'animo loro; gli studiosi poi possano più facilmente imprimer le cose nella memoria, e tutti i lettori se ricevano utilità.we haue bene careful for them that are willing to reade, that there might be delectation of the minde: and for the studious, that they may more easily comitte it to memorie: and that profite might ensewe to al that read it.curavimus volentibus quidem legere, ut esset animi oblectatio: studiosis vero, ut facilius possint memoriæ commendare: omnibus autem legentibus utilitas conferatur. 27And as to ourselves indeed, in undertaking this work of abridging, we have taken in hand no easy task; yea, rather a business full of watching and sweat.Ma quanto a noi, intraprendendo di formare un tal compendio, non leggera fatica abbiamo assunta, ma anzi un lavoro, che molta preparazione richiede, e sudore.And to our owne selues in deede, which haue taken vpon vs this worke to make an abridgement, we haue taken in hand no easie labour, yea rather a busines ful of watching and swette.Et nobis quidem ipsis, qui hoc opus breviandi causa suscepimus, non facilem laborem, immo vero negotium plenum vigiliarum et sudoris assumpsimus. 28But as they that prepare a feast, and seek to satisfy the will of others: for the sake of many, we willingly undergo the labour.Ma imitando coloro, che preparano un convito, e cercano di incontrare il gusto altrui per ingrazianirsi con molti, di buon animo prendiamo questa fatica.As they that prepare a feast, and seeke to condescend to other mens wil: for manie mens sakes we doe willingly susteyne the labour.Sicut hi qui præparant convivium, et quærunt aliorum voluntati parere propter multorum gratiam, libenter laborem sustinemus.
29Leaving to the authors the exact handling of every particular, and as for ourselves, according to the plan proposed, studying to be brief.La verità di ciascuna cosa noi la rimettiamo agli autori; ma noi del dato disegno formeremo l'abbozzo.The veritie certes concerning euery particular leauing to the auctors, and our selues according to the forme that is geuen, studying to be briefe.Veritatem quidem de singulis auctoribus concedentes, ipsi autem secundum datam formam brevitati studentes. 30For as the master builder of a new house must have care of the whole building: but he that taketh care to paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning of it: so must it be judged of us.Imperocché siccome all'architetto, che fa una nuova casa, si appartiene l'aver cura di tutta la fabbrica, quegli poi, che si studia di darne il disegno deve cercare quello, che atto sia a darne l'idea: nella stessa guisa fa d'uopo giudicare di noi.For as the builder of a new house must haue care of the whole building: but he that hath the care to paint, must seeke out the thinges that are apt for garnishing: so must it be esteemed also in vs.Sicut enim novæ domus architecto de universa structura curandum est; ei vero qui pingere curat, quæ apta sunt ad ornatum exquirenda sunt: ita æstimandum est et in nobis. 31For to collect all that is to be known, to put the discourse in order, and curiously to discuss every particular point, is the duty of the author of a history:Imperocché all'autor di una storia si conviene il raccogliere la materia, e ordinare il racconto, e l'internarsi minutamente in tutte le circostanze;For to gather together the vnderstanding, to order the speach, and curiously to discusse euerie particular part, agreeth to the auctor of an historie.Etenim intellectum colligere, et ordinare sermonem, et curiosius partes singulas quasque disquirere, historiæ congruit auctori: 32But to pursue brevity of speech, and to avoid nice declarations of things, is to be granted to him that maketh an abridgment.Ma a chi fa un compendio si dee concedere, ch'egli si attenga alla brevità nel suo dire, e schivi le ampliazioni de' racconti.but to pursew the breuitie of speach, & to auoyde the exact declarations of thinges, is to be granted to him that abridgeth.brevitatem vero dictionis sectari, et executiones rerum vitare, brevianti concedendum est. 33Here then we will begin the narration: let this be enough by way of a preface: for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.Qui adunque darem principio al racconto, contenti di questo solo esordio; perocché stolta cosa sarebbe il diffondersi avanti all'istoria, e nella storia stessa restringersi.From hence then wil we begine the narration: of the preface let it be sufficient to haue sayd thus much. for it is a foolish thing before the historie to flow ouer, and in the historie to be shorte.Hinc ergo narrationem incipiemus: de præfatione tantum dixisse sufficiat. Stultum etenim est ante historiam effluere, in ipsa autem historia succingi.
2:1
Challoner
The descriptions. That is, the records or memoirs of Jeremias, a work that is now lost. (Challoner)
Calmet
It was extant, the year before Christ 142. (Calmet)
Worthington
St. Ambrose (Of. 3:14.) writes at large concerning this miracle. (Worthington)
2:2
Worthington
Of them. He alludes to his epistle, (Calmet) Baruch 6:11. (Worthington)
2:4
Menochius
And the ark. These were not taken by the Chaldeans, Jeremias lii. (Menochius)
Salien
Whether they were removed before or after the capture of the city, is disputed. (Salien, the year [of the world] 3446.)
Worthington
Besides the authority of this book, it is most probabe that Jeremias should have preserved them, as he was high in favour, Jeremias 39:11. (Worthington)
Calmet
Hence most believe that Nabuzardan granted him leave. (Calmet)
Eusebio † 339 d.C.
Eupolemus says Nabuchodonosor did this after he took the city. (Eusebius, praep. 9:39.)
N. Alex
Others think the prophet removed them under Joakim, having informed only a few of the priests. (N. Alex.)
Mountain; Nebo, Deuteronomy 32:49.
2:7
Calmet
Mercy. Whether the ark, etc., were in the second temple, as this seems to insinuate, has been much debated. The negative seems best established and these promises refer to the Messias, prefigured by the ark. God wished to withdraw the Jews by degrees from their attachment to these sensible things, and to raise their minds to those of a more spiritual nature. (St. Ambrose) (Rupert, etc.) (Calmet, Diss.)
Menochius
Salien (the year [of the world] 3609) proves at large, that the ark was discovered at the same time as the sacred fire. (Menochius)
Tournemine
Yet Josephus (Jewish Wars 6:6.) testifies, that nothing was found in the holy of holies when the Romans took it. Hence others think that the ark will be produced to the Jews by Enoch and Elias. (Ribera, in Aggeus i.) (Tournemine)
Haydock
The first opinion gives most satisfaction. When Christ collected his disciples, he received testimony from the Father and from the Holy Ghost in a bright cloud. The figures of the law are at an end, and there will be no need of restoring them at the consummation of all things. (Haydock)
2:9
Haydock
Treated. Greek, "He was manifested, and like one possessing wisdom, he," etc. (Haydock)
On this occasion, Solomon chiefly displayed his wisdom, praying aloud.
2:10
As. Both dedications lasted eight days, and fire descended, Leviticus 9:23., and 2 Paralipomenon 7:1.
2:11
Fire consumed the sin-offering as well as the rest.
2:13
Set down. Greek, "explained."
Menochius
Books. The Scriptures were not lost. (Menochius)
Calmet
Perhaps before this time no complete collection of them had been made. Esdras would point out and help to discover what had been written. (Calmet)
The senate of the nation was also present. (Simon Crit. 1:1.)
Haydock
David: the psalms. All the other books may be designated under the name of prophets. (Haydock)
Calmet
Kings; Cyrus, etc., 1 Esdras 6:3., etc. Josephus has inserted many such letters in his work. They were like the title-deeds of the nation. (Calmet)
Haydock
And. Greek, "regarding the presents;" anathematon. (Haydock)
2:14
Judas. This seems to be the Essene, who with others wrote this epistle; (chap. 1:10.; Worthington) or rather (Haydock) the Machabee, who was as solicitous to preserve the sacred books as Antiochus was to destroy them, 1 Machabees 1:59., and 2:48. It is said that another assembly met to admit such books into the canon as had been written since the days of Nehemias.
2:15
Calmet
Things, collected by Judas. The Bible had been translated into Greek before. But some records might still be wanted by the Jews in Egypt. (Calmet)
2:16
The purification. This is the feast of the purifying or cleansing of the temple, (Challoner) the 25th of Casleu, 2 Machabees 1:9, 18.
2:18
Calmet
Place. They had now liberty to return. What, therefore, can they mean but the coming of the Messias, who was shortly expected? (Calmet)
Haydock
Many Jews at this time were scattered in other countries, and did not chose to return, like those of Egypt. The people of Judea wish all would live together, as they had done under Solomon. (Haydock)
2:19
Worthington
Place. Read 2 Machabees 15:38. After the author had written this appendix to the former book, he resolved to add an epitome of the history. Hence in this preface he informs us of the subject, method, reason, and diligence of his short work, ver. 20, 24, 25, 26, 29. (Worthington)
This piece is very elegant, and contains several rules for writing history. The author was a Jew as well as Jason, ver. 24.
2:22
Calmet
Manifestations: heavenly apparitions, 2 Machabees 3:25., and 5:2. (Calmet)
2:25
Haydock
Multitude. Greek also, "confusion of numbers, and the difficulty attending those who wish to dive into eiskukleisthan, (Haydock) or to include much (Calmet) historical relations on account of the quantity of matter." (Haydock)
2:27
Challoner
No easy task, etc. The spirit of God, that assists the sacred penman, does not exempt them from labour in seeking out the matter which they are to treat of, and the order and manner in which they are to deliver it. So St. Luke wrote the gospel, having diligently attained to all things, Luke 1:3. (Challoner)
Worthington
This evangelist had to inquire of others. (Worthington)
Haydock
Inspiration preserves from all danger of mistake. When something future is revealed, there is less difficulty, as God must then dictate the very words. Hence Jeremias wrote with the utmost ease, as Baruch testified, Jeremias 36:18, 32. (Haydock)
Bellarmine
The prophets had, therefore, only to write or speak from the mouth of God. Others were excited by him to treat of history, etc., and were preserved from error, but not from labour. (Bellarmine, Verb. 1:15.)
Menochius
In vain then do our adversaries attempt to prove that this book is not inspired. (Menochius)
2:28
Haydock
Others. Greek, "have no easy task, so," etc. (Haydock)
Calmet
He alludes to the custom of choosing a master of the feast, who had to strive to give general satisfaction, Ecclesiasticus 32:1., and Esther 1:8. (Calmet)
2:29
Haydock
Authors. Greek, "the writer." (Haydock)
Sa
Jason resembles an excellent painter, of whose work we desire to give a copy (Calmet) in miniature, (Haydock) relying entirely on his veracity. (Sa)
Menochius
Yet as the Church esteems this work to be canonical, what is extracted must be true, and inspired, though the writer seems not to have known that he had such a privilege. God might still guide his pen. (Menochius)
Haydock
The original might also be the work of a sacred writer, as many such appear to have been lost. If it were not, what is here selected cannot be questioned. St. Paul quotes some passages even from heathen poets, which in those cases were true, and thus became part of the word of God. (Haydock)
2:30
Calmet
Master. Such is Jason. I only paint some parts. (Calmet)
Haydock
Paint. Greek, "to burn in and represent to the life, must," etc. (Haydock)
Calmet
The ancients painted the walls, preparing them by fire, etc. (Vitruvius 7:5.; Josephus, Antiquities 17:12.) (Calmet)
2:32
Haydock
Nice. Greek exergastikon, "elaborate disquisitions." Both must equally seek the truth: but long details are not expected in abridgments as they are in a full history. (Haydock)
2:33
Worthington
Itself. The account of Alexander [the Great] should be read next, 1 Machabees 1:(Worthington)
2:16
The purification.... That is, the feast of the purifying or cleansing of the temple.
2:27
No easy task, etc.... The spirit of God, that assists the sacred penmen, does not exempt them from labour in seeking out the matter which they are to treat of, and the order and manner in which they are to deliver it. So St. Luke writ the gospel having diligently attained to all things. Luke 1. ver. 3.
2:1
S. Ambrose, li 3. c. 14. Offic. vvriteth at large of this miracle.
2:3
Concordanza Epis. Iere. Baruc. 6.
2:4
Neither the tabernacle nor the arke vvere caried avvay by Nabuchodonosor, but vvere preserued by some meanes: and most like (besides the auctoritie of this scripture) by Ieremie the propher, vvho had spocial fauour of the Babylonians, vvhen Ierusalem vvas taken. Iere. 39. v. 11.
2:8
Ex•. 40. 3. R•g. 8.
2:10
Concordanza Leuit. 9. 7. 24.
2:14
This semeth to be the same Iudas Essenus vvho vvith others vvritte this epistle, ch. •. v. 10.
2:19
li. 2. c. 15. v. 38.
2:20
After the auctor had written this Appendix to the former booke, he resolued also to adde an abridgement of the vvhole historie, vvherunto he maketh this Preface, signifying the matter vvherof he vvil vvrite v. 20. in vvhat maner. v. 24. and why, v 25. auouching his diligence. v. 26. vvith breuitie. v. 29.
A
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God assisting the vvti•ers of diuine histories, doth not alvvayes deliuer them from labour in seeking to knovv the same of sueh as knew particular thinges. So S Luke vvritte the Gospel, hauing diligently attained to al thinges Luc. 1. v. 3.
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exact declaration.
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li. 1. c. 1. v. 1.
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sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Duties of the Clergy 3.17
101. When this sign became known, the king of Persia ordered a temple to be built on that spot where the fire had been hidden and the water afterwards found, to which many gifts were made. They who were with holy Nehemiah called it Naphthar, —which means cleansing—by many it is called Nephi. It is to be found also in the history of the prophet Jeremiah,
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san Cirillo di Gerusalemme † 386 d.C. The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril 2.17
… Hast thou not heard that he put out the eyes of the king, after he had already seen his children slain ? Hast thou not heard that he brake in pieces the Cherubim? I do not mean the invisible beings;—away with such a thought, O man ,—but the sculptured images, and the mercy-seat, in the midst of which God spake with His voice
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sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Duties of the Clergy 3.17
… And when those who had come with him examined it rather closely to mark the spot, they could not discover nor find it. When Jeremiah understood what they wanted he said: “The spot will remain unknown until God shall gather His people together and be gracious to them. Then God shall reveal these things and the majesty of the Lord shall appear.”
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sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Duties of the Clergy 3.18
… Contemplate in silence each single point. The breath of the Holy Spirit descends on thee, He seems to burn thee when He consumes thy sins. The sacrifice which was consumed in the time of Moses was a sacrifice for sin, wherefore Moses said, as is written in the book of the Maccabees: “Because the sacrifice for sin was not to be eaten, it was consumed.”
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1. INVENITUR AUTEM IN DESCRIPTIONIBUS JEREMIÆ PROPHETÆ, QUOD JUSSIT EOS IGNEM ACCIPERE QUI TRANSMIGRABANT, — e Judæa capti a Chaldæis in Babylonem. Confirmat id quod dixit de igne abscondito ex ipsis Jeremiæ scriptis. Descriptiones vocat Scripturam Jeremiæ, ut explicat vers. 4, hoc est codicem, vel pugillarem, aut commentarium, ut vocatur vers. 13, in quo Jeremias descripserat ea quæ dixit et gessit, cum Jerusalem capta fuit a Chaldæis, nimirum, primo, quod jusserit ignem templi abscondi in puteo; secundo, quod exhortatus sit Judæos, qui captivi in Babylonem abducebantur, ne ibi videntes idola aurea ad ea colendum se pellici sinerent, sed constanter solum Deum suum adorarent. Unde dedit eis volumen legis divinæ, puta Deuteronomium, vel Pentateuchum, ut illud crebro legerent in Babylone, illoque se et suam captivitatem solarentur, seseque in vero Dei cultu confirmarent; tertio, quod arcam, tabernaculum et altare incensi detulerit, et absconderit in speluncam montis Nebo. Porro incertum est an liber hic fuerit canonicus, et a Synagoga probatus, habitusque ut S. Scriptura, qualis est prophetia Jeremiæ. Certum tamen est librum hunc fuisse magnæ auctoritatis, utpote qui scriptus sit a Jeremia propheta, atque hic citetur ut testis indubitatus ignis sacri absconditi. Denique injuria temporum periit hic liber, uti et plures alii a Jeremia conscripti, nimirum ejus carmen lugubre de morte Josiæ regis, de quo II Paral. XXXV. Item liber ejusdem de eversione urbis, et populi captivitate. Ad hæc liber de Babylonis excidio, quem alligatum saxo jussit in Euphratem projici, Jeremia LI, 60; et alii plures de quibus egi Prologo in Jeremiam.
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2. ET DEDIT ILLIS LEGEM, (puta exemplar Deuteronomii, in quo tota lex a Mose repetita continetur: vel exemplar totius Pentateuchi, ut illud assidue in Babylone captivi legerent. Rursum « dedit eis legem, » id est dedit eis mandatum, illudque iterum gravi obtestatione eis inculcavit), NE (scilicet) OBLIVISCERENTUR PRÆCEPTA DOMINI; (sed continuo ea ante oculos mentis et corporis ponerent). Et non exerrarent mentibus, — ne scilicet ex fulgore auri in idolis resplendentis inducerentur in errorem, quod in idolis foret aliquid augustæ divinitatis.
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4. ERAT AUTEM IN IPSA SCRIPTURA, QUOMODO TABERNACULUM ET ARCAM JUSSIT PROPHETA DIVINO RESPONSO (oraculo) AD SE FACTO COMITARI SECUM; USQUEQUO EXIIT IN MONTEM (Nebo) IN QUO MOYSES (moriturus) ASCENDIT, ET VIDIT DEI HÆREDITATEM, — id est vidit eminus terram Chanaan, quam Deus Abrahæ ejusque posteris quasi hæreditatem possidendam promiserat, Genes. XIII. « Comitari, » id est secum deferri, et portari a suis sociis sacerdotibus, vel Levitis: hisce enim jubere poterat Jeremias, non Angelis; ita Lyranus. Serarius tamen putat Angelos detulisse arcam post Jeremiam (sicut iidem ædem B. Virginis, in qua ipsa nuntiante Gabriele filium Dei concepit, ex Palæstina transtulerunt in Italiam puta Lauretum), ita tamen ut arca visa sit a nonnullis, qui proinde eam secuti notarunt locum in quo a Jeremia fuit deposita. In quo Moyses. — Arca ergo et tabernaculum condita fuere eodem loco, quo Moyses mortuus et sepultus fuit, qui arcæ et tabernaculi fuerat conditor. Porro modum depositionis arcæ recenset S. Epiphanius et ex eo S. Thomas quos audi: « Dicit Epiphanius: Hic est Jeremias, qui templum subvertendum prænoscens, arcam testamenti cum his quæ in eadem erant, tulit; et precibus eum absorbari fecit in petram: petram vero digito designans, nomen Dei impressit, et factum est sigillum in similitudinem Scripturæ, quæ ferro cavatur, et ipsum Domini nomen nubis operimento ita celatum est, ut ex tunc nec locum quis cognoscere queat, nec nomen legere usque in hunc diem, et usque in finem, et pristinæ figuræ instar ignis, et nubes sæpe illic fit nocturno tempore, eo quod gloria Domini ab ejus lege non desinat. Est autem petra illa in eremi terra, inter duos montes, inter quos jacent sepulti Moyses et Aaron, dixitque Jeremias præsentibus: Dominus de Sion ascendit ad cœlos, inde cum virtute reversurus, et erit signum præsentiæ ejus, quando omnes gentes adoraverint lignum, dixitque quod arcam hanc nemo poterit producere, præter Moysen electum Dei prophetam. Et tabulas, quæ in ea sunt, nullus aperiet sacerdotum, nullusque Prophetarum nisi electus Dei Aaron. Et in prima resurrectione resurget hæc arca, et exibit de petra, et ponetur in monte Sina, et omnes Sancti congregabuntur ad ipsam, regressum Domini exspectantes, et ut vitent adversarium, qui eos fugientes est quæsiturus interimere. » Hæc ille. Eadem habet Dorotheus in vita Jeremiæ. Horum fides sit penes ipsos auctores. Porro Jeremias hæc gerere potuit, et de facto gessit vel ante captam Jerusalem regnante non Sedecia (tunc enim fuit in carcere), sed Joachim: huic enim Jeremias erat in veneratione, unde ipsius suasu Joachim dedidit se Chaldæis, aut capta jam Jerusalem a Chaldæis, antequam templum ab eis incenderetur. Jeremias enim in magna sanctitatis opinione erat apud Nabuchodonosorem, eo quod ab eo capiendam Jerusalem prædixisset; unde ab eo obtinuit quæcumque voluit, ut patet Jeremiæ XXXIX, 42. Nil ergo habent hic Novantes ut fidem huic libro derogent.
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7. QUOD IGNOTUS ERIT LOCUS (arcæ, tabernaculi et altaris incensi), DONEC CONGREGET DEUS CONGREGATIONEM POPULI. — Quæres an et quando hoc factum vel adhuc faciendum sit. Nonnulli id factum putant sub Nehemia et Dario Hystaspis, quando populus Judaicus in Babylone dispersus inde rediit, et congregatus fuit in Jerusalem et templo ibique ignem a Jeremia reconditum per aquam crassam in ignem conversam recuperavit; tunc enim simili modo videntur circa tabernaculum et altare ab eo abscondita Deo revelante rursus apparuisse in novo templo. Hæc enim erant vasa propria, per quæ Deus in eo coli volebat, ideoque per Moysen ea fabricari, et in templo reponi jusserat. Ita Melchior Canus, lib. II de Locis, cap. XI, Torniellus ad annum mundi 3601, Sanchez hic, et Ribera in cap. I Aggæi, num. 45, qui tamen in fine magis in contrariam sententiam inclinat. Verum contraria sententia uti communior, ita et verior est, scilicet arcam, tabernaculum et altare incensi non fuisse reperta cum igne sacro sub Nehemia et Dario, sed revelanda fore sub finem mundi quando Deus per Eliam et Enoch populum suum, id est Judæos ad Christum convertet, eosque in unam Ecclesiam cum gentibus congregabit: tunc enim Elias, ut eos in fide Christi confirmet, ostendet eis arcam hic a Jeremia in illud ævum promissam. Probatur primo, quia si hæc inventa fuissent cum igne, utique auctor hic idipsum hic narraret, uti narravit de igne: hoc enim ad rem præsentem plane pertinebat. Jam autem nil tale hic narrat. Secundo, quia sub Nehemia non est facta integra congregatio populi, ut patet vers. 18, et cap. II, vers. 37. Multi enim Judæorum manserunt in Babylone; alii in alias regiones fuere dispersi. Tertio, si reperta fuissent, tum in templi secundi exspoliatione, quæ per Titum facta est, arca in spoliis poneretur. At non ponitur apud Josephum, lib. VII De bello, cap. XVII et XIX. Imo idem, lib. VI, cap. VI, expresse docet tunc in Sancto sanctorum nihil omnino fuisse. Cum in idem Sanctum sanctorum ingressus est Pompeius, quid in templo viderit explicans subdit: enumerat idem Josephus diligenter, lib. XIV Antiq. cap. VIII; de arca tamen semper mutus. Quocirca Romæ in arcu triumphali Titi cernimus effigiem candelabri aurei et mensæ panum propositionis, non autem arcam depictam. Quarto, quia hæc est communis Hebræorum sententia, qui constanter asserunt hæc vasa defuisse in secundo templo. Idem asserunt Latini et Græci, ut S. Epiphanius et Dorotheus jam citati in vita Jeremiæ, S. Thomas, Lyranus et Dionysius hic, Petrus Galatinus, lib. IV, cap. IX, Genebrardus, lib. II Chronol. anno mundi 3730, Bellarminus, lib. I De verbo Dei, cap. XV. Abulensis in cap. XV Exodi, Quæst. IV, ubi asserit hæc vasa in eodem loco abscondita in quo corpus Moysis conditum fuit, ac tunc apparitura quando Moysis corpus resurget, et apparebit, quod erit in fine mundi. Sic et Dorotheus in vita Jeremiæ ait eum abscondisse arcam in sepulcro Moysis et Aaronis. Idem censet Cosmas Magalianes, præfat. in Josue, sectione VI. Nonnulli addunt Hebræos, deficiente arca, tabernaculo et altari incensi a Moyse fabricatis, similia fabricasse, illaque in secundo templo (hunc enim ornatum sibi proprium exigebat templum) reposuisse; idque sat colligitur ex lib. I Machab. cap. I, vers. 23, ubi dicitur Antiochum Epiphanem e templo accepisse altare aureum et candelabrum luminis, et mensam panum propositionis; et ex Hegesippo, lib. I, cap. XVII, ubi ait Pompeium tabulas testamenti et cherubinos (non Mosaicos, sed Mosaicis similes) in templo vidisse. Porro defuit in templo secundo arca fœderis, quia in ipso appariturus et docturus erat Christus per arcam figuratus. Unde mystice S. Ambrosius, lib. I Offic. capite XIV, Rupertus, cap. XXIV, hoc vaticinium Jeremiæ impletum censent, cum in templo congregato toto populo videndum se exhibuit Christus, qui est vera arca novi Testamenti, continens tabulas legis Evangelicæ et manna Eucharistiæ. Vide dicta Exodi XXV, 10.
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8. ET APPAREBIT MAJESTAS DOMINI, ET NUBES ERIT, — q. d. Cum Deus revelabit arcam, tunc pariter ostendet gloriam suam in nube splendida, sicut eamdem manifestavit Mosi et Salomoni in dedicatione altaris et templi, ut dicitur vers. 10. MANIFESTABAT HÆC, — scilicet majestatem suam in nube splendida. Græca hæc referunt ad sequentia hoc modo: ut locus sanctificaretur magnifice; deinde punctum. Manifestabatur enim hoc, sive manifestum fiebat, quod velut sapientiam habens obtulit sacrificium.
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9. MAGNIFICE ENIM SAPIENTIAM TRACTABAT (Salomon mortalium sapientissimus), et ut sapientiam HABENS OBTULIT SACRIFICIUM DEDICATIONIS ET CONSUMMATIONIS TEMPLI, — q. d. Salomon uti erat sapientissimus, sic sapientissime imitatus est Mosen, ac orando impetravit ut Deus suam majestatem in templo a se ædificato, et jam dedicato per nubem gloriosam ostenderet III Reg. VIII, 10; unde explicans subdit:
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10. SICUT ET MOYSES ORABAT AD DOMINUM, ET IGNIS DESCENDIT DE CŒLO ET CONSUMPSIT HOLOCAUSTUM (Levit. IX, 24), SIC ET SALOMON ORAVIT, ET DESCENDIT IGNIS DE CŒLO, ET CONSUMPSIT HOLOCAUSTUM, — q. d. Simili ergo modo ignis cœlestis in dedicatione templi facta a Nehemia, et postea a Juda Machabæo descendit de cœlo, eorumque victimas consumpsit, ideoque institutum est festum Encæniorum æque ac dati ignis, ad quod vos, o Ægyptii Judæi, hortamur, nos Jerosolymitæ, ut illud nobiscum ad Dei laudem et gratiarum actionem celebretis.
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11. ET DIXIT MOYSES EO QUOD NON SIT COMESTUM, QUOD ERAT PRO PECCATO CONSUMPTUM EST, — q. d. Cum sacrificium Moysis esset pro peccato, ideoque immundum videretur, sicut et peccatum ipsum, ideoque nec consumptum a sacerdotibus esset, hinc idipsum a flamma consumptum est. Sumpta sunt hæc verba ex Levit. X, 16, videnturque continuata esse cum superioribus, ut sicut ignis cæteras victimas cremavit, sic et hostias pro peccato consumpserit; ita Serarius, Sanchez et alii.
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13. INFEREBANTUR AUTEM IN DESCRIPTIONIBUS ET COMMENTARIIS NEHEMIÆ HÆC EADEM, — q. d. Hæc quæ dixi de igne sacro ex aquis crassis emicante scripta sunt a Nehemia, non lib. II Esdræ, sed alio Nehemiæ commentario, qui jam injuria temporum intercidit. ET UT CONSTRUENS BIBLIOTHECAM. — Prima est hæc Judæorum solemnis bibliotheca quam construxit Nehemias. Ipse enim antecessit centum et amplius annis Alexandrum Magnum, et Aristotelem quem Strabo, lib. XIII, scribit fuisse primum qui bibliothecam exstruxerit. Pluribus annis Nehemias antecessit Ptolemæum Philadelphum, qui secundus post Alexandrum regnavit in Ægypto, ibique celeberrimam bibliothecam erexit, ideoque e Judæa 72 Interpretes evocavit qui S. Scripturam ex Hebræo in Græcum traducerent. Sic ante Ptolemæum et Alexandrum tempore Darii Hystaspis exstabat bibliotheca in Babylone, ut patet I Esdræ VI, 1. Videntur Jerosolymitæ hic adeo celebrare bibliothecam Nehemiæ, ut eam apponant, vel componant, vel opponant bibliothecæ Philadelphi, de qua gloriabantur Judæi in Ægypto degentes, q. d. Vos in Ægypto plures forsan habetis Gentilium libros profanos; at nos soli habemus libros sacros et historias gentis nostræ quibus caret bibliotheca Philadelphi.
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14. SIMILITER AUTEM ET JUDAS EA QUÆ DECIDERANT PER BELLUM CONGREGAVIT OMNIA, (q. d. Simili cura et diligentia Judas sacros Codices per bella Antiochi Epiphanis dissipatos) congregavit et sunt apud nos. — Per Judam nonnulli accipiunt Judam Machabæum. Verum quia Judam hunc a Machabæo distinguit, dicens, vers. 20: « De Juda vero Machabæo; » hunc enim solet vocare Machabæum; et quia Judas Machabæus in assiduis fuit bellis, ideoque illi potius cura fuit armamentarii quam bibliothecæ, ut cuderet gladios, non libros: hinc verius alii accipiunt per Judam, Judam Essenum, qui, ut dixi cap. I, vers. 10, fuit auctor hujus epistolæ et libri; sed quia ipse eam scripsit nomine totius Senatus et populi Judaici, ut ibidem dicitur, hinc de se hic loquitur in tertia persona. Induit enim personam populi et Senatus, quorum nomine scripsit epistolam, eosque hic de Juda, id est de se, quasi de tertio aliquo loquentes inducit.
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17. DEUS AUTEM QUI LIBERAVIT POPULUM SUUM, — (ab Antiocho Epiphane, Eupatore, Sidete, Demetrio, cæterisque hostibus, et reddidit hæreditatem omnibus et regnum, q. d. Deus effecit ut omnes Judæi regnum Judæe non titulo regni, ut prius, sed provinciæ sibi a Deo datæ, quasi hæreditate possiderent, ac singuli in ea partem suam hæreditariam sibi ab Antiochis ereptam, rursum quiete obtinerent); et sacerdotium, (ut scilicet Jerosolymæ restitueret suum Pontificem et sacerdotes); et SANCTIFICATIONEM, — id est sanctum templum cum sancto Dei cultu. Templum enim ab Antiocho pollutum Judas Machabæus expians pristinæ puritati et sanctitati, sanctoque unius veri Dei cultui restituit, lib. I, cap. IV, vers. 52.
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20. DE JUDA VERO MACHABÆO ET FRATRIBUS EJUS. — Sententia hujus versus et quatuor sequentium pendet et expletur illo vers. 24: « Tentavimus nos uno volumine breviare, » q. d. Quæ Jason et alii fuse dixerunt et scripserunt multis voluminibus de gestis et præliis Judæ Machabæi et fratrum ejus, hæc nos breviter hoc libro II Machab. enarrabimus. Finita ergo, vers. 19, epistola, Judas Essenus hic orditur historiam libri II Machab. eique hunc titulum et præfationem de libri argumento, methodo, stylo, etc. præmittit: quare idem est argumentum libri secundi, quod fuit primi, nimirum gesta Judæ Machabæi et fratrum ejus: hæc enim breviter conscripta, lib. I, hic fusius enarrantur: multa etiam adduntur, quæ libro primo omissa fuerunt.
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21. Antiochum nobilem, — id est Antiochum Epiphanem: ἐπιφανής enim Græce idem est quod illustris, nobilis; ita vocatus fuit a Gentilibus ob illustria facta, licet verius a Polybio et aliis cognominetur ἐπιμανής, id est stultus et insanus, ut dixi lib. I.
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22. ET DE ILLUMINATIONIBUS QUÆ DE CŒLO FACTÆ SUNT AD EOS QUI PRO JUDÆIS FORTITER FECERUNT. — Illuminationes de cœlo vocat signa cœlitus edita pro Juda et sociis, qui ope Angelorum adjuti, pro Judæis fortiter dimicantes, magnos Antiochi exercitus prostrarunt. Unde Angeli apparuerunt Judæ, ejusque castra, quasi duces belli præiverunt, ut audiemus in sequenti.
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23. Domino cum omni tranquillitate propitio FACTO ILLIS, — q. d. Domino tranquillante et sedante turbationes, tumultus et prælia ab Antiocho intentata Judæis, eisque pacem pristinam reddente: « Tranquillus enim Deus tranquillat omnia, et tranquille aspicere, quiescere est, » ait quidam Sanctorum.
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24. ITEMQUE AB JASONE CYRENÆO QUINQUE LIBRIS COMPREHENSA TENTAVIMUS NOS UNO VOLUMINE BREVIARE, — id est in breve hoc volumen redigere. Objicit Calvinus et Novantes Jasonem hunc fuisse Cyrenæum, ideoque Gentilem, ac proinde librum hunc, qui est compendium Jasonis, non esse sacrum et Canonicum. Respondeo Jasonem hunc fuisse Judæum, non Gentilem: Judæi enim erant sparsi per totum orbem; ideoque in Cyrene quoque degebant, ut patet Actor. II et VI. Gentiles enim hostes erant Judæorum, eorumque legem, ritus et gesta irridebant, extenuabant, depravabant. Hic autem Jason hæc omnia extollit et celebrat, ut patet ex seq. Quare fuit ipse verus Dei cultor, ac vir probus et pius, Deique cultus zelotes. Sed esto Jason fuisset gentilis, Judas tamen, qui Jasonis scripta selegit, digessit, disposuit, concinnavit, suaque effecit, et in hunc librum redegit assistente sibi semper Spiritu Sancto necubi erraret, hunc librum Canonicum effecit. Quare idem effecit ut si quid falsi, impii, vel obsceni esset in libris Jasonis, illud Judas omitteret vel castigaret. Ubi nota Canonem: Cum auctor Canonicus citat probatque dicta alicujus profani auctoris, hoc ipso facit ea Canonica. Sic S. Paulus ad Titum I, 12, citans illud Epimenidis: « Cretenses semper mendaces, malæ bestiæ, ventres pigri, » addensque: « Testimonium hoc verum est, » hoc ipso illi tribuit fidem Canonicam et infallibilem. Sic illud Job V, 13: « Qui apprehendit sapientes in astutia eorum, » prout dictum est ab Eliphaz gentili, non habet auctoritatem Canonicam; eam tamen adeptum est, cum citatum et laudatum est a Paulo, I Cor. III, 19. Simili modo Judas hic auctor Canonicus dicta a Jasone citans laudansque, ea fecit Canonica. Sic rursum Paulus, Act. XVII, 28, citans probansque illa Arati: « Ipsius enim et genus sumus, » eis tribuit auctoritatem Canonicam. Ita Sanchez, Serarius, Bellarminus et alii.
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27. NEGOTIUM PLENUM VIGILIARUM ET SUDORIS ASSUMPSIMUS. — Magni enim laboris et industriæ est plurima legere, eaque omnia methodice, concinne, clare, et plene paucis verbis constringere et complecti. Sic laboravit, qui Iliadem Homeri ita minutis litteris descripsit, ut totam cortici nucis includeret, teste Plinio, lib. VII, cap. XXI, et Archimedes, qui, ut ait Cicero, Tuscul. I: « lunæ, solis et quinque stellarum errantium motus in sphæram alligavit, idque divino ingenio. » Et quia pauci id facere norunt, hinc sæpe compendia et dispendia. Paucis ergo multa complecti magni viri est, profundique ingenii, quod punctum veritatis multiplicis uno mentis cernit et stringit in ictu. Hic laconismus, id est breviloquentia indicium est animi silentis, meditabundi et sapientis, ideoque illa usi sunt septem Græciæ Sapientes quorum dicta sunt hæc: « Nosce teipsum. Ne quid nimis. Sponde, noxa præsto est, etc. » Audi Plutarchum tract. De Garrulitate: « Semper audiendæ sunt taciturnitatis ac silentii laudes, eorumque majestas, sanctimonia, ac cum sacris arcanis similitudo, et quod majori sunt in admiratione, magis cari sapientesque habentur, quam effrænes isti et concitati ii, qui rotundi sunt, ac breviloquentes, et quorum in exigua dictione multus inest sensus. Nam et Plato hos laudat, similes esse docens peritorum jaculatorum, dum crispa ac densa inter seque convoluta verba emittunt. Et Lycurgus cives statim a puero suos silentio compescens, ad hujusmodi contracte ac presse loquendi peritiam condocefecit. Etenim sicut Celtiberes ferro aciem soliditatemque parant, eo in terram defosso, crassas terrestresque partes expurgando: ita Laconica oratio cortice carebat, et supervacaneorum remotione in efficacitatem coacta acuebatur: quippe illa scite dicendi brevitas, et versatile in responsionibus acumen, multi erat silentii fructus. »
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29. VERITATEM QUIDEM DE SINGULIS AUCTORIBUS (Græce auctori, puta Jasoni Cyrenæo) CONCEDENTES IPSI AUTEM SECUNDUM DATAM (dictam jam) FORMAM BREVITATI STUDENTES, — q. d. Ego Judas hujus libri scriptor hoc tantum egi, ut Jasonis scripta breviarem: quare nolui curiose scrutari veritatem singularum rerum etiam minutissimarum ab eo conscriptarum, sed veritatis hujus laudem tribuo Jasoni, utpote scriptori probo, veraci et exacto, qui hæc omnia diligenter prius investigavit, nec nisi certo comperta conscripsit. Ita modeste de se sentit, et loquitur Judas, sed Spiritus Sanctus qui eo quasi organo et calamo usus est, ita eum direxit, ut nil nisi verum, pium sanctumque conscriberet, et si quid secus in Jasone invenisset, illud vel omitteret, vel mutaret.
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30. SICUT ENIM NOVÆ DOMUS ARCHITECTO. — Ex eadem modestia Judas hic Jasonem comparat architecto magnæ fabricæ, cui incumbit totius fabricæ dispositio et constructio: se vero pictori qui fabricam jam perfectam pictura sua exornat, q. d. Historici est fabricam historiæ construere; abbreviatoris vero est eam suo brevi et concinno stylo exornare.
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31. Etenim intellectum colligere. — Intellectum vocat argumentum, sive materiam quam historicus colligit, et lectori legendam intelligendamque proponit.
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32. EXSECUTIONES RERUM VITARE BREVIANTI CONCEDENDUM EST. — Græce: Curiositatem negotii omittere abbreviationem facienti concedendum est. q. d. Auctoris historici est curiose singula minutim investigare et enarrare; at abbreviatoris est plura ex his circumcidere et paucis multa complecti. Græce enim ἐξεργασίαν significat opus quod fit magna diligentia et cura, hoc est, quod curiose, exacte, plene et perfecte pertractatur. Et hoc Noster vocat « exsecutiones; » nec hanc vocem illatinam existimes. Exsequi enim significat aliquid absolvere et perficere, ideoque accurate illud agere; unde illud Tullii in Oratore: « Divine ut omnia exsequitur. » Et illud ejusdem De Universit.: « Non igitur dubium quin æternitatem maluerit exsequi, quandoquidem neque mundo quidquam pulchrius, neque ejus ædificatore præstantius. » Et illud ejusdem, lib. De Senectute: « Exsequi omnia regis officia et munia. » Rursum, et magis ad rem propositam exsequi significat rem minutim et ample exponere ac narrando prosequi. Ita Livius, lib. V: « Exsequebatur deinde, inquit, quæ solemnis derivatio esset. » Et Cicero, Mario, lib. XXVII: « Habeo, inquit, multa occultiora quæ vix verbis exsequi possum. » Et Plinius, lib. XXXV, cap. VIII: « Nunc celebres in ea arte quam maxima brevitate percurram; neque enim instituti operis est talis exsecutio, » id est prolixior et plenior enarratio. Sic hic exsecutiones opponuntur abbreviationi quam sibi sectandam proposuit noster hic Auctor.
2:1
ASMONEI (EBR. ḤAŠMĀNĪM; LAT. HASMONAE)
… Ind., XII, 6, 1; ma cf. II Mach. 2, 1); non è chiaro però se «Asamoneo» sia un'apposizione di Simeone o indichi una persona diversa. …
GEREMIA (EBR. JIRMÉJÂH[Â] = « JAHWEH INNALZA O STABILISCE »)
… Ancora più venerata è la sua memoria nel periodo maccabaico (II Mach. 2, 1 sgg.; 15, 14-16). Ai tempi di Gesù Cristo si pensava alla possibilità che il Messia non sarebbe stato altri che un G. redivivo (Mt. 16, 14). Ed invero non mancano le rassomiglianze fra …
2:4
ARCA (DELL'ALLEANZA), ARCA DELLA TESTIMONIANZA
… Secondo una tradizione (II Mach. 2, 4-8), Geremia la nascose in una grotta del monte Nebo (l'A. non è tra la suppellettile sacra trafugata dai Babilon-esi: Jer. 52, 17-23).
TABERNACOLO (TENDA) DI RIUNIONE (EBR. 'ŌHEL, PER LO PIÙ SEGUITO DA MĒ'ĒDH: « T. DA CONVEGNO »)
… Geremia l'avrebbe nascosto insieme all'arca in una caverna del M. Nebo prima della caduta di Gerusalemme (587); dopo l'esilio non fu più ritrovato (II Mach. 2, 4-5).
2:10
La morte di A. è narrata in modo diverso: I Mach. 6, 1-16 e II Mach. 9, 1-28 concordano; la narrazione di II Mach. 2, 10-17 è errata, ma si tratta di mera citazione (J. Döller). …
2:13
Presso gli Ebrei si ha notizia (II Mach. 2, 13)
NEEMIA (EBR. NĒHEMJĀH, SETTANTA ΝΕΜΊΑ[Σ], VOLG. NEHEMIAS)
… N. curò la raccolta dei libri biblici (cf. II Mach. 2, 13). Ca. 12 anni dopo la sua venuta, il grande riformatore tornò a corte.
2:23
Lo storico Giasone (II Mach. 2, 23), e poi Simone (Mt. 27, 32; Mc. 15, 21), angariato a portar la croce di Gesù, erano di C. Nella prima Pentecoste cristiana Giudei della Cirenaica erano presenti al discorso di …
GIASONE di CIRENE. - Colto giudeo dell'Africa settentrionale, autore di un'opera in 5 libri, di cui II Mach., eccettuato l'inizio (1, 1-2, 18), non è che il sunto (cf. II Mach. 2, 23).
MACCABEI (GR. ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙ͂ΟΙ, VOLG. MACHABAEI)
II M. - Si presenta (II Mach. 2, 23) come un riassunto dell'opera più vasta, in cinque libri, di un certo Giasone, letterato e storico della fiorente diaspora della Cirenaica. …
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.