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#Post#: 13305--------------------------------------------------
1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:37 am
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Maccabees 1 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Alexander the Great
1 After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from
the land of Kittim, had defeated[a] King Darius of the Persians
and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. (He had previously
become king of Greece.) 2 He fought many battles, conquered
strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. 3 He
advanced to the ends of the earth, and plundered many nations.
When the earth became quiet before him, he was exalted, and his
heart was lifted up. 4 He gathered a very strong army and ruled
over countries, nations, and princes, and they became tributary
to him.
5 After this he fell sick and perceived that he was dying. 6 So
he summoned his most honored officers, who had been brought up
with him from youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he
was still alive. 7 And after Alexander had reigned twelve years,
he died.
8 Then his officers began to rule, each in his own place. 9 They
all put on crowns after his death, and so did their descendants
after them for many years; and they caused many evils on the
earth.
Antiochus Epiphanes and Renegade Jews
10 From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son
of King Antiochus; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to
reign in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of
the Greeks.[b]
11 In those days certain renegades came out from Israel and
misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the
Gentiles around us, for since we separated from them many
disasters have come upon us.” 12 This proposal pleased them, 13
and some of the people eagerly went to the king, who authorized
them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. 14 So they built
a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, 15 and
removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy
covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to
do evil.
Antiochus in Egypt
16 When Antiochus saw that his kingdom was established, he
determined to become king of the land of Egypt, in order that he
might reign over both kingdoms. 17 So he invaded Egypt with a
strong force, with chariots and elephants and cavalry and with a
large fleet. 18 He engaged King Ptolemy of Egypt in battle, and
Ptolemy turned and fled before him, and many were wounded and
fell. 19 They captured the fortified cities in the land of
Egypt, and he plundered the land of Egypt.
Persecution of the Jews
20 After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned in the one hundred
forty-third year.[c] He went up against Israel and came to
Jerusalem with a strong force. 21 He arrogantly entered the
sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the
light, and all its utensils. 22 He took also the table for the
bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls,
the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, and the gold
decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off.
23 He took the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he
took also the hidden treasures that he found. 24 Taking them
all, he went into his own land.
He shed much blood,
and spoke with great arrogance.
25 Israel mourned deeply in every community,
26 rulers and elders groaned,
young women and young men became faint,
the beauty of the women faded.
27 Every bridegroom took up the lament;
she who sat in the bridal chamber was mourning.
28 Even the land trembled for its inhabitants,
and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame.
The Occupation of Jerusalem
29 Two years later the king sent to the cities of Judah a chief
collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large
force. 30 Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they
believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the city, dealt it a
severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel. 31 He
plundered the city, burned it with fire, and tore down its
houses and its surrounding walls. 32 They took captive the women
and children, and seized the livestock. 33 Then they fortified
the city of David with a great strong wall and strong towers,
and it became their citadel. 34 They stationed there a sinful
people, men who were renegades. These strengthened their
position; 35 they stored up arms and food, and collecting the
spoils of Jerusalem they stored them there, and became a great
menace,
36 for the citadel[d] became an ambush against the sanctuary,
an evil adversary of Israel at all times.
37 On every side of the sanctuary they shed innocent blood;
they even defiled the sanctuary.
38 Because of them the residents of Jerusalem fled;
she became a dwelling of strangers;
she became strange to her offspring,
and her children forsook her.
39 Her sanctuary became desolate like a desert;
her feasts were turned into mourning,
her sabbaths into a reproach,
her honor into contempt.
40 Her dishonor now grew as great as her glory;
her exaltation was turned into mourning.
Installation of Gentile Cults
41 Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be
one people, 42 and that all should give up their particular
customs. 43 All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king.
Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they
sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. 44 And the king
sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah;
he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, 45 to
forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the
sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and festivals, 46 to defile the
sanctuary and the priests, 47 to build altars and sacred
precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and other
unclean animals, 48 and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They
were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and
profane, 49 so that they would forget the law and change all the
ordinances. 50 He added,[e] “And whoever does not obey the
command of the king shall die.”
51 In such words he wrote to his whole kingdom. He appointed
inspectors over all the people and commanded the towns of Judah
to offer sacrifice, town by town. 52 Many of the people,
everyone who forsook the law, joined them, and they did evil in
the land; 53 they drove Israel into hiding in every place of
refuge they had.
54 Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred
forty-fifth year,[f] they erected a desolating sacrilege on the
altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the
surrounding towns of Judah, 55 and offered incense at the doors
of the houses and in the streets. 56 The books of the law that
they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. 57 Anyone
found possessing the book of the covenant, or anyone who adhered
to the law, was condemned to death by decree of the king. 58
They kept using violence against Israel, against those who were
found month after month in the towns. 59 On the twenty-fifth day
of the month they offered sacrifice on the altar that was on top
of the altar of burnt offering. 60 According to the decree, they
put to death the women who had their children circumcised, 61
and their families and those who circumcised them; and they hung
the infants from their mothers’ necks.
62 But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their
hearts not to eat unclean food. 63 They chose to die rather than
to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they
did die. 64 Very great wrath came upon Israel.
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 1:1 Gk adds and he defeated
1 Maccabees 1:10 175 b.c.
1 Maccabees 1:20 169 b.c.
1 Maccabees 1:36 Gk it
1 Maccabees 1:50 Gk lacks He added
1 Maccabees 1:54 167 b.c.
#Post#: 13306--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:38 am
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Maccabees 2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Mattathias and His Sons
2 In those days Mattathias son of John son of Simeon, a priest
of the family of Joarib, moved from Jerusalem and settled in
Modein. 2 He had five sons, John surnamed Gaddi, 3 Simon called
Thassi, 4 Judas called Maccabeus, 5 Eleazar called Avaran, and
Jonathan called Apphus. 6 He saw the blasphemies being committed
in Judah and Jerusalem, 7 and said,
“Alas! Why was I born to see this,
the ruin of my people, the ruin of the holy city,
and to live there when it was given over to the enemy,
the sanctuary given over to aliens?
8 Her temple has become like a person without honor;[a]
9 her glorious vessels have been carried into exile.
Her infants have been killed in her streets,
her youths by the sword of the foe.
10 What nation has not inherited her palaces[b]
and has not seized her spoils?
11 All her adornment has been taken away;
no longer free, she has become a slave.
12 And see, our holy place, our beauty,
and our glory have been laid waste;
the Gentiles have profaned them.
13 Why should we live any longer?”
14 Then Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on
sackcloth, and mourned greatly.
Pagan Worship Refused
15 The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to
the town of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. 16 Many from
Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled.
17 Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: “You
are a leader, honored and great in this town, and supported by
sons and brothers. 18 Now be the first to come and do what the
king commands, as all the Gentiles and the people of Judah and
those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your
sons will be numbered among the Friends of the king, and you and
your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.”
19 But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: “Even if
all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him,
and have chosen to obey his commandments, every one of them
abandoning the religion of their ancestors, 20 I and my sons and
my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our
ancestors. 21 Far be it from us to desert the law and the
ordinances. 22 We will not obey the king’s words by turning
aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.”
23 When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward
in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein,
according to the king’s command. 24 When Mattathias saw it, he
burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to
righteous anger; he ran and killed him on the altar. 25 At the
same time he killed the king’s officer who was forcing them to
sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. 26 Thus he burned with
zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did against Zimri son of
Salu.
27 Then Mattathias cried out in the town with a loud voice,
saying: “Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports
the covenant come out with me!” 28 Then he and his sons fled to
the hills and left all that they had in the town.
29 At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice
went down to the wilderness to live there, 30 they, their sons,
their wives, and their livestock, because troubles pressed
heavily upon them. 31 And it was reported to the king’s
officers, and to the troops in Jerusalem the city of David, that
those who had rejected the king’s command had gone down to the
hiding places in the wilderness. 32 Many pursued them, and
overtook them; they encamped opposite them and prepared for
battle against them on the sabbath day. 33 They said to them,
“Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you
will live.” 34 But they said, “We will not come out, nor will we
do what the king commands and so profane the sabbath day.” 35
Then the enemy[c] quickly attacked them. 36 But they did not
answer them or hurl a stone at them or block up their hiding
places, 37 for they said, “Let us all die in our innocence;
heaven and earth testify for us that you are killing us
unjustly.” 38 So they attacked them on the sabbath, and they
died, with their wives and children and livestock, to the number
of a thousand persons.
39 When Mattathias and his friends learned of it, they mourned
for them deeply. 40 And all said to their neighbors: “If we all
do as our kindred have done and refuse to fight with the
Gentiles for our lives and for our ordinances, they will quickly
destroy us from the earth.” 41 So they made this decision that
day: “Let us fight against anyone who comes to attack us on the
sabbath day; let us not all die as our kindred died in their
hiding places.”
Counter-Attack
42 Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty
warriors of Israel, all who offered themselves willingly for the
law. 43 And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles
joined them and reinforced them. 44 They organized an army, and
struck down sinners in their anger and renegades in their wrath;
the survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety. 45 And Mattathias
and his friends went around and tore down the altars; 46 they
forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys that they found
within the borders of Israel. 47 They hunted down the arrogant,
and the work prospered in their hands. 48 They rescued the law
out of the hands of the Gentiles and kings, and they never let
the sinner gain the upper hand.
The Last Words of Mattathias
49 Now the days drew near for Mattathias to die, and he said to
his sons: “Arrogance and scorn have now become strong; it is a
time of ruin and furious anger. 50 Now, my children, show zeal
for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of our
ancestors.
51 “Remember the deeds of the ancestors, which they did in their
generations; and you will receive great honor and an everlasting
name. 52 Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was
reckoned to him as righteousness? 53 Joseph in the time of his
distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt. 54
Phinehas our ancestor, because he was deeply zealous, received
the covenant of everlasting priesthood. 55 Joshua, because he
fulfilled the command, became a judge in Israel. 56 Caleb,
because he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance in
the land. 57 David, because he was merciful, inherited the
throne of the kingdom forever. 58 Elijah, because of great zeal
for the law, was taken up into heaven. 59 Hananiah, Azariah, and
Mishael believed and were saved from the flame. 60 Daniel,
because of his innocence, was delivered from the mouth of the
lions.
61 “And so observe, from generation to generation, that none of
those who put their trust in him will lack strength. 62 Do not
fear the words of sinners, for their splendor will turn into
dung and worms. 63 Today they will be exalted, but tomorrow they
will not be found, because they will have returned to the dust,
and their plans will have perished. 64 My children, be
courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain
honor.
65 “Here is your brother Simeon who, I know, is wise in counsel;
always listen to him; he shall be your father. 66 Judas
Maccabeus has been a mighty warrior from his youth; he shall
command the army for you and fight the battle against the
peoples.[d] 67 You shall rally around you all who observe the
law, and avenge the wrong done to your people. 68 Pay back the
Gentiles in full, and obey the commands of the law.”
69 Then he blessed them, and was gathered to his ancestors. 70
He died in the one hundred forty-sixth year[e] and was buried in
the tomb of his ancestors at Modein. And all Israel mourned for
him with great lamentation.
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 2:8 Meaning of Gk uncertain
1 Maccabees 2:10 Other ancient authorities read has not had a
part in her kingdom
1 Maccabees 2:35 Gk they
1 Maccabees 2:66 Or of the people
1 Maccabees 2:70 166 b.c.
#Post#: 13307--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Maccabees 3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Early Victories of Judas
3 Then his son Judas, who was called Maccabeus, took command in
his place. 2 All his brothers and all who had joined his father
helped him; they gladly fought for Israel.
3 He extended the glory of his people.
Like a giant he put on his breastplate;
he bound on his armor of war and waged battles,
protecting the camp by his sword.
4 He was like a lion in his deeds,
like a lion’s cub roaring for prey.
5 He searched out and pursued those who broke the law;
he burned those who troubled his people.
6 Lawbreakers shrank back for fear of him;
all the evildoers were confounded;
and deliverance prospered by his hand.
7 He embittered many kings,
but he made Jacob glad by his deeds,
and his memory is blessed forever.
8 He went through the cities of Judah;
he destroyed the ungodly out of the land;[a]
thus he turned away wrath from Israel.
9 He was renowned to the ends of the earth;
he gathered in those who were perishing.
10 Apollonius now gathered together Gentiles and a large force
from Samaria to fight against Israel. 11 When Judas learned of
it, he went out to meet him, and he defeated and killed him.
Many were wounded and fell, and the rest fled. 12 Then they
seized their spoils; and Judas took the sword of Apollonius, and
used it in battle the rest of his life.
13 When Seron, the commander of the Syrian army, heard that
Judas had gathered a large company, including a body of faithful
soldiers who stayed with him and went out to battle, 14 he said,
“I will make a name for myself and win honor in the kingdom. I
will make war on Judas and his companions, who scorn the king’s
command.” 15 Once again a strong army of godless men went up
with him to help him, to take vengeance on the Israelites.
16 When he approached the ascent of Beth-horon, Judas went out
to meet him with a small company. 17 But when they saw the army
coming to meet them, they said to Judas, “How can we, few as we
are, fight against so great and so strong a multitude? And we
are faint, for we have eaten nothing today.” 18 Judas replied,
“It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of
Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few.
19 It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle
depends, but strength comes from Heaven. 20 They come against us
in great insolence and lawlessness to destroy us and our wives
and our children, and to despoil us; 21 but we fight for our
lives and our laws. 22 He himself will crush them before us; as
for you, do not be afraid of them.”
23 When he finished speaking, he rushed suddenly against Seron
and his army, and they were crushed before him. 24 They pursued
them[b] down the descent of Beth-horon to the plain; eight
hundred of them fell, and the rest fled into the land of the
Philistines. 25 Then Judas and his brothers began to be feared,
and terror fell on the Gentiles all around them. 26 His fame
reached the king, and the Gentiles talked of the battles of
Judas.
The Policy of Antiochus
27 When King Antiochus heard these reports, he was greatly
angered; and he sent and gathered all the forces of his kingdom,
a very strong army. 28 He opened his coffers and gave a year’s
pay to his forces, and ordered them to be ready for any need. 29
Then he saw that the money in the treasury was exhausted, and
that the revenues from the country were small because of the
dissension and disaster that he had caused in the land by
abolishing the laws that had existed from the earliest days. 30
He feared that he might not have such funds as he had before for
his expenses and for the gifts that he used to give more
lavishly than preceding kings. 31 He was greatly perplexed in
mind; then he determined to go to Persia and collect the
revenues from those regions and raise a large fund.
32 He left Lysias, a distinguished man of royal lineage, in
charge of the king’s affairs from the river Euphrates to the
borders of Egypt. 33 Lysias was also to take care of his son
Antiochus until he returned. 34 And he turned over to Lysias[c]
half of his forces and the elephants, and gave him orders about
all that he wanted done. As for the residents of Judea and
Jerusalem, 35 Lysias was to send a force against them to wipe
out and destroy the strength of Israel and the remnant of
Jerusalem; he was to banish the memory of them from the place,
36 settle aliens in all their territory, and distribute their
land by lot. 37 Then the king took the remaining half of his
forces and left Antioch his capital in the one hundred and
forty-seventh year.[d] He crossed the Euphrates river and went
through the upper provinces.
Preparations for Battle
38 Lysias chose Ptolemy son of Dorymenes, and Nicanor and
Gorgias, able men among the Friends of the king, 39 and sent
with them forty thousand infantry and seven thousand cavalry to
go into the land of Judah and destroy it, as the king had
commanded. 40 So they set out with their entire force, and when
they arrived they encamped near Emmaus in the plain. 41 When the
traders of the region heard what was said to them, they took
silver and gold in immense amounts, and fetters,[e] and went to
the camp to get the Israelites for slaves. And forces from Syria
and the land of the Philistines joined with them.
42 Now Judas and his brothers saw that misfortunes had increased
and that the forces were encamped in their territory. They also
learned what the king had commanded to do to the people to cause
their final destruction. 43 But they said to one another, “Let
us restore the ruins of our people, and fight for our people and
the sanctuary.” 44 So the congregation assembled to be ready for
battle, and to pray and ask for mercy and compassion.
45 Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness;
not one of her children went in or out.
The sanctuary was trampled down,
and aliens held the citadel;
it was a lodging place for the Gentiles.
Joy was taken from Jacob;
the flute and the harp ceased to play.
46 Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite
Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in
Mizpah. 47 They fasted that day, put on sackcloth and sprinkled
ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes. 48 And they opened
the book of the law to inquire into those matters about which
the Gentiles consulted the likenesses of their gods. 49 They
also brought the vestments of the priesthood and the first
fruits and the tithes, and they stirred up the nazirites[f] who
had completed their days; 50 and they cried aloud to Heaven,
saying,
“What shall we do with these?
Where shall we take them?
51 Your sanctuary is trampled down and profaned,
and your priests mourn in humiliation.
52 Here the Gentiles are assembled against us to destroy us;
you know what they plot against us.
53 How will we be able to withstand them,
if you do not help us?”
54 Then they sounded the trumpets and gave a loud shout. 55
After this Judas appointed leaders of the people, in charge of
thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens. 56 Those who were
building houses, or were about to be married, or were planting a
vineyard, or were fainthearted, he told to go home again,
according to the law. 57 Then the army marched out and encamped
to the south of Emmaus.
58 And Judas said, “Arm yourselves and be courageous. Be ready
early in the morning to fight with these Gentiles who have
assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. 59 It is
better for us to die in battle than to see the misfortunes of
our nation and of the sanctuary. 60 But as his will in heaven
may be, so shall he do.”
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 3:8 Gk it
1 Maccabees 3:24 Other ancient authorities read him
1 Maccabees 3:34 Gk him
1 Maccabees 3:37 165 b.c.
1 Maccabees 3:41 Syr: Gk Mss, Vg slaves
1 Maccabees 3:49 That is those separated or those consecrated
#Post#: 13308--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:41 am
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Maccabees 4 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Battle at Emmaus
4 Now Gorgias took five thousand infantry and one thousand
picked cavalry, and this division moved out by night 2 to fall
upon the camp of the Jews and attack them suddenly. Men from the
citadel were his guides. 3 But Judas heard of it, and he and his
warriors moved out to attack the king’s force in Emmaus 4 while
the division was still absent from the camp. 5 When Gorgias
entered the camp of Judas by night, he found no one there, so he
looked for them in the hills, because he said, “These men are
running away from us.”
6 At daybreak Judas appeared in the plain with three thousand
men, but they did not have armor and swords such as they
desired. 7 And they saw the camp of the Gentiles, strong and
fortified, with cavalry all around it; and these men were
trained in war. 8 But Judas said to those who were with him, “Do
not fear their numbers or be afraid when they charge. 9 Remember
how our ancestors were saved at the Red Sea, when Pharaoh with
his forces pursued them. 10 And now, let us cry to Heaven, to
see whether he will favor us and remember his covenant with our
ancestors and crush this army before us today. 11 Then all the
Gentiles will know that there is one who redeems and saves
Israel.”
12 When the foreigners looked up and saw them coming against
them, 13 they went out from their camp to battle. Then the men
with Judas blew their trumpets 14 and engaged in battle. The
Gentiles were crushed, and fled into the plain, 15 and all those
in the rear fell by the sword. They pursued them to Gazara, and
to the plains of Idumea, and to Azotus and Jamnia; and three
thousand of them fell. 16 Then Judas and his force turned back
from pursuing them, 17 and he said to the people, “Do not be
greedy for plunder, for there is a battle before us; 18 Gorgias
and his force are near us in the hills. But stand now against
our enemies and fight them, and afterward seize the plunder
boldly.”
19 Just as Judas was finishing this speech, a detachment
appeared, coming out of the hills. 20 They saw that their
army[a] had been put to flight, and that the Jews[b] were
burning the camp, for the smoke that was seen showed what had
happened. 21 When they perceived this, they were greatly
frightened, and when they also saw the army of Judas drawn up in
the plain for battle, 22 they all fled into the land of the
Philistines. 23 Then Judas returned to plunder the camp, and
they seized a great amount of gold and silver, and cloth dyed
blue and sea purple, and great riches. 24 On their return they
sang hymns and praises to Heaven—“For he is good, for his mercy
endures forever.” 25 Thus Israel had a great deliverance that
day.
First Campaign of Lysias
26 Those of the foreigners who escaped went and reported to
Lysias all that had happened. 27 When he heard it, he was
perplexed and discouraged, for things had not happened to Israel
as he had intended, nor had they turned out as the king had
ordered. 28 But the next year he mustered sixty thousand picked
infantry and five thousand cavalry to subdue them. 29 They came
into Idumea and encamped at Beth-zur, and Judas met them with
ten thousand men.
30 When he saw that their army was strong, he prayed, saying,
“Blessed are you, O Savior of Israel, who crushed the attack of
the mighty warrior by the hand of your servant David, and gave
the camp of the Philistines into the hands of Jonathan son of
Saul, and of the man who carried his armor. 31 Hem in this army
by the hand of your people Israel, and let them be ashamed of
their troops and their cavalry. 32 Fill them with cowardice;
melt the boldness of their strength; let them tremble in their
destruction. 33 Strike them down with the sword of those who
love you, and let all who know your name praise you with hymns.”
34 Then both sides attacked, and there fell of the army of
Lysias five thousand men; they fell in action.[c] 35 When Lysias
saw the rout of his troops and observed the boldness that
inspired those of Judas, and how ready they were either to live
or to die nobly, he withdrew to Antioch and enlisted mercenaries
in order to invade Judea again with an even larger army.
Cleansing and Dedication of the Temple
36 Then Judas and his brothers said, “See, our enemies are
crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.”
37 So all the army assembled and went up to Mount Zion. 38 There
they saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the
gates burned. In the courts they saw bushes sprung up as in a
thicket, or as on one of the mountains. They saw also the
chambers of the priests in ruins. 39 Then they tore their
clothes and mourned with great lamentation; they sprinkled
themselves with ashes 40 and fell face down on the ground. And
when the signal was given with the trumpets, they cried out to
Heaven.
41 Then Judas detailed men to fight against those in the citadel
until he had cleansed the sanctuary. 42 He chose blameless
priests devoted to the law, 43 and they cleansed the sanctuary
and removed the defiled stones to an unclean place. 44 They
deliberated what to do about the altar of burnt offering, which
had been profaned. 45 And they thought it best to tear it down,
so that it would not be a lasting shame to them that the
Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar, 46 and
stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until
a prophet should come to tell what to do with them. 47 Then they
took unhewn[d] stones, as the law directs, and built a new altar
like the former one. 48 They also rebuilt the sanctuary and the
interior of the temple, and consecrated the courts. 49 They made
new holy vessels, and brought the lampstand, the altar of
incense, and the table into the temple. 50 Then they offered
incense on the altar and lit the lamps on the lampstand, and
these gave light in the temple. 51 They placed the bread on the
table and hung up the curtains. Thus they finished all the work
they had undertaken.
52 Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth
month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred
forty-eighth year,[e] 53 they rose and offered sacrifice, as the
law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering that they had
built. 54 At the very season and on the very day that the
Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps
and lutes and cymbals. 55 All the people fell on their faces and
worshiped and blessed Heaven, who had prospered them. 56 So they
celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and
joyfully offered burnt offerings; they offered a sacrifice of
well-being and a thanksgiving offering. 57 They decorated the
front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they
restored the gates and the chambers for the priests, and fitted
them with doors. 58 There was very great joy among the people,
and the disgrace brought by the Gentiles was removed.
59 Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel
determined that every year at that season the days of dedication
of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight
days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of
Chislev.
60 At that time they fortified Mount Zion with high walls and
strong towers all around, to keep the Gentiles from coming and
trampling them down as they had done before. 61 Judas[f]
stationed a garrison there to guard it; he also fortified
Beth-zur to guard it, so that the people might have a stronghold
that faced Idumea.
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 4:20 Gk they
1 Maccabees 4:20 Gk they
1 Maccabees 4:34 Or and some fell on the opposite side
1 Maccabees 4:47 Gk whole
1 Maccabees 4:52 164 b.c.
1 Maccabees 4:61 Gk He
#Post#: 13309--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:42 am
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Maccabees 5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Wars with Neighboring Peoples
5 When the Gentiles all around heard that the altar had been
rebuilt and the sanctuary dedicated as it was before, they
became very angry, 2 and they determined to destroy the
descendants of Jacob who lived among them. So they began to kill
and destroy among the people. 3 But Judas made war on the
descendants of Esau in Idumea, at Akrabattene, because they kept
lying in wait for Israel. He dealt them a heavy blow and humbled
them and despoiled them. 4 He also remembered the wickedness of
the sons of Baean, who were a trap and a snare to the people and
ambushed them on the highways. 5 They were shut up by him in
their[a] towers; and he encamped against them, vowed their
complete destruction, and burned with fire their towers and all
who were in them. 6 Then he crossed over to attack the
Ammonites, where he found a strong band and many people, with
Timothy as their leader. 7 He engaged in many battles with them,
and they were crushed before him; he struck them down. 8 He also
took Jazer and its villages; then he returned to Judea.
Liberation of Galilean Jews
9 Now the Gentiles in Gilead gathered together against the
Israelites who lived in their territory, and planned to destroy
them. But they fled to the stronghold of Dathema, 10 and sent to
Judas and his brothers a letter that said, “The Gentiles around
us have gathered together to destroy us. 11 They are preparing
to come and capture the stronghold to which we have fled, and
Timothy is leading their forces. 12 Now then, come and rescue us
from their hands, for many of us have fallen, 13 and all our
kindred who were in the land of Tob have been killed; the
enemy[b] have captured their wives and children and goods, and
have destroyed about a thousand persons there.”
14 While the letter was still being read, other messengers, with
their garments torn, came from Galilee and made a similar
report; 15 they said that the people of Ptolemais and Tyre and
Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles,[c] had gathered together
against them “to annihilate us.” 16 When Judas and the people
heard these messages, a great assembly was called to determine
what they should do for their kindred who were in distress and
were being attacked by enemies.[d] 17 Then Judas said to his
brother Simon, “Choose your men and go and rescue your kindred
in Galilee; Jonathan my brother and I will go to Gilead.” 18 But
he left Joseph, son of Zechariah, and Azariah, a leader of the
people, with the rest of the forces, in Judea to guard it; 19
and he gave them this command, “Take charge of this people, but
do not engage in battle with the Gentiles until we return.” 20
Then three thousand men were assigned to Simon to go to Galilee,
and eight thousand to Judas for Gilead.
21 So Simon went to Galilee and fought many battles against the
Gentiles, and the Gentiles were crushed before him. 22 He
pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais; as many as three thousand
of the Gentiles fell, and he despoiled them. 23 Then he took the
Jews[e] of Galilee and Arbatta, with their wives and children,
and all they possessed, and led them to Judea with great
rejoicing.
Judas and Jonathan in Gilead
24 Judas Maccabeus and his brother Jonathan crossed the Jordan
and made three days’ journey into the wilderness. 25 They
encountered the Nabateans, who met them peaceably and told them
all that had happened to their kindred in Gilead: 26 “Many of
them have been shut up in Bozrah and Bosor, in Alema and
Chaspho, Maked and Carnaim”—all these towns were strong and
large— 27 “and some have been shut up in the other towns of
Gilead; the enemy[f] are getting ready to attack the strongholds
tomorrow and capture and destroy all these people in a single
day.”
28 Then Judas and his army quickly turned back by the wilderness
road to Bozrah; and he took the town, and killed every male by
the edge of the sword; then he seized all its spoils and burned
it with fire. 29 He left the place at night, and they went all
the way to the stronghold of Dathema.[g] 30 At dawn they looked
out and saw a large company, which could not be counted,
carrying ladders and engines of war to capture the stronghold,
and attacking the Jews within.[h] 31 So Judas saw that the
battle had begun and that the cry of the town went up to Heaven,
with trumpets and loud shouts, 32 and he said to the men of his
forces, “Fight today for your kindred!” 33 Then he came up
behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets and
cried aloud in prayer. 34 And when the army of Timothy realized
that it was Maccabeus, they fled before him, and he dealt them a
heavy blow. As many as eight thousand of them fell that day.
35 Next he turned aside to Maapha,[i] and fought against it and
took it; and he killed every male in it, plundered it, and
burned it with fire. 36 From there he marched on and took
Chaspho, Maked, and Bosor, and the other towns of Gilead.
37 After these things Timothy gathered another army and encamped
opposite Raphon, on the other side of the stream. 38 Judas sent
men to spy out the camp, and they reported to him, “All the
Gentiles around us have gathered to him; it is a very large
force. 39 They also have hired Arabs to help them, and they are
encamped across the stream, ready to come and fight against
you.” And Judas went to meet them.
40 Now as Judas and his army drew near to the stream of water,
Timothy said to the officers of his forces, “If he crosses over
to us first, we will not be able to resist him, for he will
surely defeat us. 41 But if he shows fear and camps on the other
side of the river, we will cross over to him and defeat him.” 42
When Judas approached the stream of water, he stationed the
officers[j] of the army at the stream and gave them this
command, “Permit no one to encamp, but make them all enter the
battle.” 43 Then he crossed over against them first, and the
whole army followed him. All the Gentiles were defeated before
him, and they threw away their arms and fled into the sacred
precincts at Carnaim. 44 But he took the town and burned the
sacred precincts with fire, together with all who were in them.
Thus Carnaim was conquered; they could stand before Judas no
longer.
The Return to Jerusalem
45 Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites in Gilead,
the small and the great, with their wives and children and
goods, a very large company, to go to the land of Judah. 46 So
they came to Ephron. This was a large and very strong town on
the road, and they could not go around it to the right or to the
left; they had to go through it. 47 But the people of the town
shut them out and blocked up the gates with stones.
48 Judas sent them this friendly message, “Let us pass through
your land to get to our land. No one will do you harm; we will
simply pass by on foot.” But they refused to open to him. 49
Then Judas ordered proclamation to be made to the army that all
should encamp where they were. 50 So the men of the forces
encamped, and he fought against the town all that day and all
the night, and the town was delivered into his hands. 51 He
destroyed every male by the edge of the sword, and razed and
plundered the town. Then he passed through the town over the
bodies of the dead.
52 Then they crossed the Jordan into the large plain before
Beth-shan. 53 Judas kept rallying the laggards and encouraging
the people all the way until he came to the land of Judah. 54 So
they went up to Mount Zion with joy and gladness, and offered
burnt offerings, because they had returned in safety; not one of
them had fallen.
Joseph and Azariah Defeated
55 Now while Judas and Jonathan were in Gilead and their[k]
brother Simon was in Galilee before Ptolemais, 56 Joseph son of
Zechariah, and Azariah, the commanders of the forces, heard of
their brave deeds and of the heroic war they had fought. 57 So
they said, “Let us also make a name for ourselves; let us go and
make war on the Gentiles around us.” 58 So they issued orders to
the men of the forces that were with them and marched against
Jamnia. 59 Gorgias and his men came out of the town to meet them
in battle. 60 Then Joseph and Azariah were routed, and were
pursued to the borders of Judea; as many as two thousand of the
people of Israel fell that day. 61 Thus the people suffered a
great rout because, thinking to do a brave deed, they did not
listen to Judas and his brothers. 62 But they did not belong to
the family of those men through whom deliverance was given to
Israel.
63 The man Judas and his brothers were greatly honored in all
Israel and among all the Gentiles, wherever their name was
heard. 64 People gathered to them and praised them.
Success at Hebron and Philistia
65 Then Judas and his brothers went out and fought the
descendants of Esau in the land to the south. He struck Hebron
and its villages and tore down its strongholds and burned its
towers on all sides. 66 Then he marched off to go into the land
of the Philistines, and passed through Marisa.[l] 67 On that day
some priests, who wished to do a brave deed, fell in battle, for
they went out to battle unwisely. 68 But Judas turned aside to
Azotus in the land of the Philistines; he tore down their
altars, and the carved images of their gods he burned with fire;
he plundered the towns and returned to the land of Judah.
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 5:5 Gk her
1 Maccabees 5:13 Gk they
1 Maccabees 5:15 Gk aliens
1 Maccabees 5:16 Gk them
1 Maccabees 5:23 Gk those
1 Maccabees 5:27 Gk they
1 Maccabees 5:29 Gk lacks of Dathema. See verse 9
1 Maccabees 5:30 Gk and they were attacking them
1 Maccabees 5:35 Other ancient authorities read Alema
1 Maccabees 5:42 Or scribes
1 Maccabees 5:55 Gk his
1 Maccabees 5:66 Other ancient authorities read Samaria
#Post#: 13310--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:43 am
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1 Maccabees 6 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Last Days of Antiochus Epiphanes
6 King Antiochus was going through the upper provinces when he
heard that Elymais in Persia was a city famed for its wealth in
silver and gold. 2 Its temple was very rich, containing golden
shields, breastplates, and weapons left there by Alexander son
of Philip, the Macedonian king who first reigned over the
Greeks. 3 So he came and tried to take the city and plunder it,
but he could not because his plan had become known to the
citizens 4 and they withstood him in battle. So he fled and in
great disappointment left there to return to Babylon.
5 Then someone came to him in Persia and reported that the
armies that had gone into the land of Judah had been routed; 6
that Lysias had gone first with a strong force, but had turned
and fled before the Jews;[a] that the Jews[b] had grown strong
from the arms, supplies, and abundant spoils that they had taken
from the armies they had cut down; 7 that they had torn down the
abomination that he had erected on the altar in Jerusalem; and
that they had surrounded the sanctuary with high walls as
before, and also Beth-zur, his town.
8 When the king heard this news, he was astounded and badly
shaken. He took to his bed and became sick from disappointment,
because things had not turned out for him as he had planned. 9
He lay there for many days, because deep disappointment
continually gripped him, and he realized that he was dying. 10
So he called all his Friends and said to them, “Sleep has
departed from my eyes and I am downhearted with worry. 11 I said
to myself, ‘To what distress I have come! And into what a great
flood I now am plunged! For I was kind and beloved in my power.’
12 But now I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem. I seized all
its vessels of silver and gold, and I sent to destroy the
inhabitants of Judah without good reason. 13 I know that it is
because of this that these misfortunes have come upon me; here I
am, perishing of bitter disappointment in a strange land.”
14 Then he called for Philip, one of his Friends, and made him
ruler over all his kingdom. 15 He gave him the crown and his
robe and the signet, so that he might guide his son Antiochus
and bring him up to be king. 16 Thus King Antiochus died there
in the one hundred forty-ninth year.[c] 17 When Lysias learned
that the king was dead, he set up Antiochus the king’s[d] son to
reign. Lysias[e] had brought him up from boyhood; he named him
Eupator.
Renewed Attacks from Syria
18 Meanwhile the garrison in the citadel kept hemming Israel in
around the sanctuary. They were trying in every way to harm them
and strengthen the Gentiles. 19 Judas therefore resolved to
destroy them, and assembled all the people to besiege them. 20
They gathered together and besieged the citadel[f] in the one
hundred fiftieth year;[g] and he built siege towers and other
engines of war. 21 But some of the garrison escaped from the
siege and some of the ungodly Israelites joined them. 22 They
went to the king and said, “How long will you fail to do justice
and to avenge our kindred? 23 We were happy to serve your
father, to live by what he said, and to follow his commands. 24
For this reason the sons of our people besieged the citadel[h]
and became hostile to us; moreover, they have put to death as
many of us as they have caught, and they have seized our
inheritances. 25 It is not against us alone that they have
stretched out their hands; they have also attacked all the lands
on their borders. 26 And see, today they have encamped against
the citadel in Jerusalem to take it; they have fortified both
the sanctuary and Beth-zur; 27 unless you quickly prevent them,
they will do still greater things, and you will not be able to
stop them.”
28 The king was enraged when he heard this. He assembled all his
Friends, the commanders of his forces and those in authority.[i]
29 Mercenary forces also came to him from other kingdoms and
from islands of the seas. 30 The number of his forces was one
hundred thousand foot soldiers, twenty thousand horsemen, and
thirty-two elephants accustomed to war. 31 They came through
Idumea and encamped against Beth-zur, and for many days they
fought and built engines of war; but the Jews[j] sallied out and
burned these with fire, and fought courageously.
The Battle at Beth-zechariah
32 Then Judas marched away from the citadel and encamped at
Beth-zechariah, opposite the camp of the king. 33 Early in the
morning the king set out and took his army by a forced march
along the road to Beth-zechariah, and his troops made ready for
battle and sounded their trumpets. 34 They offered the elephants
the juice of grapes and mulberries, to arouse them for battle.
35 They distributed the animals among the phalanxes; with each
elephant they stationed a thousand men armed with coats of mail,
and with brass helmets on their heads; and five hundred picked
horsemen were assigned to each beast. 36 These took their
position beforehand wherever the animal was; wherever it went,
they went with it, and they never left it. 37 On the
elephants[k] were wooden towers, strong and covered; they were
fastened on each animal by special harness, and on each were
four[l] armed men who fought from there, and also its Indian
driver. 38 The rest of the cavalry were stationed on either
side, on the two flanks of the army, to harass the enemy while
being themselves protected by the phalanxes. 39 When the sun
shone on the shields of gold and brass, the hills were ablaze
with them and gleamed like flaming torches.
40 Now a part of the king’s army was spread out on the high
hills, and some troops were on the plain, and they advanced
steadily and in good order. 41 All who heard the noise made by
their multitude, by the marching of the multitude and the
clanking of their arms, trembled, for the army was very large
and strong. 42 But Judas and his army advanced to the battle,
and six hundred of the king’s army fell. 43 Now Eleazar, called
Avaran, saw that one of the animals was equipped with royal
armor. It was taller than all the others, and he supposed that
the king was on it. 44 So he gave his life to save his people
and to win for himself an everlasting name. 45 He courageously
ran into the midst of the phalanx to reach it; he killed men
right and left, and they parted before him on both sides. 46 He
got under the elephant, stabbed it from beneath, and killed it;
but it fell to the ground upon him and he died. 47 When the
Jews[m] saw the royal might and the fierce attack of the forces,
they turned away in flight.
The Siege of the Temple
48 The soldiers of the king’s army went up to Jerusalem against
them, and the king encamped in Judea and at Mount Zion. 49 He
made peace with the people of Beth-zur, and they evacuated the
town because they had no provisions there to withstand a siege,
since it was a sabbatical year for the land. 50 So the king took
Beth-zur and stationed a guard there to hold it. 51 Then he
encamped before the sanctuary for many days. He set up siege
towers, engines of war to throw fire and stones, machines to
shoot arrows, and catapults. 52 The Jews[n] also made engines of
war to match theirs, and fought for many days. 53 But they had
no food in storage,[o] because it was the seventh year; those
who had found safety in Judea from the Gentiles had consumed the
last of the stores. 54 Only a few men were left in the
sanctuary; the rest scattered to their own homes, for the famine
proved too much for them.
Syria Offers Terms
55 Then Lysias heard that Philip, whom King Antiochus while
still living had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus to be
king, 56 had returned from Persia and Media with the forces that
had gone with the king, and that he was trying to seize control
of the government. 57 So he quickly gave orders to withdraw, and
said to the king, to the commanders of the forces, and to the
troops, “Daily we grow weaker, our food supply is scant, the
place against which we are fighting is strong, and the affairs
of the kingdom press urgently on us. 58 Now then let us come to
terms with these people, and make peace with them and with all
their nation. 59 Let us agree to let them live by their laws as
they did before; for it was on account of their laws that we
abolished that they became angry and did all these things.”
60 The speech pleased the king and the commanders, and he sent
to the Jews[p] an offer of peace, and they accepted it. 61 So
the king and the commanders gave them their oath. On these
conditions the Jews[q] evacuated the stronghold. 62 But when the
king entered Mount Zion and saw what a strong fortress the place
was, he broke the oath he had sworn and gave orders to tear down
the wall all around. 63 Then he set off in haste and returned to
Antioch. He found Philip in control of the city, but he fought
against him, and took the city by force.
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 6:6 Gk them
1 Maccabees 6:6 Gk they
1 Maccabees 6:16 163 b.c.
1 Maccabees 6:17 Gk his
1 Maccabees 6:17 Gk He
1 Maccabees 6:20 Gk it
1 Maccabees 6:20 162 b.c.
1 Maccabees 6:24 Meaning of Gk uncertain
1 Maccabees 6:28 Gk those over the reins
1 Maccabees 6:31 Gk they
1 Maccabees 6:37 Gk them
1 Maccabees 6:37 Cn: Some authorities read thirty; others
thirty-two
1 Maccabees 6:47 Gk they
1 Maccabees 6:52 Gk they
1 Maccabees 6:53 Other ancient authorities read in the sanctuary
1 Maccabees 6:60 Gk them
1 Maccabees 6:61 Gk they
#Post#: 13311--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:44 am
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1 Maccabees 7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Expedition of Bacchides and Alcimus
7 In the one hundred fifty-first year[a] Demetrius son of
Seleucus set out from Rome, sailed with a few men to a town by
the sea, and there began to reign. 2 As he was entering the
royal palace of his ancestors, the army seized Antiochus and
Lysias to bring them to him. 3 But when this act became known to
him, he said, “Do not let me see their faces!” 4 So the army
killed them, and Demetrius took his seat on the throne of his
kingdom.
5 Then there came to him all the renegade and godless men of
Israel; they were led by Alcimus, who wanted to be high priest.
6 They brought to the king this accusation against the people:
“Judas and his brothers have destroyed all your Friends, and
have driven us out of our land. 7 Now then send a man whom you
trust; let him go and see all the ruin that Judas[b] has brought
on us and on the land of the king, and let him punish them and
all who help them.”
8 So the king chose Bacchides, one of the king’s Friends,
governor of the province Beyond the River; he was a great man in
the kingdom and was faithful to the king. 9 He sent him, and
with him he sent the ungodly Alcimus, whom he made high priest;
and he commanded him to take vengeance on the Israelites. 10 So
they marched away and came with a large force into the land of
Judah; and he sent messengers to Judas and his brothers with
peaceable but treacherous words. 11 But they paid no attention
to their words, for they saw that they had come with a large
force.
12 Then a group of scribes appeared in a body before Alcimus and
Bacchides to ask for just terms. 13 The Hasideans were first
among the Israelites to seek peace from them, 14 for they said,
“A priest of the line of Aaron has come with the army, and he
will not harm us.” 15 Alcimus[c] spoke peaceable words to them
and swore this oath to them, “We will not seek to injure you or
your friends.” 16 So they trusted him; but he seized sixty of
them and killed them in one day, in accordance with the word
that was written,
17 “The flesh of your faithful ones and their blood
they poured out all around Jerusalem,
and there was no one to bury them.”
18 Then the fear and dread of them fell on all the people, for
they said, “There is no truth or justice in them, for they have
violated the agreement and the oath that they swore.”
19 Then Bacchides withdrew from Jerusalem and encamped in
Beth-zaith. And he sent and seized many of the men who had
deserted to him,[d] and some of the people, and killed them and
threw them into a great pit. 20 He placed Alcimus in charge of
the country and left with him a force to help him; then
Bacchides went back to the king.
21 Alcimus struggled to maintain his high priesthood, 22 and all
who were troubling their people joined him. They gained control
of the land of Judah and did great damage in Israel. 23 And
Judas saw all the wrongs that Alcimus and those with him had
done among the Israelites; it was more than the Gentiles had
done. 24 So Judas[e] went out into all the surrounding parts of
Judea, taking vengeance on those who had deserted and preventing
those in the city[f] from going out into the country. 25 When
Alcimus saw that Judas and those with him had grown strong, and
realized that he could not withstand them, he returned to the
king and brought malicious charges against them.
Nicanor in Judea
26 Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honored princes, who
hated and detested Israel, and he commanded him to destroy the
people. 27 So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a large force, and
treacherously sent to Judas and his brothers this peaceable
message, 28 “Let there be no fighting between you and me; I
shall come with a few men to see you face to face in peace.”
29 So he came to Judas, and they greeted one another peaceably;
but the enemy were preparing to kidnap Judas. 30 It became known
to Judas that Nicanor[g] had come to him with treacherous
intent, and he was afraid of him and would not meet him again.
31 When Nicanor learned that his plan had been disclosed, he
went out to meet Judas in battle near Caphar-salama. 32 About
five hundred of the army of Nicanor fell, and the rest[h] fled
into the city of David.
Nicanor Threatens the Temple
33 After these events Nicanor went up to Mount Zion. Some of the
priests from the sanctuary and some of the elders of the people
came out to greet him peaceably and to show him the burnt
offering that was being offered for the king. 34 But he mocked
them and derided them and defiled them and spoke arrogantly, 35
and in anger he swore this oath, “Unless Judas and his army are
delivered into my hands this time, then if I return safely I
will burn up this house.” And he went out in great anger. 36 At
this the priests went in and stood before the altar and the
temple; they wept and said,
37 “You chose this house to be called by your name,
and to be for your people a house of prayer and
supplication.
38 Take vengeance on this man and on his army,
and let them fall by the sword;
remember their blasphemies,
and let them live no longer.”
The Death of Nicanor
39 Now Nicanor went out from Jerusalem and encamped in
Beth-horon, and the Syrian army joined him. 40 Judas encamped in
Adasa with three thousand men. Then Judas prayed and said, 41
“When the messengers from the king spoke blasphemy, your angel
went out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand of the
Assyrians.[i] 42 So also crush this army before us today; let
the rest learn that Nicanor[j] has spoken wickedly against the
sanctuary, and judge him according to this wickedness.”
43 So the armies met in battle on the thirteenth day of the
month of Adar. The army of Nicanor was crushed, and he himself
was the first to fall in the battle. 44 When his army saw that
Nicanor had fallen, they threw down their arms and fled. 45 The
Jews[k] pursued them a day’s journey, from Adasa as far as
Gazara, and as they followed they kept sounding the battle call
on the trumpets. 46 People came out of all the surrounding
villages of Judea, and they outflanked the enemy[l] and drove
them back to their pursuers,[m] so that they all fell by the
sword; not even one of them was left. 47 Then the Jews[n] seized
the spoils and the plunder; they cut off Nicanor’s head and the
right hand that he had so arrogantly stretched out, and brought
them and displayed them just outside Jerusalem. 48 The people
rejoiced greatly and celebrated that day as a day of great
gladness. 49 They decreed that this day should be celebrated
each year on the thirteenth day of Adar. 50 So the land of Judah
had rest for a few days.
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 7:1 161 b.c.
1 Maccabees 7:7 Gk he
1 Maccabees 7:15 Gk He
1 Maccabees 7:19 Or many of his men who had deserted
1 Maccabees 7:24 Gk he
1 Maccabees 7:24 Gk and they were prevented
1 Maccabees 7:30 Gk he
1 Maccabees 7:32 Gk they
1 Maccabees 7:41 Gk of them
1 Maccabees 7:42 Gk he
1 Maccabees 7:45 Gk they
1 Maccabees 7:46 Gk them
1 Maccabees 7:46 Gk these
1 Maccabees 7:47 Gk they
#Post#: 13312--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:45 am
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1 Maccabees 8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
A Eulogy of the Romans
8 Now Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they were very
strong and were well-disposed toward all who made an alliance
with them, that they pledged friendship to those who came to
them, 2 and that they were very strong. He had been told of
their wars and of the brave deeds that they were doing among the
Gauls, how they had defeated them and forced them to pay
tribute, 3 and what they had done in the land of Spain to get
control of the silver and gold mines there, 4 and how they had
gained control of the whole region by their planning and
patience, even though the place was far distant from them. They
also subdued the kings who came against them from the ends of
the earth, until they crushed them and inflicted great disaster
on them; the rest paid them tribute every year. 5 They had
crushed in battle and conquered Philip, and King Perseus of the
Macedonians,[a] and the others who rose up against them. 6 They
also had defeated Antiochus the Great, king of Asia, who went to
fight against them with one hundred twenty elephants and with
cavalry and chariots and a very large army. He was crushed by
them; 7 they took him alive and decreed that he and those who
would reign after him should pay a heavy tribute and give
hostages and surrender some of their best provinces, 8 the
countries of India, Media, and Lydia. These they took from him
and gave to King Eumenes. 9 The Greeks planned to come and
destroy them, 10 but this became known to them, and they sent a
general against the Greeks[b] and attacked them. Many of them
were wounded and fell, and the Romans[c] took captive their
wives and children; they plundered them, conquered the land,
tore down their strongholds, and enslaved them to this day. 11
The remaining kingdoms and islands, as many as ever opposed
them, they destroyed and enslaved; 12 but with their friends and
those who rely on them they have kept friendship. They have
subdued kings far and near, and as many as have heard of their
fame have feared them. 13 Those whom they wish to help and to
make kings, they make kings, and those whom they wish they
depose; and they have been greatly exalted. 14 Yet for all this
not one of them has put on a crown or worn purple as a mark of
pride, 15 but they have built for themselves a senate chamber,
and every day three hundred twenty senators constantly
deliberate concerning the people, to govern them well. 16 They
trust one man each year to rule over them and to control all
their land; they all heed the one man, and there is no envy or
jealousy among them.
An Alliance with Rome
17 So Judas chose Eupolemus son of John son of Accos, and Jason
son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome to establish friendship
and alliance, 18 and to free themselves from the yoke; for they
saw that the kingdom of the Greeks was enslaving Israel
completely. 19 They went to Rome, a very long journey; and they
entered the senate chamber and spoke as follows: 20 “Judas, who
is also called Maccabeus, and his brothers and the people of the
Jews have sent us to you to establish alliance and peace with
you, so that we may be enrolled as your allies and friends.” 21
The proposal pleased them, 22 and this is a copy of the letter
that they wrote in reply, on bronze tablets, and sent to
Jerusalem to remain with them there as a memorial of peace and
alliance:
23 “May all go well with the Romans and with the nation of the
Jews at sea and on land forever, and may sword and enemy be far
from them. 24 If war comes first to Rome or to any of their
allies in all their dominion, 25 the nation of the Jews shall
act as their allies wholeheartedly, as the occasion may indicate
to them. 26 To the enemy that makes war they shall not give or
supply grain, arms, money, or ships, just as Rome has decided;
and they shall keep their obligations without receiving any
return. 27 In the same way, if war comes first to the nation of
the Jews, the Romans shall willingly act as their allies, as the
occasion may indicate to them. 28 And to their enemies there
shall not be given grain, arms, money, or ships, just as Rome
has decided; and they shall keep these obligations and do so
without deceit. 29 Thus on these terms the Romans make a treaty
with the Jewish people. 30 If after these terms are in effect
both parties shall determine to add or delete anything, they
shall do so at their discretion, and any addition or deletion
that they may make shall be valid.
31 “Concerning the wrongs that King Demetrius is doing to them,
we have written to him as follows, ‘Why have you made your yoke
heavy on our friends and allies the Jews? 32 If now they appeal
again for help against you, we will defend their rights and
fight you on sea and on land.’”
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 8:5 Or Kittim
1 Maccabees 8:10 Gk them
1 Maccabees 8:10 Gk they
#Post#: 13313--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:46 am
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1 Maccabees 9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Bacchides Returns to Judea
9 When Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army had fallen in
battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judah a
second time, and with them the right wing of the army. 2 They
went by the road that leads to Gilgal and encamped against
Mesaloth in Arbela, and they took it and killed many people. 3
In the first month of the one hundred fifty-second year[a] they
encamped against Jerusalem; 4 then they marched off and went to
Berea with twenty thousand foot soldiers and two thousand
cavalry.
5 Now Judas was encamped in Elasa, and with him were three
thousand picked men. 6 When they saw the huge number of the
enemy forces, they were greatly frightened, and many slipped
away from the camp, until no more than eight hundred of them
were left.
7 When Judas saw that his army had slipped away and the battle
was imminent, he was crushed in spirit, for he had no time to
assemble them. 8 He became faint, but he said to those who were
left, “Let us get up and go against our enemies. We may have the
strength to fight them.” 9 But they tried to dissuade him,
saying, “We do not have the strength. Let us rather save our own
lives now, and let us come back with our kindred and fight them;
we are too few.” 10 But Judas said, “Far be it from us to do
such a thing as to flee from them. If our time has come, let us
die bravely for our kindred, and leave no cause to question our
honor.”
The Last Battle of Judas
11 Then the army of Bacchides[b] marched out from the camp and
took its stand for the encounter. The cavalry was divided into
two companies, and the slingers and the archers went ahead of
the army, as did all the chief warriors. 12 Bacchides was on the
right wing. Flanked by the two companies, the phalanx advanced
to the sound of the trumpets; and the men with Judas also blew
their trumpets. 13 The earth was shaken by the noise of the
armies, and the battle raged from morning until evening.
14 Judas saw that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on
the right; then all the stouthearted men went with him, 15 and
they crushed the right wing, and he pursued them as far as Mount
Azotus. 16 When those on the left wing saw that the right wing
was crushed, they turned and followed close behind Judas and his
men. 17 The battle became desperate, and many on both sides were
wounded and fell. 18 Judas also fell, and the rest fled.
19 Then Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas and buried
him in the tomb of their ancestors at Modein, 20 and wept for
him. All Israel made great lamentation for him; they mourned
many days and said,
21 “How is the mighty fallen,
the savior of Israel!”
22 Now the rest of the acts of Judas, and his wars and the brave
deeds that he did, and his greatness, have not been recorded,
but they were very many.
Jonathan Succeeds Judas
23 After the death of Judas, the renegades emerged in all parts
of Israel; all the wrongdoers reappeared. 24 In those days a
very great famine occurred, and the country went over to their
side. 25 Bacchides chose the godless and put them in charge of
the country. 26 They made inquiry and searched for the friends
of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, who took vengeance on
them and made sport of them. 27 So there was great distress in
Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets ceased
to appear among them.
28 Then all the friends of Judas assembled and said to Jonathan,
29 “Since the death of your brother Judas there has been no one
like him to go against our enemies and Bacchides, and to deal
with those of our nation who hate us. 30 Now therefore we have
chosen you today to take his place as our ruler and leader, to
fight our battle.” 31 So Jonathan accepted the leadership at
that time in place of his brother Judas.
The Campaigns of Jonathan
32 When Bacchides learned of this, he tried to kill him. 33 But
Jonathan and his brother Simon and all who were with him heard
of it, and they fled into the wilderness of Tekoa and camped by
the water of the pool of Asphar. 34 Bacchides found this out on
the sabbath day, and he with all his army crossed the Jordan.
35 So Jonathan[c] sent his brother as leader of the multitude
and begged the Nabateans, who were his friends, for permission
to store with them the great amount of baggage that they had. 36
But the family of Jambri from Medeba came out and seized John
and all that he had, and left with it.
37 After these things it was reported to Jonathan and his
brother Simon, “The family of Jambri are celebrating a great
wedding, and are conducting the bride, a daughter of one of the
great nobles of Canaan, from Nadabath with a large escort.” 38
Remembering how their brother John had been killed, they went up
and hid under cover of the mountain. 39 They looked out and saw
a tumultuous procession with a great amount of baggage; and the
bridegroom came out with his friends and his brothers to meet
them with tambourines and musicians and many weapons. 40 Then
they rushed on them from the ambush and began killing them. Many
were wounded and fell, and the rest fled to the mountain; and
the Jews[d] took all their goods. 41 So the wedding was turned
into mourning and the voice of their musicians into a funeral
dirge. 42 After they had fully avenged the blood of their
brother, they returned to the marshes of the Jordan.
43 When Bacchides heard of this, he came with a large force on
the sabbath day to the banks of the Jordan. 44 And Jonathan said
to those with him, “Let us get up now and fight for our lives,
for today things are not as they were before. 45 For look! the
battle is in front of us and behind us; the water of the Jordan
is on this side and on that, with marsh and thicket; there is no
place to turn. 46 Cry out now to Heaven that you may be
delivered from the hands of our enemies.” 47 So the battle
began, and Jonathan stretched out his hand to strike Bacchides,
but he eluded him and went to the rear. 48 Then Jonathan and the
men with him leaped into the Jordan and swam across to the other
side, and the enemy[e] did not cross the Jordan to attack them.
49 And about one thousand of Bacchides’ men fell that day.
Bacchides Builds Fortifications
50 Then Bacchides[f] returned to Jerusalem and built strong
cities in Judea: the fortress in Jericho, and Emmaus, and
Beth-horon, and Bethel, and Timnath, and[g] Pharathon, and
Tephon, with high walls and gates and bars. 51 And he placed
garrisons in them to harass Israel. 52 He also fortified the
town of Beth-zur, and Gazara, and the citadel, and in them he
put troops and stores of food. 53 And he took the sons of the
leading men of the land as hostages and put them under guard in
the citadel at Jerusalem.
54 In the one hundred and fifty-third year,[h] in the second
month, Alcimus gave orders to tear down the wall of the inner
court of the sanctuary. He tore down the work of the prophets!
55 But he only began to tear it down, for at that time Alcimus
was stricken and his work was hindered; his mouth was stopped
and he was paralyzed, so that he could no longer say a word or
give commands concerning his house. 56 And Alcimus died at that
time in great agony. 57 When Bacchides saw that Alcimus was
dead, he returned to the king, and the land of Judah had rest
for two years.
The End of the War
58 Then all the lawless plotted and said, “See! Jonathan and his
men are living in quiet and confidence. So now let us bring
Bacchides back, and he will capture them all in one night.” 59
And they went and consulted with him. 60 He started to come with
a large force, and secretly sent letters to all his allies in
Judea, telling them to seize Jonathan and his men; but they were
unable to do it, because their plan became known. 61 And
Jonathan’s men[i] seized about fifty of the men of the country
who were leaders in this treachery, and killed them.
62 Then Jonathan with his men, and Simon, withdrew to Bethbasi
in the wilderness; he rebuilt the parts of it that had been
demolished, and they fortified it. 63 When Bacchides learned of
this, he assembled all his forces, and sent orders to the men of
Judea. 64 Then he came and encamped against Bethbasi; he fought
against it for many days and made machines of war.
65 But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the town, while he
went out into the country; and he went with only a few men. 66
He struck down Odomera and his kindred and the people of
Phasiron in their tents. 67 Then he[j] began to attack and went
into battle with his forces; and Simon and his men sallied out
from the town and set fire to the machines of war. 68 They
fought with Bacchides, and he was crushed by them. They pressed
him very hard, for his plan and his expedition had been in vain.
69 So he was very angry at the renegades who had counseled him
to come into the country, and he killed many of them. Then he
decided to go back to his own land.
70 When Jonathan learned of this, he sent ambassadors to him to
make peace with him and obtain release of the captives. 71 He
agreed, and did as he said; and he swore to Jonathan[k] that he
would not try to harm him as long as he lived. 72 He restored to
him the captives whom he had taken previously from the land of
Judah; then he turned and went back to his own land, and did not
come again into their territory. 73 Thus the sword ceased from
Israel. Jonathan settled in Michmash and began to judge the
people; and he destroyed the godless out of Israel.
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 9:3 160 b.c.
1 Maccabees 9:11 Gk lacks of Bacchides
1 Maccabees 9:35 Gk he
1 Maccabees 9:40 Gk they
1 Maccabees 9:48 Gk they
1 Maccabees 9:50 Gk he
1 Maccabees 9:50 Some authorities omit and
1 Maccabees 9:54 159 b.c.
1 Maccabees 9:61 Gk they
1 Maccabees 9:67 Other ancient authorities read they
1 Maccabees 9:71 Gk him
#Post#: 13314--------------------------------------------------
Re: 1 MACCABEES
By: patrick jane Date: May 24, 2020, 3:47 am
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1 Maccabees 10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Revolt of Alexander Epiphanes
10 In the one hundred sixtieth year[a] Alexander Epiphanes, son
of Antiochus, landed and occupied Ptolemais. They welcomed him,
and there he began to reign. 2 When King Demetrius heard of it,
he assembled a very large army and marched out to meet him in
battle. 3 Demetrius sent Jonathan a letter in peaceable words to
honor him; 4 for he said to himself, “Let us act first to make
peace with him[b] before he makes peace with Alexander against
us, 5 for he will remember all the wrongs that we did to him and
to his brothers and his nation.” 6 So Demetrius[c] gave him
authority to recruit troops, to equip them with arms, and to
become his ally; and he commanded that the hostages in the
citadel should be released to him.
7 Then Jonathan came to Jerusalem and read the letter in the
hearing of all the people and of those in the citadel. 8 They
were greatly alarmed when they heard that the king had given him
authority to recruit troops. 9 But those in the citadel released
the hostages to Jonathan, and he returned them to their parents.
10 And Jonathan took up residence in Jerusalem and began to
rebuild and restore the city. 11 He directed those who were
doing the work to build the walls and encircle Mount Zion with
squared stones, for better fortification; and they did so.
12 Then the foreigners who were in the strongholds that
Bacchides had built fled; 13 all of them left their places and
went back to their own lands. 14 Only in Beth-zur did some
remain who had forsaken the law and the commandments, for it
served as a place of refuge.
15 Now King Alexander heard of all the promises that Demetrius
had sent to Jonathan, and he heard of the battles that
Jonathan[d] and his brothers had fought, of the brave deeds that
they had done, and of the troubles that they had endured. 16 So
he said, “Shall we find another such man? Come now, we will make
him our friend and ally.” 17 And he wrote a letter and sent it
to him, in the following words:
Jonathan Becomes High Priest
18 “King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greetings. 19 We
have heard about you, that you are a mighty warrior and worthy
to be our friend. 20 And so we have appointed you today to be
the high priest of your nation; you are to be called the king’s
Friend and you are to take our side and keep friendship with
us.” He also sent him a purple robe and a golden crown.
21 So Jonathan put on the sacred vestments in the seventh month
of the one hundred sixtieth year,[e] at the festival of
booths,[f] and he recruited troops and equipped them with arms
in abundance. 22 When Demetrius heard of these things he was
distressed and said, 23 “What is this that we have done?
Alexander has gotten ahead of us in forming a friendship with
the Jews to strengthen himself. 24 I also will write them words
of encouragement and promise them honor and gifts, so that I may
have their help.” 25 So he sent a message to them in the
following words:
A Letter from Demetrius to Jonathan
“King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greetings. 26 Since
you have kept your agreement with us and have continued your
friendship with us, and have not sided with our enemies, we have
heard of it and rejoiced. 27 Now continue still to keep faith
with us, and we will repay you with good for what you do for us.
28 We will grant you many immunities and give you gifts.
29 “I now free you and exempt all the Jews from payment of
tribute and salt tax and crown levies, 30 and instead of
collecting the third of the grain and the half of the fruit of
the trees that I should receive, I release them from this day
and henceforth. I will not collect them from the land of Judah
or from the three districts added to it from Samaria and
Galilee, from this day and for all time. 31 Jerusalem and its
environs, its tithes and its revenues, shall be holy and free
from tax. 32 I release also my control of the citadel in
Jerusalem and give it to the high priest, so that he may station
in it men of his own choice to guard it. 33 And everyone of the
Jews taken as a captive from the land of Judah into any part of
my kingdom, I set free without payment; and let all officials
cancel also the taxes on their livestock.
34 “All the festivals and sabbaths and new moons and appointed
days, and the three days before a festival and the three after a
festival—let them all be days of immunity and release for all
the Jews who are in my kingdom. 35 No one shall have authority
to exact anything from them or annoy any of them about any
matter.
36 “Let Jews be enrolled in the king’s forces to the number of
thirty thousand men, and let the maintenance be given them that
is due to all the forces of the king. 37 Let some of them be
stationed in the great strongholds of the king, and let some of
them be put in positions of trust in the kingdom. Let their
officers and leaders be of their own number, and let them live
by their own laws, just as the king has commanded in the land of
Judah.
38 “As for the three districts that have been added to Judea
from the country of Samaria, let them be annexed to Judea so
that they may be considered to be under one ruler and obey no
other authority than the high priest. 39 Ptolemais and the land
adjoining it I have given as a gift to the sanctuary in
Jerusalem, to meet the necessary expenses of the sanctuary. 40 I
also grant fifteen thousand shekels of silver yearly out of the
king’s revenues from appropriate places. 41 And all the
additional funds that the government officials have not paid as
they did in the first years,[g] they shall give from now on for
the service of the temple.[h] 42 Moreover, the five thousand
shekels of silver that my officials[i] have received every year
from the income of the services of the temple, this too is
canceled, because it belongs to the priests who minister there.
43 And all who take refuge at the temple in Jerusalem, or in any
of its precincts, because they owe money to the king or are in
debt, let them be released and receive back all their property
in my kingdom.
44 “Let the cost of rebuilding and restoring the structures of
the sanctuary be paid from the revenues of the king. 45 And let
the cost of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and fortifying it
all around, and the cost of rebuilding the walls in Judea, also
be paid from the revenues of the king.”
Death of Demetrius
46 When Jonathan and the people heard these words, they did not
believe or accept them, because they remembered the great wrongs
that Demetrius[j] had done in Israel and how much he had
oppressed them. 47 They favored Alexander, because he had been
the first to speak peaceable words to them, and they remained
his allies all his days.
48 Now King Alexander assembled large forces and encamped
opposite Demetrius. 49 The two kings met in battle, and the army
of Demetrius fled, and Alexander[k] pursued him and defeated
them. 50 He pressed the battle strongly until the sun set, and
on that day Demetrius fell.
Treaty of Ptolemy and Alexander
51 Then Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemy king of Egypt with
the following message: 52 “Since I have returned to my kingdom
and have taken my seat on the throne of my ancestors, and
established my rule—for I crushed Demetrius and gained control
of our country; 53 I met him in battle, and he and his army were
crushed by us, and we have taken our seat on the throne of his
kingdom— 54 now therefore let us establish friendship with one
another; give me now your daughter as my wife, and I will become
your son-in-law, and will make gifts to you and to her in
keeping with your position.”
55 Ptolemy the king replied and said, “Happy was the day on
which you returned to the land of your ancestors and took your
seat on the throne of their kingdom. 56 And now I will do for
you as you wrote, but meet me at Ptolemais, so that we may see
one another, and I will become your father-in-law, as you have
said.”
57 So Ptolemy set out from Egypt, he and his daughter Cleopatra,
and came to Ptolemais in the one hundred sixty-second year.[l]
58 King Alexander met him, and Ptolemy[m] gave him his daughter
Cleopatra in marriage, and celebrated her wedding at Ptolemais
with great pomp, as kings do.
59 Then King Alexander wrote to Jonathan to come and meet him.
60 So he went with pomp to Ptolemais and met the two kings; he
gave them and their Friends silver and gold and many gifts, and
found favor with them. 61 A group of malcontents from Israel,
renegades, gathered together against him to accuse him; but the
king paid no attention to them. 62 The king gave orders to take
off Jonathan’s garments and to clothe him in purple, and they
did so. 63 The king also seated him at his side; and he said to
his officers, “Go out with him into the middle of the city and
proclaim that no one is to bring charges against him about any
matter, and let no one annoy him for any reason.” 64 When his
accusers saw the honor that was paid him, in accord with the
proclamation, and saw him clothed in purple, they all fled. 65
Thus the king honored him and enrolled him among his chief[n]
Friends, and made him general and governor of the province. 66
And Jonathan returned to Jerusalem in peace and gladness.
Apollonius Is Defeated by Jonathan
67 In the one hundred sixty-fifth year[o] Demetrius son of
Demetrius came from Crete to the land of his ancestors. 68 When
King Alexander heard of it, he was greatly distressed and
returned to Antioch. 69 And Demetrius appointed Apollonius the
governor of Coelesyria, and he assembled a large force and
encamped against Jamnia. Then he sent the following message to
the high priest Jonathan:
70 “You are the only one to rise up against us, and I have
fallen into ridicule and disgrace because of you. Why do you
assume authority against us in the hill country? 71 If you now
have confidence in your forces, come down to the plain to meet
us, and let us match strength with each other there, for I have
with me the power of the cities. 72 Ask and learn who I am and
who the others are that are helping us. People will tell you
that you cannot stand before us, for your ancestors were twice
put to flight in their own land. 73 And now you will not be able
to withstand my cavalry and such an army in the plain, where
there is no stone or pebble, or place to flee.”
74 When Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, his spirit was
aroused. He chose ten thousand men and set out from Jerusalem,
and his brother Simon met him to help him. 75 He encamped before
Joppa, but the people of the city closed its gates, for
Apollonius had a garrison in Joppa. 76 So they fought against
it, and the people of the city became afraid and opened the
gates, and Jonathan gained possession of Joppa.
77 When Apollonius heard of it, he mustered three thousand
cavalry and a large army, and went to Azotus as though he were
going farther. At the same time he advanced into the plain, for
he had a large troop of cavalry and put confidence in it. 78
Jonathan[p] pursued him to Azotus, and the armies engaged in
battle. 79 Now Apollonius had secretly left a thousand cavalry
behind them. 80 Jonathan learned that there was an ambush behind
him, for they surrounded his army and shot arrows at his men
from early morning until late afternoon. 81 But his men stood
fast, as Jonathan had commanded, and the enemy’s[q] horses grew
tired.
82 Then Simon brought forward his force and engaged the phalanx
in battle (for the cavalry was exhausted); they were overwhelmed
by him and fled, 83 and the cavalry was dispersed in the plain.
They fled to Azotus and entered Beth-dagon, the temple of their
idol, for safety. 84 But Jonathan burned Azotus and the
surrounding towns and plundered them; and the temple of Dagon,
and those who had taken refuge in it, he burned with fire. 85
The number of those who fell by the sword, with those burned
alive, came to eight thousand.
86 Then Jonathan left there and encamped against Askalon, and
the people of the city came out to meet him with great pomp.
87 He and those with him then returned to Jerusalem with a large
amount of booty. 88 When King Alexander heard of these things,
he honored Jonathan still more; 89 and he sent to him a golden
buckle, such as it is the custom to give to the King’s Kinsmen.
He also gave him Ekron and all its environs as his possession.
Footnotes:
1 Maccabees 10:1 152 b.c.
1 Maccabees 10:4 Gk them
1 Maccabees 10:6 Gk he
1 Maccabees 10:15 Gk he
1 Maccabees 10:21 152 b.c.
1 Maccabees 10:21 Or tabernacles
1 Maccabees 10:41 Meaning of Gk uncertain
1 Maccabees 10:41 Gk house
1 Maccabees 10:42 Gk they
1 Maccabees 10:46 Gk he
1 Maccabees 10:49 Other ancient authorities read Alexander fled,
and Demetrius
1 Maccabees 10:57 150 b.c.
1 Maccabees 10:58 Gk he
1 Maccabees 10:65 Gk first
1 Maccabees 10:67 147 b.c.
1 Maccabees 10:78 Gk he
1 Maccabees 10:81 Gk their
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