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Jonathan saw that the time was favorable for him, so he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.
Verse 1. Served, Syria being so much divided. Hence Jonathas went to the two most famous republics of the world, and probably to the Jews beyond the Euphrates, to the Nabutheans, and so forth verse 2. Calmet.
He also sent similar letters to the Spartans, and to other places.
Verse 2. Spartans. The city was also called Lacedemon and Theramne. Worthington.
They went to Rome, entered into the senate house, and said, “Jonathan the high priest and the nation of the Jews have sent us to renew for them the friendship and the alliance, as in former time.”
They gave them letters to the men in every place, that they should provide safe conduct for them on their way to the land of Judah.
This is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
“Jonathan the high priest, and the senate of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to their kindred the Spartans, greetings.
Verse 6. People. The Jewish state then greatly resembled those of Rome and of Sparta. The high priest and senate ruled, yet not without the participation of the people.—Brethren, proceeding from the same stock. This was the received opinion in both countries, though without foundation, that we can discover. Calmet. Diss.—The proofs might be known to those who were more concerned. Bible.—The Spartans, whom Josephus, and so forth style Lacedemonians, sprung from Abraham, (verse 21.) and were long ago in league with the Jews. Worthington.
Even before this time letters were sent to Onias the high priest from Arius, who was reigning among you, to signify that you are our kindred, as the copy written below shows.
Verse 7. Onias the third, between the years 3805 and 3829.—Arius. Greek and Syr. erroneously write, Darius. See verse 20. Jos. Ant. xii. 5.
So the old Latin versions and Josephus: compare also ver. 20. All the other authorities read Darius in this place.
Onias welcomed honorably the man who was sent and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of alliance and friendship.
Therefore we also, even though we need none of these things, having for our encouragement the holy books which are in our hands,
Verse 9. Things; the letters of Arius, as the sacred books testified the same. Greek Jos. Grot.—This sense appears to be the most natural; or we are not interested in make the present application.
have undertaken to send that we might renew our brotherhood and friendship with you, to the end that we should not become estranged from you altogether; for a long time has passed since you sent your letter to us.
We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and on the other convenient days, remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as it is right and proper to be mindful of kindred.
Verse 11. Observances. Greek Syr. “supplications.” The Vulg. had probably at first, obsecrationibus. The Jews prayed for their allies, and so forth to beg for their temporal prosperity, and for their conversion. Calmet. 7:33.
Moreover, we are glad for your glory.
But as for ourselves, many afflictions and many wars have encompassed us, and the kings who are around us have fought against us.
Verse 13. Kings. Ever since the time of Onias, wars had been waged against Epiphanes, Eupator, Soter, and Nicator. Calmet.
We were unwilling to be troublesome to you, and to the rest of our allies and friends, in these wars;
for we have the help which is from heaven to help us, and we have been delivered from our enemies, and our enemies have been humbled.
We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former alliance.
We commanded them therefore to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood.
And now you will do well if you give us a reply.”
And this is the copy of the letters which they sent to Onias:
Verse 19. Letter. Arius wrote before Onias, though the letter be placed later. Worthington.—Josephus give it rather in different words. The answer to Jonathan was sent to Simon, A. 3861. Calmet. 14:22. Calmet.
“Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the chief priest, greetings.
It has been found in writing, concerning the Spartans and the Jews, that they are kindred, and that they are of the descendants of Abraham.
Verse 21. Spartans. They had probably some old genealogies. Jos. xii. 5. and xiii. 9. Worthington.—Yet they might not be true. Few nations can ascertain their origin; and most run into fabulous accounts, if we except the Jews. Calmet. See verse 6. Bible. Salien, A. 3821.—There is nothing certain. Rep. Hebrews 1:2. Menochius.
Now, since this has come to our knowledge, you will do well to write to us of your prosperity.
Greek peace
We moreover write on our part to you, that your livestock and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore that they make report to you accordingly.”
Verse 23. Back. It would hence appear that the Jews wrote first which does not seem to be the case from Josephus, and so forth Calmet.
Now Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes had returned to fight against him with a greater army than before,
Verse 24. Demetrius. He resided at Laodicea, feasting, (Diod.) while his generals attempted to detach Jonathas from Antiochus, but without success. They fled at his approach beyond the river Eleutherus, from which Laodicea was not remote. Calmet.
so he marched away from Jerusalem, and met them in the country of Hamath; for he gave them no opportunity to set foot in his country.
He sent spies into his camp, and they came again, and reported to him that they were preparing to attack them at night.
But as soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be armed, that all the night long they might be ready for battle. He stationed sentinels around the camp.
The adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp then withdrew.
But Jonathan and his men didn’t know it until the morning; for they saw the fires burning.
Verse 29. Burning. They had been left to conceal the flight. Menochius.—Grabe supplies, “and they departed,” at the end of verse 28. Bible.
Jonathan pursued after them, but didn’t overtake them; for they had gone over the river Eleutherus.
Then Jonathan turned toward the Arabians, who are called Zabadaeans, and struck them, and took their spoils.
Verse 31. Zabadeans. No nation of this name is known; whence most people read “Nabatheans,” after Josephus. They had been allies of the Jews, but perhaps took part with Demetrius. Calmet.
He came out from there, and came to Damascus, and took his journey through all the country.
Simon went out, and took his journey as far as Ascalon, and the strongholds that were near it. Then he turned toward Joppa and took possession of it;
Verse 33. Of it, as it was designing to revolt. Jonathas had possession before. Calmet. 10:73. Menochius.
for he had heard that they were planning to hand over the stronghold to Demetrius’ men. He set a garrison there to guard it.
Then Jonathan returned and called the elders of the people together. He planned with them to build strongholds in Judea,
and to make the walls of Jerusalem higher, and to raise a great mound between the citadel and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might be isolated, that its garrison might neither buy nor sell.
Verse 36. Mount. Lit. “height,” ( Bible.) or wall, to prevent the garrison from receiving supplies. Calmet.
They were gathered together to build the city. Part of the wall of the brook that is on the east side had fallen down, and he repaired the section called Chaphenatha.
Verse 37. For. Greek “he approached,” which Grabe substitutes instead of “was fallen down.” Bible.
Simon also built Adida in the plain country, made it strong, and set up gates and bars.
Verse 38. Adiada, or Addus, (Calmet. 13:13) in the plain west of the mountains of Juda. Calmet.
Greek Sephela.
And Tryphon sought to reign over Asia and to crown himself, and to stretch out his hand against Antiochus the king.
Verse 39. Tryphon. In a moral sense, Tryphon represents the practice of the devil, who seeks first to deceive pastors. For, as Saint Gregory (hom. xxxviii.) teaches, if the pastor’s life be corrupt, his doctrine will be contemned. Worthington.
He was afraid that Jonathan wouldn’t allow him, and that he would fight against him; and he sought a way to seize him, that he might destroy him. So he marched out and came to Bethshan.
Verse 40. Bathsan, or Scythopolis, below the lake of Genesareth. Tryphon was not content with governing under the young Antiochus. He was afraid lest Jonathas should oppose his measures, ( Calmet.) knowing that he was a man of probity, to whom the king had shewn favour.
Jonathan came out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethshan.
Tryphon saw that he came with a great army, and he was afraid to stretch out his hand against him.
He received him honorably, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his forces to be obedient to him, as to himself.
See 1 Maccabees 2:18.
He said to Jonathan, “Why have you put all these people to so much trouble, seeing there is no war between us?
Now send them away to their homes, but choose for yourself a few men who shall be with you, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will give it to you, and the rest of the strongholds and the rest of the forces, and all the king’s officers. Then I will turn around and depart; for this is why I came.”
He put his trust in him, and did even as he said, and sent away his forces, and they departed into the land of Judah.
But he reserved to himself three thousand men, of whom he left two thousand in Galilee, but one thousand went with him.
Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, the people of Ptolemais shut the gates and seized him. They killed all those who came in with him with the sword.
Tryphon sent troops and cavalry into Galilee, and into the Great Plain, to destroy all Jonathan’s men.
Verse 49. Plain of Esdrelon, or Mageddo, ( Menochius.) styled also the vale of Jezrahel, and perhaps Arboth. Calmet. 5:23. and 9:2.
They perceived that he had been seized and had perished, along with those who were with him. They encouraged one another and went on their way close together, prepared to fight.
Verse 50. Slain. So it was reported, though falsely. Calmet.
Those who followed them saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, and turned back again.
They all came in peace into the land of Judah, and they mourned for Jonathan and those who were with him, and they were very afraid. All Israel mourned with a great mourning.
And all the Gentiles who were around them sought to destroy them utterly; for they said, “They have no ruler nor anyone to help them. Now therefore let’s fight against them, and take away their memory from among men.”