And in the one hundred fifty-third year, in the second month, Alcimus gave orders to pull down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary. He also pulled down the works of the prophets.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 54. Alcimus. Josephus (xii. 17.) confesses that Judas was high priest. But he mistakes when he says he succeeded Alcimus, who it hence appears survived him a year, (verse 3, 18.) and was only an usurper. He should therefore be corrected by this book, rather than it should be rejected because it differs from him, or any such authors. Worthington. verse 1, 28. Bible.—Walls, before the most holy place, (Jos. Lyr.) or between the priests and people, (Salien. Menochius.) or which separated the Jews from the Gentiles, as if to remove all distinction. Grot.—It is probable that he removed the wall which went round the inner temple and the altar of holocausts, ( Calmet.) which Alexander restored. Jos. Ant. xiii. 21.—Prophets. Aggeus and Zac. had been as it were the architects and directors of the temple. Calmet.
circa B.Calmet. 160.