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Now after a very little time, Lysias, the king’s guardian, kinsman, and chancellor, being very displeased about the things that had happened,
Verse 1. Cousin. He was of the blood royal and governor, (verse 22 and 1 B. 11:18) having supplanted Philip. Calmet.—Lysias had been vanquished already. 1 B. 4:28. Worthington. Calmet.
collected about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came against the Jews, planning to make the city a home for Greeks,
and to levy tribute on the temple, as on the other sacred places of the nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.
Verse 3. Temple, as of a farm, by selling offices and requiring money of those who offered victims. 1 B. 10:42. Calmet.
Or, on all the sacred places of the heathen
He took no account of God’s power, but was puffed up with his ten thousands of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.
Coming into Judea and approaching Bethsuron, which was a strong place and about five stadia away from Jerusalem, he pressed it hard.
Verse 5. Narrow. Greek “secure.” Prot. “strong town.”—Furlongs. Greek “schœnus,” ( Bible.) 625 paces. Yet Eusebius and S. Jerom say it was twenty miles distant, towards Hebron, (Joshua 15:58) which seems more accurate. Calmet.—Some figure may easily have been changed. Bible.
One stadia was roughly 189 meters or 618 feet, so 5 stadia was about a little less than 1 km or a little more than half a mile.
When Maccabaeus and his men learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentations and tears made supplication to the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.
Verse 6. Angel. Knowing that the patriarchs and Moses had often received such aid, the Machabees prayed that their good cause might be espoused by the angels; and their request was granted, though they were forced to co-operate. Sometimes God gave victory without the interference of men. Exodus 14 and 4 Kennicott. 19. Worthington.
Maccabaeus himself took up weapons first, and exhorted the others to put themselves in jeopardy together with him and help their kindred; and they went out with him very willingly.
As they were there, close to Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head in white apparel, brandishing weapons of gold.
Verse 8. Horseman, in appearance, but really ( Bible.) an angel, as five came before. Calmet. 10:29.
Greek a panoply.
They all together praised the merciful God, and were yet more strengthened in heart, being ready to assail not only men but the wildest animals and walls of iron,
Greek wound.
they advanced in array, having him who is in heaven to fight on their side, for the Lord had mercy on them.
Hurling themselves like lions against the enemy, they killed eleven thousand infantry and one thousand six hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.
Most of them escaped wounded and naked. Lysias himself also escaped by shameful flight.
But as he was a man not void of understanding, pondering the defeat which had befallen him, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome because the Almighty God fought on their side, he sent again
and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and promised that he would also persuade the king to become their friend.
The Greek text here is corrupt.
Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the common good; for whatever requests Maccabaeus delivered in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews the king allowed.
The letter written to the Jews from Lysias was to this effect: “Lysias to the people of the Jews, greetings.
Greek multitude.
John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the document written below, made request concerning the things written therein.
Verse 17. Delivering; (Syr.) but Greek has, “seeing the oracle subscribed, (or underwritten) made a petition concerning the things declared in it.” Bible.—Kings’ decrees were often styled oracles; and this might contain leave for Lysias to treat with the Jews, (Grot.) or the last injunction of Epiphanes, (Calmet. 9:19) or the resolution of Judas. Calmet.
Whatever things therefore needed to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.
If then you will all preserve your good will toward the government, I will also endeavor in the future to contribute to your good.
Concerning this, I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those who are sent from me, to confer with you.
Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month Dioscorinthius.”
Verse 21. In the year one hundred and forty-eight; that is according to the computation of the Greeks, which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the writer of the first book of Machabees. However by this date, as well as by other circumstances, it appears that the expedition of Lysias, mentioned in this chapter, is different from that recorded 1 Maccabees 6:16. Challoner.—Dioscorus. Syr. “the last of Tisri.” Greek “Jupiter of Corinth,” which is more unintelligible. There was no month called Dioscorus among the Greeks. Calmet.—It might be put for Dius, (Grot.) or Distrus, (Serar. Tirinus.) or it was an intercalary month, between March and April, (Salien) or the Macedonians had two names for some months. Bible.
This month name is not found elsewhere, and is perhaps corrupt.
And the king’s letter contained these words: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.
Verse 22. Brother. So he is styled for honour. verse 35. Menochius.
Seeing that our father passed to the gods having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,
Verse 23. Gods. This impious custom began in the East, and was abolished by Christianity. Calmet.—Epiphanes had affected to be a god, but at last saw his folly. Calmet. 9. Bible.
Or, should not be disquieted but
we, having heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them to the customs of the Greeks, but choose rather their own way of living, and make request that the customs of their law be allowed to them—
choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from disturbance, we determine that their temple is to be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.
Verse 25. Restored. It was already occupied by the Jews, but they were much disturbed by the garrison. Now their rights are admitted.
You will therefore do well to send messengers to them and give them the right hand of friendship, that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.”
And to the nation, the king’s letter was as follows: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.
Verse 27. Senate. The constitution was aristocratical.
If you are all well, it is as we desire. We ourselves also are in good health.
Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.
Verse 29. Menelaus. He was at Antioch, and was reputed high priest, being established by the king. But the Jews would not receive him, having chosen Judas. Calmet.
They therefore who depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have our friendship, with full permission
Verse 30. Day, or for fifteen days. verse 33. Menochius.
Greek right hand.
that the Jews use their own foods and observe their own laws, even as formerly. None of them shall be in any way molested for the things that have been done in ignorance.
Verse 31. Ignorance. He excuses them, and grants an amnesty. 1 B. 13:39. Calmet.
Moreover I have sent Menelaus also, that he may encourage you.
Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.”
The Romans also sent to them a letter in these words: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.
Verse 34. Romans. Others were sent soon after to burn the ships and maim the elephants, which Eupator had more than had been agreed upon. Usher, A. 3841.—They undertake to promote the welfare of their allies. Yet the peace was of short duration, and perhaps never ratified.
In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent.
But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send someone promptly, after you have considered them, that we may publish such decrees as are appropriate for your case; for we are on our way to Antioch.
Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind.
Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.
Greek Be in good health.