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In the one hundred forty-ninth year, news was brought to Judas and his company that Antiochus Eupator was coming with multitudes against Judea,
Verse 1. Eupator. Several of his generals had been already defeated. He therefore comes in person. 1 B. 6:28. Calmet.—He was not above ten years old. But Lysias thought that his presence would animate the soldiers. Bible.
and with him Lysias his guardian and chancellor, each having a Greek force of one hundred ten thousand infantry, five thousand three hundred cavalry, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots armed with scythes.
Verse 2. A hundred and ten thousand, and so forth The difference between the numbers here set down and those recorded 1 Maccabees 4 is easily accounted for, if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time more numerous that at another, either by sending away large detachments, or being diminished by sickness, or increased by receiving fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or occurrences. Challoner.—There are many such difficulties in the Books of Kings, and so forth Only some of the troops were permanent. Worthington.—Most were auxiliaries, so that the number might often vary. Nothing is said of the chariots. 1 B. 6:30.
And Menelaus also joined himself with them, and with great hypocrisy encouraged Antiochus, not for the saving of his country, but because he thought that he would be set over the government.
Verse 3. Country. He had continued at Antioch, as the Jews would not receive him. Calmet. 4:24. Calmet.—Yet now he pretended to be solicitous for their welfare, ( Bible.) only that he might obtain power.
But the King of kings stirred up the anger of Antiochus against the wicked wretch. When Lysias informed him that this man was the cause of all the evils, the king commanded to bring him to Beroea, and to put him to death in the way customary in that place.
Verse 4. Evils. The ambition of Jason and of Menelaus had brought on all these disturbances. Calmet. 4:7. and so forth and 1 B. 1:12.—Place. It would seem on the journey to Judea: but Josephus says he was slain after the king’s return, at Antioch. The sacred historian relates what concerns him together. Calmet.—In the. Greek “conducting him to Berea.” Bible.
Now there is in that place a tower that is fifty cubits high, full of ashes, and it had all around it a circular rim sloping steeply on every side into the ashes.
Verse 5. Down. A beam was laid across the walls, on which the criminal, having been well regaled with wine, was placed till he fell among the ashes. V. Max. ix. 2.—Hystaspes invented this punishment. Calmet.—Prospect. Greek “organ, (or round instrument)” (Prot.) like a wheel, ( Calmet.) “hanging (or whirling a person) on all sides headlong over the ashes. Thence all pushed him who was guilty of sacrilege, or of other crimes, forward to ruin.” Bible.—Syr. passes over verse 5 and 6. Calmet.
Greek contrivance or machine.
Here one who is guilty of sacrilege or notorious for other crimes is pushed down to destruction.
By such a fate it happened that the breaker of the law, Menelaus, died, without obtaining so much as a grave in the earth, and that justly;
for inasmuch as he had perpetrated many sins against the altar, whose fire and whose ashes were holy, he received his death in ashes.
Greek about.
Now the king, infuriated in spirit, was coming with intent to inflict on the Jews the very worst of the sufferings that had been done in his father’s time.
Verse 9. With. Greek “rendered barbarous by his designs,” ( Bible.) intending to punish the Jews worse than his father.
Some authorities read indignant.
But when Judas heard of these things, he commanded the multitude to call upon the Lord day and night, if ever at any other time, so now to help those who were at the point of being deprived of the law, their country, and the holy temple,
and not to allow the people who had just begun to be revived to fall into the hands of those profane heathen.
So when they had all done the same thing together, begging the merciful Lord with weeping and fastings and prostration for three days without ceasing, Judas exhorted them and commanded they should join him.
Greek and implored.
Having consulted privately with the elders, he resolved that before the king’s army entered into Judea and made themselves masters of the city, they should go out and decide the matter by the help of God.
Verse 13. Ancients. The people were not convoked. Calmet.
Some authorities read the Lord.
And committing the decision to the Lord of the world, and exhorting those who were with him to contend nobly even to death for laws, temple, city, country, and way of life, he pitched his camp by Modin.
Some authorities read Creator.
He gave out to his men the watchword, “VICTORY IS GOD’S”, with a chosen force of the bravest young men he attacked the king’s pavilion by night, and killed of his army as many as two thousand men, and brought down the leading elephant with him who was in the tower on him.
Verse 15. Watchword that night. Worthington.—He usually gave some pious sentence. Calmet. 7:23.—Quarter. Lit. “hall,” ( Bible.) a prætorium, or tent.—Four. Some Greek and Lat. copies have “two.” Syr. “three,” though the old edit. of the Vulg. read, 14,000.—Greatest, carrying thirty-two men. 1 B. 6:37. Greek also, “the chief over the elephants, with all his troops in the house,” ( Bible.) or the servants. Calmet.—Prot. “will all that were upon him.” Bible.—This office was very considerable. Calmet. 14:12. Grot. Calmet.
The Greek text here is probably corrupt.
Greek house.
At last they filled the army with terror and alarm, and departed with good success.
Greek camp.
This had been accomplished when the day was just dawning, because of the Lord’s protection that gave Judas help.
Greek him.
But the king, having had a taste of the exceeding boldness of the Jews, made strategic attacks on their positions,
and on a strong fortress of the Jews at Bethsura. He advanced, was turned back, failed, and was defeated.
Judas sent the things that were necessary to those who were within.
But Rhodocus, from the Jewish ranks, made secrets known to the enemy. He was sought out, arrested, and shut up in prison.
Verse 21. Prison. This traitor was either in the camp or at Bethsura. Calmet.
The king negotiated with them in Bethsura the second time, gave his hand, took theirs, departed, attacked the forces of Judas, was put to the worse,
Verse 22. Away. Cæsar said in the same laconic style, Veni, vidi, vici. Bible.
heard that Philip who had been left as chancellor in Antioch had become reckless, was confounded, made to the Jews an overture of peace, submitted himself and swore to acknowledge all their rights, came to terms with them and offered sacrifice, honored the sanctuary and the place,
Verse 23. Overcome. Hence Eleazar signalized himself. 1 B. 6:43.—Rebelled. Lysias persuaded him to treat the just exertions of Philip in this light. He was himself the usurper of the regency. He easily persuaded the young prince that peace was now most expedient; and conditions were granted to the Jews, which would have been very advantageous if they had been observed. But the king having offered sacrifice by the hands of the priests, and seeing the strength of the wall round Sion, ordered them to be demolished. Calmet.
showed kindness and graciously received Maccabaeus, left Hegemonides governor from Ptolemais even to the Gerrenians,
Verse 24. Gerrenians. Gerrus was on the frontiers of Egypt. Ptol.—It was formerly called Gerara. Genesis 20:1. The successors of Judas afterwards possessed this government. Calmet.—Greek “He made Hegemonides governor from,” and so forth Usher, A. 3841.
The form of this word is uncertain. Compare Girzites (or Gizrites), 1 Samuel 27:8. One manuscript reads Gerarenes.
and came to Ptolemais. The men of Ptolemais were displeased at the treaty, for they had exceedingly great indignation against the Jews. They desired to annul the articles of the agreement.
Verse 25. Of the. They disliked a Jewish governor, being always bitter against that nation. Calmet. 6:8. and 1 B. 5:15 and 12:48. Calmet.—Greek “they or he raged, because they would break the agreements” ( Bible.) with the Jews, ( Calmet.) or would revolt. Syr. Grot.
Lysias came forward to speak, made the best defense that was possible, persuaded, pacified, gained their good will, and departed to Antioch. This was the issue of the attack and departure of the king.
Greek came forward to the tribune or judgment seat.