Concerning the Jews, whom he had decided not even to count worthy of burial, but to cast them out to the animals with their infants for the birds to devour, he would make them all equal to citizens of Athens.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 15. Athenians. This seems to have been put for Antiochians, Calmet. 4:9. in Greek; which name would suit better here, as Epiphanes had no power over Athens. Grot. Calmet.—Yet it was highly privileged ( Bible.) above all the cities of Greece. Menochius.—Jason had obtained for the citizens of Jerusalem to be called Antiochians. Calmet. 6:1. But this grant had been revoked, or not carried into effect since the late troubles. Calmet.—Here the privilege is to be extended to all the Jews. Bible.—Ptolemais and Calliroe enjoyed the same. Harduin.