EXPLANATIONS

1 Maccabees 12

Historical chapter commentary

1 Maccabees

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.

1 Maccabees

Verse 2. Spartans. The city was also called Lacedemon and Theramne. Worthington.

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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.

1 Maccabees

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.

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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.

1 Maccabees

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.

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Verse 13. Kings. Ever since the time of Onias, wars had been waged against Epiphanes, Eupator, Soter, and Nicator. Calmet.

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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.

1 Maccabees

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.

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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.

1 Maccabees

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.

1 Maccabees

Verse 29. Burning. They had been left to conceal the flight. Menochius.—Grabe supplies, “and they departed,” at the end of verse 28. Bible.

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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.

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Verse 33. Of it, as it was designing to revolt. Jonathas had possession before. Calmet. 10:73. Menochius.

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Verse 36. Mount. Lit. “height,” ( Bible.) or wall, to prevent the garrison from receiving supplies. Calmet.

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Verse 37. For. Greek “he approached,” which Grabe substitutes instead of “was fallen down.” Bible.

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Verse 38. Adiada, or Addus, (Calmet. 13:13) in the plain west of the mountains of Juda. Calmet.

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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.

1 Maccabees

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.

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Verse 49. Plain of Esdrelon, or Mageddo, ( Menochius.) styled also the vale of Jezrahel, and perhaps Arboth. Calmet. 5:23. and 9:2.

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Verse 50. Slain. So it was reported, though falsely. Calmet.

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So the old Latin versions and Josephus: compare also ver. 20. All the other authorities read Darius in this place.

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Greek peace

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Greek Sephela.

1 Maccabees

See 1 Maccabees 2:18.

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