Verse 1. Joarib. This family was the most distinguished, as Josephus, who sprung from it, asserts, ( Bible.) being the first of the twenty-four families of priests. 1 Chronicles 24:7. 19. Menochius.—Mathathias was probably a descendant of Phinees, (verse 54.) and was officiating when the impious orders arrived. Whereupon he retired to Modin, ( Calmet.) near Diospolis. Saint Jerome—Many say he was chosen high priest; and therefore decided the question about fighting on the sabbath. But any other, in similar emergencies, might have given that decision. Calmet.—Judas was chosen, (Josephus) and Jonathas exercised the functions. Ant. xx. 8.—To verify the prediction of Jacob, some have concluded that the Machabees were allied to the tribe of Juda by the mother’s side. Saint Jerome Saint Augustine c. Faust. i. 72.—Yet this is not proved, nor requisite. They were called Asmoneans, either from the town of Asamon, (Joshua 15:27) or from Assamoneus, great grandfather of Mathathias. Jos. Ant. xii. 8.—This family ruled till Herod, 128 years. Calmet.—Here an account is given of their wars, and more fully in the eight last chapters of the second Book. Worthington.—Perhaps John, Mathathias, and so forth were chosen high priests by the people, while the king sent others. Selden.
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Verse 2. Gaddis, “a troop, fortunate, or a heap of wheat.” Calmet.
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Verse 3. Thasi, in Syr. “ardent,” or feeble, ( Calmet.) or a destroyer. Pagn.
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Verse 4. Machabeus. The common etymology has been given. Bible.—But Judas had then no banners, and there is no proof that the Jews used such abbreviations, ( Calmet.) though moderns write Rambam, for “R. Moses, son of Maimon,” Moce-bie, ( Bible.) “conquering in God,” (equivalent to Nicator, the title of Sedeucus) seems better, particularly as the word is written Machabee. Calmet.—Yet this is liable to the objection of c being placed instead of k, which occurs invariably in the Chal. and Syr. Bible.
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Verse 5. Abaron, “passing,” undaunted, ( Calmet.) or “potent.”—Apphus, “the wrath or flying of counsel,” (Pagn.) “fainting, abundant, or dissipating.” Calmet.—This small help, of great importance, was foretold by Daniel, 11:34. Worthington.
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Verse 7. Ruin. S. Polycarp used a similar expression. Eus. verse 19.
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Verse 14. Lamentation. By voluntary mortification, he sought to appease God’s indignation. Menochius.
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Verse 18. They. Josephus mentions Apelles. Persecutors have thus frequently attempted to delude the faithful; first by flattery, and then by torments.
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Verse 21. Profitable. But quite the reverse both for this world and for the next. It is a dreadful crime.
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Verse 22. Way. Greek “to the right or to the left.” Bible.
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Verse 24. Law. Deuteronomy 11:6. Menochius. and 13:9. Those who attempted to introduce the worship of idols, were to be slain without farther trial. Calmet.—Mathathias was then judge and high priest. Worthington.—He acted not though private revenge. S. Cyp. exhort. 5. Saint Bernard ep. 158. Worthington.
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Verse 29. And justice. The ceremonial and moral law, ( Calmet.) or to live piously. Menochius.
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Verse 34. Sabbath. By sacrificing to idols, or by coming forth to fight. Bible.—They were of opinion that the latter was unlawful, and their ignorance might be excused. Menochius.
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Verse 37. Innocency. Lit. “simplicity,” has often this sense. Their piety was not, however, enlightened, as the ceremonial law gives way on such occasions. Calmet.—Their simplicity is commended by Saint Ambrose, Of. i. 40. Yet they had not the prudence of serpents, which is also requisite. The Church remains. Worthington.
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Verse 41. Come up. They say not that they will attack. Calmet.—Pompey perceived this, and made his advances and works on the sabbath, without opposition. Jos. Bel. i. 5.—Pompey I had thus taken Jerusalem. Jos. Ant. xii. 1.—The Samaritans will not more on that day. Exodus 16:29 ep. 2. ad Scaliger—The Jews now take care of the sick, but will not help a beast out of the ditch on the sabbath, though in our Saviour’s time they did just the reverse. Lu. 14:5. The law has thus been variously explained. The Machabees judged with prudence. Yet superstition had again gained ground, when Josephus (vita) would not fight of assemble his forces on the sabbath, as being contrary to the law. In a storm, a Jewish pilot abandoned the helm till the danger was evident. Synes. ep. iv.
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Verse 42. The Assideans. A set of men that led a religious life; and were zealous for the law and worship of God. Challoner.—They fought like the knights of Malta. A. Lapide—Esidim ( Bible.) means “the pious.” Sirach 44:10. Many think they were the same with the Cinites, Rechabites, and Essenes. From them spring the Pharisees. Calmet.—The society was intent on adorning the temple, (Scal.) by which they swore. Matthew 23:6. Calmet.—They were like monks in the old law. Simon. Menochius.—These Essenes followed piety, avoiding the hypocrisy and error of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Worthington. Jos. Bel. ii. 12.
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Verse 44. Sinners. Apostate Jews. Calmet.
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Verse 48. Horn. That is, they suffered not the power of Antiochus, that man of sin, to abolish the law and religion of God. Challoner.
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Verse 53. Lord, next to the king. Genesis 41:40.
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Verse 54. Everlasting, as long as the old law should subsist. Calmet.
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Verse 55. Jesus; that is Josue. Challoner.—He and Caleb alone gave a true relation. Bible.
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Verse 57. Mercy. This virtue was characteristic. Calmet.
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Verse 66. People. Order is peculiarly requisite in all things, so here the proper persons are chosen, to whom each must submit in their sphere. Worthington.—Mathathias speaks as chief of the nation. Calmet.—Judas was his eldest son, and Simon the fourth. Jos. seder. and so forth
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Verse 70. Year. Not of his age, but of the Greeks, ( Menochius.) after being at the head about twelve months. A. 3838. Calmet.
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Greek Joannes.
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See 1 Maccabees 3:38; 10:10, and so forth; Compare 1 Maccabees 10:65; 11:27; 2 Maccabees 8:9.