2 Maccabees
Verse 1. City. He had done both before the death of Epiphanes, ( Calmet.) after the fourth battle against Lysias. 1 B. 4. Worthington.—The author has given the journey and death of Antiochus together, and now returns to his subject.
EXPLANATIONS
2 Maccabees 10
Historical chapter commentary
2 Maccabees
Verse 2. Altars. Such were erected before the houses. 1 B. 1:50. Jeremiah 11:13.
2 Maccabees
Verse 3. Stones; “heated,” (Greek Syr. Serar.) or by miracle, (Arab. Gorion. Tirinus.) or striking fire with a flint upon tinder. In this manner the Church still renews fire on Holy Saturday. The Jews could not use profane fire in the temple. Leviticus 10:1. God restored the sacred fire by miracle. Calmet. 1:18. and so forth Pagans have had many superstitious customs with regard to fire. Calmet.
Adde quod arcanâ fieri novus ignis in æde
Dicitur et vires flamma reflecta capit. Ovid, Fast. iii.
—They obtained fire by means of a burning glass. Calmet.—If the vestal suffered it to go out, she was scourged by the pontiff. Sextus.—Two, dating from the administration of Judas, and three since the temple was defiled. Usher, A. 3840.
2 Maccabees
Verse 6. Manner, with the like ceremonies and solemnity. Calmet.—Green branches might be procured in November and December, as those months in Palestine are as fine as our spring. Roger.
2 Maccabees
Verse 7. Green. Greek “beautiful;” probably the orange tree. Leviticus 23:40. See diss. on mandrakes. Calmet. Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 8. Days. Beza allows that Christ complied. John 10. It is wonderful then that Prot. should reject this book.
2 Maccabees
Verse 9. Illustrious. Go to 1 B. 5:1. Worthington.
2 Maccabees
Verse 11. Appointed. So Lysias gave out. Calmet. 9:29. He had been governor before the journey of Epiphanes. 1 B. 3:32.
2 Maccabees
Verse 12. Macer, “lean.” Greek makros, “tall.” See Calmet. 4:45. and 8:8. Polybius styles him “a prudent and active man.” Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 13. Revolted. So they interpreted ( Bible.) his disapprobation of the cruelties exercised upon the Jews. Calmet.—Greek “had not yet any honourable place of power entrusted to him, being dispirited, he,” and so forth Bible.—It is never a proof of fortitude, but of pusillanimity, to kill oneself to get rid of temporal misery. But it is very heroical to die willingly for God’s glory.
2 Maccabees
Verse 14. Gorgias, who had been defeated. 1 B. 4. Worthington.—He was an experienced captain in Idumea, and the country south of Carmel. Calmet.—Fought. Greek “prolonged the war.” Grot.
2 Maccabees
Verse 15. The Jews, and so forth He speaks of them that had fallen from their religion, and were enemies of their country, who joining with the Idumeans or Edomites, kept possession of the strong holds, and from thence annoyed their countrymen. Challoner.—Greek and Syr. “Idumeans,” who appear in the sequel.
2 Maccabees
Verse 18. Some; probably the sons of Bean. 1 B. 5:4.
2 Maccabees
Verse 23. Holds; strong places, defended with towers. Some Judas burnt. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 24. Timotheus, who had been defeated (1 B. 8:30. Worthington.) soon after Nicanor.
2 Maccabees
Verse 26. Altar, between it and the porch. Joel 2:17.—Law. Exodus 23:22. Leviticus 26:7. Deuteronomy 7:15. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 32. Gazara, different from Gaza, which is so called elsewhere. Menochius.—This Gazara was a fortress against the inroads of the Idumeans.—Chereas, brother of Timotheus. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 35. Men. Gorionides (3:13) says they were Assideans, mentioned before 1 B. 2:42 and 7:13. Worthington.—Got. Greek “slew every one they met.” Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 36. After. Greek “by a back way ( Bible. undefended, περισπασμω. Grot.) to those within, burnt the towers, and kindling fires burnt the blasphemers alive. But these cut down the gates; and giving entrance to the rest of the army, took the city and killed Timotheus, who had hidden in a hole,” ( Bible.) or cistern; λακκω. Calmet.—Vulg. had perhaps lacu. Sa. Menochius.
2 Maccabees
Greek firing.
2 Maccabees
Or, not long before they kept the feast of tabernacles by wandering
2 Maccabees
That is, son of a good father.
2 Maccabees
See 2 Maccabees 8:9
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The Greek text here is corrupt.
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Greek propitious.
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See Exodus 23:22.
2 Maccabees
Greek were by themselves.
2 Maccabees
Some authorities read and leading on the Jews; who also, taking.
2 Maccabees
See ver. 37.
2 Maccabees
Greek passion as of wild animals.