2 Maccabees
Verse 1. Cousin. He was of the blood royal and governor, (verse 22 and 1 B. 11:18) having supplanted Philip. Calmet.—Lysias had been vanquished already. 1 B. 4:28. Worthington. Calmet.
EXPLANATIONS
2 Maccabees 11
Historical chapter commentary
2 Maccabees
Verse 3. Temple, as of a farm, by selling offices and requiring money of those who offered victims. 1 B. 10:42. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 5. Narrow. Greek “secure.” Prot. “strong town.”—Furlongs. Greek “schœnus,” ( Bible.) 625 paces. Yet Eusebius and S. Jerom say it was twenty miles distant, towards Hebron, (Joshua 15:58) which seems more accurate. Calmet.—Some figure may easily have been changed. Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 6. Angel. Knowing that the patriarchs and Moses had often received such aid, the Machabees prayed that their good cause might be espoused by the angels; and their request was granted, though they were forced to co-operate. Sometimes God gave victory without the interference of men. Exodus 14 and 4 Kennicott. 19. Worthington.
2 Maccabees
Verse 8. Horseman, in appearance, but really ( Bible.) an angel, as five came before. Calmet. 10:29.
2 Maccabees
Verse 17. Delivering; (Syr.) but Greek has, “seeing the oracle subscribed, (or underwritten) made a petition concerning the things declared in it.” Bible.—Kings’ decrees were often styled oracles; and this might contain leave for Lysias to treat with the Jews, (Grot.) or the last injunction of Epiphanes, (Calmet. 9:19) or the resolution of Judas. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 21. In the year one hundred and forty-eight; that is according to the computation of the Greeks, which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the writer of the first book of Machabees. However by this date, as well as by other circumstances, it appears that the expedition of Lysias, mentioned in this chapter, is different from that recorded 1 Maccabees 6:16. Challoner.—Dioscorus. Syr. “the last of Tisri.” Greek “Jupiter of Corinth,” which is more unintelligible. There was no month called Dioscorus among the Greeks. Calmet.—It might be put for Dius, (Grot.) or Distrus, (Serar. Tirinus.) or it was an intercalary month, between March and April, (Salien) or the Macedonians had two names for some months. Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 22. Brother. So he is styled for honour. verse 35. Menochius.
2 Maccabees
Verse 23. Gods. This impious custom began in the East, and was abolished by Christianity. Calmet.—Epiphanes had affected to be a god, but at last saw his folly. Calmet. 9. Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 25. Restored. It was already occupied by the Jews, but they were much disturbed by the garrison. Now their rights are admitted.
2 Maccabees
Verse 27. Senate. The constitution was aristocratical.
2 Maccabees
Verse 29. Menelaus. He was at Antioch, and was reputed high priest, being established by the king. But the Jews would not receive him, having chosen Judas. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 30. Day, or for fifteen days. verse 33. Menochius.
2 Maccabees
Verse 31. Ignorance. He excuses them, and grants an amnesty. 1 B. 13:39. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 34. Romans. Others were sent soon after to burn the ships and maim the elephants, which Eupator had more than had been agreed upon. Usher, A. 3841.—They undertake to promote the welfare of their allies. Yet the peace was of short duration, and perhaps never ratified.
2 Maccabees
Or, on all the sacred places of the heathen
2 Maccabees
One stadia was roughly 189 meters or 618 feet, so 5 stadia was about a little less than 1 km or a little more than half a mile.
2 Maccabees
Greek a panoply.
2 Maccabees
Greek wound.
2 Maccabees
The Greek text here is corrupt.
2 Maccabees
Greek multitude.
2 Maccabees
This month name is not found elsewhere, and is perhaps corrupt.
2 Maccabees
Or, should not be disquieted but
2 Maccabees
Greek right hand.
2 Maccabees
Greek Be in good health.