2 Maccabees
Verse 1. Eupator. Several of his generals had been already defeated. He therefore comes in person. 1 B. 6:28. Calmet.—He was not above ten years old. But Lysias thought that his presence would animate the soldiers. Bible.
EXPLANATIONS
2 Maccabees 13
Historical chapter commentary
2 Maccabees
Verse 2. A hundred and ten thousand, and so forth The difference between the numbers here set down and those recorded 1 Maccabees 4 is easily accounted for, if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time more numerous that at another, either by sending away large detachments, or being diminished by sickness, or increased by receiving fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or occurrences. Challoner.—There are many such difficulties in the Books of Kings, and so forth Only some of the troops were permanent. Worthington.—Most were auxiliaries, so that the number might often vary. Nothing is said of the chariots. 1 B. 6:30.
2 Maccabees
Verse 3. Country. He had continued at Antioch, as the Jews would not receive him. Calmet. 4:24. Calmet.—Yet now he pretended to be solicitous for their welfare, ( Bible.) only that he might obtain power.
2 Maccabees
Verse 4. Evils. The ambition of Jason and of Menelaus had brought on all these disturbances. Calmet. 4:7. and so forth and 1 B. 1:12.—Place. It would seem on the journey to Judea: but Josephus says he was slain after the king’s return, at Antioch. The sacred historian relates what concerns him together. Calmet.—In the. Greek “conducting him to Berea.” Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 5. Down. A beam was laid across the walls, on which the criminal, having been well regaled with wine, was placed till he fell among the ashes. V. Max. ix. 2.—Hystaspes invented this punishment. Calmet.—Prospect. Greek “organ, (or round instrument)” (Prot.) like a wheel, ( Calmet.) “hanging (or whirling a person) on all sides headlong over the ashes. Thence all pushed him who was guilty of sacrilege, or of other crimes, forward to ruin.” Bible.—Syr. passes over verse 5 and 6. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 9. With. Greek “rendered barbarous by his designs,” ( Bible.) intending to punish the Jews worse than his father.
2 Maccabees
Verse 13. Ancients. The people were not convoked. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 15. Watchword that night. Worthington.—He usually gave some pious sentence. Calmet. 7:23.—Quarter. Lit. “hall,” ( Bible.) a prætorium, or tent.—Four. Some Greek and Lat. copies have “two.” Syr. “three,” though the old edit. of the Vulg. read, 14,000.—Greatest, carrying thirty-two men. 1 B. 6:37. Greek also, “the chief over the elephants, with all his troops in the house,” ( Bible.) or the servants. Calmet.—Prot. “will all that were upon him.” Bible.—This office was very considerable. Calmet. 14:12. Grot. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 21. Prison. This traitor was either in the camp or at Bethsura. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 22. Away. Cæsar said in the same laconic style, Veni, vidi, vici. Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 23. Overcome. Hence Eleazar signalized himself. 1 B. 6:43.—Rebelled. Lysias persuaded him to treat the just exertions of Philip in this light. He was himself the usurper of the regency. He easily persuaded the young prince that peace was now most expedient; and conditions were granted to the Jews, which would have been very advantageous if they had been observed. But the king having offered sacrifice by the hands of the priests, and seeing the strength of the wall round Sion, ordered them to be demolished. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 24. Gerrenians. Gerrus was on the frontiers of Egypt. Ptol.—It was formerly called Gerara. Genesis 20:1. The successors of Judas afterwards possessed this government. Calmet.—Greek “He made Hegemonides governor from,” and so forth Usher, A. 3841.
2 Maccabees
Verse 25. Of the. They disliked a Jewish governor, being always bitter against that nation. Calmet. 6:8. and 1 B. 5:15 and 12:48. Calmet.—Greek “they or he raged, because they would break the agreements” ( Bible.) with the Jews, ( Calmet.) or would revolt. Syr. Grot.
2 Maccabees
Greek contrivance or machine.
2 Maccabees
Greek about.
2 Maccabees
Some authorities read indignant.
2 Maccabees
Greek and implored.
2 Maccabees
Some authorities read the Lord.
2 Maccabees
Some authorities read Creator.
2 Maccabees
The Greek text here is probably corrupt.
2 Maccabees
Greek house.
2 Maccabees
Greek camp.
2 Maccabees
Greek him.
2 Maccabees
The form of this word is uncertain. Compare Girzites (or Gizrites), 1 Samuel 27:8. One manuscript reads Gerarenes.
2 Maccabees
Greek came forward to the tribune or judgment seat.