Verse 1. City. Three things contribute to the well ordering of a state: first, the agreement of the principal men; secondly, the observance of the laws; and thirdly, the eminent virtue of the ruler. While three other things disturb it: first, the obstinacy of transgressors who refuse correction; secondly, their malice, seeking revenge against superiors; and thirdly, the avarice of princes, endeavouring to rob the public treasury. verse 4. Worthington.—Onias III. son of Simon II. Calmet. 15:12. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 2. Place; city. Bible.—See the letter of Antiochus the great. Jos. Ant. xii. 3. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 3. Seleucus, son of Antiochus the great, and elder brother of Antiochus Epiphanes. Challoner.—His sending Heliodorus has tarnished his memory.
2 Maccabees
Verse 4. Overseer for repairs, which laics might be; (2 Chronicles 34:8. Calmet.) or Simon was advocate, (Grot.) like the Church defenders, so often mentioned in the councils. Calmet.—To bring. Greek “about disorder in the city.” Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 5. Apollonius, whom Jonathas defeated. 1 B. 10:69.
2 Maccabees
Verse 6. Store. He knew that the king provided victims. As Philopator was then in want of money, to pay the tribute imposed by the Romans on his father, he easily persuaded himself that he might seize such a common stock, the state requiring ( Calmet.) that individuals or cities ( Bible.) should not be too rich.
2 Maccabees
Verse 7. Affairs. Greek Rom. Some copies read “effects,” or money. All this is related of Apollonius. 4 Maccabees 1.
2 Maccabees
Verse 10. And provisions is not in Greek or Syr. Calmet.—Something was to be given for such feasts; (Deuteronomy 14:23. Lyr. Menochius.) or people deposited in the temple their treasures; as all nations have judged that they would be there most secure. Grot. Tirinus. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 11. Tobias, or rather “son of Joseph and grandson of Tobias.” Jos. Ant. xii. 4.
2 Maccabees
Verse 12. Done. It was contrary to justice.
2 Maccabees
Verse 19. Shut up. Hence they were styled alamoth, “hidden,” till they were married. Nothing could give a better idea of the distress of the city. Calmet.—These virgins remained in places near the temple, spending their time in prayer, fasting, and works of piety, till they were espoused. 1 Kennicott. 2:22. Saint Ambrose virg. 1. S. Nys. or Nativ. S. Damas iv. 13. Worthington.—There also pious widows dwelt.—Walls of the temple, which they were not allowed to pass. Menochius.—The city seemed to be taken by an enemy. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 21. Expectation. Greek “prostration.” Bible.—It was not unusual to see the Jews fall prostrate on such occasions, to move God or the enemy to pity, verse 15. Judith 4:9. Calmet.
2 Maccabees
Verse 24. Obey. Greek “attend.” They designed to plunder, but in vain. Bible.
2 Maccabees
Verse 25. Horse. Fiery horses took Elias from the earth, (4 Kennicott. 2:11) and the mountain where Eliseus was seemed full of such, (Ib. 6:17) which is not less wonderful than what we read here. See Saint Ambrose (Of. i. 29.) treating of this history. Worthington.
2 Maccabees
Verse 39. Visiter. Greek “epopt,” ( Bible.) or inspector. Calmet.—So those who had the care of a thing were styled. Menochius.