Verse 1. Simon I. was “styled the just, on account of his piety towards God, and his good-will to his countrymen.” Joshua 12:2. Many apply what follows to him. Eus. Salien. Menochius. and so forth—But Simon II. is more probably meant, who opposed the entrance of Philopator into the sanctuary, after he had offered sacrifice for him, in the pompous manner here described. Boss. iii. Mac. Calmet.—Temple. Which began to want repairs. Menochius.—Simon II. reigned twenty years. Calmet. Joshua 12:4. Bible.—The first lived in the time of Ptolemy I. of Egypt, when this book was written; and dies before it was translated, under Ptolemy III. about three hundred years before Christ. Worthington.
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Verse 2. Walls. Greek αναλημμα, “the repairs (or elevated building, Mello. 2 Chronicles 22:5) round the temple,” including the court of the Gentiles, which had not been finished. Ezekiel 40:5. It was necessary to build at the edge of the mountain, ( Calmet.) and the wall was three hundred cubits from the bottom. This was more than double the height of the temple, as it was only one hundred and twenty cubits high. Menochius.
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Verse 3. Out. Of the reservoirs. But he repaired them. Bible.
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Verse 4. Destruction. When it was in the most imminent danger from Philopater. 3 Mac. Bos. Calmet.
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Verse 5. Enlarge. Greek “fortify.”—Conservation. Greek “when in the midst of the people, coming out of the house of the veil. (6.) He,” and so forth Bible.—Leaving the most holy place, he was surrounded by crowds of sacred ministers, (verse 14) or rather on the day of expiation, he came into the court of the people, to purify them. Calmet.
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Verse 6. Cloud. He was a far superior to the other priests in majestic appearance and attire, as Lucifer is to other stars, and so forth verse 11. Calmet.
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Verse 7. So did. Greek “on the temple of the Most High,” with dazzling effulgence. Jos. Bel. vi. 6.
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Verse 11. Forth. Greek adds, “fruits.”—Rearing. Greek “elevated to the clouds.” Bible.—Robe. Stole, or violet tunic. Calmet.—Power. That is, with all his vestments, denoting his dignity and authority, ( Challoner.) and extremely rich, as virtus often implies. Calmet. 44:3. Calmet.—Greek has, “boasting.”
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Verse 12. Vesture. Greek “enclosure of holiness,” περιβολην. Bible.—His splendid attire of gold and jewels, cast a dazzling light all around. Calmet.—He was pleased to offer the peace-offering for the king of Egypt, (Bossuet) to honour him, though another priest might have done it. Bible.
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Verse 14. Palm. A forest of young ones shoots up from its roots; (Job 29:18) so the high priest shone among the other children of Aaron. Calmet.
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Verse 15. King. Greek “Almighty” King, παντοκρατορος. Bible.—He presented an unblemished victim, with all due solemnity. Leviticus 3:1.
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Verse 16. Grape. Pouring wine upon the fire. Exodus 29:40. Calmet.
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Verse 17. Prince. Greek “universal king.” Bible.—The whole sacrifice was pleasing to him.
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Verse 18. God. Greek “the Highest.” He had required these sacrifices, as memorials of his covenant, and sovereign dominion. Leviticus 23:34.
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Verse 20. House. Greek Comp. and Grabe, “sound, sweet melody was made.”
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Verse 21. Office, λειτουργιαν αυτου, “his service.” Bible.—The people prayed for king Ptolemy, to whom they were subject; though the high priest possessed almost sovereign power. The Egyptian monarch was present, ( Calmet.) and at the end of the sacrifice expressed his resolution to go into the inmost recesses of the temple, from which the people endeavoured to dissuade him. Finding their efforts to be in vain, “they all (addressing themselves to God) said with one accord.” 3 Maccabees 2. Grabe substitutes, “wherefore the high priest, Simon, kneeling down before the temple, and stretching forth his hand with solemnity, made this prayer.”
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Verse 23. Prayer. Greek “adoration, that they might receive a blessing from the Most High.” Bible.—Power. In keeping Philopator out of the temple. God granted his request, ( Calmet. λιτανειας) “and scourged him who was so insolent and bold … throwing him like a reed, unable to move, and speechless on the pavement.” 2 Maccabees 2:26. After Philopator’s guards had removed him, the high priest congratulated the people, (verse 26) expressing his abhorrence of their enemies in general, though the only mentions three neighbouring nations which had shewn a particular enmity to the Jews, when a contrary behaviour might have been expected. verse 28. Bible.
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Verse 24. Now. A the sight of these wonders, the author exhorts the people to be grateful, and full of hope. Calmet.
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Verse 26. His, Simon’s, ( Menochius.) or God’s days. When he may judge it convenient. Bible.
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Verse 27. Abhorreth. that is with a holy indignation as enemies of God and persecutors of his people. Such were then the Edomites, who abode in Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the Samaritans, who dwelt in Sichem, and had their schismatical temple in that neighbourhood. Challoner.—This was the source of continual dissensions. Joseph. xi. 8. and xii. 2. John 4:20.—The Jews and Samaritans are still at variance. The former, in the days of Esdras, pronounced a curse against the latter, forbidding any of them to become converts to their religion, (Grot.) which, if true, shews a very blameable malice. See Deuteronomy 27:4. Bible.—Which, and so forth is omitted in Greek These three nations had evinced the greatest hatred towards the Jews, and thus deserved to be accounted objects of horror, though if the author harboured any ill-will, his conduct is not praised, ( Calmet.) but only recoreded. Bible.—The Samaritans consisted of Assyrians, Jews, and so forth and therefore are styled no nation; and they were foolish in mixing idolatry with the true worship. Worthington.
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Verse 28. Seir. Genesis 14:6. All the Greek copies read corruptly “of Samaria.”—Foolish. Thus Christ said, you adore what you know not. John 4:22. Calmet. See 4 Kennicott. 17:29. Worthington.
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Verse 29. Jesus. He declares his name, and concludes with wishing peace to the observers of these maxims. Grotius thinks that this was inserted by the grandson, ( Calmet.) who translated the work into Greek. Bible.—But there is no reason for this supposition. Solomon puts his name at the beginning and at the end of Ecclesiastes, and he frequently commends his own instructions, as this author does. Calmet. 33:17 and 39:16 and 51:19. Calmet.
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Verse 31. Steps. He … shall have the light of life. John 8:12. Menochius.—Some Greek copies add, “and to the pious he has given wisdom. Blessed be the Lord for ever. So be it. So be it.” Bible.
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According to some ancient versions, Seir.
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The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.