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THE FIRST BOOK OF MACHABEES. - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 10

INTRODUCTION.

These Books are so called, because they contain the history of the people of God under the command of Judas Machabeus and his brethren; and he, as some will have it, was surnamed Machabeus from carrying on his ensigns, or standards, those words of Exodus xv. 11., "Who is like to thee among the strong, O Lord;" in which the initial letters, in the Hebrew, are M. C. B. E. I. It is not known who was the author of these books. But as to their authority, though they are not received by the Jews, saith St. Augustine, (liber[book] xviii., City of God, chap. xxxvi.) they are received by the Church; who, in settling her canon of the Scriptures, chose rather to be directed by the tradition she had received from the apostles of Christ, than by that of the Scribes and Pharisees. And as the Church has declared these two books canonical, even in two general councils, viz., Florence and Trent, there can be no doubt of their authenticity. (Challoner)

Chapter 10

Alexander Bales sets himself up for king: both he and Demetrius seek to make Jonathan their friend. Alexander kills Demetrius in battle, and honours Jonathan. His victory over Apollonius.

1 Now *(Year of the World 3851, Year before Christ 153) in the hundred and sixtieth year, Alexander, the son of Antiochus, surnamed the Illustrious, came up and took Ptolemais, and they received him, and he reigned there.

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 1. Illustrious. He falsely asserted that he was the son of Epiphanes, being of very mean birth. (Just. xxxv.) (Worthington) --- Others say that he was illegitimate, and styled Ballas after his mother Bala, though the name in Syriac may denote "a worthless person." In his medals he styles himself Deopator Eúergetes, as if "God were his father," and himself "beneficent." (Calmet) (Usher, the year [of the world] 3851.) --- At any rate the Romans and Egyptians acknowledged him, being glad to find a rival for Demetrius, who was become odious likewise to the Jews and Syrians. Heraclides had been deprived of his government (Calmet) by the king, (chap. vii. 8.) and in revenge (Haydock) took Alexander, and Laodicea, daughter of Epiphanes, to Rome, where he gained over many of the senators, who agreed to help them to recover the kingdom. Heraclides then levied forces at Ephesus, and Ptolemais was delivered up to Alexander, whence he wrote to Jonathan. Nothing contributed more than these divisions to secure the liberty of the Jews.

2 And king Demetrius heard of it, and gathered together an exceeding great army, and went forth against him to fight.

Ver. 2. No explanation given.

3 And Demetrius sent a letter to Jonathan, with peaceable words, to magnify him.

Ver. 3. Magnify, "extol," or grant him fresh dignities. Soter wished to gain over Janathas, to prevent his rival from receiving supplies from Egypt. (Calmet)

4 For he said: Let us first make a peace with him, before he make one with Alexander against us.

Ver. 4. No explanation given.

5 For he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brother, and against his nation.

Ver. 5. No explanation given.

6 And he gave him authority to gather together an army, and to make arms, and that he should be his confederate: and the hostages that were in the castle, he commanded to be delivered to him.

Ver. 6. No explanation given.

7 And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing of all the people, and of them that were in the castle.

Ver. 7. No explanation given.

8 And they were struck with great fear, because they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an army.

Ver. 8. Fear. The Syrians in the castle would fear, while the Jews would rejoice, and particularly the hostages, chap. ix. 53. (Haydock)

9 And the hostages were delivered to Jonathan, and he restored them to their parents.

Ver. 9. No explanation given.

10 And Jonathan dwelt in Jerusalem, and began to build, and to repair the city.

Ver. 10. No explanation given.

11 And he ordered workmen to build the walls, and Mount Sion round about with square stones for fortification: and so they did.

Ver. 11. Did. The wall built by Judas had been demolished, chap. iv. 60., and vi. 62.

12 And the strangers that were in the strong holds, which Bacchides had built, fled away.

Ver. 12. No explanation given.

13 And every man left his place, and departed into his own country:

Ver. 13. No explanation given.

14 Only in Bethsura there remained some of them, that had forsaken the law, and the commandments of God: for this was a place of refuge for them.

Ver. 14. No explanation given.

15 And king Alexander heard of the promises that Demetrius had made Jonathan: and they told him of the battles, and the worthy acts that he and his brethren had done, and the labours that they had endured.

Ver. 15. No explanation given.

16 And he said: Shall we find such another man? now, therefore, we will make him our friend and our confederate.

Ver. 16. No explanation given.

17 So he wrote a letter, and sent it to him according to these words, saying:

Ver. 17. No explanation given.

18 King Alexander to his brother, Jonathan, greeting.

Ver. 18. Brother; the style used between kings, (3 Kings ix. 13.) governors, (2 Machabees xi. 1.) and friends. (Calmet)

19 We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and fit to be our friend:

Ver. 19. No explanation given.

20 Now, therefore, we make thee this day high priest of thy nation, and that thou be called the king's friend, (and he sent him a purple robe, and a crown of gold) and that thou be of one mind with us in our affairs, and keep friendship with us.

Ver. 20. Make. The king could not make him high priest, as he was that already: but he acknowledges the title. (Worthington) --- Crown: both the badges of kings, or granted by them, ver. 62., and Daniel v. 29.

21 Then Jonathan put on the holy vestment in the seventh month, in the year one hundred and threescore, at the feast day of the tabernacles: and he gathered together an army, and made a great number of arms.

Ver. 21. Vestment, at the feast of tabernacles, the year [of the world] 3852, seven years after the death of Alcimus, and nine since Judas fell. It is not clear from Josephus, ([Antiquities?] xiii. 5., and xx. 7.) whether the people chose him high priest, or they rather pressed him to accept the king's offer. (Calmet)

22 And Demetrius heard these words, and was exceeding sorry, and said:

Ver. 22. No explanation given.

23 What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath prevented us to gain the friendship of the Jews, to strengthen himself?

Ver. 23. Prevented, by sending presents. Demetrius had sent a letter and liberated the hostages, whom Jonathas might justly receive without declaring for the king. (Menochius)

24 I also will write to them words of request, and offer dignities, and gifts: that they may be with me to aid me.

Ver. 24. No explanation given.

25 And he wrote to them in these words: King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greeting.

Ver. 25. Jews. He perhaps wished to set them at variance with Jonathan, to whom alone Alexander had addressed his letter. (Haydock)

26 Whereas you have kept covenant with us, and have continued in our friendship, and have not joined with our enemies, we have heard of it, and are glad.

Ver. 26. Heard. He scruples not to tell a lie, for he had been informed of the contrary, ver. 22. (Worthington) --- "He prudently chose rather to appear to find them innocent, than to make them so," (Grotius) by granting them pardon.

27 Wherefore now continue still to keep fidelity towards us, and we will reward you with good things, for what you have done in our behalf.

Ver. 27. No explanation given.

28 And we will remit to you many charges, and will give you gifts.

Ver. 28. No explanation given.

29 And now I free you, and all the Jews, from tributes, and I release you from the customs of salt, and remit the crowns, and the thirds of the seed:

Ver. 29. Salt, of which there were pits in the country, chap. xi. 35. --- Crowns. Antiochus the great had before granted this exemption to the ministers of the temple. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 3.) (Calmet) --- The Jews, after its ruin, used to present such to their patriarchs. But the Roman emperors claimed them. (Grotius)

30 And the half of the fruit of trees, which is my share, I leave to you from this day forward, so that it shall not be taken of the land of Juda, and of the three cities that are added thereto out of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth, and for ever:

Ver. 30. Cities, or cantons. Greek, "nomes," specified [in] chap. xi. 34.

31 And let Jerusalem be holy and free, with the borders thereof: and let the tenths, and tributes be for itself.

Ver. 31. Free; "an asylum" (Josephus) without any foreign troops, like Delphi. (Grotius) --- Tyre was also "a sacred asylum." (Vaillant, the year [of the kingdom of the Greeks] 174.)

32 I yield up also the power of the castle that is in Jerusalem, and I give it to the high priest, to place therein such men as he shall choose, to keep it.

Ver. 32. Castle. Yet Jonathas was afterwards forced to besiege it. (Calmet)

33 And every soul of the Jews that hath been carried captive from the land of Juda in all my kingdom, I set at liberty freely, that all be discharged from tributes, even of their cattle.

Ver. 33. Cattle, so that they shall not be forced to work for the public. (Josephus)

34 And I will that all the feasts, and the sabbaths, and the new moons, and the days appointed, and three days before the solemn day, and three days after the solemn day, be all days of immunity and freedom, for all the Jews that are in my kingdom:

Ver. 34. Appointed "of lots," Judith, the dedication, &c. These days were privileged, that the people might go to the temple without being molested, and carry what they would free of all taxes.

35 And no man shall have power to do any thing against them, or to molest any of them, in any cause.

Ver. 35. No explanation given.

36 And let there be enrolled in the king's army to the number of thirty thousand of the Jews: and allowance shall be made them, as is due to all the king's forces, and certain of them shall be appointed to be in the fortresses of the great king:

Ver. 36. Let. This is not required, but a proof of confidence. (Calmet) --- Great king. He assumes the titles of the Persian monarchs. (Haydock)

37 And some of them shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, that are of trust, and let the governors be taken from among themselves, and let them walk in their own laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of Juda.

Ver. 37. Trust, to guard the king, (Josephus) or be in the treasury. (Tirinus) --- Laws. He revokes the impious edicts of Epiphanes.

38 And the three cities that are added to Judea, out of the country of Samaria, let them be accounted with Judea: that they may be under one, and obey no other authority but that of the high priest:

Ver. 38. No explanation given.

39 Ptolemais, and the confines thereof, I give as a free gift to the holy places, that are in Jerusalem, for the necessary charges of the holy things.

Ver. 39. Ptolemais. This was not a great present, as it was in the hands of his rival. But he wished the Jews to retake it.

40 And I give every year fifteen thousand sickles of silver out of the king's accounts, of what belongs to me:

Ver. 40. No explanation given.

41 And all that is above, which they that were over the affairs the years before, had not paid, from this time they shall give it to the works of the house.

Ver. 41. Above. He was not in a condition to force the payment of these arrears, and is liberal of what he does not possess. (Calmet)

42 Moreover, the five thousand sickles of silver, which they received from the account of the holy places, every year, shall also belong to the priests that execute the ministry.

Ver. 42. They: former kings. (Haydock) --- Bagoses exacted fifty drachmas for every lamb, before the daily sacrifice could be offered. (Josephus, Antiquities xi. 7.)

43 And whosoever shall flee into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and in all the borders thereof, being indebted to the king for any matter, let them be set at liberty, and all that they have in my kingdom, let them have it free.

Ver. 43. Free. Their persons and goods are protected in this asylum. Even the king's debtors are not excluded. (Calmet)

44 For the building also, or repairing the works of the holy places, the charges shall be given out of the king's revenues:

Ver. 44. No explanation given.

45 For the building also of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, the charges shall be given out of the king's account, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.

Ver. 45. No explanation given.

46 Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credit to them, nor received them: because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel, for he had afflicted them exceedingly.

Ver. 46. No credit. Thus would all prudent people judge. (Worthington) --- Alexander had moreover made the first offers, and was supported by the Romans. The Jews had not to examine his title, which was admitted by many in Syria.

47 And their inclinations were towards Alexander, because he had been the chief promoter of peace in their regard, and him they always helped.

Ver. 47. No explanation given.

48 *(Year of the World 3854, Year before Christ 150) And king Alexander gathered together a great army, and moved his camp near to Demetrius.

Ver. 48. No explanation given.

49 And the two kings joined battle, and the army of Demetrius fled away, and Alexander pursued after him, and pressed them close.

Ver. 49. No explanation given.

50 And the battle was hard fought, till the sun went down: and Demetrius was slain that day.

Ver. 50. Day. The year [of the world] 3853. (Calmet) --- The left wing proved stronger. But the right, where Demetrius fought in person, was forced to yield; and the king plunging with horse into a bog, was pierced with arrows, fighting bravely. He had reigned twelve years, and fell a victim to the surrounding kings, whom he had not conciliated. (Josephus, Antiquities xxxv., &c.)

51 And Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee, king of Egypt, with words to this effect, saying:

Ver. 51. Ptolemee, surnamed Philometor, (Challoner) by whose aid Alexander had obtained the victory. (Calmet) --- This Philometor decided in favour of the Jews against the Samaritans, because the succession of priests was preserved among the former. (Josephus, Antiquities xiii. 6.) --- Our Saviour also judged their cause preferable, John iv. 22. (Worthington)

52 Forasmuch as I am returned into my kingdom, and am set in the throne of my ancestors, and have gotten the dominion, and have overthrown Demetrius, and possessed our country,

Ver. 52. No explanation given.

53 And have joined battle with him, and both he and his army have been destroyed by us, and we are placed in the throne of his kingdom:

Ver. 53. No explanation given.

54 Now, therefore, let us make friendship one with another: and give me now thy daughter to wife, and I will be thy son-in-law, and I will give both thee and her gifts worthy of thee.

Ver. 54. No explanation given.

55 And king Ptolemee answered, saying: Happy is the day wherein thou didst return to the land of thy fathers, and sattest in the throne of their kingdom.

Ver. 55. No explanation given.

56 And now I will do to thee as thou hast written: but meet me at Ptolemais, that we may see one another, and I may give her to thee as thou hast said.

Ver. 56. No explanation given.

57 So Ptolemee went out of Egypt, with Cleopatra, his daughter, and he came to Ptolemais, in the hundred and sixty-second year.*(Year of the World 3854, Year before Christ 150)

Ver. 57. No explanation given.

58 And king Alexander met him, and he gave him his daughter, Cleopatra: and he celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great glory, after the manner of kings.

Ver. 58. No explanation given.

59 And king Alexander wrote to Jonathan, that he should come and meet him.

Ver. 59. No explanation given.

60 And he went honourably to Ptolemais, and he met there the two kings, and he gave them much silver, and gold, and presents: and he found favour in their sight.

Ver. 60. No explanation given.

61 And some pestilent men of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him: and the king gave no heed to them.

Ver. 61. Pestilent. So the impious are styled, Psalm i. 1., &c. (Calmet)

62 And he commanded that Jonathan's garments should be taken off, and that he should be clothed with purple: and they did so. And the king made him sit by himself.

Ver. 62. No explanation given.

63 And he said to his princes: Go out with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.

Ver. 63. No explanation given.

64 So when his accusers saw his glory proclaimed, and him clothed with purple, they all fled away.

Ver. 64. Away. When calumniators see the innocent honoured, they are afraid to persecute them. (Worthington)

65 And the king magnified him, and enrolled him amongst his chief friends, and made him governor, and partaker of his dominion.

Ver. 65. Dominion. General of his armies, (Vatable) or in Judea. (Sacy.) (Menochius)

66 And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with peace and joy.

Ver. 66. No explanation given.

67 In the year one hundred and sixty-five, *(Year of the World 3856, Year before Christ 148) Demetrius, the son of Demetrius, came from Crete into the land of his fathers.

Ver. 67. Son. The king had sent his two sons, this Nicator and Sidetes, to Cnidus, that they might be out of danger. The eldest being informed that Alexander had given himself up to debauchery, put himself at the head of an army which Lasthenes of Crete had raised.

68 And king Alexander heard of it, and was much troubled, and returned to Antioch.

Ver. 68. No explanation given.

69 And king Demetrius made Apollonius his general, who was governor of Cœlosyria: and he gathered together a great army, and came to Jamnia: and he sent to Jonathan, the high priest,

Ver. 69. Apollonius, who had deserted Alexander, the year [of the world] 3856, though appointed governor of Cœlosyria by him.

70 Saying: Thou alone standest against us, and I am laughed at and reproached, because thou shewest thy power against us in the mountains.

Ver. 70. Mountains. I seem to be fighting with them. Come out, and shew your valour.

71 Now, therefore, if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try one another: for with me is the strength of war.

Ver. 71. No explanation given.

72 Ask, and learn who I am, and the rest that help me, who also say that your foot cannot stand before our face, for thy fathers have twice been put to flight in their own land:

Ver. 72. Twice. He alludes perhaps to the defeat of Azarias, and to that where Judas was slain. (Calmet) --- This captain had also twice thought proper to retreat, chap. vi. 47., and vii. 32. (Haydock)

73 And now how wilt thou be able to abide the horsemen, and so great an army in the plain, where there is no stone, nor rock, nor place to flee to?

Ver. 73. No explanation given.

74 Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind: and he chose ten thousand men, and went out of Jerusalem, and Simon, his brother, met him to help him.

Ver. 74. No explanation given.

75 And they pitched their tents near Joppe, but they shut him out of the city: because a garrison of Apollonius was in Joppe, and he laid siege to it.

Ver. 75. No explanation given.

76 And they that were in the city being affrighted, opened the gates to him: so Jonathan took Joppe.

Ver. 76. No explanation given.

77 And Apollonius heard of it, and he took three thousand horsemen, and a great army.

Ver. 77. Army. Josephus says eight thousand foot, &c.

78 And he went to Azotus, as one that was making a journey, and immediately he went forth into the plain: because he had a great number of horsemen, and he trusted in them. And Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, and they joined battle.

Ver. 78. No explanation given.

79 And Apollonius left privately in the camp a thousand horsemen behind them.

Ver. 79. No explanation given.

80 And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him, and they surrounded his army, and cast darts at the people from morning till evening.

Ver. 80. Army. Literally, "camp," which the Vulgate puts for an army chiefly of foot. Josephus intimates that Jonathas drew up his forces in the shape "of a tile," or phalanx, and ordered them to face about on every side. (Calmet) the enemy could only throw darts, but could not penetrate. (Worthington)

81 But the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them: and so their horses were fatigued.

Ver. 81. Fatigued. In the evening, Simon seeing the enemy's cavalry tired, fell upon the infantry.

82 Then Simon drew forth his army, and attacked the legion: for the horsemen were wearied: and they were discomfited by him, and fled.

Ver. 82. No explanation given.

83 And they that were scattered about the plain, fled into Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their idol's temple, there to save themselves.

Ver. 83. And. Et qui seems to be mistaken for equi, "the horsemen," as the Greek, Syriac, and Josephus read. --- Bethdagon, "the house of Dagon." --- Temple. This is the sense of the Greek. (Calmet) --- Vulgate has literally, "their idols." See Judges xvi. 23. (Haydock)

84 But Jonathan set fire to Azotus, and the cities that were around it, and took the spoils of them, and the temple of Dagon: and all them that were fled into it, he burnt with fire.

Ver. 84. No explanation given.

85 So they that were slain by the sword, with them that were burnt, were almost eight thousand men.

Ver. 85. No explanation given.

86 And Jonathan removed his army from thence, and camped against Ascalon: and they went out of the city to meet him with great honour.

Ver. 86. No explanation given.

87 And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with his people, having many spoils.

Ver. 87. No explanation given.

88 And it came to pass, when Alexander, the king, heard these words, that he honoured Jonathan yet more.

Ver. 88. No explanation given.

89 And he sent him a buckle of gold, as the custom is, to be given to such as are of the royal blood. And he gave him Accaron, and all the borders thereof, in possession.

Ver. 89. Buckle, to be worn on the shoulder. (St. Isidore) --- This honour was very extraordinary, 2 Machabees xi. 35. (Alex. Genial. ii. 29.) --- Blood. Literally, "relations of kings." (Haydock) --- The highest officers of the court of Persia bore this title, chap. xi. 31., Esther xvi. 11. (Xenophon, Cyr. viii.)

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