CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GIFT FROM
Alfred C. Barnes
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029308503
THE FIFTH BOOK OF MACCABEES:
CONTAINING A RECORD OF EVENTS FROM THE TRANSLATION OF THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES INTO GREEK UNDER PTOLEMY PHILADELPHUS, (B.C. 277,) TO THE DEATH OF HEROD’s TWO SONS, IN THE FIFTH OR SIXTH YEAR BEFORE CHRIST.
CHAPTER 1b
B.C.184
The attempt of Heliodorus on the treasury.
It was ordained by the kings C of the Grecian Gentiles that large sums of money should be sent into the holy cityd every year, and
should be delivered to the priests, that they might add it to the treasury of the house of God, as money for the receivers of alms [orphans] and for widows. Now Seleucuse was king in Macedoniaf: and he had a friendg, one of his captains, who (B.C. 176) was called Heliodorus. This man was sent to spoil the treasury, and to take whatever money was therein. When this was noised abroad, it created great grief among the citizens, and they were afraid lest Heliodorus should proceed to greater lengths; as they had not sufficient power to prevent him from executing his orders. Wherefore they all fly to God for aid, and ordained a general fast, and supplicated with humility, bowing of the knees, and great wailing; putting on sackcloth, and rolling themselves in ashes, with Oniash the high priest and the other princes and elders, even to the common people, and women and children. And on the next day Heliodorus came into the house of God, with a train of followers; and entered the house with his foot soldiers,
he himself being on horseback and was in search of the money. But the great and good Godi sent a loud, terrible voice upon him; and he saw a person armed with weapons of war, riding on a large horse, and advancing against him: wherefore he was seized with fear and trembling: and that person came up to him, and pulled him off from his saddlek and struck him with violence to the earth. So that being exceedingly terror-struck, and frightened out of his senses, he became dumb. But when his attendants saw what had befallen him and could perceive no one who had done these things unto him, they carried him with all haste down to his own house: and he remained during several days, neither speaking nor taking any food. Wherefore the chief men of his friends went to Onias the priest, beseeching him to be appeased towards him, and to implore the great and good God that He would not punish him. Which thing Onias did; and Heliodorus was healed of his disease. And he saw in a vision the person, whom he had seen in the sanctuary, commanding him to go to Onias the priest, and to salute him, and pay him becoming honour; telling him, that the great and good God had heard his prayers, and had healed him at Onias’ request. Heliodorus therefore hastened to Onias the priest,
whom falling he saluted; and gave him money of various kindsl requesting him to add it to that which was in the treasury. Then he went from Jerusalem into the country of Macedonia and related to king Seleucus what had happened to him; entreating that he would not compel himm to become his representative at Jerusalem. Wherefore the king wondered at the things which Heliodorus mentioned to him; and commanded him to publish them to the world. And he took care that his men should be removed and sent away from Jerusalem, increasing the gifts which he used to send thither annually, on account of what had befallen Heliodorus. And the kings added more to the money which they ordered to be given to the priests, that it might be spent on the orphans and widows; also, to that which was to be spent on the sacrifices.
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