CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GIFT FROM CHAPTER NINE OF THE THIRD BOOK OF MACCABAEES
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
FOURTH BOOK
OF MACCABEES:
CONTAINING
REFLECTIONS ON RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLE: LIKEWISE AN ACCOUNT OF HELIODORUS’ ATTEMPT TO PLUNDER THE TEMPLE: AND THE HISTORY OF ELEAZAR AND THE SEVEN BRETHREN PERSECUTED EVEN TO DEATH FOR THEIR ADHERENCE TO RELIGION.
CHAPTER IV
The attempt of Apollonius. The beginning of Antiochus’ ill-will to the Jews.
B.C.176
For a certain man named Simon, who was opposed in politics to Onias, then holding the high-priesthood for his life, an upright and honourable man, —after that by every kind of accusation thrown out to the hurt of his nation, he could do him no harm; fled away, with the design of betraying his country, to the enemy. Wherefore, when he was come to Apollonius a, the military governor of Syria and Phoenicia and Cilicia, he said: “Being well affected towards the interests of the king, I am come to inform you that many immense sums’ b of private money are hoarded up in the treasuries in Jerusalem, which monies have no connexion with the tem ” pie, but belong of right to king Seleucus.”
Apollonius, coming to the knowledge of these particulars, praises Simon for his affectionate regard for the king; and, going up to Seleucus, apprised him of this accumulated treasure. And when he had received a commission respecting it, taking his attendant troops, and quickly returning into our country with the accursed Simon and a most powerful army; he proclaimed that he came at the king’s command, to take away from
the treasury the money which belonged to individuals. And when our nation was indignant at this speech and spoke up against it; thinking it were extremely hard that they who had confided their deposits to the sacred treasury should be deprived of them; they prepared what resistance they could. But Apollonius with threats departed for the temple. But the priests, with the women and children in the temple, having be sought God to protect the holy place which was thus contemned; and while Apollonius with his armed forces was going up to the seizure of the treasure; —there appeared from heaven angels c, riding on horses, glittering all over in their armour, and filling his troops with great fear and trembling. And Apollonius, falling down half dead upon the floor of that court of the temple, which is open to all d nations, stretched forth his hands to heaven, and with tears besought the Hebrews, that by offering up prayers for him they would appease the heavenly host. [For he owned that he had sinned, so as even to be worthy of death ; and that, if he were preserved, he would proclaim abroad to all men the blessedness of the holy place e] Onias the high priest, induced by these words, and on other grounds being anxious that king Seleucus should not think that Apollonius had been thus laid hold on by human stratagem and
not by Divine vengeance, prayed for him. And he, being thus unexpectedly preserved from death, departed, intending to shew unto the king f the things which had happened to him.
But when king Seleucus was dead, his son (B. C.175) Antiochus Epiphanes succeeded to his kingdom, a haughty and wicked man h who, having deposed Onias from the high-priesthood, appointed his brother Jason high priest: who had covenanted, if Antiochus would give him the authority, to pay him i every year three thousand six hundred and sixty talents. And the king gave him authority to be high priest, and to be civil ruler of the nation. Who both changed the way of living of the Jewish people and led them aside by strange policies to all kinds of transgression of their law. So that he not only erected a gymnasium on the very citadel of our country but also put a stop k to the service of the temple. At which things Divine Justice being provoked, caused Antiochus himself to be their enemy. For when he was in Egypt warring with Ptolemy l, (B.C. 170) and had heard that, on a report of his death being circulated, the men of Jerusalem
had most exceedingly rejoiced m, he marched against them with all speed. And when he had defeated them, he made a decree, that if any of them were seen living according to the laws and customs of their country, they should be put to death. And when he could in no way accomplish by his decrees the dissolution of that affection which the people bore to their own law; but saw that all his threats and punishments were rendered vain: so that even women n, because they had circumcised their children were thrown down a precipice, together with their infants, being previously aware that they would suffer this punishment if they ventured to circumcise: when therefore his decrees were treated with contempt by the people, he in person compelled by tortures every individual of the nation, by tasting forbidden and unclean meats o, to abjure the Jewish religion.
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