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
THIRD BOOK
OF MACCABEES:
CONTAINING
THE OCCURRENCES OF ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS, NAMELY, FROM THE ACCESSION OF ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES TO THE DEATH OF NICANOE.
At the beginning are inserted two letters written at a later period; and likewise, the history of Heliodorus’ attempt to plunder the Temple.
CHAPTER IV
B.C.175
Jason is made high priest. He introduces Gentile fashions. He is supplanted hy Menelaus. The murder of Onias.
But the aforesaid Simon, who had been the betrayer of the money and of his country, spoke slanderously of Onias, that it was he who had terrified Heliodorus, and had been the worker of these evils. And him, who was a benefactor of the city, a careful tender of his countrymen, and zealous for the laws, he dared to call a traitor. But when their hatred went so far, that even murders were committed by one of Simon’s factions, seeing the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius, as being the governor of Coelosyria and Phoenicia, did rage, and increase Simon’s malice;—went to the king, not to be an accuser of his countrymen, but seeking the good of all, both public and private: for he saw that it was impossible that the state should continue quiet, and Simon leave his folly, unless the king kingdom; did look thereunto. (B.C.175)
But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, called Epiphanes, succeeded to the kingdom; Jason the brother of Onias laboured underhand to be high priest, promising unto the king, by intercession a, three hundred and threescore talents of silver, and of another revenue eighty talents: besides this, he promised to assign an hundred and fifty more, if he might have licence to set him up a place for exercise b, and for the training up of youth in the fashions of the heathen, and to inscribe those of Jerusalem citizens of Antioch. Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten into his hand the rule, he forthwith brought his own nation to the Greek
fashion. And the royal privileges granted of special favour to the Jews, by the means of John the father of Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Rome for amity and aid, he threw aside: and putting down the forms of government which were according to the law, he brought up new customs against the law. For he built gladly a place of exercise under the citadel itself; and bringing into training c the chief of the young men, he made them wear a hat.
Now such was the height of Greek fashions, and increase of heathenish manners, through the exceeding profaneness of Jason, that ungodly wretch, (B.C.174) and not high priest; that the priests had no inclination to serve any more at the altar; but despising the temple, and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the unlawful allowance in the place of exercise, after the challenge d at the Discus; not esteeming the honours of their fathers, but liking the glory of the Grecians best of all. By reason whereof sore calamity came upon them: for they had them to be their enemies and avengers, whose modes they followed so earnestly, and unto whom they desired to be alike in all things. For it is not a light thing to do wickedly against the laws of God: but the time following will declare these things.
Now when the game e which was used every fifth year was kept at Tyrus, the king being present, this vile Jason sent sacred messengers f from Jerusalem, who were Antiochians, to carry three hundreds g drachms of silver to the sacrifice of Hercules: which even the bearers thereof thought fit not to bestow upon the sacrifice, because it was not proper, but to reserve for another charge. This money then, in regard of the sender, was appointed to Hercules’ sacrifice; but because of the bearers thereof, it was employed to the making of galleys.
Now when Apollonius the son of Menestheus (B. C. 173) was sent into Egypt for the coronation of king Ptolemaeus Philometor, Antiochus, understanding him not to be well-affected to his affairs, provided for his own safety: whereupon he came to Joppe, and from thence to Jerusalem: where he was honourably received by Jason, and by the city, and was brought in with torch-light and with great shoutings: and so afterward went with his host unto Phoenicia.
Three years afterward Jason sent Menelaus (B.C.172) the foresaid Simon’s brother’ h, to bear the money unto the king, and to put him in
mind of certain necessary matters. But he being brought to the presence of the king, when he had magnified him for the glorious appearance of his power, got the priesthood to himself, offering more than Jason by three hundred talents of silver. So, he came with the king’s mandate, bringing nothing worthy the high priesthood, but having the fury of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast. Then Jason, who had underminedhis own brother, being undermined i by another, was compelled to flee into the country of the Ammonites. So, Menelaus obtained the authority: but as for the money which he had promised unto the king, he took no good order for it, albeit Sostratus the ruler of the castle required it: for unto him appertained the gathering of the customs. Wherefore they were both called before the king. Now Menelaus left his brother Lysimachus in his stead in the priesthood; and Sostratus left Crates, who was governor of the Cyprians. While those things were in doing, they of Tarsus and Mallos k made insurrection, because they were given to the king’s concubine called Antiochis. Then came the king in all haste to appease matters, leaving Andronicus, a man in authority, for his deputy.
Now Menelaus, supposing that he had gotten a convenient time, stole certain vessels of (B. C. 171) gold out of the temple; and gave some to Andronicus, and some he sold at Tyrus, and the 33 cities round about. Which when Onias knew of a
surety, he reproved him, and withdrew himself into a sanctuaryl at Daphne, which lieth by Antiochia. Wherefore Menelaus taking Andronicus apart, prayed him to get Onias into his hands who being persuaded thereunto, and coming to Onias in deceit, gave him his right hand with oaths; and though he were suspected by him, yet persuaded he him to come forth from the sanctuary : whom forthwith he shut up and slew without regard of justice. For the which cause not only the Jews, but many also of other nations took great indignation, and were much grieved for the unjust murder of the man. And when the king came again from the places about Cilicia, the Jews who were in the city, and certain of the Greeks who abhorred the fact also, complained because Onias was slain without cause. Therefore, Antiochus was heartily sorry, and moved to pity, and wept, because of the sober and orderly behaviour of him who was dead. And being inflamed with anger, forthwith he took away Andronicus his purple, and rent off his clothes; and leading him through the whole city unto that very place where he had committed impiety against Onias, there slew he m the blood stained murderer. Thus, the Lord awarded him his punishment, as he had deserved.
Now when many sacrileges had been committed (B.C.170) in the city by Lysimachus, with the consent of Menelaus, and the report thereof was spread abroad, the multitude gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, many vessels of gold being already carried away. Whereupon the common people rising, and being filled with rage, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men and began first to offer violence; one Auranus being the leader, a man far gone in years, and no less in folly. They then seeing the attempt of Lysimachus, some of them caught stones, some club’s others taking handfuls of dust which was next at hand, cast them all together upon Lysimachus, and those who were with him. Thus, many of them they wounded, and some they struck to the ground, and all of them they forced to flee but as for the church-robber himself, him they killed beside the treasury. Of these matters therefore there was an accusation laid against Menelaus.
Now when the king came to Tyrus, three men who were sent from the council pleaded the cause before him: but Menelaus being now convicted, promised Ptolemy n the son of Dorymenes to give him much money, if he would pacify the king towards him. Whereupon Ptolemy taking the king aside into a certain gallery o, as it were to take the air, brought him to be of another mind. In so much that he discharged Menelaus from the accusations; who, notwithstanding, was cause of all
the mischief: and those poor men, who, if they had told their cause, yea, before the Scythians, should have been judged innocent, them he condemned to death. Thus, they who spoke up in defence of the city, and of the people, and of the holy vessels, quickly suffered an unjust punishment. Wherefore even they of Tyrus, moved with hatred with that wicked deed, caused them to be honourably buried. And so, through the covetousness of them who were in power, Menelaus remained still in authority, increasing in malice, and being a great traitor p to the citizens.
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