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
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 XIVa
B.C.162
The attempts of Nicanor against the Jews.
After three years b was Judas with his company informed that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripoli with a great power and navy, had gained possession of the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.
Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling c with the Gentiles, perceiving that by no means he could save himself, nor have any more access to the holy altar; came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the golden boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace. Howbeit, having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprise, and being called into council by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered there unto; ” Those of the Jews who are called Assidaeans d, (whose captain is Judas Maccabaeus,) nourish war, and are seditious, and will not let the realm be in quietness. Wherefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors’ honour, (I mean the high-priesthood,) am now come hither: first verily for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the good of mine own countrymen: for all our nation is in no small misery, through the unadvised dealing of them Wherefore, O king, seeing thou”
a Compare this chapter with 2 Macc. vii.
n Namely, from the commencement of Antiochus’ reign.
” knowest all these things, be careful about the country and our nation, which is pressed e on every side, according to the affable clemency which thou readily show unto all. For as long as Judas live, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.”
This was no sooner spoken by him, but the rest of his friends, being maliciously set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius. And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor over Judaea, he sent him commanding him to slay Judas, and to scatter them which were with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the highest temple. Then the heathen who had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities of the Jews would be their welfare. Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor’s coming, and the intended invasion of the heathen, they cast earth upon their heads and made supplication to him who had established his people for ever, and who always helped his own portion with manifestation of his presence. So, at the commandment of the captain they removed straight ways from thence, and came near unto them, at the town of Dessau f.
Now Simon, Judas’ brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silences g of his enemies.
Nevertheless, Nicanor hearing of the manliness of Judas and his men, and the courageousness which they had to fight for their country, declined to try the matter by the sword. Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace. So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented to the covenant; and appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and particular seats were set for each of them; Judas placed armed men, ready in convenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they held a peaceable conference. Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent away the people which had been gathered in flocks. And he had Judas ever in his presence; for he was affectionately inclined towards him. He prayed him also to take a wife, and to beget children: so, he married, was quiet, and took part h of this social life. But Alcimus perceiving the love, which was between them, and considering the covenants which were made, took himself away; and came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor was not well affected
towards the state; for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be his successor. Then the king being in a rage and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants, and commanding him that he should send Maccabaeus prisoner in all haste unto Antioch.
When this came to Nicanor’s hearing, he was much confounded in himself and took it grievously (B.C.16.5) that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault. But because there was no way of resisting the king, he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy. But when Maccabaeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish unto him, and that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour came not of good, he gathered not a few of his men, and withdrew himself secretly from Nicanor. But the other, finding that he was notably prevented by Judas’ policy, came into the great and holy temple; and while the priests were offering the ordinary sacrifices, commanded them to deliver him the man. And when they swore that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner; If ye will not deliver me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and I will break down the altar, and erect here a notable temple unto Bacchus. After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands towards heaven, and besought Him who was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner; Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast need of nothing i, was pleased that the temple of thine habitation should be among us; therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, which lately was cleansed k.
Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Rhazis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews. For in the former times, when they mingled not l themselves with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism and did boldly jeopardy his body and life with all vehemency for the religion of the Jews. So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate which he bares unto the Jews, sent above five hundred men of war to take him. For he thought by taking him, to do the Jews much hurt. Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer door, and commanded to bring fire and burn the doors, he being surrounded on every side, fell upon his sword choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be abused otherwise than beseemed his noble birth: but missing his stroke through the hurry, of the conflict, the multitude also rushing within the doors, he ran boldly
up to the wall and cast himself down manfully amongst the thickest of them. But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell upon the middle of his belly m. Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being in flamed with anger, he rose up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water, and his wounds were grievous, yet he ran through the midst of the throng; and standing upon a certain steep rock, when as his blood was now quite gone, he held forth his bowels, and taking them in both his hands, he cast them upon the throng; and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore him those again, he thus died.
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