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 IX
Antiochus’ sickness and death.
About that time came Antiochus in disorder out of the country of Persia, for he had entered the city called Persepolis a and went about to rob the temple, and to hold the city; whereupon the multitude advancing betook themselves to a resistance by arms: and so it happened that Antiochus, being put to flight by the inhabitants, made a dishonourable retreat.
Now while he was at Ecbatana b news had brought him of what had happened unto Nicanor and Timotheus. Then swelling with anger, he thought to avenge upon the Jews the disgrace done unto him by those who made him flee. Therefore, commanded he his charioteer to drive without ceasing, and to dispatch the journey, the judgment of God now following him. For he had spoken proudly in this sort: ” I will make ” Jerusalem a common burying place c of the Jews,”
“when I come thither.” But the all-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, smote him with an incurable and invisible plague; for as soon as, he had spoken these words, a pain of the bowels, which was remediless, came upon him, and sore torments of the inner parts; and that most justly: for he had tormented other men’s bowels with many and strange torments. Howbeit he nothing at all ceased from his bragging, but still was filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against the Jews, and commanding to hasten the journey: but it came to pass that he fell down from his chariot, which was borne along violently; so that having a sore fall, all the members of his body were dislocated. And thus he, who a little afore thought he might command the waves of the sea, (so proud was he beyond the condition of man,) and weigh the high mountains in a balance, was now cast on the ground, and carried in a horse-litter, shewing forth unto all the manifest power of God. So that the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man; and whiles he lived in pains and torments, his flesh fell away, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to all his army. And the man, who thought a little afore he could reach to the stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry, for his intolerable stink.
Here therefore, being plagued, he began to leave off his great pride; and to come to the knowledge of himself by the scourge of God, his pain increasing every moment. And when he himself could not abide his own smell, he said these words; “It is meet to be subject unto God, and that a man who is mortal should not proudly think of himself as if he were God.” This wicked person vowed also unto the Lord, (who now no more would have mercy upon him,) saying thus; That the holy city (to the which he was going in haste, to lay it even with the ground, and to make it a common burying place) he would set at liberty. And as touching the Jews, whom he had judged not worthy to be so much as buried, but to be cast out with their children, to be devoured by the fowls and wild beasts; he would make them all equals to the citizens of Athens d. And the holy temple, which before he had spoiled, he would garnish with goodly gifts; and restore all the holy vessels, with many more; and out of his own revenue defray the charges belonging to the sacrifices: yea, and that also he would become a Jew himself, and go through every place which was inhabited, declaring the power of God. But for all this his pains would not cease for the just judgment of God was come upon him: therefore despairing of his health, he wrote unto the Jews the letters underwritten, bearing the follows:
” Antiochus, king and governor, to the good Jews his citizens, wishes much joy, health, and prosperity. If ye and your children fare well and your affairs be to your contentment, I give very great thanks to God, having my hope in heaven. As for me, I was sick, or else I would have remembered kindly your honour and good will. Returning out of Persia, and being taken with a grievous disease, I thought it necessary to care for the common safety of all: not despairing of myself but having great hope to escape this sickness. But considering that even my father, at what time he led an army into the high countries, appointed a successor; to the end that if anything fell out contrary to expectation, or if any tidings were brought which were grievous, they of the land, knowing to whom the public affairs were left, might not be troubled. And moreover, considering how that the princes who are borderers and neighbours unto my kingdom, wait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event; I have appointed my son Antiochus king, whom I often committed and commended unto many of you, when I went up into the high provinces; to whom I have written as followed: therefore I pray and request you to remember the benefits which I have done unto you generally, and in special; and that every man will be still faithful to me and my son. For I am persuaded that he, following my intentions, will behave towards you equitably and graciously.”
Thus, the murderer arid blasphemer, having suffered most grievously, as he entreated other men, so died he a miserable death in a strange country in the mountains. And Philip, who was brought up with him, carried away his body; who also fearing the son of Antiochus, betook himself into Egypt to Ptolemaeus Philometor.
MeWe join our group at Friends in Jesus
You may also want to join Creation Ministries International.
Read all about it : Creation.com
Find more Study topics at Quo Vadis World
We give thanks and acknowledgement to Rick Meyers for e-Sword.
P.O. Box 1626
Franklin, TN 37065
United States of America
www.e-sword.net
