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 FIRST BOOK ON MACCABEES:
CONTAINING OCCURRENCES WHICH TOOK PLACE AT JERUSALEM AND ALEXANDRIA, DURING PART OF THE REIGN OF PTO LEMY PHILOPATOR, KING OF EGYPT, BETWEEN THE YEARS 217 AND 209 BEFORE CHRIST.
WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, BY
HENRY COTTON, D.C.L.
ARCHDEACON OF CASHEL,
AND DECEASED STUDENT AT CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD
OXFORD, AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. MDCCCXXXII.
TO
THE PROVOST, FELLOWS AND SCHOLARS, VAN TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, TO WHOSE VALUABLE LIBRARY I HAD THE MOST GENEROUS ACCESS, THE PRESENT PUBLICATION IS ENGRAVED, IN TESTIMONY OF RESPECT AND REGARD.
Note from Webmaster
The books of the MACCABEES tell us the happenings between Maleági in the OLD TESTAMENT to the birth of Jesus in the New Testament. There is nothing in the Bible about this. (±450 years) These books tell us about Judah and Benjamin, two of the tribes of Israel that remained and are now known to us as Jews, to the other 10 tribes known as Israel in exile carried off through Syria to this day. We must never forget that after the sin of Solomon for marrying heathen women, God divided as punishment the old Israel which consisted of 12 tribes, 10 Northern tribes known as Israel and the two southern tribes confessed as Judah, now also called Jews. Read the Bible from 1 Kings 11 from verse 1 to MaleÁgi.
The events described in the five books took place under the rule of Greek leaders as the third world rulers as described in the Dream of Nebuchadnezzar. First there was Babylon, then fellow Persians to the Greeks who were taken over by the fourth viz. The Romans. Why not read the book of Daniel in the Bible? The events of the MACCABEES take place after Alexander the Great died, and his four Generals divided the world among them as rulers.
P.J.C.Schutte
CHAPTER I (B.C.217)
Ptolemy defeats Antiochus. He visits Jerusalem ; and attempts to enter the Temple.
Nowa when Philopatorb learned from those who returned, that Antiochusc had taken away the placesd which had been under his dominion, he gave orders to all his forces, both foot and horse, to march : and taking with him his sister Arsinoe, he proceeded as far as the parts about Raphiae where Antiochus and his army had pitched their camp.
But one Theodotus f, intending to complete a treacherous design which he had, took the best of the arms which Ptolemy had formerly intrust ed to him, and approached by night to Ptolemy’s tent, as intending himself alone to kill him, and thereby to put an end to the war. But Dositheus, called the son of Driraylus, by birth a Jew, but one who afterwards forsook his religion and estranged himself from the ordinances of his forefathers, taking Ptolemy out of the way, caused a certain obscure persong to lodge there in his stead; who accordingly received that punishment which was intended for the other.
Now when a sharp battle took place, and success seemed rather to favour Antiochus h, Arsinoe i went frequently up and down among the troops and exhorted them with lamentation and tears, having her hair in disorder, to fight manfully for themselves and for their children and wives ; promising to give to every one, if they conquered,
two minae’k of gold as a reward. By which means it came to pass that their enemies were destroyed l in the battle m, and many of them were taken prisoners also. Ptolemy therefore, having overcome this treachery, determined to go and (B.C.216) encourage the neighbouring cities n; by doing which, and by making presents to their temples, he made his subjects to be full of courage.
But when the Jews had sent to him some of their councilo and elders, to salute him and to bring with them presents, and to congratulate with him on past events ; it came to pass that he felt a stronger desire to take a journey to them with all speed. Now when he was come to Jerusalem,he offered (B.C>214 a sacrifice to the Most High God, and returned thanks, and did what was then proper in 10 that place p. Moreover, when he was on the spot, he was astonished at the diligence and dcency there observed. And wondering at the good order
about the holy place, he took a design to manage matters so, that he might enter into the temple it self q. (B.C.214-212) But when they said that this could done, because it was not lawful for even persons of their own nation to enter into that no, not for all the priests themselves, but only for the superior of them all, the high priest, place ; and even for him but once in a year : —he would by no means be dissuaded. And when the law r to this 12 effect was read in his presence, he would by no means cease offering himself: but said that he must go in; and “even if they are deprived of that honour, I must not be so deprived.” He asked also this question —why none of those who attended any other temples hindered him from entering into them ? And when a certain person inadvertently said, that this was an unlucky fictions of his : he answered, ” Now that this has been done, from whatever cause it may, why shall I not enter at ” all events, whether you will or no ?” Then the priests fell down in their holy garments, and prayed the Most High God to assist them in the present distress, and to avert the violence of him who was making this wicked attempt
upon them : and they filled the temple with cries and tears. And they which were left in the city were troubled, and came running, as thinking the affair to be something new and wholly unexpected. The virgins alsowho were shut upt in private chambers, together with their mothers, rushed out; and sprinkling ashes and dust upon their heads, filled the streets with groans and lamentations. And those who lately were adorned in wedding garments, leaving their marriage-chambersu, and that decent modesty which belonged to them, ran 20 about the city together in disorder. And as for the young children, both their mothers and nurses who had charge of them, left these, one in one place, one in another; some in their houses, others in the streets, without any regard : and went in troops together to the highest temple. And various was the prayer of the whole company on account of this his unhallowed attempt. Together with these were the bolder citizens, who would not bear his persevering in the business, and his resolution to affect his purpose. And crying out, that they must arm themselves for this onset, and courageously die for the Law of their fathers, they occasioned no small stirx in the place: and having with difficulty been dissuaded by the seniors y and elders, at last these also retired to the same station of prayer. As for the multitude, they continued as before, in the same manner, praying. While the elders
who were about the king tried in many ways to divert his proud mind from his intended purpose. But he, in a haughty manner, and disdainingz all their persuasions, began now to make an advance; as thinking to accomplish his declared design. Which, when his attendants perceived, even they turned to join with our people in calling upon Him who has all power, to give help in the present distress, and not to overlook this lawless and proud behaviour. Now from the reiterated and vehement cry of the multitude united together there was an inconceivable sort of noisea: for one might suppose that not the men alone, but the very walls and the ground echoed again ; as if the whole multitude at that time chose to die rather than that place should be profaned.
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