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 VII
B.C.167
The constancy and death of seven brethren and their mother.
It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king, to taste swine’s flesh forbidden by the law, and were tormented with scourges and whips. But one of them who spoke first, said thus; What would thou ask or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers. Then the king, being in a rage, commanded to heat the pans and caldrons hot. Which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him who spoke first; and having scalped him a, to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on. Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him, being yet alive, to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan. And as the vapour of the pan was dispersed
for a good space, they exhorted one another with the mother, to die manfully, saying thus; The Lord God looked upon us, and in truth hath comfort in us, as Moses in his song, which witnessed to their faces, declared, saying b, “And he shall be comforted in his servants.” So, when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the second to the cruel torture c: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him. Wilt thou eat before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body? But he answered in his own language, and said, No. Wherefore he also received the remainder of the torment as the former did. And when he was at the last gasp, he said. Thou like a fury takes us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for his laws, unto an eternal resurrection of life. After him was the third scornfully ill-treat and when he was required, he put out his tongue, and that right soon; and held forth his hands manfully and said courageously. These I had from Heaven; and for His laws I despised them, and from Him I hope to receive them again. Insomuch that the king himself, and they which were with him, marvelled at the young man’s courage, for that he nothing regarded the pains. Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner. And being
at the point of death, he said thus; It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by Him: as for thee, thou shalt have no resurrection to life. Afterward they brought up the fifth also and mangled him. Then looked he unto the king, and said, thou having power over men, thyself being corruptible, does what thou wilt; yet think not that our nation is forsaken by God: but abide a while, and behold his great power, how he will torment thee and thy seed. After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die, said; Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned e against our God: therefore, marvellous things are done unto us. But think not thou, who hast taken in hand to strive against God, that thou shalt escape unpunished. But the mother was admirable above all, and worthy of honourable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bares it with a good courage, because of the hope which she had in the Lord. Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits: and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly spirit, she said unto them; I cannot tell how ye came into my womb; for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I who formed the members of every one of you. But doubtless, the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as
ye now regard not your own selves for his law’s sake. Now Antiochus thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and an enviable man, if he would turn from the laws of his and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs. But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king called his mother and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life. And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would persuade her son. But she bowing herself towards him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spoke in her country language on this manner: ” O my son, have pity upon me who bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years f, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education. I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all which is therein, and consider that God made them of things which were not and so was the race of men made likewise. Fear not this executioner; but being worthy of thy brethren, take thy death, that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren.” Whilst she was yet speaking, the young man said, ” Who wait ye for? I will not obey the king’s commandment: but I will obey the commandment”
“of the law which was given unto our fathers by Moses. And thou, who hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of God. For we suffer because of our sins. And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while, for our chastening and correction, yet shall he be reconciled again to his servants. But thou, O godless man, and of all other most abominable, be not lifted up without a cause, puffing up thyself with un certain hopes, lifting up thy hand against the servants of God: for thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who see all things. For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God’s covenant of everlasting life: but thou, through the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride. But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation, and that thou by torments and plagues rawest confess that be alone is God; and that in me and my brethren, the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon all our nation, may cease.”
Then the king, being in a rage, handled him worse than all the rest, taking it grievously that he had mocked. So, this man died undefiled, putting his whole trust in the Lord. Last of all, after the sons, the mother died. Let this be enough now to have spoken g concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme tortures.”
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