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 XIII
B.C.164
The battles of Judas with Antiochus Eupator. Peace made.
In the hundred forty and ninth year it was told Judas that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a great power into Judaea: and with him Lysias his protector and ruler of his affairs, having each of them a Grecian power of footmen a hundred and ten thousand, and horsemen five thousand, three hundred, and elephants twenty two, and three hundred chariots armed with scythes.
Menelaus also joined himself with them, and with great dissimulation encouraged Antiochus not for the safeguard of his country, but because he thought to have been made governor. But the King of kings moved Antiochus’ mind against this wicked wretch; and when Lysias informed the king that this man was the cause of all mischief, the king commanded to bring him unto Beroea, and to put him to death, as the manner is in that place. Now there is in that place a tower of fifty cubits high, full of ashes; and it had a round instrument a, which on every side hanged down into the ashes. And whosoever was condemned of sacrilege, or had committed any other grievous crime, there did all men thrust him unto death. Such a death it happened that wicked Menelaus to die, not having so much as burial in the earth; and that most justly: for insomuch as he had committed many sins about the altar, whose fire and ashes were holy, he received his death in ashes. Now the king came with a barbarous and haughty mind, to do far worse to the Jews than had been done in his father’s time. Which things when Judas perceived, he commanded the multitude to call upon the Lord night and day; that if ever at any other time, he would now also help
them, being at the point to be deprived of their law, of their country, and of the holy temple and that he would not suffer the people, which lately had been refreshed a little, to become again subject to the blasphemous nations. So, when they had all done this together, and besought the merciful Lord with weeping and fasting and lying flat upon the ground three days long; Judas, having exhorted them, commanded they should be in readiness. And being apart with the elders, he determined, before the king’s host should enter into Judaea, and get possession of the city, to go forth, and try the matter in fight, by the help of the Lord. So, when he had committed all to the Creator of the world, and exhorted his soldiers to fight manfully, even unto death, for the laws, the temple, the city, the country, and the commonwealth, he camped by Modin. And having given the watch word to them that were about him, ” Victory is of God;” with the most valiant and choice young men, he attacked the king’s tent by night, and slew in the camp about four thousand men, and the chiefs of the elephants, with all who were upon him b. And at last, they filled the camp with fear and tumult and departed with good success. This was done in the break of the day, because the protection of the Lord did help him. Now when the king had taken a taste of the
manliness of the Jews, he went about to take the holds by policy; and marched towards Bethsura, which was a strong garrison of the Jews: but he was put to flight, failed, and lost some of his men and Judas conveyed unto them which were in it such things as were necessary. But Rhodocus, who was in the Jews’ host, disclosed the secrets to the enemies; therefore, he was sought out, and taken, and put in prison. The king treated with them in Bethsura the second time, gave his hand, took theirs, departed, fought with Judas and his men, was overcome; heard that Philip, who was left over the affairs in Antioch, had shaken off his allegiance; was confounded at it, entreated the Jews, submitted himself, and swear to all just conditions, agreed with them, and offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and dealt kindly with the place; and accepted well of Maccabaeus, made him principal governor from Ptolemais unto the Gerrhenians c; came to Ptolemais the people there were grieved by reason of the covenants; for they stormed because they wished to make their covenants void. Lysias went up to the judgment seat, said as much as could be in defence of the cause, persuaded, pacified, made them well-affected, returned to Antioch. Thus, it went touching the king’s coming and departing.
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
