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 FIFTH BOOK OF MACCABEES:
CONTAINING A RECORD OF EVENTS FROM THE TRANSLATION OF THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES INTO GREEK UNDER PTOLEMY PHILADELPHUS, (B.C. 277,) TO THE DEATH OF HEROD’s TWO SONS, IN THE FIFTH OR SIXTH YEAR BEFORE CHRIST.
CHAPTER XXa
B.C. 135
The history of Hyrcanus the son of Simeon.
Now Simeon, while he was yet aliveb, had appointed Jochanan his son to be captain and having gathered to him very many troops, he sent him to vanquish a certain man who had come out against him, and was called Hyrcanusc. Now he was a man of great fame, powerful in strength, and of an ancient sovereignty. Whom Jonathan encountered and defeated: wherefore Simeon named his son Jochanan Hyrcanus; on account of his slaying Hyrcanus and gaining a victory over him.
But when this Hyrcanus had heard that Ptolemy had killed his father, he was afraid of Ptolemy and fled to Gazad: and Ptolemy pursued him with many followers. But the citizens of Gaza helped Hyrcanus, and shut the gates of their city, and hindered Ptolemy from reaching Hyrcanus. And Ptolemy returned and departed to Dagonc having with him the mother of Hyrcanus and his two brothers. Now Dagon had at that time a strongly fortified castle.
But Hyrcanus went to the Holy Housef, and offered sacrifices, and succeeded his father: and he collected a large army and went to attack Ptolemy. Wherefore Ptolemy shut the gate of Dagon upon himself and his company and fortified himself therein. And Hyrcanus besieged him, and made an iron ram to batter the wall, and to open it and the battle between them lasted long, and Hyrcanus prevailed against Ptolemy, and went up close to the castle, and almost took it. When Ptolemy therefore saw this, he commanded the mother of Hyrcanus and his two brothers to be brought out upon the wall, and to be tortured most severely; which was done to them. But Hyrcanus, seeing this, stood still; and fearing that they would be put to death, desisted from fighting. To whom his mother called out, and said; “My son, do not be moved by love and filial piety towards me and your brethren, in preference to your father: nor on account of our captivity be weakened in your desire of avenging him but demand satisfaction for the rights of your father and mine, to the utmost of your power. But that which you fear for us from that tyrant, he will necessarily do to us at all events: wherefore press forward your siege without any intermission.”
When therefore Hyrcanus had heard the words of his mother, he urged on the siege: wherefore Ptolemy increased the tortures of his mother and his brothers; and swore that he would throw them headlong from the castle, as often as Hyrcanus came near to the wall. Therefore, Hyrcanus feared, lest he should be the cause of their death and he returned to his camp, continuing the siege of Ptolemy. Now it happened, that the feast of tabernacles was at handg; wherefore Hyrcanus went into the city of the Holy House, that he might be present at the feast and the solemnity and the sacrifices. And when Ptolemy knew that he had departed to the Holy City, and was detained there, he seized upon the mother of Hyrcanus and his brothers, and slew them; and he fled into a placeh whither Hyrcanus could not come.
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
Facebook
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
