1 Maccabees 1 Commentary

“And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.”

Up. He was spoiled by prosperity, (Calmet) and would pass for a god, and be styled “king of the world.” (Just. xii.)

“Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.”

Bed. Some suppose through poison, (Diodorus xvii.; St. Jerome, ad Lętam.) or excess of wine. (Atheneus x. 11.) — This was enough. (Haydock) — So perished the man who would claim divine honours! (Calmet)

“So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then died.”

Servants. On the ninth day of sickness which preceded his death, he admitted all his soldiers to kiss his hand. Then he asked his friends, if they thought they should find such another king? As they were silent, he predicted what bloodshed would ensue, and told them to bury him in the temple of Ammon. When they asked to whom he left the throne, he said, “to the most worthy.” He gave his ring to Perdiccas; whence all inferred, that he should be regent till the proper heirs came of age. Perdiccas desired to know when he would have divine honours: to which Alexander [the Great] replied with these his last words, “when you are happy:” (Just. xii.; Diodorus xvii.) as much as to say, never. (Haydock) — This seems contrary to the sacred historian. But his authority is far superior. (Calmet) — Kingdom. This is otherwise by Q. Curtius; though he acknowledges that divers were of that opinion, and that it had been delivered by some authors. (liber[book] x.) But here we find from the sacred text that he was in error. (Challoner) — By delivering his ring to Perdiccas, Alexander gave him authority to make this division. (Worthington) — Many assert, that he gave him directions in his last will. This was observed for some time, ver. 10.

“And his servants bare rule every one in his place.”

Twelve. Josephus, &c. Some add, a few months. He was about thirty-three years old.

“And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.”

Death, twelve years being expired, when all the posterity of Alexander [the Great] were dead. His generals gradually destroyed each other, and four took the diadem at the same time: Ptolemy, in Egypt; Seleucus, in Syria; Cassander, in Macedonia; and Lysimachus, in Thrace. (Just. xiii., and xv.) (Calmet) — Those who choose to read in order, may, after the preface [in] 2 Machabees ii. 20., read the above, then 2 Machabees iii. 1. (Worthington)

“In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.”

Antiochus the illustrious; Epiphanes, the younger son of Antiochus the great, who usurped the kingdom, to the prejudice of his nephew Demetrius, son of his elder brother, Seleucus Philopater. (Challoner) — Epiphanes means “renowed.” (Worthington) — He took this title, particularly after the Samaritans had offered it to him. (Josephus, Antiquities xii.; Vaillant. A. 145.) — His medals have always God prefixed, “the god appearing;” as he came opportunely, like a god, to defend the kingdom against the Egyptians, after he had been fourteen years a hostage at Rome. (Calmet) — Nothing could be more abject than his character. (St. Jerome, in Daniel viii., and ix.) (Atheneus v. 4., and x. 12.) — Greeks, counting not from the beginning of the reign of Alexander [the Great], but from the first year of Seleucus Nicator. (Challoner) — The era of the Seleucides began in spring or autumn, the year of the world 3692, the year before Christ 312, though the Chaldeans and Ptolemy date from the following spring. (Calmet) — The Grecian monarchy had then stood twenty years. (Eusebius) (Worthington)

“So this device pleased them well.”

Men. Jason attempted to supplant Onias III and introduced pagan customs, when he was dead. Menelaus treated him in like manner. Being cited to pay what he had promised, he left Lysimachus in his place, who was slain in the temple, which he was robbing, 2 Machabees iv. — Us. Thus the Jews complained in the days of Jeremias, (xliv. 18.) and the Christian religion was blamed for all the miseries which fell upon the Roman empire. (Calmet) — St. Augustine proves in his City of God, that this accusation was false. (Haydock)

“And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.”

Exercise, to wrestle (Calmet) and teach. (Lyranus)

“Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms.”

Made. St. Jerome thinks the attempt useless. But the Jews discovered the art. (St. Epiphanius; Pond. xvi.; Bartol.) (1 Corinthians vii. 18.) — Sold to the devil, becoming his instruments, 3 Kings xxi. 25., and Romans vii. 14. (Calmet) — Go to 2 Machabees iv. 7.

“Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy,”

Egypt. He coveted this kingdom, having Syria already. (Worthington) — He was not very fit for war: but Egypt was not under Philometor a child, and Ephphanes made an easy conquest. This was his second visit to that country. While he besieged Alexandria, a report of his death was spread; and as he was informed that the Jews rejoiced at it, he fell upon them, ver. 21. (Calmet) — After ver. 20, read 2 Machabees iv. 21. (Worthington)

“He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found.”

Sanctuary. Josephus (Antiquities xii. 6.) writes, that Antiochus slew such as opposed his entrance into the city, and afterwards those who opened the gates, but would have prevented his plundering the temple. (Worthington) — Menelaus conducted the king, 2 Machabees v. 15. Profane authors condemn this conduct of the king towards a city subject to him. (Josephus, contra Apion 2.) — Diodorus relates several fables on this occasion. (Calmet)

“And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.”

The chief collector, &c. Apollonius. (Challoner) (2 Machabees v. 24.) (Worthington) — He basely fell upon the unsuspecting citizens on a sabbath day. (Haydock)

“Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.”

Fire, thus destroying a great part. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 7.)

“They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:”

The city of David. That is, the castle of Sion. (Challoner) — In it was placed a garrison of Macedonians. (Worthington) — This castle had been occupied by Syrians before. It was now enlarged, 2 Machabees iv. 27., and v. 5.

“Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.”

Sanctuary, to pillage all who came to the temple. (Calmet) — An evil devil. Literally, an adversary, watching constantly to do harm, as the evil spirit is always watching and seeking whom he could devour. (Challoner)

“As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.”

Fled with Judas, &c. (2 Machabees v.) Josephus (Antiquities xii. 7.) assures us that the Samaritans flattered Epiphanes, and begged their temple might be consecrated to Jupiter, &c. They pretended that they were of Sidonian extraction.

“Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.”

Be one. This reason herself teaches. But the king wished to establish a false religion, or rather he desired to root out all religion, and to shew his authority. (Haydock) — Demere superstitionem & mores Gręcorum dare adnixus. (Tacitus v.) — He was not content with plunder, unless he ruined souls. (Worthington)

“And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:”

Service, or worship, (Calmet) introduced by Epiphanes. (Haydock)

“To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.”

People. He forced them to eat forbidden meat.

“And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king's commandment was, that they should put him to death.”

Fifteenth. In all other places the 25th, whence this may be incorrect, (Calmet) or the altar was now set up, (Haydock) though sacrifices were not yet offered. (Calmet) — Idol. The statue of Jupiter Olympius, (Challoner) as Daniel (ix.) had foretold, as a figure of what antichrist would do, (Matthew xxiv.; Worthington) as well as the Romans, when they took Jerusalem.

“Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities.”

Doors, to Trivia, Isaias lvii. 8. (Calmet)

“Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.”

Law, and all the sacred writings. (Josephus; Sulpitius ii.) — The pious Jews secreted what they could, and Judas took care to collect them, 2 Machabees i. 14., and iii. 48. (Calmet)

“And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.”

After month. The officers took an account of the slain, (Grotius) or the dedication of the statue was renewed, or rather the king’s nativity was kept, 2 Machabees vi. 7. (Calmet) — But this would only occur once a-year. People were compelled to sacrifice on the same day of each month on which the statue had been dedicated, ver. 62.

“Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing.”

Over-against, or (Haydock) “upon,” epi. The Greek altars were of a smaller size.

Many. Eleazar, and the seven Machabees, &c. (Calmet)

Wrath. God seemed displeased, as he was with too many. The pious were exposed to various trials, and to the fury of persecutors. (Haydock) — Read 2 Machabees v. 11. (Worthington)