βIn the hundred and sixtieth year Alexander, the son of Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, went up and took Ptolemais: for the people had received him, by means whereof he reigned there,β
Illustrious. He falsely asserted that he was the son of Epiphanes, being of very mean birth. (Just. xxxv.) (Worthington) β Others say that he was illegitimate, and styled Ballas after his mother Bala, though the name in Syriac may denote βa worthless person.β In his medals he styles himself Deopator Euergetes, as if βGod were his father,β and himself βbeneficent.β (Calmet) (Usher, the year [of the world] 3851.) β At any rate the Romans and Egyptians acknowledged him, being glad to find a rival for Demetrius, who was become odious likewise to the Jews and Syrians. Heraclides had been deprived of his government (Calmet) by the king, (chap. vii. 8.) and in revenge (Haydock) took Alexander, and Laodicea, daughter of Epiphanes, to Rome, where he gained over many of the senators, who agreed to help them to recover the kingdom. Heraclides then levied forces at Ephesus, and Ptolemais was delivered up to Alexander, whence he wrote to Jonathan. Nothing contributed more than these divisions to secure the liberty of the Jews.
βMoreover Demetrius sent letters unto Jonathan with loving words, so as he magnified him.β
Magnify, βextol,β or grant him fresh dignities. Soter wished to gain over Janathas, to prevent his rival from receiving supplies from Egypt. (Calmet)
βWho were sore afraid, when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an host.β
Fear. The Syrians in the castle would fear, while the Jews would rejoice, and particularly the hostages, chap. ix. 53. (Haydock)
βAnd he commanded the workmen to build the walls and the mount Sion and about with square stones for fortification; and they did so.β
Did. The wall built by Judas had been demolished, chap. iv. 60., and vi. 62.
βKing Alexander to his brother Jonathan sendeth greeting:β
Brother; the style used between kings, (3 Kings ix. 13.) governors, (2 Machabees xi. 1.) and friends. (Calmet)
βWherefore now this day we ordain thee to be the high priest of thy nation, and to be called the king's friend; (and therewithal he sent him a purple robe and a crown of gold:) and require thee to take our part, and keep friendship with us.β
Make. The king could not make him high priest, as he was that already: but he acknowledged the title. (Worthington) β Crown: both the badges of kings, or granted by them, ver. 62., and Daniel v. 29.
βSo in the seventh month of the hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of the tabernacles, Jonathan put on the holy robe, and gathered together forces, and provided much armour.β
Vestment, at the feast of tabernacles, the year [of the world] 3852, seven years after the death of Alcimus, and nine since Judas fell. It is not clear from Josephus, ([Antiquities?] xiii. 5., and xx. 7.) whether the people chose him high priest, or they rather pressed him to accept the kingβs offer. (Calmet)
βWhat have we done, that Alexander hath prevented us in making amity with the Jews to strengthen himself?β
Prevented, by sending presents. Demetrius had sent a letter and liberated the hostages, whom Jonathas might justly receive without declaring for the king. (Menochius)
βHe sent unto them therefore to this effect: King Demetrius unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:β
Jews. He perhaps wished to set them at variance with Jonathan, to alone Alexander had addressed his letter. (Haydock)
βWhereas ye have kept covenants with us, and continued in our friendship, not joining yourselves with our enemies, we have heard hereof, and are glad.β
Heard. He scruples not to tell a lie, for he had been informed of the contrary, ver. 22. (Worthington) β βHe prudently chose rather to appear to find them innocent, than to make them so,β (Grotius) by granting them pardon.
βAnd now do I free you, and for your sake I release all the Jews, from tributes, and from the customs of salt, and from crown taxes,β
Salt, of which there were pits in the country, chap. xi. 35. β Crowns. Antiochus the great had before granted this exemption to the ministers of the temple. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 3.) (Calmet) β The Jews, after its ruin, used to present such to their patriarchs. But the Roman emperors claimed them. (Grotius)
βAnd from that which appertaineth unto me to receive for the third part or the seed, and the half of the fruit of the trees, I release it from this day forth, so that they shall not be taken of the land of Judea, nor of the three governments which are added thereunto out of the country of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth for evermore.β
Cities, or cantons. Greek, βnomes,β specified [in] chap. xi. 34.
βLet Jerusalem also be holy and free, with the borders thereof, both from tenths and tributes.β
Free; βan asylumβ (Josephus) without any foreign troops, like Delphi. (Grotius) β Tyre was also βa sacred asylum.β (Vaillant, the year [of the kingdom of the Greeks] 174.)
βAnd as for the tower which is at Jerusalem, I yield up authority over it, and give the high priest, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it.β
Castle. Yet Jonathas was afterwards forced to besiege it. (Calmet)
βMoreover I freely set at liberty every one of the Jews, that were carried captives out of the land of Judea into any part of my kingdom, and I will that all my officers remit the tributes even of their cattle.β
Cattle, so that they shall not be forced to work for the public. (Josephus)
βFurthermore I will that all the feasts, and sabbaths, and new moons, and solemn days, and the three days before the feast, and the three days after the feast shall be all of immunity and freedom for all the Jews in my realm.β
Appointed βof lots,β Judith, the dedication, &c. These days were privileged, that the people might go to the temple without being molested, and carry what they would free of all taxes.
βI will further, that there be enrolled among the king's forces about thirty thousand men of the Jews, unto whom pay shall be given, as belongeth to all king's forces.β
Let. This is not required, but a proof of confidence. (Calmet) β Great king. He assumes the titles of the Persian monarchs. (Haydock)
βAnd of them some shall be placed in the king's strong holds, of whom also some shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust: and I will that their overseers and governors be of themselves, and that they live after their own laws, even as the king hath commanded in the land of Judea.β
Trust, to guard the king, (Josephus) or be in the treasury. (Tirinus) β Laws. He revokes the impious edicts of Epiphanes.
βAs for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at Jerusalem for the necessary expences of the sanctuary.β
Ptolemais. This was not a great present, as it was in the hands of his rival. But he wished the Jews to retake it.
βAnd all the overplus, which the officers payed not in as in former time, from henceforth shall be given toward the works of the temple.β
Above. He was not in a condition to force the payment of these arrears, and is liberal of what he does not possess. (Calmet)
βAnd beside this, the five thousand shekels of silver, which they took from the uses of the temple out of the accounts year by year, even those things shall be released, because they appertain to the priests that minister.β
They: former kings. (Haydock) β Bagoses exacted fifty drachmas for every lamb, before the daily sacrifice could be offered. (Josephus, Antiquities xi. 7.)
βAnd whosoever they be that flee unto the temple at Jerusalem, or be within the liberties hereof, being indebted unto the king, or for any other matter, let them be at liberty, and all that they have in my realm.β
Free. Their persons and goods are protected in this asylum. Even the kingβs debtors are not excluded. (Calmet)
βNow when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credit unto them, nor received them, because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel; for he had afflicted them very sore.β
No credit. Thus would all prudent people judge. (Worthington) β Alexander had moreover made the first offers, and was supported by the Romans. The Jews had not to examine his title, which was admitted by many in Syria.
βAnd he continued the battle very sore until the sun went down: and that day was Demetrius slain.β
Day. The year [of the world] 3853. (Calmet) β The left wing proved stronger. But the right, where Demetrius fought in person, was forced to yield; and the king plunging with horse into a bog, was pierced with arrows, fighting bravely. He had reigned twelve years, and fell a victim to the surrounding kings, whom he had not conciliated. (Josephus, Antiquities xxxv., &c.)
βAfterward Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Egypt with a message to this effect:β
Ptolemee, surnamed Philometor, (Challoner) by whose aid Alexander had obtained the victory. (Calmet) β This Philometor decided in favour of the Jews against the Samaritans, because the succession of priests was preserved among the former. (Josephus, Antiquities xiii. 6.) β Our Saviour also judged their cause preferable, John iv. 22. (Worthington)
βAt that time certain pestilent fellows of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him: but the king would not hear them.β
Pestilent. So the impious are styled, Psalm i. 1., &c. (Calmet)
βNow when his accusers saw that he was honored according to the proclamation, and clothed in purple, they fled all away.β
Away. When calumniators see the innocent honoured, they are afraid to persecute them. (Worthington)
βSo the king honoured him, and wrote him among his chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker of his dominion.β
Dominion. General of his armies, (Vatable) or in Judea. (Sacy.) (Menochius)
βFurthermore in the; hundred threescore and fifth year came Demetrius son of Demetrius out of Crete into the land of his fathers:β
Son. The king had sent his two sons, this Nicator and Sidetes, to Cnidus, that they might be out of danger. The eldest being informed that Alexander had given himself up to debauchery, put himself at the head of an army which Lasthenes of Crete had raised.
βThen Demetrius made Apollonius the governor of Celosyria his general, who gathered together a great host, and camped in Jamnia, and sent unto Jonathan the high priest, saying,β
Apollonius, who had deserted Alexander, the year [of the world] 3856, though appointed governor of CΕlosyria by him.
βThou alone liftest up thyself against us, and I am laughed to scorn for thy sake, and reproached: and why dost thou vaunt thy power against us in the mountains?β
Mountains. I seem to be fighting with them. Come out, and shew your valour.
βAsk and learn who I am, and the rest that take our part, and they shall tell thee that thy foot is not able to to flight in their own land.β
Twice. He alludes perhaps to the defeat of Azarias, and to that where Judas was slain. (Calmet) β This captain had also twice thought proper to retreat, chap. vi. 47., and vii. 32. (Haydock)
βWhereof when Apollonius heard, he took three thousand horsemen, with a great host of footmen, and went to Azotus as one that journeyed, and therewithal drew him forth into the plain. because he had a great number of horsemen, in whom he put his trust.β
Army. Josephus says eight thousand foot, &c.
βAnd Jonathan knew that there was an ambushment behind him; for they had compassed in his host, and cast darts at the people, from morning till evening.β
Army. Literally, βcamp,β which the Vulgate puts for an army chiefly of foot. Josephus intimates that Jonathas drew up his forces in the shape βof a tile,β or phalanx, and ordered them to face about on every side. (Calmet) the enemy could only throw darts, but could not penetrate. (Worthington)
βBut the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them: and so the enemies' horses were tired.β
Fatigued. In the evening, Simon seeing the enemyβs cavalry tired, fell upon the infantry.
βThe horsemen also, being scattered in the field, fled to Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their idol's temple, for safety.β
And. Et qui seems to be mistaken for equi, βthe horsemen,β as the Greek, Syriac, and Josephus read. β Bethdagon, βthe house of Dagon.β β Temple. This is the sense of the Greek. (Calmet) β Vulgate has literally, βtheir idols.β See Judges xvi. 23. (Haydock)
βAnd sent him a buckle of gold, as the use is to be given to such as are of the king's blood: he gave him also Accaron with the borders thereof in possession.β
Buckle, to be worn on the shoulder. (St. Isidore) β This honour was very extraordinary, 2 Machabees xi. 35. (Alex. Genial. ii. 29.) β Blood. Literally, βrelations of kings.β (Haydock) β The highest officers of the court of Persia bore this title, chap. xi. 31., Esther xvi. 11. (Xenophon, Cyr. viii.)