“Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.”
Served, Syria being so much divided. Hence Jonathas went to the two most famous republics of the world, and probably to the Jews beyond the Euphrates [River], to the Nabutheans, &c., ver. 2. (Calmet)
“He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.”
Spartans. The city was also called Lacedemon and Theramne. (Worthington)
“Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:”
People. The Jewish state then greatly resembled those of Rome and of Sparta. The high priest and senate ruled, yet not without the participation of the people. — Brethren, proceeding from the same stock. This was the received opinion in both countries, though without foundation, that we can discover. (Calmet, Diss.) — The proofs might be known to those who were more concerned. (Haydock) — The Spartans, whom Josephus, &c., style Lacedemonians, sprung from Abraham, (ver. 21.) and were long ago in league with the Jews. (Worthington)
“There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.”
Onias the third, between the years [of the world] 3805 and 3829. — Arius. Greek and Syriac erroneously write, Darius. See ver. 20. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 5.)
“Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,”
Things; the letters of Arius, as the sacred books testified the same. (Greek; Josephus; Grotius) — This sense appears to be the most natural; or we are not interested in make the present application.
“We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:”
Observances. Greek, Syriac, “supplications.” The Vulgate had probably at first, obsecrationibus. The Jews prayed for their allies, &c., to beg for their temporal prosperity, and for their conversion, chap. vii. 33.
“As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.”
Kings. Ever since the time of Onias, wars had been waged against Epiphanes, Eupator, Soter, and Nicator. (Calmet)
“And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.”
Letter. Arius wrote before Onias, though the letter be placed later. (Worthington) — Josephus give it rather in different words. The answer to Jonathan was sent to Simon, the year [of the world] 3861., chap. xiv. 22. (Calmet)
“It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:”
Spartans. They had probably some old genealogies. (Jos.[Josephus?, Antiquities?] xii. 5., and xiii. 9.) (Worthington) — Yet they might not be true. Few nations can ascertain their origin; and most run into fabulous accounts, if we except the Jews. (Calmet) See ver. 6. (Haydock) (Salien, the year [of the world] 3821.) — There is nothing certain. (Rep. Heb. i. 2.) (Menochius)
“We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.”
Back. It would hence appear that the Jews wrote first which does not seem to be the case from Josephus, &c. (Calmet)
“Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,”
Demetrius. He resided at Laodicea, feasting, (Diodorus) while his generals attempted to detach Jonathas from Antiochus, but without success. They fled at his approach beyond the river Eleutherus, from which Laodicea was not remote. (Calmet)
“Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.”
Burning. They had been left to conceal the flight. (Menochius) — Grabe supplies, “and they departed,” at the end of ver. 28. (Haydock)
“Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.”
Zabadeans. No nation of this name is known; whence most people read “Nabatheans,” after Josephus. They had been allies of the Jews, but perhaps took part with Demetrius. (Calmet)
“Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.”
Of it, as it was designing to revolt. Jonathas had possession before, chap. x. 73. (Menochius)
“And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.”
Mount. Literally, “height,” (Haydock) or wall, to prevent the garrison from receiving supplies. (Calmet)
“Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.”
For. Greek, “he approached,” which Grabe substitutes instead of “was fallen down.” (Haydock)
“Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.”
Adiada, or Addus, (chap. xiii. 13.) in the plain west of the mountains of Juda. (Calmet)
“Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.”
Tryphon. In a moral sense, Tryphon represents the practice of the devil, who seeks first to deceive pastors. For, as St. Gregory (hom. xxxviii.) teaches, if the pastor’s life be corrupt, his doctrine will be contemned. (Worthington)
“Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.”
Bathsan, or Scythopolis, below the lake of Genesareth. Tryphon was not content with governing under the young Antiochus. He was afraid lest Jonathas should oppose his measures, (Calmet) knowing that he was a man of probity, to whom the king had shewn favour.
“Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.”
Plain of Esdrelon, or Mageddo, (Menochius) styled also the vale of Jezrahel, and perhaps Arboth, chap. v. 23, and ix. 2.
“But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.”
Slain. So it was reported, though falsely. (Calmet)