“About that time king Antiochus travelling through the high countries heard say, that Elymais in the country of Persia was a city greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold;”
Higher, beyond the Euphrates [River], chap. iii. 30, 37. (Calmet) — The city. Greek Alexandrian, &c., “a city in Elymais,” &c. The Roman copy, Syriac, Josephus, style the place Elymais, where the temple was. (Calmet) — Profane authors agree that this temple was very rich, and that Epiphanes attempted to plunder it. (St. Jerome, in Daniel xi.) — Nanea. Venus or Diana was the deity there adored, whom the king pretended he would marry, 2 Machabees i. 13., and ix. 2. (Calmet) — The account of the death of Epiphanes is given to ver. 16., and 2 Machabees ix. (Worthington)
“Rose up against him in battle: so he fled, and departed thence with great heaviness, and returned to Babylon.”
Battle. It is not known whether Elymais belonged to the king. Strabo (16) observes it was very jealous of its liberty, which it maintained against the Persians and the successors of Alexander [the Great]. (Calmet) — Babylonia. At last he returned towards the country of Babylon. But before he arrived, the news of his generals’ bad success in Judea filled him with vexation, and brought on desperate diseases, ver. 8., and 2 Machabees ix. 5. (Worthington) — He intended to pass by the country or city of Babylon, but was prevented by illness on the mountains which divide it from Persia.
“Moreover there came one who brought him tidings into Persia, that the armies, which went against the land of Judea, were put to flight:”
Persia, at Ecbatana. He expired at Tabis, having fallen from his chariot, &c., 2 Machabees ix. (Calmet)
“But now I remember the evils that I did at Jerusalem, and that I took all the vessels of gold and silver that were therein, and sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judea without a cause.”
Evils. All this repentance was fictitious, 2 Machabees ix. (Worthington)
“Then called he for Philip, one of his friends, who he made ruler over all his realm,”
Friends, educated with him. He appointed him regent instead of Lysias. (Calmet) — His son Eupator was only nine years old. (Appian.) — He made him appear and be recognized by the army. Eupator means one “born of a good father.” (Calmet)
“So king Antiochus died there in the hundred forty and ninth year.”
Nine. He began his persecution the year [of the kingdom of the Greeks?] 143, so that it lasted six years and almost four months, or 2300 days, (Daniel viii. 14.) during which time Judas purified the temple, some months before the death of Epiphanes. (Worthington)
“So they came together, and besieged them in the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot against them, and other engines.”
Fifty. How then was peace made in [the year of the kingdom of the Greeks?] 148, as we read [in] 2 Machabees xi. 21.? Usher ([the year of the world] 3841) supposes the era was reckoned according to the Chaldean custom, which defers it six months. Basnage (ii. 1.) rather thins that the letter is placed out of its proper order, and should occur at the beginning of Eupator’s reign. See 2 Machabees x. — Slings, or to thrown stones, &c., ballistas. (Haydock) — The Greek and Josephus rather indicate terraces, or towers where the machines were placed.
“So that the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in battle.”
Hundred. The 2 Machabees xi. 2., specifies 80,000. But it speaks of a subsequent action.
“These went through Idumea, and pitched against Bethsura, which they assaulted many days, making engines of war; but they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.”
Idumea. The passes on the north were probably occupied. — Bethsura lay to the south of Jerusalem. (Calmet)
“Upon this Judas removed from the tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king's camp.”
Bethzacharam, a defile (Josephus) between the city and Bethsura. Judas abandoned the siege of the castle on Sion. (Calmet)
“And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.”
Blood of grapes, or wine, (Deuteronomy xxxii. 14.) and the juice of mulberries incite elephants to fight, as the smell of some sorts of blood causes dogs to hunt. (Vales. Phil. lxxxii.) (Worthington) — This might be done to accustom the elephants to the sight of blood. (Calmet) — White colours irritate them most, as red do bulls. (Plutarch, de Fort. Alex.) — Sometimes wine and spirits were given them to drink, when they were to trample on criminals: but it was only shewn them when going to battle, as by drinking they lose their strength. (Elian, Hist. ii. 40., and xiii. 8., and 3 Machabees v. 30.)
“And upon the beasts were there strong towers of wood, which covered every one of them, and were girt fast unto them with devices: there were also upon every one two and thirty strong men, that fought upon them, beside the Indian that ruled him.”
Thirty-two. Bochart looks upon this and other such accounts as fabulous. He does not determine how many might fight in these towers; but allows that there must have been above two or three, as some would correct the Greek text, “two or three strong men fighting with darts upon them.” An elephant has been known to carry above 5000 pounds, and thirty-two men would weigh no more than 4800. Pliny ([Natural History?] viii. 7.) observes that sixty people have been seen upon an elephant. Eupator probably had his from India, where they are larger than in Africa. A person of that country was deemed fittest to manage them.
“As for the remnant of the horsemen, they set them on this side and that side at the two parts of the host giving them signs what to do, and being harnessed all over amidst the ranks.”
Trumpets. It would seem as if the infantry had none. Yet this does not appear probable. The Greek reads in a different manner. Some copies have “to stir up and enclose them in the defiles,” which seems useless; or “to keep them together in the phalanxes,” (Alexandrian manuscript; Calmet) as the Vulgate has read. (Menochius)
“Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains glistered therewith, and shined like lamps of fire.”
Gold. The Argyraspides of Alexander [the Great] had “shields of silver.” His successors might surpass this magnificence; or the officers might have golden and the soldiers brazen bucklers.
“Then Judas and his host drew near, and entered into battle, and there were slain of the king's army six hundred men.”
Six, &c., before the exploit of Eleazer. Others fell afterwards, 2 Machabees xi. 11., specifies 11,000 foot, and 600 horse. Josephus says 1000 of the vanguard.
“Eleazar also, surnamed Savaran, perceiving that one of the beasts, armed with royal harness, was higher than all the rest, and supposing that the king was upon him,”
Saura. Greek, “Avaron,” (Calmet) Alexandrian, “the Sauaran.” (Haydock) — He is styled Abaron, (chap. ii. 5.) the brother of Judas. (Calmet) (Josephus) (Sa) (Menochius) — Arabic says “his servant.” This feat is attributed to Judas, (2 Machabees xiii. 15.) as he was general, and approved of, or “commanded” Eleazar to act thus, according to Ben. Gorion, (iii. 20.) and the Arabic. — Harness, for greater security. The skin is very hard, except under the belly. (Calmet) — Elephants in the army of Antiochus the great, or rather “the coward,” were richly adorned. (Flor. ii. 8.) — Porus, king of India, rode on one covered with gold. (Curtius viii.)
“Put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people, and get him a perpetual name:”
Name. This motive has made some condemn the exploit. But surely a person may seek to acquire fame, even by exposing himself to danger. Eleazar might well hope that the beast would not fall so suddenly. The other motive specified is truly noble and virtuous, and we cannot condemn this hero without stronger proofs. St. Gregory (Mor. xix. 13.) represents him as a figure of the proud: but he might not therefore be one of the number, (Calmet) no more than Esau, who was a type of the reprobate, Malachias i. 3. (Haydock) — St. Ambrose (Off. i. 40.) highly commends the fortitude of this soldier exposing himself to the danger of death for religion. (Worthington) — This is the general sentiment. See Serarius; Menochius; Tirinus; and Grotius, jure. iii. 4. a. 18.
“Which done, he crept under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him: whereupon the elephant fell down upon him, and there he died.”
Under it. The rhinoceros attacks the elephant in that most vulnerable part. (Pliny, [Natural History?] viii. 20.)
“Howbeit the rest of the Jews seeing the strength of the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them.”
Them. Judas thought proper to retire to the temple, which alone was fortified, and in his power. The citadel of Sion held for the king, and the city was defenceless. Only what lay to the north of Bethsura was then called Judea. The Idumeans occupied the rest. Eupator blockaded the temple, and besieged Bethsura, which he took, ver. 41. This siege is related more at length, 2 Machabees xii. 19. It cost the king a great deal. (Calmet)
“As for the sanctuary, he besieged it many days: and set there artillery with engines and instruments to cast fire and stones, and pieces to cast darts and slings.”
Battering slings. Literally, balistas. (Haydock) See ver. 20. — Fire, or the long javelin, falarica, mentioned by Livy xxi.
“At that time Lysias heard say, that Philip, whom Antiochus the king, whiles he lived, had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, that he might be king,”
King. Lysias had thus been displaced, ver. 14. (Calmet) — Providence permitted that he should seek his own interest, and thus deliver Judas from the most imminent danger.
“Now therefore let us be friends with these men, and make peace with them, and with all their nation;”
Come. Literally, “give our right hands,” (Haydock) the sign of the most inviolable engagements among the Persians. (Josephus, Antiquities xvii. ultra.[last chapter.])
“And covenant with them, that they shall live after their laws, as they did before: for they are therefore displeased, and have done all these things, because we abolished their laws.”
Before, by leave of Cyrus, Alex.[Alexander the Great], &c. — Despising. Greek, “abolished.” They had made the attempt.
“Then the king entered into mount Sion; but when he saw the strength of the place, he broke his oath that he had made, and gave commandment to pull down the wall round about.”
Oath. Eupator was not above ten years old, (ver. 14, 20.) so that Lysias must bear the greatest blame. He seems to have prepossessed the king against Philip, the regent. (Haydock)
“Afterward departed he in all haste, and returned unto Antiochia, where he found Philip to be master of the city: so he fought against him, and took the city by force.”
City, and slew Philip. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 15.) (Calmet) — Read 2 Machabees xiii. 1. (Worthington)