2 Maccabees 13 Commentary

“But the King of kings moved Antiochus' mind against this wicked wretch, and Lysias informed the king that this man was the cause of all mischief, so that the king commanded to bring him unto Berea, and to put him to death, as the manner is in that place.”

Evils. The ambition of Jason and of Menelaus had brought on all these disturbances, chap. iv. 7., &c., and 1 Machabees i. 12. — Place. It would seem on the journey to Judea: but Josephus says he was slain after the king’s return, at Antioch. The sacred historian relates what concerns him together. (Calmet) — In the. Greek, “conducting him to Berea.” (Haydock)

“Now there was in that place a tower of fifty cubits high, full of ashes, and it had a round instrument which on every side hanged down into the ashes.”

Down. A beam was laid across the walls, on which the criminal, having been well regaled with wine, was placed till he fell among the ashes. (V. Max. ix. 2.) — Hystaspes invented this punishment. (Calmet) — Prospect. Greek, “organ, (or round instrument)” (Protestants) like a wheel, (Calmet) “hanging (or whirling a person) on all sides headlong over the ashes. Thence all pushed him who was guilty of sacrilege, or of other crimes, forward to ruin.” (Haydock) — Syriac passes over ver. 5 and 6. (Calmet)

“Now the king came with a barbarous and haughty mind to do far worse to the Jews, than had been done in his father's time.”

With. Greek, “rendered barbarous by his designs,” (Haydock) intending to punish the Jews worse than his father.

“And Judas, being apart with the elders, determined, before the king's host should enter into Judea, and get the city, to go forth and try the matter in fight by the help of the Lord.”

Ancients. The people were not convoked. (Calmet)

“And having given the watchword to them that were about him, Victory is of God; with the most valiant and choice young men he went in into the king's tent by night, and slew in the camp about four thousand men, and the chiefest of the elephants, with all that were upon him.”

Watchword that night. (Worthington) — He usually gave some pious sentence, chap vii. 23. — Quarter. Literally, “hall,” (Haydock) a prętorium, or tent. — Four. Some Greek and Latin copies have “two.” Syriac, “three,” though the old edition of the Vulgate read, 14,000. — Greatest, carrying thirty-two men, 1 Machabees vi. 37. Greek also, “the chief over the elephants, with all his troop in the house,” (Haydock) or the servants. (Calmet) — Protestants, “will all that were upon him.” (Haydock) — This office was very considerable, chap. xiv. 12. (Grotius) (Calmet)

“But Rhodocus, who was in the Jews' host, disclosed the secrets to the enemies; therefore he was sought out, and when they had gotten him, they put him in prison.”

Prison. This traitor was either in the camp or at Bethsura. (Calmet)

“The king treated with them in Bethsum the second time, gave his hand, took their's, departed, fought with Judas, was overcome;”

Away. Cęsar said in the same laconic style, Veni, vidi, vici. (Haydock)

“Heard that Philip, who was left over the affairs in Antioch, was desperately bent, confounded, intreated the Jews, submitted himself, and sware to all equal conditions, agreed with them, and offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and dealt kindly with the place,”

Overcome. Hence Eleazar signalized himself, 1 Machabees vi. 43. — Rebelled. Lysias persuaded him to treat the just exertions of Philip in this light. He was himself the usurper of the regency. He easily persuaded the young prince that peace was now most expedient; and conditions were granted to the Jews, which would have been very advantageous if they had been observed. But the king having offered sacrifice by the hands of the priests, and seeing the strength of the wall round Sion, ordered them to be demolished. (Calmet)

“And accepted well of Maccabeus, made him principal governor from Ptolemais unto the Gerrhenians;”

Gerrenians. Gerrus was on the frontiers of Egypt. (Ptol.) — It was formerly called Gerara, Genesis xx. 1. The successors of Judas afterwards possessed this government. (Calmet) — Greek, “He made Hegemonides governor from,” &c. (Usher, the year [of the world] 3841.)

“Came to Ptolemais: the people there were grieved for the covenants; for they stormed, because they would make their covenants void:”

Of the. They disliked a Jewish governor, being always bitter against that nation, chap. vi. 8., and 1 Machabees v. 15., and xii. 48. (Calmet) — Greek, “they or he raged, because they would break the agreements” (Haydock) with the Jews, (Calmet) or would revolt. (Syriac) (Grotius)