“Now when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and his hatred of wickedness,”
City. Three things contribute to the well ordering of a state: first, the agreement of the principal men; secondly, the observance of the laws; and thirdly, the eminent virtue of the ruler. While three other things disturb it: first, the obstinacy of transgressors who refuse correction; secondly, their malice, seeking revenge against superiors; and thirdly, the avarice of princes, endeavouring to rob the public treasury, ver. 4. (Worthington) — Onias III, son of Simon II, chap. xv. 12. (Calmet)
“It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts;”
Place; city. (Haydock) — See the letter of Antiochus the great. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 3.) (Calmet)
“Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.”
Seleucus, son of Antiochus the great, and elder brother of Antiochus Epiphanes. (Challoner) — His sending Heliodorus has tarnished his memory.
“But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city.”
Overseer for repairs, which laics might be; (2 Paralipomenon xxxiv. 8.; Calmet) or Simon was advocate, (Grotius) like the Church defenders, so often mentioned in the councils. (Calmet) — To bring. Greek, “about disorder in the city.” (Haydock)
“And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,”
Apollonius, whom Jonathas defeated, 1 Machabees x. 69.
“And told him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of infinite sums of money, so that the multitude of their riches, which did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, was innumerable, and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hand.”
Store. He knew that the king provided victims. As Philopator was then in want of money, to pay the tribute imposed by the Romans on his father, he easily persuaded himself that he might seize such a common stock, the state requiring (Calmet) that individuals or cities (Haydock) should not be too rich.
“Now when Apollonius came to the king, and had shewed him of the money whereof he was told, the king chose out Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with a commandment to bring him the foresaid money.”
Affairs. Roman Greek. Some copies read “effects,” or money. All this is related of Apollonius. (4 Machabees i.)
“Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children:”
And provisions is not in Greek or Syriac. (Calmet) — Something was to be given for such feasts; (Deuteronomy xiv. 23.; Lyranus; Menochius) or people deposited in the temple their treasures; as all nations have judged that they would be there most secure. (Grotius; Tirinus; Calmet)
“And that some of it belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great dignity, and not as that wicked Simon had misinformed: the sum whereof in all was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold:”
Tobias, or rather “son of Joseph and grandson of Tobias.” (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 4.)
“And that it was altogether impossible that such wrongs should be done unto them, that had committed it to the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honoured over all the world.”
Done. It was contrary to justice.
“And the women, girt with sackcloth under their breasts, abounded in the streets, and the virgins that were kept in ran, some to the gates, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.”
Shut up. Hence they were styled alamoth, “hidden,” till they were married. Nothing could give a better idea of the distress of the city. (Calmet) — These virgins remained in places near the temple, spending their time in prayer, fasting, and works of piety, till they were espoused, 1 Kings ii. 22. (St. Ambrose, virg. 1.; St. Nys.[St. Gregory of Nyssa?] or Nativ.; St. Damas[St. John Damascene?] iv. 13.) (Worthington) — There also pious widows dwelt. — Walls of the temple, which they were not allowed to pass. (Menochius) — The city seemed to be taken by an enemy. (Calmet)
“Then it would have pitied a man to see the falling down of the multitude of all sorts, and the fear of the high priest being in such an agony.”
Expectation. Greek, “prostration.” (Haydock) It was not unusual to see the Jews fall prostrate on such occasions, to move God or the enemy to pity, ver. 15., and Judith iv. 9. (Calmet)
“Now as he was there present himself with his guard about the treasury, the Lord of spirits, and the Prince of all power, caused a great apparition, so that all that presumed to come in with him were astonished at the power of God, and fainted, and were sore afraid.”
Obey. Greek, “attend.” They designed to plunder, but in vain. (Haydock)
“For there appeared unto them an horse with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, and smote at Heliodorus with his forefeet, and it seemed that he that sat upon the horse had complete harness of gold.”
Horse. Fiery horses took Elias from the earth, (4 Kings ii. 11.) and the mountain where Eliseus was seemed full of such, (Ibid.[4 Kings] vi. 17.) which is not less wonderful than what we read here. See St. Ambrose (Of. i. 29.) treating of this history. (Worthington)
“For he that dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it; and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt it.”
Visiter. Greek, “epopt,” (Haydock) or inspector. (Calmet) — So those who had the care of a thing were styled. (Menochius)