2 Maccabees 8 Commentary

“So when Philip saw that this man increased by little and little, and that things prospered with him still more and more, he wrote unto Ptolemeus, the governor of Celosyria and Phenice, to yield more aid to the king's affairs.”

Philip seeing, &c. The governor of Jerusalem found himself unable to contend with Judas, especially after the victories he had obtained over Apollonius and Seron, 1 Machabees iii. (Challoner) — He was left two years before (Calmet) to afflict the Jews. (Worthington)

“Then forthwith choosing Nicanor the son of Patroclus, one of his special friends, he sent him with no fewer than twenty thousand of all nations under him, to root out the whole generation of the Jews; and with him he joined also Gorgias a captain, who in matters of war had great experience.”

Twenty thousand. The whole number of the forces sent at that time into Judea, was 40,000 footmen and 7,000 horsemen; (1 Machabees iii. 30.) but only 20,000 are here taken notice of, because there were no more with Nicanor at that time of the battle. (Challoner)

“So Nicanor undertook to make so much money of the captive Jews, as should defray the tribute of two thousand talents, which the king was to pay to the Romans.”

Talents. So much the king was in arrear, owing to his prodigality. For which reason he was gone beyond the Euphrates [River] to raise money. His father had to pay the Romans 15,000 talents in twelve years.

“Wherefore immediately he sent to the cities upon the sea coast, proclaiming a sale of the captive Jews, and promising that they should have fourscore and ten bodies for one talent, not expecting the vengeance that was to follow upon him from the Almighty God.”

Ninety. Often (Calmet) a talent was paid for one slave. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 4.)

“They that were fearful, and distrusted the justice of God, fled, and conveyed themselves away.”

Justice. Greek diken, “vengeance” (Haydock) against the enemies. (Calmet)

“And if not for their own sakes, yet for the covenants he had made with their fathers, and for his holy and glorious name's sake, by which they were called.”

Covenant. A just and religious cause is the best help in war. (Worthington)

“So Maccabeus called his men together unto the number of six thousand, and exhorted them not to be stricken with terror of the enemy, nor to fear the great multitude of the heathen, who came wrongly against them; but to fight manfully,”

Seven thousand. In the Greek it is six thousand. But then three thousand of them had no arms, 1 Machabees iv. 6. (Challoner) — If the army was divided into four companies of 1,500, there would be only 6,000. But if Judas had with him 3,000, it would consist of 7,500. (Calmet) — Reconciled. Greek, “consternated at,” &c. (Haydock)

“And he told them of the battle that they had in Babylon with the Galatians, how they came but eight thousand in all to the business, with four thousand Macedonians, and that the Macedonians being perplexed, the eight thousand destroyed an hundred and twenty thousand because of the help that they had from heaven, and so received a great booty.”

Galatians. That is, the Gauls, who having ravaged Italy and Greece, poured themselves in upon Asia in immense multitudes, where also they founded the kingdom of Galatia, or Gallo-Gręcia. (Challoner) — This battle is nowhere else recorded in Scripture. But it seems to allude to the aid given to Soter by the Jews, (Worthington) when he repulsed the Galatians. (Appian.) — Antiochus the great rewarded them for their valour shewn in behalf of his father. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] xii. 3.) (Worthington) — Six. Greek, 8,000. — When. Greek, “with 4,000 Macedonians; when the Macedonians being at a stand, the 6,000 (Grabe substitutes 8,000) slew twelve myriads,” &c. (Haydock) — Historians have not specified this irruption, as it had no farther consequences. The Galatians were very powerful under Antiochus the great, and sided with him. The consul, Manlius, made them promise to keep within their own territories. But they did not observe this agreement, since they attacked Eumenes while Epiphanes persecuted the Jews. It is not agreed when they made the invasion of Babylonia, then defended by Jewish and Macedonian troops under the king of Syria.

“And joined with himself his own brethren, leaders of each band, to wit Simon, and Joseph, and Jonathan, giving each one fifteen hundred men.”

Joseph; perhaps the same with John Gaddis, or simply a relation.

“Also he appointed Eleazar to read the holy book: and when he had given them this watchword, The help of God; himself leading the first band,”

Esdras. Greek and Syriac, “Eleazar;” probably the brother of Judas. Grotius thinks that the latter read the account of the death of Eleazar, which must be understood of the martyr, (chap. v.) as the brother of Judas was slain under Eupator. Perhaps the law regarding people going to fight was read; (Deuteronomy xx. 6., and 1 Machabees iii. 56.) or as Judas prepared for battle by prayer and fasting, some portions of Scripture might be selected while they were at Maspha. — Help. So he specifies the victory of God, chap. xiii. 15. (Calmet)

“And by the help of the Almighty they slew above nine thousand of their enemies, and wounded and maimed the most part of Nicanor's host, and so put all to flight;”

Above nine thousand, viz., including the three thousand slain in the pursuit. (Challoner) — Three thousand fell on the field of battle, 1 Machabees iv. 15.

“For it was the day before the sabbath, and therefore they would no longer pursue them.”

Time. They wished to be in the camp before the sabbath, having designed to collect the spoils.

“And after the sabbath, when they had given part of the spoils to the maimed, and the widows, and orphans, the residue they divided among themselves and their servants.”

Widows. Judas follows the spirit rather than the letter of the law, Numbers xxxi. 27., and Deuteronomy xiv. 29.

“Moreover of those that were with Timotheus and Bacchides, who fought against them, they slew above twenty thousand, and very easily got high and strong holds, and divided among themselves many spoils more, and made the maimed, orphans, widows, yea, and the aged also, equal in spoils with themselves.”

Timotheus. Chap. x. 24. The particulars of this war are not given. It seems to have taken place after the temple was purified, ver. 31. We must distinguish this first war from another mentioned, chap. x. 24., and 1 Machabees v. 5. Judas defeated another Timotheus beyond the Jordan [River], chap. xii. 10., and 1 Machabees v. 11, 34, 37.

“And when they had gathered their armour together, they laid them up all carefully in convenient places, and the remnant of the spoils they brought to Jerusalem.”

Jerusalem. They had taken all but the citadel, chap. x. 1.

“He was through the help of the Lord brought down by them, of whom he made least account; and putting off his glorious apparel, and discharging his company, he came like a fugitive servant through the midland unto Antioch having very great dishonour, for that his host was destroyed.”

Apparel, as a general. (Calmet) — Fleeing. Greek, “like a fugitive, having rendered himself destitute, he came through the midland country to Antioch above all being fortunate himself in,” &c. (Haydock) — He was too happy in having escaped. The Roman edition and Syriac agree with us, “being very unhappy,” &c., (Calmet) which is substituted by Grabe. (Haydock)