“About that time came Antiochus with dishonour out of the country of Persia”
At. Read 1 Machabees iv. 28. (Worthington) — Time. The year [of the world] 3840. The motives and ill success of this journey are given [in] 1 Machabees iii. 31., and vi. 1. (Calmet)
“For he had entered the city called Persepolis, and went about to rob the temple, and to hold the city; whereupon the multitude running to defend themselves with their weapons put them to flight; and so it happened, that Antiochus being put to flight of the inhabitants returned with shame.”
Persepolis; otherwise called Elymais, (Challoner) a chief (Worthington) “city of Persia.” Hence Elymais may be called Persepolis. (Haydock) — The famous city of this name, where Cyrus had built a palace to the astonishment of the world, had been (Calmet) burnt by Alexander when intoxicated, and urged on by a harlot. (Curtius v. 15.) — Noble ruins still remain on the Araxes.
“Now when he came to Ecbatane, news was brought him what had happened unto Nicanor and Timotheus.”
Ecbatana, capital of Media. (Calmet) — See chap. i. 16. (Haydock)
“Then swelling with anger. he thought to avenge upon the Jews the disgrace done unto him by those that made him flee. Therefore commanded he his chariotman to drive without ceasing, and to dispatch the journey, the judgment of God now following him. For he had spoken proudly in this sort, That he would come to Jerusalem and make it a common burying place of the Jews.”
Forward. He felt a violent fit of the cholic.
“And thus he that a little afore thought he might command the waves of the sea, (so proud was he beyond the condition of man) and weigh the high mountains in a balance, was now cast on the ground, and carried in an horselitter, shewing forth unto all the manifest power of God.”
Man. He seems to have claimed divine honours, ver. 12., and chap. v. 21., and ix. 8., and Daniel xi. 36. (Arabic) (Calmet)
“This wicked person vowed also unto the Lord, who now no more would have mercy upon him, saying thus,”
Not like. Because his repentance was not for the offence committed against God, but barely on account of his present sufferings. (Challoner) — For these he really grieved, 1 Machabees vi. 11. Yet was not sorry for the offence against God and men. So the damned acknowledge that their punishments are inflicted on account of their sins, yet have not true repentance. (Worthington) — In like manner Esau repented for the loss of his birthright, Hebrews xii. 17. (Menochius) — Epiphanes had abandoned God, who now laughs at him, (Proverbs i. 26.) as some of the Machabees had threatened, chap. vii. 14, 7, 9, 31, 2, 5, 6.[14, 17, 19, 31, 32, 35, 36.?] He is the model of false penitents, who are actuated by servile fear.
“That the holy city (to the which he was going in haste to lay it even with the ground, and to make it a common buryingplace,) he would set at liberty:”
Free and independent, (Calmet) like Antioch. (Pliny, [Natural History?] v. 21.)
“And as touching the Jews, whom he had judged not worthy so much as to be buried, but to be cast out with their children to be devoured of the fowls and wild beasts, he would make them all equals to the citizens of Athens:”
Athenians. This seems to have been put for Antiochians, chap. iv. 9., in Greek; which name would suit better here, as Epiphanes had no power over Athens. (Grotius; Calmet) — Yet it was highly privileged (Haydock) above all the cities of Greece. (Menochius) — Jason had obtained for the citizens of Jerusalem to be called Antiochians, chap. vi. 1. But this grant had been revoked, or not carried into effect since the late troubles. (Calmet) — Here the privilege is to be extended to all the Jews. (Haydock) — Ptolemais and Calliroe enjoyed the same. (Harduin.)
“And the holy temple, which before he had spoiled, he would garnish with goodly gifts, and restore all the holy vessels with many more, and out of his own revenue defray the charges belonging to the sacrifices:”
Sacrifices, as Darius, Philometor, and afterwards (1 Machabees x. 39.) Nicator did, 1 Esdras vi. 9. (Calmet)
“Antiochus, king and governor, to the good Jews his citizens wisheth much joy, health, and prosperity:”
Subjects. Literally, “citizens.” (Haydock) — Similar addresses (ver. 20.) were sent by the emperors to the Romans; and by Cæsar and Anthony to their allies. (Josephus, Antiquities xiv. 17., and 22.; Tull. Epist.)
“But considering that even my father, at what time he led an army into the high countries. appointed a successor,”
Father: Antiochus the great. The Persian monarchs generally took this precaution. — Countries. So profane authors style the provinces beyond the Euphrates [River]. Diodorus, St. Jerome (in Daniel xi.) and others, inform us that Antiochus attempted to plunder the temple of Belus, at Elymais, and took off a vast sum of money under pretext of paying the tribute to the Romans. But the neighbouring nations fell upon him, and cut him with his army to pieces. Philopator succeeded to the throne.
“Again, considering how that the princes that are borderers and neighbours unto my kingdom wait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event. I have appointed my son Antiochus king, whom I often committed and commended unto many of you, when I went up into the high provinces; to whom I have written as followeth:”
Antiochus Eupator, nine years old. — Below. This is lost.
“Therefore I pray and request you to remember the benefits that I have done unto you generally, and in special, and that every man will be still faithful to me and my son.”
Favours. He must have been deranged. (Calmet)
“Thus the murderer and blasphemer having suffered most grievously, as he entreated other men, so died he a miserable death in a strange country in the mountains.”
Mountains, at Tabes, (Polybius) in Patacene. (Curtius v.) — Historians relate that he lost his senses, (daimonesas) being terrified by a demon, on account of his criminal attempt against the temple of Diana. (Polybius, excerp. Vales.) (St. Jerome) — This was a real crime in him, as he took the idol for a deity. But his conduct towards the temple and nation of the Jews would probably weigh heavier upon his conscience. (Calmet) — St. Cyprian (exhort.) styles him “an inveterate enemy to all good; nay, in Antiochus antichrist is expressed.” (Worthington)
“And Philip, that was brought up with him, carried away his body, who also fearing the son of Antiochus went into Egypt to Ptolemeus Philometor.”
That was. Syriac, “son of his nurse,” appointed regent. — Philometor Lysias asserted his title to the regency, and had the young king, so that Philip applied to the Egyptians to help in the execution of the last will of the deceased. (Calmet) — Read 1 Machabees vi. 17. (Worthington)