Egypt. They are invited to worship at Jerusalem. (Menochius) — It seems these were most considered; perhaps being more numerous. (Calmet) — They had also a schismatical temple. (Haydock)
Demetrius Nicator. The date refer to what goes before. — Nine. This author dates from autumn, whereas the preceding begins the era of Seleucides, in spring, which accounts for the apparent contradictions. (Calmet) — Trouble. As they had written when in distress, so they now testify their joy and gratitude to God, begging their brethren to keep the dedication of the new altar. (Worthington) — This first letter, sent during the heat of the persecution raised by Epiphanes, is lost. — Kingdom. Judea was then tributary to Egypt; yet Jason applied to the Syrian monarch, and instead of waiting for the death of Onias III, wished to purchase his dignity, and to change the manners of the people. Josephus gives contradictory accounts of these affairs, (Calmet) if he be really the author of 4 Machabees. (Haydock)
Flour, (mincha) including corn, &c. After Judas had purified the temple, the usual sacrifices were offered. (Calmet)
Scenopegia; viz., the encenia, or feast of the dedication of the altar, called here scenopegia, or feast of the tabernacles, from being celebrated with the like solemnity. (Challoner) (Chap. x. 6.) — The real feast occurs in the month of Tisri. (Calmet)
Eight. Thus the preceding letter is dated, according to many, (Menochius) as there was no Judas or Aristobolus known at this time. But Judas, the Essene prophet, (chap. ii. 14.; Worthington) must have flourished about that period; (Josephus, Antiquities xiii. 19.; Calmet) and one Aristobolus wrote something in the Scripture for Philometor. (Clement [of Alexander], Strom. v.; Eusebius, Hist. ii. 17.) — After Philadelphus, the kings of Egypt had commonly Jews among their preceptors. (Rupert, Vict. x. 15.) — This person is supposed to have instructed Physcon. (Calmet)
King. Antiochus Sidetes, who began to make war upon the Jews, while Simon was yet alive; (1 Machabees xv. 39.) and afterwards besieged Jerusalem, under John Hircanus. So that the Judas here mentioned (ver. 10.) is not Judas Machabeus, who was dead long before the year 188 of the kingdom of the Greeks, for he died in the year 146 of that epoch; (see above, 1 Machabees ii. 70., also the note on chap. i. 2.) but either Judas, the eldest son of John Hircanus, or Judas the Essene, renowned for the gift of prophecy, who flourished about that time. (Challoner) — Epiphanes may as well be meant. The ancestors of those who wrote resisted him.
Persia. This country is not specified in the Roman and Alexandrian Septuagint. Other copies have, “He God made them who attacked the holy city flee in swarms to Persia.” (Syriac; Vatable) — The name of Persia now comprised all the dominions of Antiochus; Rupert understands Sidetes. (Calmet)
Nanea. A Persian goddess, which some have taken for Diana, others for Venus. (Challoner) — Her temple at Ecbatana was renowned, 1 Machabees vi. 1.