The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 46: 2 Machabees
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12:8. But when he understood that the men of Jamnia also designed to do
in like manner to the Jews that dwelt among them,
12:9. He came upon the Jamnites also by night, and set the haven on
fire, with the ships, so that the light of the fire was seen at
Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs off.
12:10. And when they were now gone from thence nine furlongs, and were
marching towards Timotheus, five thousand footmen, and five hundred
horsemen of the Arabians, set upon them.
12:11. And after a hard fight, in which, by the help of God, they got
the victory, the rest of the Arabians being overcome, besought Judas for
peace, promising to give him pastures, and to assist him in other
things.
12:12. And Judas thinking that they might be profitable indeed in many
things, promised them peace, and after having joined hands, they
departed to their tents.
12:13. He also laid siege to a certain strong city, encompassed with
bridges and walls, and inhabited by multitudes of different nations, the
name of which is Casphin.
12:14. But they that were within it, trusting in the strength of the
walls, and the provision of victuals, behaved in a more negligent
manner, and provoked Judas with railing and blaspheming, and uttering
such words as were not to be spoken.
12:15. But Machabeus calling upon the great Lord of the world, who
without any rams or engines of war threw down the walls of Jericho, in
the time of Josue, fiercely assaulted the walls.
Rams... That is, engines for battering walls, etc., which were used in
sieges in those times.
12:16. And having taken the city by the will of the Lord, he made an
unspeakable slaughter, so that a pool adjoining, of two furlongs broad,
seemed to run with the blood of the slain.
12:17. From thence they departed seven hundred and fifty furlongs, and
came to Characa, to the Jews that are called Tubianites.
12:18. But as for Timotheus, they found him not in those places, for
before he had dispatched any thing he went back, having left a very
strong garrison in a certain hold:
12:19. But Dositheus, and Sosipater, who were captains with Machabeus,
slew them that were left by Timotheus in the hold, to the number of ten
thousand men.
12:20. And Machabeus having set in order about him six thousand men, and
divided them by bands, went forth against Timotheus, who had with him a
hundred and twenty thousand footmen, aad two thousand five hundred
horsemen.
12:21. Now when Timotheus had knowledge of the coming of Judas, he sent
the women and children, and the other baggage, before him into a
fortress, called Carnion: for it was impregnable, and hard to come at,
by reason of the straitness of the places.
12:22. But when the first band of Judas came in sight, the enemies were
struck with fear, by the presence of God, who seeth all things, and they
were put to flight one from another, so that they were often thrown down
by their own companions, and wounded with the strokes of their own
swords.
12:23. But Judas pursued them close, punishing the profane, of whom he
slew thirty thousand men.
12:24. And Timotheus himself fell into the hands of the band of
Dositheus and Sosipater, and with many prayers he besought them to let
him go with his life, because he had the parents and brethren of many of
the Jews, who, by his death, might happen to be deceived.
12:25. And when he had given his faith that he would restore them
according to the agreement, they let him go without hurt, for the saving
of their brethren.
12:26. Then Judas went away to Carnion, where he slew five and twenty
thousand persons.
12:27. And after he had put to flight and destroyed these, he removed
his army to Ephron, a strong city, wherein there dwelt a multitude of
divers nations: and stout young men standing upon the walls, made a
vigorous resistance: and in this place there were many engines of war,
and a provision of darts.
12:28. But when they had invocated the Almighty, who with his power
breaketh the strength of the enemies, they took the city: and slew five
and twenty thousand of them that were within.
12:29. From thence they departed to Scythopolis, which lieth six hundred
furlongs from Jerusalem.
Scythopolis... Formerly called Bethsan.
12:30. But the Jews that were among the Scythopolitans testifying that
they were used kindly by them, and that even in the times of their
adversity they had treated them with humanity:
12:31. They gave them thanks, exhorting them to be still friendly to
their nation, and so they came to Jerusalem, the feast of the weeks
being at hand.
12:32. And after Pentecost they marched against Gorgias, the governor of
Idumea.
12:33. And he came out with three thousand footmen and four hundred
horsemen.
12:34. And when they had joined battle, it happened that a few of the
Jews were slain.
12:35. But Dositheus, a horseman, one of Bacenor's band, a valiant man,
took hold of Gorgias: and when he would have taken him alive, a certain
horseman of the Thracians came upon him, and cut off his shoulder: and
so Gorgias escaped to Maresa.
12:36. But when they that were with Esdrin had fought long, and were
weary, Judas called upon the Lord to be their helper, and leader of the
battle:
12:37. Then beginning in his own language, and singing hymns with a loud
voice, he put Gorgias's soldiers to flight.
12:38. So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city
Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves
according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the same place.
12:39. And the day following Judas came with his company, to take away
the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen,
in the sepulchres of their fathers.
12:40. And they found under the coats of the slain, some of the donaries
of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews: so that
all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain.
Of the donaries, etc... That is, of the votive offerings, which had been
hung up in the temples of the idols, which they had taken away when they
burnt the port of Jamnia, ver. 9., contrary to the prohibition of the
law, Deut. 7.25.
12:41. Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had
discovered the things that were hidden.
12:42. And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that
the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most
valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch
as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of
those that were slain.
12:43. And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver
to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead,
thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection.
12:44. (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise
again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)
12:45. And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with
godliness, had great grace laid up for them.
With godliness... Judas hoped that these men who died fighting for the
cause of God and religion, might find mercy: either because they might
be excused from mortal sin by ignorance; or might have repented of their
sin, at least at their death.
12:46. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the
dead, that they may be loosed from sins.
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead...
Here is an evident and undeniable proof of the practice of praying for
the dead under the old law, which was then strictly observed by the
Jews, and consequently could not be introduced at that time by Judas,
their chief and high priest, if it had not been always their custom.
2 Machabees Chapter 13
Antiochus and Lysias again invade Judea. Menelaus is put to death. The
king's great army is worsted twice. The peace is renewed.
13:1. In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas understood that
Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea,
13:2. And with him Lysias, the regent, who had charge over the affairs
of the realm, having with him a hundred and ten thousand footmen, five
thousand horsemen, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots.
A hundred and ten thousand, etc... The difference between the numbers
here set down, and those recorded, 1 Mac. 4, is easily accounted for; if
we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time more
numerous than at another; either by sending away large detachments, or
being diminished by sickness; or increased by receiving fresh supplies
of troops, according to different exigencies or occurrences.
13:3. Menelaus also joined himself with them: and with great
deceitfulness besought Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country,
but in hopes that he should be appointed chief ruler.
13:4. But the King of kings stirred up the mind of Antiochus against the
sinner, and upon Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of all the
evils, he commanded (as the custom is with them) that he should be
apprehended and put to death in the same place.
13:5. Now there was in that place a tower fifty cubits high, having a
heap of ashes on every side: this had a prospect steep down.
13:6. From thence he commanded the sacrilegious wretch to be thrown down
into the ashes, all men thrusting him forward unto death.
13:7. And by such a law it happened that Menelaus the transgressor of
the law, was put to death: not having so much as burial in the earth.
13:8. And indeed very justly, for insomuch as he had committed many sins
against the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which were holy: he was
condemned to die in ashes.
13:9. But the king, with his mind full of rage, came on to shew himself
worse to the Jews than his father was.
13:10. Which when Judas understood, he commanded the people to call upon
the Lord day and night, that as he had always done, so now also he would
help them:
13:11. Because they were afraid to be deprived of the law, and of their
country, and of the holy temple: and that he would not suffer the
people, that had of late taken breath for a little while, to be again in
subjection to blasphemous nations.
13:12. So when they had all done this together, and had craved mercy of
the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground for
three days continually, Judas exhorted them to make themselves ready.
13:13. But he, with the ancients, determined before the king should
bring his army into Judea, and make himself master of the city, to go
out, and to commit the event of the thing to the judgment of the Lord.
13:14. So committing all to God, the Creator of the world, and having
exhorted his people to fight manfully, and to stand up even to death for
the laws, the temple, the city, their country, and citizens: he placed
his army about Modin.
13:15. And having given his company for a watchword, The victory of God,
with most valiant chosen young men, he set upon the king's quarter by
night, and slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of the
elephants, with them that had been upon him,
13:16. And having filled the camp of the enemies with exceeding great
fear and tumult, they went off with good success.
13:17. Now this was done at the break of day, by the protection and help
of the Lord.
13:18. But the king having taken a taste of the hardiness of the Jews,
attempted to take the strong places by policy:
13:19. And he marched with his army to Bethsura, which was a strong hold
of the Jews: but he was repulsed, he failed, he lost his men.
13:20. Now Judas sent necessaries to them that were within
13:21. But Rhodocus, one of the Jews' army, disclosed the secrets to the
enemies, so he was sought out, and taken up, and put in prison.
13:22. Again the king treated with them that were in Bethsura: gave his
right hand: took theirs: and went away.
13:23. He fought with Judas: and was overcome. And when he understood
that Philip, who had been left over the affairs, had rebelled at
Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and intreating the Jews, and
yielding to them, he swore to all things that seemed reasonable, and,
being reconciled, offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and left
gifts.
13:24. He embraced Machabeus, and made him governor and prince from
Ptolemais unto the Gerrenians.
13:25. But when he was come to Ptolemais, the men of that city were much
displeased with the conditions of the peace, being angry for fear they
should break the covenant.
13:26. Then Lysias went up to the judgment seat, and set forth the
reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and thus
matters went with regard to the king's coming and his return.
2 Machabees Chapter 14
Demetrius challenges the kingdom. Alcimus applies to him to be made high
priest: Nicanor is sent into Judea: his dealings with Judas: his
threats. The history of Razias.
14:1. But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with
him, understood that Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, was come up with a
great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis, to places proper for
his purpose,
14:2. And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus,
and his general, Lysias.
14:3. Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully
defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that
there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,
Now Alcimus, who had been chief priest... This Alcimus was of the stock
of Aaron, but for his apostasy here mentioned was incapable of the high
priesthood, but king Antiochus Eupator appointed him in place of the
high priest, (see above, 1 Mac. chap. 7., ver. 9,) as Menelaus had been
before him, set up by Antiochus, (above chap. 4.,)yet neither of them
were truly high priests; for the true high priesthood was amongst the
Machabees, who were also of the stock of Aaron, and had strictly held
their religion, and were ordained according to the rites commanded in
the law of Moses.-Ibid. Mingling... with the heathens; that is, in their
idolatrous worship.
14:4. Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty,
presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some
boughs that seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held
his peace.
14:5. But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being
called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and
what were their counsels,
14:6. He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called
Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise
seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.
14:7. For I also being deprived of my ancestor's glory (I mean of the
high priesthood) am now come hither:
14:8. Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in
the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all
our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of these men.
14:9. Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, take
care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according
to thy humanity which is known to all men.
14:10. For as long as Judas liveth it is not possible that the state
should be quiet.
14:11. Now when this man had spoken to this effect the rest also of the
king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against
him.
14:12. And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants,
governor into Judea:
14:13. Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all
them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the
great temple.
14:14. Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea, from Judas, came to
Nicanor by flocks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to
be the welfare of their affairs.
14:15. Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations
were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made
supplication to him who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who
protected his portion by evident signs.
14:16. Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed
from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet
them.
14:17. Now Simon, the brother of Judas, had joined battle with Nicanor:
but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.
14:18. Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas's companions,
and the greatness of courage, with which they fought for their country,
was afraid to try the matter by the sword.
14:19. Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius and Matthias before
to present and receive the right hands.
14:20. And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain
had acquainted the multitude with it, they were all of one mind to
consent to covenants.
14:21. So they appointed a day upon which they might comne together by
themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.
14:22. But Judas ordered armed men to be ready in convenient places,
lest some mischief might be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they
made an agreeable conference.
14:23. And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away
the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.
14:24. And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well
affected to the man.
14:25. And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he
married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.
14:26. But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the
covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor had assented to
the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor
to the kingdom, his successor.
14:27. Then the king, being in a rage, and provoked with this man's
wicked accusation, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was greatly
displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him
nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.
14:28. When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it
grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon,
having received no injury from the man.
14:29. But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an
opportunity to comply with the orders.
14:30. But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him,
and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough
manner; and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he
gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.
14:31. But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the
great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the
accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.
14:32. And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man
was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,
14:33. And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I
will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the
altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.
14:34. And when he had spoken thus, he departed. But the priests
stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever
the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:
14:35. Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased
that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.
14:36. Therefore now, O Lord, the holy of all holies, keep this house
for ever undefiled, which was lately cleansed.
14:37. Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to
Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for
his kindness was called the father of the Jews.
14:38. This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping
himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and
life, that he might persevere therein.
14:39. So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the
Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.
14:40. For he thought by ensnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.
14:41. Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break
open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he
struck himself with his sword:
He struck himself, etc... St. Augustine, (Epist. 61, ad Dulcitium, et
lib. 2, cap. 23, ad Epist. 2, Gaud.) discussing this fact of Razias,
says, that the holy scripture relates it, but doth not praise it, as to
be admired or imitated, and that either it was not well done by him, or
at least not proper in this time of grace.
14:42. Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the
wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.
14:43. But whereas through haste he missed of giving a sure wound, and
the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and
manfully threw himself down to the crowd:
14:44. But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst
of the neck.
He came upon the midst of the neck... Venit per mediam cervicem. In the
Greek it is keneona, which signifies a void place, where there is no
building.
14:45. And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind, he
arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was
grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:
14:46. And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without
blood, grasping his bowels, with both hands he cast them upon the
throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to
him again: and so he departed this life.
2 Machabees Chapter 15
Judas encouraged by a vision gains a glorious victory over Nicanor. The
conclusion.
15:1. But when Nicanor understood that Judas was in the places of
Samaria, he purposed to set upon him with all violence, on the sabbath
day.
15:2. And when the Jews that were constrained to follow him, said: Do
not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is
sanctified: and reverence him that beholdeth all things:
15:3. That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven, that
had commanded the sabbath day to be kept.
15:4. And when they answered: There is the living Lord himself in
heaven, the mighty One, that commanded the seventh day to be kept.
15:5. Then he said: And I am mighty upon the earth, and I command to
take arms, and to do the king's business. Nevertheless he prevailed not
to accomplish his design.
15:6. So Nicanor being puffed up with exceeding great pride, thought to
set up a public monument of his victory over Judas.
15:7. But Machabeus ever trusted with all hope that God would help them.
15:8. And he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the nations,
but to remember the help they had before received from heaven, and now
to hope for victory from the Almighty.
15:9. And speaking to them out of the law, and the prophets, and withal
putting them in mind of the battles they had fought before, he made them
more cheerful:
15:10. Then after he had encouraged them, he shewed withal the falsehood
of the Gentiles, and their breach of oaths.
15:11. So he armed every one of them, not with defence of shield and
spear, but with very good speeches, and exhortations, and told them a
dream worthy to be believed, whereby he rejoiced them all.
15:12. Now the vision was in this manner. Onias, who had been high
priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in his looks, gentle in his
manners, and graceful in speech, and who from a child was exercised in
virtues holding up his hands, prayed for all the people of the Jews:
15:13. After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age,
and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty:
15:14. Then Onias answering, said: This is a lover of his brethren, and
of the people of Israel: this is he that prayeth much for the people,
and for all the holy city, Jeremias, the prophet of God.
15:15. Whereupon Jeremias stretched forth his right hand, and gave to
Judas a sword of gold, saying:
15:16. Take this holy sword, a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt
overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel.
15:17. Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas, which were very
good, and proper to stir up the courage, and strengthen the hearts of
the young men, they resolved to fight, and to set upon them manfully:
that valour might decide the matter, because the holy city, and the
temple were in danger.
15:18. For their concern was less for their wives, and children, and for
their brethren, and kinsfolks: but their greatest and principal fear was
for the holiness of the temple.
15:19. And they also that were in the city, had no little concern for
them that were to be engaged in battle.
15:20. And now when all expected what judgment would be given, and the
enemies were at hand, and the army was set in array, the beasts and the
horsemen ranged in convenient places,
15:21. Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the divers
preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts, stretching out
his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, that worketh wonders, who
giveth victory to them that are worthy, not according to the power of
their arms, but according as it seemeth good to him.