Bible Commentaries
1

Verse 1

Now. Literally, "And." (Haydock) --- Thus many Hebrew books commence, as Exodus, Josue, Baruch, &c. (Calmet) --- Greece, over the whole. He was chosen generalissimo. (Haydock) --- He conquered many of the Greeks, and overthrew Darius Condomanus, the year of the world 3674. (Calmet) --- His dominion in Syria may be meant. (Grotius) --- Alexander [the Great] was the first who reigned in that great monarchy, which he founded. (Worthington)

Verse 2

Holds. He was never defeated. (Just. xii.)

Verse 3

Earth, even to India, beyond which the ancients knew of nothing. --- Quiet, or silent; depopulated, (Isaias xiv. 7.) and obedient, Habacuc ii. 20.

Verse 4

Up. He was spoiled by prosperity, (Calmet) and would pass for a god, and be styled "king of the world." (Just. xii.)

Verse 6

CHAPTER I.

Bed. Some suppose through poison, (Diodorus xvii.; St. Jerome, ad Lætam.) or excess of wine. (Atheneus x. 11.) --- This was enough. (Haydock) --- So perished the man who would claim divine honours! (Calmet)

Verse 7

Servants. On the ninth day of sickness which preceded his death, he admitted all his soldiers to kiss his hand. Then he asked his friends, if they thought they should find such another king? As they were silent, he predicted what bloodshed would ensue, and told them to bury him in the temple of Ammon. When they asked to whom he left the throne, he said, "to the most worthy." He gave his ring to Perdiccas; whence all inferred, that he should be regent till the proper heirs came of age. Perdiccas desired to know when he would have divine honours: to which Alexander [the Great] replied with these his last words, "when you are happy:" (Just. xii.; Diodorus xvii.) as much as to say, never. (Haydock) --- This seems contrary to the sacred historian. But his authority is far superior. (Calmet) --- Kingdom. This is otherwise by Q. Curtius; though he acknowledges that divers were of that opinion, and that it had been delivered by some authors. (liber[book] x.) But here we find from the sacred text that he was in error. (Challoner) --- By delivering his ring to Perdiccas, Alexander gave him authority to make this division. (Worthington) --- Many assert, that he gave him directions in his last will. This was observed for some time, ver. 10.

Verse 8

Twelve. Josephus, &c. Some add, a few months. He was about thirty-three years old.

Verse 10

Death, twelve years being expired, when all the posterity of Alexander [the Great] were dead. His generals gradually destroyed each other, and four took the diadem at the same time: Ptolemy, in Egypt; Seleucus, in Syria; Cassander, in Macedonia; and Lysimachus, in Thrace. (Just. xiii., and xv.) (Calmet) --- Those who choose to read in order, may, after the preface [in] 2 Machabees ii. 20., read the above, then 2 Machabees iii. 1. (Worthington)

Verse 11

Antiochus the illustrious; Epiphanes, the younger son of Antiochus the great, who usurped the kingdom, to the prejudice of his nephew Demetrius, son of his elder brother, Seleucus Philopater. (Challoner) --- Epiphanes means "renowed." (Worthington) --- He took this title, particularly after the Samaritans had offered it to him. (Josephus, Antiquities xii.; Vaillant. A. 145.) --- His medals have always God prefixed, "the god appearing;" as he came opportunity, like a god, to defend the kingdom against the Egyptians, after he had been fourteen years a hostage at Rome. (Calmet) --- Nothing could be more abject than his character. (St. Jerome, in Daniel viii., and ix.) (Atheneus v. 4., and x. 12.) --- Greeks, counting not from the beginning of the reign of Alexander [the Great], but from the first year of Seleucus Nicator. (Challoner) --- The era of the Seleucides began in spring or autumn, the year of the world 3692, the year before Christ 312, though the Chaldeans and Ptolemy date from the following spring. (Calmet) --- The Grecian monarchy had then stood twenty years. (Eusebius) (Worthington)

Verse 12

Men. Jason attempted to supplant Onias III and introduced pagan customs, when he was dead. Menelaus treated him in like manner. Being cited to pay what he had promised, he left Lysimachus in his place, who was slain in the temple, which he was robbing, 2 Machabees iv. --- Us. Thus the Jews complained in the days of Jeremias, (xliv. 18.) and the Christian religion was blamed for all the miseries which fell upon the Roman empire. (Calmet) --- St. Augustine proves in his City of God, that this accusation was false. (Haydock)

Verse 15

Exercise, to wrestle (Calmet) and teach. (Lyranus)

Verse 16

Made. St. Jerome thinks the attempt useless. But the Jews discovered the art. (St. Epiphanius) (Pond. xvi.; Bartol.) (1 Corinthians vii. 18.) --- Sold to the devil, becoming his instruments, 3 Kings xxi. 25., and Romans vii. 14. (Calmet) --- Go to 2 Machabees iv. 7.

Verse 17

Egypt. He coveted this kingdom, having Syria already. (Worthington) --- He was not very fit for war: but Egypt was not under Philometor a child, and Ephphanes made an easy conquest. This was his second visit to that country. While he besieged Alexandria, a report of his death was spread; and as he was informed that the Jews rejoiced at it, he fell upon them, ver. 21. (Calmet) --- After ver. 20, read 2 Machabees iv. 21. (Worthington)

Verse 23

Sanctuary. Josephus (Antiquities xii. 6.) writes that Antiochus slew such as opposed his entrance into the city, and afterwards those who opened the gates, but would have prevented his plundering the temple. (Worthington) --- Menelaus conducted the king, 2 Machabees v. 15. Profane authors condemn this conduct of the king towards a city subject to him. (Josephus, contra Apion 2.) --- Diodorus relates several fables on this occasion. (Calmet)

Verse 30

The chief collector, &c. Apollonius. (Challoner) (2 Machabees v. 24.) (Worthington) --- He basely fell upon the unsuspecting citizens on a sabbath day. (Haydock)

Verse 33

Fire, thus destroying a great part. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 7.)

Verse 35

The city of David. That is, the castle of Sion. (Challoner) --- In it was placed a garrison of Macedonians. (Worthington) --- This castle had been occupied by Syrians before. It was now enlarged, 2 Machabees iv. 27., and v. 5.

Verse 38

Sanctuary, to pillage all who came to the temple. (Calmet) --- An evil devil. Literally, an adversary, watching constantly to do harm, as the evil spirit is always watching and seeking whom he could devour. (Challoner)

Verse 40

Fled with Judas, &c. (2 Machabees v.) Josephus (Antiquities xii. 7.) assures us that the Samaritans flattered Epiphanes, and begged their temple might be consecrated to Jupiter, &c. The pretended that they were of Sidonian extraction.

Verse 43

Be one. This reason herself teaches. But the king wished to establish a false religion, or rather he desired to root out all religion, and to shew his authority. (Haydock) --- Demere superstitionem & mores Græcorum dare adnixus. (Tacitus v.) --- He was not content with plunder, unless he ruined souls. (Worthington)

Verse 45

Service, or worship, (Calmet) introduced by Epiphanes. (Haydock)

Verse 49

People. He forced them to eat forbidden meat.

Verse 57

Fifteenth. In all other places the 25th, whence this may be incorrect, (Calmet) or the altar was now set up, (Haydock) though sacrifices were not yet offered. (Calmet) --- Idol. The statue of Jupiter Olympius, (Challoner) as Daniel (ix.) had foretold, as a figure of what antichrist would do, (Matthew xxiv.; Worthington) as well as the Romans, when they took Jerusalem.

Verse 58

Doors, to Trivia, Isaias lvii. 8. (Calmet)

Verse 59

Law, and all the sacred writings. (Josephus; Sulpitius ii.) --- The pious Jews secreted what they could, and Judas took care to collect them, 2 Machabees i. 14., and iii. 48. (Calmet)

Verse 61

After month. The officers took an account of the slain, (Grotius) or the dedication of the statue was renewed, or rather the king’s nativity was kept, 2 Machabees vi. 7. (Calmet) --- But this would only occur once a-year. People were compelled to sacrifice on the same day of each month on which the statue had been dedicated, ver. 62.

Verse 62

Over-against, or (Haydock) "upon," Greek: epi. The Greek altars were of a smaller size.

Verse 65

Many. Eleazar, and the seven Machabees, &c. (Calmet)

Verse 67

Wrath. God seemed displeased, as he was with too many. The pious were exposed to various trials, and to the fury of persecutors. (Haydock) --- Read 2 Machabees v. 11. (Worthington)