Introduction
A NOTE ON THIS RENDERING
THE WITNESS
1 MAKABIM SURVIVES ONLY IN GREEK. But the Greek is itself a translation: Origen and Jerome both testify that a HEBREW ORIGINAL stood behind it, and that Hebrew is lost. This volume is therefore rendered FROM THE GREEK OF THE SEPTUAGINT — THE SOLE SURVIVING WITNESS TO A HEBREW ORIGINAL NOW LOST — using the King James Apocrypha of 1611, which is in the public domain. The Hebrew names and terms restored here are not ornament: they are the recovery of what the Greek translated away. 2:55 — ONE WORD THAT PROVES THE WHOLE CASE The King James Apocrypha, at 2:55, writes: JESUS FOR FULFILLING THE WORD WAS MADE A JUDGE IN ISRAEL. It means YEHOSHUA — Joshua son of Nun. The Greek is IESOUS, the same six letters it uses for Yeshua, and the English translators simply transliterated instead of translating. IF YOU WISH TO KNOW WHY THIS HOUSE RESTORES HEBREW NAMES, YOU NEED READ NO FURTHER THAN THIS ONE VERSE. THE CHASIDIM At 2:42 and 7:13 the English prints ASSIDEANS — an English mangling of a Greek transliteration of CHASIDIM, the pious ones, VOLUNTARILY DEVOTED UNTO THE TORAH. They come out of hiding to Mattityahu; and at 7:16 threescore of them are murdered IN ONE DAY by a Kohen Gadol acting under a Greek warrant. The English tradition turned the most important faction of the age into a word that means nothing. THE CHAIN OF THE APPOINTED TIMES — AND ITS FIFTH WITNESS Dani’el 7:25 said the horn would THINK TO CHANGE THE TIMES AND THE LAW. This book reports the decree and gives the date. 1:39 — her MO’ADIM turned into mourning, her SHABBATOT into reproach. 1:45 — they should PROFANE THE SHABBATOT AND THE MO’ADIM. 1:49 — TO THE END THEY MIGHT FORGET THE TORAH, AND CHANGE ALL THE ORDINANCES. 1:54 — the SHIKUTZ SHOMEM set upon the mizbeach, the fifteenth of Kislev, the 145th year. AND AT 6:59 THE ENEMY CONFESSES THE MOTIVE IN HIS OWN COUNCIL: they have done all these things, BECAUSE WE ABOLISHED THEIR LAWS. THE SHEMITAH KEPT UNDER SIEGE At 6:49 and 6:53 the defenders run out of food because IT WAS A SHENAT SHABBATON — a year of rest unto the land — AND THEY KEPT IT. Vayikra 25 obeyed with an army at the wall. It cost them Beit Tzur and nearly cost them the Mikdash. NO MAN INVENTS A DETAIL THAT MAKES HIS OWN HEROES LOOK MILITARILY FOOLISH. It is the most quietly credible verse in the book, and it is a verse about the calendar. THE CHANUKAH — AND WHAT IS NOT IN IT At 4:52–59 the Chanukah is founded: the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the 148th year, SHEMONAH YAMIM, ordained from shanah to shanah by the congregation of Yisra’el. And at 4:54 the text says why that date: AT WHAT TIME AND YOM THE GOYIM HAD PROFANED IT, EVEN IN THAT WAS IT DEDICATED. THREE YEARS TO THE DAY. BUT MARK WHAT IS ABSENT. THERE IS NO CRUSE OF OIL. No lamp burning eight days. This book — the eyewitness book, written within living memory — KNOWS NOTHING OF IT. The lamps at 4:50 are simply lit. The oil story first appears in the Talmud, Shabbat 21b, some six centuries later. THE HOUSE RENDERS THE TEXT AS IT STANDS AND DOES NOT IMPORT A MIRACLE THE TEXT DOES NOT CONTAIN. THREE MO’ADIM MADE BY MEN This book records the founding of three appointed times by decree of the congregation: THE CHANUKAH, the 25th of Kislev (4:59); NICANOR’S DAY, the 13th of Adar (7:49); and THE TWENTY-THIRD OF IYAR, when the tower was cleansed, entered with palm branches and hymns (13:51–52). The House prints all three and calls them what they are: ordinances of men, kept with gladness — not mo’adim of Yahuah out of Vayikra 23. THE SILENCE OF THE NEVI’IM — SAID THREE TIMES 4:46 — the defiled stones are laid aside UNTIL THERE SHOULD COME A NAVI TO SHEW WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH THEM. 9:27 — a great affliction, THE LIKE WHEREOF WAS NOT SINCE THE TIME THAT A NAVI WAS NOT SEEN AMONG THEM. 14:41 — Shimon to be governor and Kohen Gadol FOR EVER, UNTIL THERE SHOULD ARISE A FAITHFUL NAVI. THESE MEN KNEW PROPHECY HAD CEASED, AND THEY SAID SO IN THEIR OWN FOUNDING CHARTER, ENGRAVED IN BRASS ON HAR TZIYON.
THE PRIESTHOOD GIVEN BY GOYIM
At 10:20 a Seleucid pretender ordains Yonatan KOHEN GADOL, and sends a purple robe and a crown of gold; and Yonatan puts on the holy garments at Sukkot. Demetrius confirms it at 11:27. The boy Antiochus confirms it again at 11:57. NOT ONE OF THE THREE IS A KOHEN. NOT ONE IS A YEHUDI. AND THE OFFICE THEY ARE HANDING OUT IS AHARON’S. This is the wound that Qumran never forgave — and this House, which carries their books, prints the verse that made them leave. ROME At 8:5 the book calls Rome by the name Dani’el used at 11:30 and this book used at 1:1 — THE KITTIM. And then, in sixteen verses of open admiration, Yehudah sends ambassadors to Rome and signs a covenant, and the Senate’s reply is engraved IN TABLES OF BRASS and set in Yerushalayim. THE MEN WHO WOULD NOT BOW TO YAVAN MAKE A LEAGUE WITH THE POWER THAT WILL BURN THE HEICHAL. The author cannot see it. The reader can. Rule X.4 forbids the House to put that into the verse — so it is written here instead. 12:9 — THE CANON SPEAKS OF ITSELF WE HAVE THE HOLY BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE IN OUR HANDS TO COMFORT US. Written in the second century before Yeshua, to a foreign power. A canon exists, and the men of this book know they hold it. AND WHAT THE HOUSE DOES NOT ENDORSE At 12:21 a Spartan letter claims that the Lacedemonians and the Yehudim ARE BRETHREN, AND OF THE STOCK OF AVRAHAM. THAT IS THE SPARTANS’ CLAIM, IN THE SPARTANS’ LETTER. The book reports it faithfully; the House prints it faithfully; and neither asserts it. Rule X.4 cuts both ways — it forbids the House to soften a text, and it forbids the House to adopt a text’s every voice as its own. THE TONGUE Hebrew terms are set in the House’s green and glossed at their first appearance in this book — in the Hebrew script and in English — and thereafter left to stand bare. The Name YAHUAH is never glossed, for a name is not a title. Numbers that SIGNIFY are Hebraised — the SHEMONAH YAMIM of the Chanukah, the SHEVA pyramids at Modi’in. Numbers that MEASURE are left in English — the Seleucid years, the talents, the thousands of the slain. RULE X.4 The text is rendered as it stands. The translation is never adjusted to fit a conclusion. Interpretation belongs to the introductions and the notes — never to the verse.
Chapter 1
1
And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Kittim (כִּתִּים, Chittim, the isles of the west), had struck Daryavesh king of the Parasim and Madai, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Yavan (יָוָן, Greece).
2
And he made many wars, and won many strong holds, and killed the kings of the earth,
3
and went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many goyim, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up.
4
And he gathered a mighty strong host, and ruled over countries, and goyim, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.
5
And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.
6
Therefore he called his avadim, such as were honourable and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them while he was yet alive.
7
So Alexander reigned twelve shanim, and then died.
8
And his avadim bare rule, every one in his place.
9
And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many shanim; AND EVILS WERE MULTIPLIED IN THE EARTH.
10
And there came out of them A WICKED ROOT — Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome; and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh shanah of the kingdom of Yavan.
11
In those yamim went there out of Yisra'el wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, "LET US GO AND MAKE A BERIYT WITH THE GOYIM THAT ARE ROUND ABOUT US; for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow."
12
So this device pleased them well.
13
Then certain of the am were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the goyim.
14
Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Yerushalayim according to the customs of the goyim;
15
AND MADE THEMSELVES UNCIRCUMCISED, AND FORSOOK THE HOLY BERIYT, and joined themselves to the goyim, and were sold to do mischief.
16
Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Mitzrayim, that he might have the dominion of two realms.
17
Therefore he entered into Mitzrayim with a great multitude — with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy —
18
and made war against Ptolemy king of Mitzrayim. But Ptolemy was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death.
19
Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Mitzrayim; and he took the spoils thereof.
20
And after that Antiochus had struck Mitzrayim, he returned again in the hundred and forty and third shanah, and went up against Yisra'el and Yerushalayim with a great multitude;
21
and entered proudly into the Mikdash, and took away the golden mizbeach, and the Menorah of light, and all the vessels thereof,
22
and the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the censers of gold, and the Parochet, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the Heichal — all which he pulled off.
23
He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels; also he took the hidden treasures which he found.
24
And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, AND SPOKEN VERY PROUDLY.
25
Therefore there was a great mourning in Yisra'el, in every place where they were;
26
so that the princes and zekenim mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed.
27
Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness.
28
The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Ya'akov was covered with confusion.
29
And after two shanim fully expired, the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Yehudah, who came unto Yerushalayim with a great multitude,
30
and spoke peaceable words unto them, BUT ALL WAS DECEIT. For when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and struck it very sore, and destroyed much am of Yisra'el.
31
And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side.
32
But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle.
33
Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.
34
And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.
35
They stored it also with armour and food; and when they had gathered together the spoils of Yerushalayim, they laid them up there, and so they became A SORE SNARE.
36
For it was a place to lie in wait against the Mikdash, and an evil adversary to Yisra'el.
37
Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the Mikdash, and defiled it;
38
insomuch that the inhabitants of Yerushalayim fled because of them; whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; AND HER OWN CHILDREN LEFT HER.
39
Her Mikdash was laid waste like a wilderness; HER MO'ADIM WERE TURNED INTO MOURNING, HER SHABBATOT INTO REPROACH, her honour into contempt.
40
As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased; and her excellency was turned into mourning.
41
Moreover King Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, THAT ALL SHOULD BE ONE AM,
42
and every one should leave his laws. So all the goyim agreed according to the commandment of the king.
43
Yea, many also of the Yisre'elim consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, AND PROFANED THE SHABBAT.
44
For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Yerushalayim and the cities of Yehudah, that they should follow the strange laws of the land,
45
and forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings in the Mikdash; AND THAT THEY SHOULD PROFANE THE SHABBATOT AND THE MO'ADIM;
46
and pollute the Mikdash and the holy am;
47
set up mizbechot, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh and unclean beasts;
48
that they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their nefashot abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation;
49
TO THE END THEY MIGHT FORGET THE TORAH, AND CHANGE ALL THE ORDINANCES.
50
And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, HE SHOULD DIE.
51
In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the am, commanding the cities of Yehudah to sacrifice, city by city.
52
Then many of the am were gathered unto them, to wit, every one that forsook the Torah; and so they committed evils in the land,
53
and drove the Yisre'elim into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.
54
Now the fifteenth yom of the chodesh KISLEV (כִּסְלֵו, Chislev), in the hundred and forty and fifth shanah, THEY SET UP THE SHIKUTZ SHOMEM (שִׁקּוּץ שֹׁמֵם, the abomination of desolation) UPON THE MIZBEACH, and builded idol-altars throughout the cities of Yehudah on every side;
55
and burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.
56
And when they had rent in pieces the books of the Torah which they found, THEY BURNT THEM WITH FIRE.
57
And whosoever was found with any the book of the Beriyt, or if any consented unto the Torah, the king's commandment was that they should put him to death.
58
Thus did they by their authority unto the Yisre'elim every chodesh, to as many as were found in the cities.
59
Now the five and twentieth yom of the chodesh they did sacrifice upon the idol-altar, WHICH WAS UPON THE MIZBEACH OF ELOHIM.
60
At which time, according to the commandment, they put to death certain women that had caused their children to be circumcised;
61
and they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.
62
Howbeit many in Yisra'el were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves NOT TO EAT ANY UNCLEAN THING.
63
Wherefore they chose rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy Beriyt; SO THEN THEY DIED.
64
AND THERE WAS VERY GREAT WRATH UPON YISRA'EL.
Chapter 2
1
In those yamim arose Mattityahu (מַתִּתְיָהוּ, Mattathias) the son of Yochanan, the son of Shimon, a Kohen of the sons of Yoyariv (יוֹיָרִיב, Joarib), from Yerushalayim; and he dwelt in Modi'in (מוֹדִיעִין, Modin).
2
And he had five sons: Yochanan, called Gaddi;
3
Shimon, called Thassi;
4
Yehudah, who was called MAKABI (מַכַּבִּי, Maccabeus);
5
El'azar, called Avaran; and Yonatan, whose surname was Apphus.
6
And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Yehudah and Yerushalayim,
7
he said, "Woe is me! Wherefore was I born to see this misery of my am, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the Mikdash into the hand of strangers?
8
Her Heichal is become as a man without Kavod.
9
Her glorious vessels are carried away into captivity; her infants are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy.
10
What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom, and gotten of her spoils?
11
All her ornaments are taken away: of a free woman she is become a bondslave.
12
And behold, our Mikdash, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, AND THE GOYIM HAVE PROFANED IT.
13
To what end therefore shall we live any longer?"
14
Then Mattityahu and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore.
15
In the mean while the king's officers, such as compelled the am to revolt, came into the city Modi'in, to make them sacrifice.
16
And when many of Yisra'el came unto them, Mattityahu also and his sons came together.
17
Then answered the king's officers, and said to Mattityahu on this wise: "Thou art a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren.
18
Now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king's commandment, like as all the goyim have done, yea, and the men of Yehudah also, and such as remain at Yerushalayim; so shalt thou and thy house be in the number of the king's friends, and thou and thy children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards."
19
Then Mattityahu answered and spake with a loud voice: "Though all the goyim that are under the king's dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments,
20
YET WILL I AND MY SONS AND MY BRETHREN WALK IN THE BERIYT OF OUR FATHERS.
21
Elohim forbid that we should forsake the Torah and the ordinances.
22
We will not hearken to the king's words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand or the left."
23
Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the Yehudim in the sight of all to sacrifice on the mizbeach which was at Modi'in, according to the king's commandment.
24
Which thing when Mattityahu saw, HE WAS INFLAMED WITH KINAH (קִנְאָה, zeal, jealousy), and his reins trembled, neither could he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment; wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the mizbeach.
25
Also the king's commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the mizbeach he pulled down.
26
THUS DEALT HE ZEALOUSLY FOR THE TORAH OF ELOHIM, LIKE AS PINCHAS DID UNTO ZIMRI (זִמְרִי, Zambri) the son of Salu.
27
And Mattityahu cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, "WHOSOEVER IS ZEALOUS OF THE TORAH, AND MAINTAINETH THE BERIYT, LET HIM FOLLOW ME."
28
So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city.
29
Then many that sought after mishpat and tzedakah went down into the wilderness, to dwell there —
30
both they, and their children, and their wives, and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them.
31
Now when it was told the king's avadim, and the host that was at Yerushalayim in the city of David, that certain men who had broken the king's commandment were gone down into the secret places in the wilderness,
32
they pursued after them a great number, and having overtaken them, they camped against them, AND MADE WAR AGAINST THEM ON THE YOM OF THE SHABBAT.
33
And they said unto them, "Let that which ye have done hitherto suffice. Come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and ye shall live."
34
BUT THEY SAID, "WE WILL NOT COME FORTH, NEITHER WILL WE DO THE KING'S COMMANDMENT, TO PROFANE THE YOM OF THE SHABBAT."
35
So then they gave them the battle with all speed.
36
Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places where they lay hid;
37
but said, "LET US DIE ALL IN OUR INNOCENCY. SHAMAYIM AND EARTH SHALL TESTIFY FOR US, THAT YE PUT US TO DEATH WRONGFULLY."
38
So they rose up against them in battle on the Shabbat, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people.
39
Now when Mattityahu and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore.
40
And one of them said to another, "If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the goyim, they will now quickly root us out of the earth."
41
AT THAT TIME THEREFORE THEY DECREED, SAYING: "WHOSOEVER SHALL COME TO MAKE BATTLE WITH US ON THE YOM OF THE SHABBAT, WE WILL FIGHT AGAINST HIM; neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the secret places."
42
Then came there unto him a company of CHASIDIM (חֲסִידִים, the Assideans, the pious ones), who were mighty men of Yisra'el, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the Torah.
43
Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them.
44
So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath; but the rest fled to the goyim for succour.
45
Then Mattityahu and his friends went round about, and pulled down the mizbechot;
46
and what children soever they found within the coast of Yisra'el uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.
47
They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.
48
SO THEY RECOVERED THE TORAH OUT OF THE HAND OF THE GOYIM, AND OUT OF THE HAND OF KINGS; neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.
49
Now when the time drew near that Mattityahu should die, he said unto his sons: "Now have pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation.
50
Now therefore, my sons, BE YE ZEALOUS FOR THE TORAH, AND GIVE YOUR LIVES FOR THE BERIYT OF YOUR FATHERS.
51
Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.
52
Was not Avraham found faithful in temptation, AND IT WAS IMPUTED UNTO HIM FOR TZEDAKAH?
53
Yosef, in the time of his distress, kept the commandment, and was made lord of Mitzrayim.
54
Pinchas our father, in being zealous and fervent, obtained the Beriyt of an everlasting priesthood.
55
Yehoshua, for fulfilling the word, was made a judge in Yisra'el.
56
Kalev, for bearing witness before the congregation, received the heritage of the land.
57
David, for being merciful, possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
58
Eliyahu, for being zealous and fervent for the Torah, was taken up into Shamayim.
59
CHANANYAH, AZARYAH, AND MISHA'EL, BY BELIEVING WERE SAVED OUT OF THE FLAME.
60
DANI'EL, FOR HIS INNOCENCY, WAS DELIVERED FROM THE MOUTH OF LIONS.
61
And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that NONE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM SHALL BE OVERCOME.
62
Fear not then the words of a sinful man, for his glory shall be dung and worms.
63
To-day he shall be lifted up, and to-morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing.
64
Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant, and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the Torah; for by it shall ye obtain glory.
65
And behold, I know that your brother Shimon is a man of counsel: give ear unto him alway; HE SHALL BE A FATHER UNTO YOU.
66
As for Yehudah HaMakabi, he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: LET HIM BE YOUR CAPTAIN, AND FIGHT THE BATTLE OF THE AM.
67
Take also unto you all those that observe the Torah, and avenge ye the wrong of your am.
68
Recompense fully the goyim, and take heed to the mitzvot of the Torah.
69
So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers.
70
And he died in the hundred forty and sixth shanah; and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modi'in, and all Yisra'el made great lamentation for him.
Chapter 3
1
Then his son Yehudah, called Makabi, rose up in his stead.
2
And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father; and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Yisra'el.
3
So he gat his am great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword.
4
In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion's whelp roaring for his prey.
5
For he pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his am.
6
Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, BECAUSE SALVATION PROSPERED IN HIS HAND.
7
He grieved also many kings, and made Ya'akov glad with his acts; and his memorial is blessed for ever.
8
Moreover he went through the cities of Yehudah, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Yisra'el;
9
so that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish.
10
Then Apollonius gathered the goyim together, and a great host out of Shomron (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Samaria), to fight against Yisra'el.
11
Which thing when Yehudah perceived, he went forth to meet him; and so he smote him, and slew him. Many also fell down slain, but the rest fled.
12
Wherefore Yehudah took their spoils, and Apollonius' sword also; AND THEREWITH HE FOUGHT ALL HIS LIFE LONG.
13
Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Aram (אֲרָם, Syria), heard say that Yehudah had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war,
14
he said, "I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Yehudah and them that are with him, who despise the king's commandment."
15
So he made him ready to go up; and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Yisra'el.
16
And when he came near to the going up of Beit Choron (בֵּית חוֹרוֹן, Bethhoron), Yehudah went forth to meet him with a small company;
17
who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Yehudah, "How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this yom?"
18
Unto whom Yehudah answered, "It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; AND WITH THE ELOHIM OF SHAMAYIM IT IS ALL ONE, TO DELIVER WITH A GREAT MULTITUDE, OR A SMALL COMPANY.
19
FOR THE VICTORY OF BATTLE STANDETH NOT IN THE MULTITUDE OF AN HOST; BUT STRENGTH COMETH FROM SHAMAYIM.
20
They come against us in much pride and iniquity, to destroy us and our wives and children, and to spoil us;
21
BUT WE FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES AND OUR TORAH.
22
Wherefore Yahuah Himself will overthrow them before our face; and as for you, be ye not afraid of them."
23
Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leaped suddenly upon them; and so Seron and his host were overthrown before him.
24
And they pursued them from the going down of Beit Choron unto the plain, where were slain about eight hundred men of them; and the residue fled into the land of the Pelishtim.
25
Then began the fear of Yehudah and his brethren, and exceeding great dread, to fall upon the goyim round about them;
26
insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all the goyim talked of the battles of Yehudah.
27
Now when King Antiochus heard these things, he was full of indignation; wherefore he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, even a very strong army.
28
He opened also his treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for a shanah, commanding them to be ready whensoever he should need them.
29
Nevertheless, when he saw that the money of his treasures failed, and that the tributes in the country were small, because of the dissension and plague which he had brought upon the land IN TAKING AWAY THE LAWS WHICH HAD BEEN OF OLD TIME,
30
he feared that he should not be able to bear the charges any longer, nor to have such gifts to give so liberally as he did before; for he had abounded above the kings that were before him.
31
Wherefore, being greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to go into Paras, there to take the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money.
32
So he left Lysias, a nobleman and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from the river Perat unto the borders of Mitzrayim,
33
and to bring up his son Antiochus, until he came again.
34
Moreover he delivered unto him the half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge of all things that he would have done, as also concerning them that dwelt in Yehudah and Yerushalayim:
35
to wit, that he should send an army against them, TO DESTROY AND ROOT OUT THE STRENGTH OF YISRA'EL, AND THE REMNANT OF YERUSHALAYIM, AND TO TAKE AWAY THEIR MEMORIAL FROM THAT PLACE;
36
and that he should place strangers in all their quarters, and divide their land by lot.
37
So the king took the half of the forces that remained, and departed from Antioch his royal city, the hundred forty and seventh shanah; and he passed the river Perat, and went through the high countries.
38
Then Lysias chose Ptolemy the son of Dorymenes, and Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king's friends;
39
and with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horsemen, to go into the land of Yehudah, and to destroy it, as the king commanded.
40
So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in the plain country.
41
And the merchants of the country, hearing the fame of them, took silver and gold very much, with servants, and came into the camp TO BUY THE CHILDREN OF YISRA'EL FOR SLAVES. A power also of Aram and of the land of the Pelishtim joined themselves unto them.
42
Now when Yehudah and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders — for they knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the am, and utterly abolish them —
43
they said one to another, "LET US RESTORE THE DECAYED ESTATE OF OUR AM, AND LET US FIGHT FOR OUR AM AND THE MIKDASH."
44
Then the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion.
45
Now Yerushalayim was laid void as a wilderness; there was none of her children that went in or out. The Mikdash also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the goyim had their habitation in that place; AND JOY WAS TAKEN FROM YA'AKOV, AND THE PIPE WITH THE HARP CEASED.
46
Wherefore the Yisre'elim assembled themselves together, and came to MITZPAH (מִצְפָּה, Maspha), over against Yerushalayim; FOR IN MITZPAH WAS THE PLACE WHERE THEY PRAYED AFORETIME IN YISRA'EL.
47
Then they fasted that yom, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes;
48
and laid open the SEFER TORAH (סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, the book of the law), wherein the goyim had sought to paint the likeness of their images.
49
They brought also the Kohanim's garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes; and the NEZIRIM (נְזִירִים, Nazarites) they stirred up, who had accomplished their yamim.
50
Then cried they with a loud voice toward Shamayim, saying, "What shall we do with these? And whither shall we carry them away?
51
For Thy Mikdash is trodden down and profaned, and Thy Kohanim are in heaviness, and brought low.
52
And lo, the goyim are assembled together against us to destroy us. What things they imagine against us, Thou knowest.
53
HOW SHALL WE BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THEM, EXCEPT THOU, O ELOHIM, BE OUR HELP?"
54
Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice.
55
And after this Yehudah ordained captains over the am — even captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.
56
But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his own house, ACCORDING TO THE TORAH.
57
So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.
58
And Yehudah said, "Arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that ye be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these goyim that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our Mikdash.
59
FOR IT IS BETTER FOR US TO DIE IN BATTLE, THAN TO BEHOLD THE CALAMITIES OF OUR AM AND OUR MIKDASH.
60
Nevertheless, AS THE WILL OF ELOHIM IS IN SHAMAYIM, SO LET HIM DO."
Chapter 4
1
Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best horsemen, and removed out of the camp by lailah,
2
to the end he might rush in upon the camp of the Yehudim, and smite them suddenly. And the men of the fortress were his guides.
3
Now when Yehudah heard thereof, he himself removed, and the valiant men with him, that he might smite the king's army which was at Emmaus,
4
while as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp.
5
In the mean season came Gorgias by lailah into the camp of Yehudah; and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains; for he said, "These fellows flee from us."
6
But as soon as it was yom, Yehudah shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men, WHO NEVERTHELESS HAD NEITHER ARMOUR NOR SWORDS TO THEIR MINDS.
7
And they saw the camp of the goyim, that it was strong and well harnessed, and compassed round about with horsemen; and these were expert of war.
8
Then said Yehudah to the men that were with him, "Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.
9
REMEMBER HOW OUR FATHERS WERE DELIVERED IN THE YAM SUF, WHEN PAR'OH PURSUED THEM WITH AN ARMY.
10
Now therefore let us cry unto Shamayim, if peradventure Yahuah will have mercy upon us, and remember the Beriyt of our fathers, and destroy this host before our face this yom;
11
THAT SO ALL THE GOYIM MAY KNOW THAT THERE IS ONE WHO DELIVERETH AND SAVETH YISRA'EL."
12
Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them.
13
Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were with Yehudah sounded their trumpets.
14
So they joined battle; and the goyim, being discomfited, fled into the plain.
15
Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword; for they pursued them unto Gezer (גֶּזֶר, Gazera), and unto the plains of Edom, and Ashdod (אַשְׁדּוֹד, Azotus), and Yavneh (יַבְנֶה, Jamnia); so that there were slain of them as many as three thousand men.
16
This done, Yehudah returned again with his host from pursuing them,
17
and said to the am, "Be not greedy of the spoils, inasmuch as there is a battle before us;
18
and Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountain. But stand ye now against our enemies, and overcome them; and after this ye may boldly take the spoils."
19
As Yehudah was yet speaking these words, there appeared a part of them looking out of the mountain;
20
who, when they perceived that the Yehudim had put their host to flight, and were burning the tents — for the smoke that was seen declared what was done —
21
when therefore they perceived these things, they were sore afraid; and seeing also the host of Yehudah in the plain ready to fight,
22
they fled every one into the land of strangers.
23
Then Yehudah returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches.
24
After this they went home, and sung a shirah of thanksgiving, and praised Yahuah in Shamayim: BECAUSE HE IS GOOD, BECAUSE HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER.
25
Thus Yisra'el had a great deliverance that yom.
26
Now all the strangers that had escaped came and told Lysias what had happened;
27
who, when he heard thereof, was confounded and discouraged, because neither such things as he would were done unto Yisra'el, nor such things as the king commanded him were come to pass.
28
In the following shanah therefore, Lysias gathered together threescore thousand choice men of foot, and five thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them.
29
So they came into Edom, and pitched their tents at Beit Tzur (בֵּית צוּר, Bethsura); and Yehudah met them with ten thousand men.
30
And when he saw that mighty army, he prayed and said: "Blessed art Thou, O Saviour of Yisra'el, WHO DIDST QUELL THE VIOLENCE OF THE MIGHTY MAN BY THE HAND OF THY EVED DAVID, and gavest the host of strangers into the hands of Yonatan the son of Sha'ul, and his armour-bearer.
31
Shut up this army in the hand of Thy am Yisra'el, and let them be confounded in their power and horsemen.
32
Make them to be of no courage, and cause the boldness of their strength to fall away, and let them quake at their destruction.
33
Cast them down with the sword of them that love Thee; and let all those that know Thy name praise Thee with thanksgiving."
34
So they joined battle; and there were slain of the host of Lysias about five thousand men, even before them were they slain.
35
Now when Lysias saw his army put to flight, and the manliness of Yehudah's soldiers, and how they were ready either to live or die valiantly, he went into Antioch, and gathered together a company of strangers; and having made his army greater than it was, he purposed to come again into Yehudah.
36
Then said Yehudah and his brethren, "Behold, our enemies are discomfited: LET US GO UP TO CLEANSE AND DEDICATE THE MIKDASH."
37
Upon this all the host assembled themselves together, and went up into Har Tziyon (הַר צִיּוֹן, mount Sion).
38
And when they saw the Mikdash desolate, and the mizbeach profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest or in one of the mountains, yea, and the Kohanim's chambers pulled down —
39
they rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon their heads,
40
and fell down flat to the ground upon their faces, and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward Shamayim.
41
Then Yehudah appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the Mikdash.
42
So he chose Kohanim of blameless conversation, SUCH AS HAD PLEASURE IN THE TORAH;
43
who cleansed the Mikdash, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place.
44
And when as they consulted what to do with the mizbeach of burnt offerings, which was profaned,
45
they thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the goyim had defiled it. Wherefore they pulled it down,
46
and laid up the stones in the mountain of the Heichal in a convenient place, UNTIL THERE SHOULD COME A NAVI TO SHEW WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH THEM.
47
THEN THEY TOOK WHOLE STONES ACCORDING TO THE TORAH, and built a new mizbeach according to the former;
48
and made up the Mikdash, and the things that were within the Heichal, and hallowed the courts.
49
They made also new holy vessels; and into the Heichal they brought the Menorah, and the mizbeach of incense, and the table.
50
And upon the mizbeach they burned incense; and the lamps that were upon the Menorah they lighted, that they might give light in the Heichal.
51
Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the Parochet, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.
52
NOW ON THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH YOM OF THE NINTH CHODESH, WHICH IS CALLED THE CHODESH KISLEV, IN THE HUNDRED FORTY AND EIGHTH SHANAH, they rose up betimes in the morning,
53
and offered sacrifice according to the Torah upon the new mizbeach of burnt offerings which they had made.
54
AT WHAT TIME AND YOM THE GOYIM HAD PROFANED IT, EVEN IN THAT WAS IT DEDICATED with shirot, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals.
55
Then all the am fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the Elohim of Shamayim, who had given them good success.
56
AND SO THEY KEPT THE CHANUKAH (חֲנֻכָּה, the dedication) OF THE MIZBEACH SHEMONAH YAMIM, and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
57
They decked also the forefront of the Heichal with crowns of gold and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.
58
Thus was there very great gladness among the am, for that the reproach of the goyim was put away.
59
MOREOVER YEHUDAH AND HIS BRETHREN, WITH THE WHOLE CONGREGATION OF YISRA'EL, ORDAINED THAT THE YAMIM OF THE CHANUKAH OF THE MIZBEACH SHOULD BE KEPT IN THEIR SEASON FROM SHANAH TO SHANAH BY THE SPACE OF SHEMONAH YAMIM, FROM THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH YOM OF THE CHODESH KISLEV, WITH MIRTH AND GLADNESS.
60
At that time also they builded up Har Tziyon with high walls and strong towers round about, lest the goyim should come and tread it down, as they had done before.
61
And they set there a garrison to keep it, and fortified Beit Tzur to preserve it, that the am might have a defence against Edom.
Chapter 5
1
Now when the goyim round about heard that the mizbeach was built, and the Mikdash renewed as before, it displeased them very much.
2
Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Ya'akov that was among them; and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the am.
3
Then Yehudah fought against the children of Esav in Edom, at Akrabattene, because they besieged Yisra'el; and he gave them a great overthrow, and abated their courage, and took their spoils.
4
Also he remembered the injury of the children of Ba'ean, who had been a snare and an offence unto the am, in that they lay in wait for them in the ways.
5
He shut them up therefore in the towers, and encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned the towers of that place with fire, and all that were therein.
6
Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain.
7
So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him; and he smote them.
8
And when he had taken Ya'zer (יַעְזֵר, Jazer), with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Yehudah.
9
Then the goyim that were at GIL'AD (גִּלְעָד, Galaad) assembled themselves together against the Yisre'elim that were in their quarters, to destroy them; but they fled to the fortress of Dathema,
10
and sent letters unto Yehudah and his brethren, saying: "The goyim that are round about us are assembled together against us to destroy us;
11
and they are preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we are fled, Timotheus being captain of their host.
12
Come now therefore, and deliver us from their hands, for many of us are slain.
13
Yea, all our brethren that were in the places of Tobie are put to death; their wives and their children also they have carried away captives, and borne away their stuff; and they have destroyed there about a thousand men."
14
While these letters were yet being read, behold, there came other messengers from the GALIL (גָּלִיל, Galilee) with their clothes rent, who reported on this wise,
15
saying that they of Akko (עַכּוֹ, Ptolemais), and of Tzor (צֹר, Tyre), and Tzidon (צִידוֹן, Sidon), and all the Galil of the goyim, were assembled together against them to consume them.
16
Now when Yehudah and the am heard these words, there assembled a great congregation together, to consult what they should do for their brethren that were in trouble, and assaulted of them.
17
Then said Yehudah unto Shimon his brother, "Choose thee out men, and go and deliver thy brethren that are in the Galil; for I and Yonatan my brother will go into the country of Gil'ad."
18
So he left Yosef the son of Zecharyah, and Azaryah, captains of the am, with the remnant of the host in Yehudah to keep it.
19
Unto whom he gave commandment, saying, "Take ye the charge of this am; AND SEE THAT YE MAKE NOT WAR AGAINST THE GOYIM UNTIL THE TIME THAT WE COME AGAIN."
20
Now unto Shimon were given three thousand men to go into the Galil, and unto Yehudah eight thousand men for the country of Gil'ad.
21
Then went Shimon into the Galil, where he fought many battles with the goyim, so that the goyim were discomfited by him.
22
And he pursued them unto the gate of Akko; and there were slain of the goyim about three thousand men, whose spoils he took.
23
And those that were in the Galil, and in Arbatta, with their wives and their children, and all that they had, took he away with him, and brought them into Yehudah with great joy.
24
Yehudah HaMakabi also, and his brother Yonatan, went over the Yarden (יַרְדֵּן, Jordan), and travelled three yamim' journey in the wilderness;
25
where they met with the Nabateans, who came unto them in a peaceable manner, and told them every thing that had happened to their brethren in the land of Gil'ad:
26
and how that many of them were shut up in Botzrah, and Botzor, and Alema, Casphor, Maked, and Karnayim (קַרְנַיִם, Carnaim) — all these cities are strong and great;
27
and that they were shut up in the rest of the cities of the country of Gil'ad; and that against to-morrow they had appointed to bring their host against the forts, and to take them, and to destroy them all in one yom.
28
Hereupon Yehudah and his host turned suddenly by the way of the wilderness unto Botzrah; and when he had won the city, he slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire.
29
From whence he removed by lailah, and went till he came to the fortress.
30
And betimes in the morning they looked up, and behold, there was an innumerable people bearing ladders and other engines of war, to take the fortress; for they assaulted them.
31
When Yehudah therefore saw that the battle was begun, and that the cry of the city went up to Shamayim with trumpets and a great sound,
32
he said unto his host, "FIGHT THIS YOM FOR YOUR BRETHREN."
33
So he went forth behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets, and cried with prayer.
34
Then the host of Timotheus, knowing that it was HaMakabi, fled from him; wherefore he smote them with a great slaughter, so that there were killed of them that yom about eight thousand men.
35
This done, Yehudah turned aside to Mitzpah; and after he had assaulted it, he took it, and slew all the males therein, and received the spoils thereof, and burnt it with fire.
36
From thence went he, and took Casphon, Maged, Botzor, and the other cities of the country of Gil'ad.
37
After these things gathered Timotheus another host, and encamped against Raphon beyond the brook.
38
So Yehudah sent men to espy the host; who brought him word, saying, "All the goyim that be round about us are assembled unto them, even a very great host.
39
He hath also hired the Arabians to help them; and they have pitched their tents beyond the brook, ready to come and fight against thee." Upon this Yehudah went to meet them.
40
Then Timotheus said unto the captains of his host, "When Yehudah and his host come near the brook, if he pass over first unto us, we shall not be able to withstand him; for he will mightily prevail against us.
41
But if he be afraid, and camp beyond the river, we shall go over unto him, and prevail against him."
42
Now when Yehudah came near the brook, he caused the scribes of the am to remain by the brook; unto whom he gave commandment, saying, "SUFFER NO MAN TO REMAIN IN THE CAMP, BUT LET ALL COME TO THE BATTLE."
43
So he went first over unto them, and all the am after him. Then all the goyim, being discomfited before him, cast away their weapons, and fled unto the temple that was at Karnayim.
44
But they took the city, and burned the temple with all that were therein. Thus was Karnayim subdued; neither could they stand any longer before Yehudah.
45
Then Yehudah gathered together all the Yisre'elim that were in the country of Gil'ad, from the least unto the greatest, even their wives, and their children, and their stuff — a very great host — to the end they might come into the land of Yehudah.
46
Now when they came unto Ephron (this was a great city in the way as they should go, very well fortified), they could not turn from it, either on the right hand or the left, but must needs pass through the midst of it.
47
Then they of the city shut them out, and stopped up the gates with stones.
48
Whereupon Yehudah sent unto them in peaceable manner, saying, "Let us pass through your land to go into our own country, and none shall do you any hurt; we will only pass through on foot." Howbeit they would not open unto him.
49
Wherefore Yehudah commanded a proclamation to be made throughout the host, that every man should pitch his tent in the place where he was.
50
So the soldiers pitched, and assaulted the city all that yom and all that lailah, till at the length the city was delivered into his hands;
51
who then slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and rased the city, and took the spoils thereof, and passed through the city over them that were slain.
52
After this went they over the Yarden into the great plain before Beit She'an (בֵּית שְׁאָן, Bethsan).
53
And Yehudah gathered together those that came behind, and exhorted the am all the way through, till they came into the land of Yehudah.
54
So they went up to Har Tziyon with joy and gladness, where they offered burnt offerings, BECAUSE NOT ONE OF THEM WAS SLAIN UNTIL THEY HAD RETURNED IN SHALOM.
55
Now what time as Yehudah and Yonatan were in the land of Gil'ad, and Shimon his brother in the Galil before Akko,
56
Yosef the son of Zecharyah, and Azaryah, captains of the garrisons, heard of the valiant acts and warlike deeds which they had done.
57
Wherefore they said, "LET US ALSO GET US A NAME, and go fight against the goyim that are round about us."
58
So when they had given charge unto the garrison that was with them, they went toward Yavneh.
59
Then came Gorgias and his men out of the city to fight against them.
60
And so it was, that Yosef and Azaryah were put to flight, and pursued unto the borders of Yehudah; and there were slain that yom of the am of Yisra'el about two thousand men.
61
THUS WAS THERE A GREAT OVERTHROW AMONG THE CHILDREN OF YISRA'EL, BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT OBEDIENT UNTO YEHUDAH AND HIS BRETHREN, BUT THOUGHT TO DO SOME VALIANT ACT.
62
MOREOVER THESE MEN CAME NOT OF THE SEED OF THOSE BY WHOSE HAND DELIVERANCE WAS GIVEN UNTO YISRA'EL.
63
Howbeit the man Yehudah and his brethren were greatly renowned in the sight of all Yisra'el, and of all the goyim, wheresoever their name was heard of;
64
insomuch as the am assembled unto them with joyful acclamations.
65
Afterward went Yehudah forth with his brethren, and fought against the children of Esav in the land toward the south, where he smote Chevron (חֶבְרוֹן, Hebron) and the towns thereof, and pulled down the fortress of it, and burned the towers thereof round about.
66
From thence he removed to go into the land of the Pelishtim, and passed through Shomron.
67
At that time certain Kohanim, desirous to shew their valour, were slain in battle, FOR THAT THEY WENT OUT TO FIGHT UNADVISEDLY.
68
So Yehudah turned to Ashdod in the land of the Pelishtim; and when he had pulled down their mizbechot, and burned their carved images with fire, and spoiled their cities, he returned into the land of Yehudah.
Chapter 6
1
About that time King Antiochus, travelling through the high countries, heard say that Elymais in the country of Paras was a city greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold;
2
and that there was in it a very rich temple, wherein were coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields, which Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian king, who reigned first among the Yevanim, had left there.
3
Wherefore he came and sought to take the city, and to spoil it; but he was not able, because they of the city, having had warning thereof,
4
rose up against him in battle. So he fled, and departed thence with great heaviness, and returned to Bavel.
5
Moreover there came one who brought him tidings into Paras, that the armies which went against the land of Yehudah were put to flight;
6
and that Lysias, who went forth first with a great power, was driven away of the Yehudim; and that they were made strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils which they had gotten of the armies whom they had destroyed;
7
ALSO THAT THEY HAD PULLED DOWN THE SHIKUTZ WHICH HE HAD SET UP UPON THE MIZBEACH IN YERUSHALAYIM, and that they had compassed about the Mikdash with high walls, as before, and his city Beit Tzur.
8
Now when the king heard these words, he was astonished and sore moved; whereupon he laid him down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not befallen him as he looked for.
9
And there he continued many yamim; for his grief was ever more and more, and he made account that he should die.
10
Wherefore he called for all his friends, and said unto them, "The sleep is gone from mine eyes, and my heart faileth for very care.
11
And I thought with myself, Into what tribulation am I come, and how great a flood of misery is it wherein now I am! For I was bountiful and beloved in my power.
12
BUT NOW I REMEMBER THE EVILS THAT I DID AT YERUSHALAYIM, and that I took all the vessels of gold and silver that were therein, and sent to destroy the inhabitants of Yehudah WITHOUT A CAUSE.
13
I PERCEIVE THEREFORE THAT FOR THIS CAUSE THESE TROUBLES ARE COME UPON ME; and behold, I perish through great grief in a strange land."
14
Then called he for Philip, one of his friends, whom he made ruler over all his realm;
15
and gave him the crown, and his robe, and his signet, to the end he should bring up his son Antiochus, and nourish him up for the kingdom.
16
So King Antiochus died there in the hundred forty and ninth shanah.
17
Now when Lysias knew that the king was dead, he set up Antiochus his son, whom he had brought up being young, to reign in his stead; and his name he called Eupator.
18
About this time they that were in the tower shut up the Yisre'elim round about the Mikdash, and sought always their hurt, and the strengthening of the goyim.
19
Wherefore Yehudah, purposing to destroy them, called all the am together to besiege them.
20
So they came together, and besieged them in the hundred and fiftieth shanah; and he made mounts for shot against them, and other engines.
21
Howbeit certain of them that were besieged got forth, unto whom some ungodly men of Yisra'el joined themselves;
22
and they went unto the king, and said, "How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren?
23
We have been willing to serve thy father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his commandments;
24
for which cause they of our nation besiege the tower, and are alienated from us. Moreover, as many of us as they could light on, they slew, and spoiled our inheritance.
25
Neither have they stretched out their hand against us only, but also against all their borders.
26
And behold, this yom are they besieging the tower at Yerushalayim, to take it; the Mikdash also and Beit Tzur have they fortified.
27
Wherefore, if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do greater things than these, neither shalt thou be able to rule them."
28
Now when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and those that had charge of the horse.
29
There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers;
30
so that the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in battle.
31
These went through Edom, and pitched against Beit Tzur, which they assaulted many yamim, making engines; but they of Beit Tzur came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
32
Upon this Yehudah removed from the tower, and pitched in Beit Zecharyah, over against the king's camp.
33
Then the king, rising very early, marched fiercely with his host toward Beit Zecharyah, where his armies made them ready to battle, and sounded the trumpets.
34
And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.
35
Moreover they divided the beasts among the armies; and for every elephant they appointed a thousand men, armed with coats of mail, and with helmets of brass on their heads; and beside this, for every beast were ordained five hundred horsemen of the best.
36
These were ready at every occasion: wheresoever the beast was, and whithersoever the beast went, they went also, neither departed they from him.
37
And upon the beasts were there strong towers of wood, which covered every one of them, and were girt fast unto them with devices; there were also upon every one two and thirty strong men that fought upon them, beside the Indian that ruled him.
38
As for the remnant of the horsemen, they set them on this side and that side, at the two parts of the host, giving them signs what to do, and being harnessed all over amidst the ranks.
39
Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains glistered therewith, AND SHINED LIKE LAMPS OF FIRE.
40
So part of the king's army being spread upon the high mountains, and part on the valleys below, they marched on safely and in order.
41
Wherefore all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the rattling of the harness, were moved; for the army was very great and mighty.
42
Then Yehudah and his host drew near, and entered into battle; and there were slain of the king's army six hundred men.
43
EL'AZAR, surnamed Avaran, perceiving that one of the beasts, armed with royal harness, was higher than all the rest, and supposing that the king was upon him,
44
PUT HIMSELF IN JEOPARDY, TO THE END HE MIGHT DELIVER HIS AM, AND GET HIM A PERPETUAL NAME.
45
Wherefore he ran upon him courageously through the midst of the battle, slaying on the right hand and on the left, so that they were divided from him on both sides.
46
Which done, he crept under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him; whereupon THE ELEPHANT FELL DOWN UPON HIM, AND THERE HE DIED.
47
Howbeit the rest of the Yehudim, seeing the strength of the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them.
48
Then the king's army went up to Yerushalayim to meet them; and the king pitched his tents against Yehudah, and against Har Tziyon.
49
But with them that were in Beit Tzur he made shalom; for they came out of the city, because they had no victuals there to endure the siege, IT BEING A SHENAT SHABBATON (שְׁנַת שַׁבָּתוֹן, a year of rest) UNTO THE LAND.
50
So the king took Beit Tzur, and set a garrison there to keep it.
51
As for the Mikdash, he besieged it many yamim; and set there artillery with engines and instruments to cast fire and stones, and pieces to cast darts and slings.
52
Whereupon they also made engines against their engines, and held them battle a long season.
53
Yet at the last, their vessels being without victuals — FOR THAT IT WAS THE SEVENTH SHANAH, and they in Yehudah that were delivered from the goyim had eaten up the residue of the store —
54
there were but a few left in the Mikdash, because the famine did so prevail against them, that they were fain to disperse themselves, every man to his own place.
55
At that time Lysias heard say that Philip, whom Antiochus the king, whiles he lived, had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus that he might be king,
56
was returned out of Paras and Madai, and the king's host also that went with him, and that he sought to take unto him the ruling of affairs.
57
Wherefore he went in all haste, and said to the king and the captains of the host and the company, "We decay daily, and our victuals are but small, and the place we lay siege unto is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom lie upon us.
58
Now therefore let us be friends with these men, and make shalom with them, and with all their nation;
59
AND COVENANT WITH THEM, THAT THEY SHALL LIVE AFTER THEIR LAWS, AS THEY DID BEFORE; FOR THEY ARE THEREFORE DISPLEASED, AND HAVE DONE ALL THESE THINGS, BECAUSE WE ABOLISHED THEIR LAWS."
60
So the king and the princes were content; wherefore he sent unto them to make shalom, and they accepted thereof.
61
Also the king and the princes made an oath unto them; whereupon they went out of the strong hold.
62
Then the king entered into Har Tziyon; but when he saw the strength of the place, HE BRAKE HIS OATH THAT HE HAD MADE, and gave commandment to pull down the wall round about.
63
Afterward departed he in all haste, and returned unto Antioch, where he found Philip to be master of the city; so he fought against him, and took the city by force.
Chapter 7
1
In the hundred and one and fiftieth shanah Demetrius the son of Seleucus departed from Rome, and came up with a few men unto a city of the sea coast, and reigned there.
2
And as he entered into the palace of his ancestors, so it was, that his forces had taken Antiochus and Lysias, to bring them unto him.
3
Wherefore, when he knew it, he said, "Let me not see their faces."
4
So his host slew them. Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne of his kingdom,
5
there came unto him all the wicked and ungodly men of Yisra'el, having Alcimus, WHO WAS DESIROUS TO BE KOHEN GADOL, for their captain;
6
and they accused the am to the king, saying, "Yehudah and his brethren have slain all thy friends, and driven us out of our own land.
7
Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go and see what havock he hath made among us, and in the king's land; and let him punish them, with all them that aid them."
8
Then the king chose Bacchides, a friend of the king, who ruled beyond the river, and was a great man in the kingdom, and faithful to the king.
9
And him he sent with that wicked Alcimus, WHOM HE MADE KOHEN GADOL, and commanded that he should take vengeance of the children of Yisra'el.
10
So they departed, and came with a great power into the land of Yehudah; where they sent messengers to Yehudah and his brethren WITH PEACEABLE WORDS DECEITFULLY.
11
But they gave no heed to their words; for they saw that they were come with great power.
12
Then did there assemble unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of SOFERIM (סוֹפְרִים, scribes), to require justice.
13
NOW THE CHASIDIM WERE THE FIRST AMONG THE CHILDREN OF YISRA'EL THAT SOUGHT SHALOM OF THEM.
14
For said they, "One that is a Kohen of the seed of Aharon is come with this army, and he will do us no wrong."
15
So he spake unto them peaceably, and sware unto them, saying, "We will procure the harm neither of you nor your friends."
16
WHEREUPON THEY BELIEVED HIM. Howbeit he took of them threescore men, AND SLEW THEM IN ONE YOM, according to the words which he wrote:
17
"THE FLESH OF THY CHASIDIM HAVE THEY CAST OUT, AND THEIR BLOOD HAVE THEY SHED ROUND ABOUT YERUSHALAYIM, AND THERE WAS NONE TO BURY THEM."
18
Wherefore the fear and dread of them fell upon all the am, who said, "THERE IS NEITHER TRUTH NOR TZEDAKAH IN THEM; FOR THEY HAVE BROKEN THE BERIYT AND THE OATH THAT THEY MADE."
19
After this removed Bacchides from Yerushalayim, and pitched his tents in Bezeth; where he sent and took many of the men that had forsaken him, and certain of the am also; and when he had slain them, he cast them into the great pit.
20
Then committed he the country to Alcimus, and left with him a power to aid him; so Bacchides went to the king.
21
But Alcimus contended for the priesthood of the Kohen Gadol.
22
And unto him resorted all such as troubled the am; who, after they had gotten the land of Yehudah into their power, did much hurt in Yisra'el.
23
Now when Yehudah saw all the mischief that Alcimus and his company had done among the Yisre'elim, EVEN ABOVE THE GOYIM,
24
he went out into all the coasts of Yehudah round about, and took vengeance of them that had revolted from him, so that they durst no more go forth into the country.
25
On the other side, when Alcimus saw that Yehudah and his company had gotten the upper hand, and knew that he was not able to abide their force, he went again to the king, and said evil things against them.
26
Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honourable princes, A MAN THAT BARE DEADLY HATE UNTO YISRA'EL, with commandment to destroy the am.
27
So Nicanor came to Yerushalayim with a great force, and sent unto Yehudah and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying,
28
"Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see you in shalom."
29
He came therefore to Yehudah, and they saluted one another peaceably. HOWBEIT THE ENEMIES WERE PREPARED TO TAKE AWAY YEHUDAH BY VIOLENCE.
30
Which thing after it was known to Yehudah — to wit, that he came unto him with deceit — he was sore afraid of him, and would see his face no more.
31
Nicanor also, when he saw that his counsel was discovered, went out to fight against Yehudah beside Capharsalama;
32
and there were slain of Nicanor's side about five thousand men, and the rest fled into the city of David.
33
After this went Nicanor up to Har Tziyon; and there came out of the Mikdash certain of the Kohanim and certain of the zekenim of the am, to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the burnt sacrifice that was offered for the king.
34
BUT HE MOCKED THEM, AND LAUGHED AT THEM, AND ABUSED THEM SHAMEFULLY, AND SPAKE PROUDLY;
35
and sware in his wrath, saying, "Unless Yehudah and his host be now delivered into my hands, IF EVER I COME AGAIN IN SAFETY, I WILL BURN UP THIS HOUSE." And with that he went out in a great rage.
36
Then the Kohanim entered in, and stood before the mizbeach and the Heichal, weeping, and saying:
37
"THOU, O YAHUAH, DIDST CHOOSE THIS HOUSE TO BE CALLED BY THY NAME, AND TO BE A BEIT TEFILLAH (בֵּית תְּפִלָּה, a house of prayer) AND PETITION FOR THY AM.
38
Be avenged of this man and his host, and let them fall by the sword. Remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continue any longer."
39
So Nicanor went out of Yerushalayim, and pitched his tents in Beit Choron, where a host out of Aram met him.
40
But Yehudah pitched in Adasa with three thousand men; and there he prayed, saying,
41
"O Yahuah, WHEN THEY THAT WERE SENT FROM THE KING OF ASHUR BLASPHEMED, THINE MAL'ACH WENT OUT AND SMOTE AN HUNDRED FOURSCORE AND FIVE THOUSAND OF THEM.
42
Even so destroy Thou this host before us this yom, that the rest may know that he hath spoken blasphemously against Thy Mikdash; and judge Thou him according to his wickedness."
43
SO THE THIRTEENTH YOM OF THE CHODESH ADAR (אֲדָר, Adar) THE HOSTS JOINED BATTLE; but Nicanor's host was discomfited, AND HE HIMSELF WAS FIRST SLAIN IN THE BATTLE.
44
Now when Nicanor's host saw that he was slain, they cast away their weapons, and fled.
45
Then they pursued after them a yom's journey, from Adasa unto Gezer, sounding an alarm after them with their trumpets.
46
Whereupon they came forth out of all the towns of Yehudah round about, and closed them in; so that they, turning back upon them that pursued them, were all slain with the sword, and not one of them was left.
47
Afterwards they took the spoils and the prey, and smote off Nicanor's head, AND HIS RIGHT HAND, WHICH HE STRETCHED OUT SO PROUDLY, and brought them away, and hanged them up toward Yerushalayim.
48
For this cause the am rejoiced greatly, and kept that yom as a yom of great gladness.
49
MOREOVER THEY ORDAINED TO KEEP YEARLY THIS YOM, BEING THE THIRTEENTH OF ADAR.
50
Thus the land of Yehudah was in rest a little while.
Chapter 8
1
Now Yehudah had heard of the fame of the Romans, that they were mighty and valiant men, and such as would lovingly accept all that joined themselves unto them, and make a league of amity with all that came unto them;
2
and that they were men of great valour. It was told him also of their wars and noble acts which they had done among the Galatians, and how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute;
3
and what they had done in the country of Spain, for the winning of the mines of the silver and gold which is there;
4
and that by their policy and patience they had conquered all the place, though it were very far from them; and the kings also that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth, till they had discomfited them, and given them a great overthrow, so that the rest did give them tribute every shanah.
5
Beside this, how they had discomfited in battle Philip, and Perseus, KING OF THE KITTIM, with others that lifted up themselves against them, and had overcome them;
6
how also Antiochus the great king of Asia, that came against them in battle, having an hundred and twenty elephants, with horsemen and chariots and a very great army, was discomfited by them;
7
and how they took him alive, and covenanted that he and such as reigned after him should pay a great tribute, and give hostages, and that which was agreed upon;
8
and the country of India, and Madai, and Lydia, and of the goodliest countries, which they took of him, and gave to King Eumenes.
9
Moreover, how the Yevanim had determined to come and destroy them;
10
and that they, having knowledge thereof, sent against them a certain captain, and fighting with them slew many of them, and carried away captives their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and took possession of their lands, and pulled down their strong holds, AND BROUGHT THEM TO BE THEIR SERVANTS UNTO THIS YOM.
11
It was told him besides, how they destroyed and brought under their dominion all other kingdoms and isles that at any time resisted them;
12
but with their friends, and such as relied upon them, they kept amity; and that they had conquered kingdoms both far and nigh, INSOMUCH AS ALL THAT HEARD OF THEIR NAME WERE AFRAID OF THEM.
13
Also, that whom they would help to a kingdom, those reign; and whom again they would, they displace. Finally, that they were greatly exalted;
14
yet for all this none of them wore a crown, or was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby.
15
Moreover, how they had made for themselves a senate house, wherein three hundred and twenty men sat in council daily, consulting alway for the am, to the end they might be well ordered;
16
and that they committed their government to one man every shanah, who ruled over all their country, and that all were obedient to that one, AND THAT THERE WAS NEITHER ENVY NOR EMULATION AMONG THEM.
17
In consideration of these things, Yehudah chose Eupolemus the son of Yochanan, the son of Hakkotz, and Yason the son of El'azar, and sent them to Rome, TO MAKE A LEAGUE OF AMITY AND CONFEDERACY WITH THEM,
18
and to entreat them that they would take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Yevanim did oppress Yisra'el with servitude.
19
They went therefore to Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the senate, where they spake and said:
20
"Yehudah HaMakabi, with his brethren and the am of the Yehudim, have sent us unto you, to make a confederacy and shalom with you, and that we might be registered your confederates and friends."
21
So that matter pleased the Romans well.
22
And this is the copy of the epistle which the senate wrote back again IN TABLES OF BRASS, and sent to Yerushalayim, that there they might have by them a memorial of shalom and confederacy:
23
"GOOD SUCCESS BE TO THE ROMANS, AND TO THE AM OF THE YEHUDIM, BY SEA AND BY LAND FOR EVER; the sword also and enemy be far from them.
24
If there come first any war upon the Romans, or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion,
25
the am of the Yehudim shall help them, as the time shall be appointed, with all their heart;
26
neither shall they give any thing unto them that make war upon them, or aid them with victuals, weapons, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants without taking any thing therefore.
27
In the same manner also, if war come first upon the nation of the Yehudim, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the time shall be appointed them;
28
neither shall victuals be given to them that take part against them, or weapons, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants, and that without deceit."
29
According to these articles did the Romans make a Beriyt with the am of the Yehudim.
30
Howbeit, if hereafter the one party or the other shall think meet to add or diminish any thing, they may do it at their pleasures; and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be ratified.
31
"And as touching the evils that King Demetrius doeth to the Yehudim, we have written unto him, saying: Wherefore hast thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends and confederates the Yehudim?
32
If therefore they complain any more against thee, WE WILL DO THEM JUSTICE, AND FIGHT WITH THEE BY SEA AND BY LAND."
Chapter 9
1
Furthermore, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Yehudah the second time, and with them the chief strength of his host;
2
who went forth by the way that leadeth to Gilgal, and pitched their tents before Masaloth, which is in Arbel; and after they had won it, they slew much people.
3
Also, the first chodesh of the hundred fifty and second shanah, they encamped before Yerushalayim;
4
from whence they removed, and went to Berea, with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen.
5
Now Yehudah had pitched his tents at Elasa, and three thousand chosen men with him;
6
who, seeing the multitude of the other army to be so great, were sore afraid; whereupon many conveyed themselves out of the host, INSOMUCH AS THERE ABODE OF THEM NO MORE BUT EIGHT HUNDRED MEN.
7
When Yehudah therefore saw that his host slipt away, and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sore troubled in mind, and much distressed, for that he had no time to gather them together.
8
Nevertheless unto them that remained he said, "Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them."
9
But they dehorted him, saying, "We shall never be able. Let us now rather save our lives, and hereafter we will return with our brethren, and fight against them; for we are but few."
10
Then Yehudah said, "ELOHIM FORBID THAT I SHOULD DO THIS THING, AND FLEE AWAY FROM THEM. IF OUR TIME BE COME, LET US DIE MANFULLY FOR OUR BRETHREN, AND LET US NOT STAIN OUR HONOUR."
11
With that the host of Bacchides removed out of their tents, and stood over against them, their horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going before the host; and they that marched in the foreward were all mighty men.
12
As for Bacchides, he was in the right wing. So the host drew near on the two parts, and sounded their trumpets.
13
They also of Yehudah's side, even they sounded their trumpets also; SO THAT THE EARTH SHOOK AT THE NOISE OF THE ARMIES; and the battle continued from morning till lailah.
14
Now when Yehudah perceived that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, he took with him all the hardy men,
15
who discomfited the right wing, and pursued them unto the mount Ashdod.
16
But when they of the left wing saw that they of the right wing were discomfited, they followed upon Yehudah and those that were with him hard at the heels from behind;
17
whereupon there was a sore battle, insomuch as many were slain on both parts.
18
YEHUDAH ALSO WAS KILLED, AND THE REMNANT FLED.
19
Then Yonatan and Shimon took Yehudah their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modi'in.
20
Moreover they bewailed him, and all Yisra'el made great lamentation for him, and mourned many yamim, saying:
21
"HOW IS THE VALIANT MAN FALLEN, THAT DELIVERED YISRA'EL!"
22
As for the other things concerning Yehudah and his wars, and the noble acts which he did, and his greatness — they are not written, FOR THEY WERE VERY MANY.
23
Now after the death of Yehudah the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the coasts of Yisra'el, and there arose up all such as wrought iniquity.
24
In those yamim also was there a very great famine, by reason whereof the country revolted, and went with them.
25
Then Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country.
26
And they made enquiry and search for Yehudah's friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took vengeance of them, and used them despitefully.
27
SO WAS THERE A GREAT AFFLICTION IN YISRA'EL, THE LIKE WHEREOF WAS NOT SINCE THE TIME THAT A NAVI WAS NOT SEEN AMONG THEM.
28
For this cause all Yehudah's friends came together, and said unto Yonatan:
29
"Since thy brother Yehudah died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies, and Bacchides, and against them of our nation that are adversaries to us.
30
Now therefore we have chosen thee this yom to be our prince and captain in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles."
31
Upon this Yonatan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up instead of his brother Yehudah.
32
But when Bacchides gat knowledge thereof, he sought for to slay him.
33
Then Yonatan, and Shimon his brother, and all that were with him, perceiving that, fled into the wilderness of Tekoa (תְּקוֹעַ, Thecoe), and pitched their tents by the water of the pool Asphar.
34
Which when Bacchides understood, HE CAME NEAR TO THE YARDEN WITH ALL HIS HOST UPON THE YOM OF THE SHABBAT.
35
Now Yonatan had sent his brother Yochanan, a captain of the am, to pray his friends the Nabateans, that they might leave with them their carriage, which was much.
36
But the children of Yambri came out of Meidva, and took Yochanan, and all that he had, and went their way with it.
37
After this came word to Yonatan and Shimon his brother, that the children of Yambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabatha with a great train, as being the daughter of one of the great princes of Kena'an.
38
Therefore they remembered Yochanan their brother, and went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain;
39
where they lifted up their eyes, and looked, and behold, there was much ado and great carriage; and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and brethren, to meet them with drums, and instruments of music, and many weapons.
40
Then Yonatan and they that were with him rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and made a slaughter of them in such sort as many fell down dead; and the remnant fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils.
41
THUS WAS THE MARRIAGE TURNED INTO MOURNING, AND THE NOISE OF THEIR MELODY INTO LAMENTATION.
42
So when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned again to the marsh of the Yarden.
43
Now when Bacchides heard hereof, HE CAME ON THE YOM OF THE SHABBAT unto the banks of the Yarden with a great power.
44
Then Yonatan said to his company, "LET US GO UP NOW AND FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES; for it standeth not with us to-day as in time past.
45
For behold, the battle is before us and behind us, and the water of the Yarden on this side and that side, the marsh likewise and wood; neither is there place for us to turn aside.
46
WHEREFORE CRY YE NOW UNTO SHAMAYIM, THAT YE MAY BE DELIVERED FROM THE HAND OF YOUR ENEMIES."
47
With that they joined battle; and Yonatan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned back from him.
48
Then Yonatan, and they that were with him, leapt into the Yarden, and swam over unto the farther bank; howbeit the other passed not over the Yarden unto them.
49
So there were slain of Bacchides' side that yom about a thousand men.
50
Afterward returned Bacchides to Yerushalayim, and repaired the strong cities in Yehudah: the fort in Yericho (יְרִיחוֹ, Jericho), and Emmaus, and Beit Choron, and Beit El (בֵּית אֵל, Bethel), and Thamnatha, Pharathon, and Taphon — these did he strengthen with high walls, with gates, and with bars.
51
And in them he set a garrison, that they might work malice upon Yisra'el.
52
He fortified also the city Beit Tzur, and Gezer, and the tower, and put forces in them, and provision of victuals.
53
Besides, he took the chief men's sons in the country for hostages, and put them into the tower at Yerushalayim to be kept.
54
Moreover, in the hundred fifty and third shanah, in the second chodesh, ALCIMUS COMMANDED THAT THE WALL OF THE INNER COURT OF THE MIKDASH SHOULD BE PULLED DOWN; HE PULLED DOWN ALSO THE WORKS OF THE NEVI'IM.
55
And as he began to pull down, even at that time was Alcimus plagued, and his enterprises hindered; FOR HIS MOUTH WAS STOPPED, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak any thing, nor give order concerning his house.
56
So Alcimus died at that time with great torment.
57
Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king; whereupon the land of Yehudah was in rest two shanim.
58
Then all the ungodly men held a council, saying, "Behold, Yonatan and his company are at ease, and dwell without care. Now therefore we will bring Bacchides hither, who shall take them all in one lailah."
59
So they went and consulted with him.
60
Then removed he, and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in Yehudah, that they should take Yonatan and those that were with him; howbeit they could not, because their counsel was known unto them.
61
Wherefore they took of the men of the country that were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons, and slew them.
62
Afterward Yonatan, and Shimon, and they that were with him, got them away to Beit Basi, which is in the wilderness; and they repaired the decays thereof, and made it strong.
63
Which thing when Bacchides knew, he gathered together all his host, and sent word to them that were of Yehudah.
64
Then went he and laid siege against Beit Basi; and they fought against it a long season, and made engines of war.
65
But Yonatan left his brother Shimon in the city, and went forth himself into the country; and with a certain number went he forth.
66
And he smote Odonarres and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent.
67
And when he began to smite them, and came up with his forces, Shimon and his company went out of the city, and burned up the engines of war,
68
and fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them; and they afflicted him sore, for his counsel and travail was in vain.
69
Wherefore he was very wroth at the wicked men that gave him counsel to come into the country, insomuch as he slew many of them, and purposed to return into his own country.
70
Whereof when Yonatan had knowledge, he sent ambassadors unto him, to the end he should make shalom with him, and deliver them the prisoners.
71
Which thing he accepted, and did according to his demands, and sware unto him that he would never do him harm all the yamim of his life.
72
When therefore he had restored unto him the prisoners that he had taken aforetime out of the land of Yehudah, he returned and went his way into his own land, neither came he any more into their borders.
73
THUS THE SWORD CEASED FROM YISRA'EL. But Yonatan dwelt at Michmash (מִכְמָשׂ, Machmas), and began to govern the am; and he destroyed the ungodly men out of Yisra'el.
Chapter 10
1
In the hundred and sixtieth shanah Alexander, the son of Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, went up and took Akko; for the am had received him, by means whereof he reigned there.
2
Now when King Demetrius heard thereof, he gathered together an exceeding great host, and went forth against him to fight.
3
Moreover Demetrius sent letters unto Yonatan with loving words, so as he magnified him.
4
For said he, "Let us first make shalom with him, before he join with Alexander against us;
5
else he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brethren and his am."
6
Wherefore he gave him authority to gather together an host, and to provide weapons, that he might aid him in battle; he commanded also that the hostages that were in the tower should be delivered him.
7
Then came Yonatan to Yerushalayim, and read the letters in the audience of all the am, and of them that were in the tower;
8
who were sore afraid, when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an host.
9
Whereupon they of the tower delivered their hostages unto Yonatan, and he delivered them unto their parents.
10
This done, Yonatan settled himself in Yerushalayim, and began to build and repair the city.
11
And he commanded the workmen to build the walls and Har Tziyon round about with square stones for fortification; and they did so.
12
Then the strangers that were in the fortresses which Bacchides had built fled away;
13
insomuch as every man left his place, and went into his own country.
14
Only at Beit Tzur certain of those that had forsaken the Torah and the mitzvot remained still; FOR IT WAS THEIR PLACE OF REFUGE.
15
Now when King Alexander had heard what promises Demetrius had sent unto Yonatan — when also it was told him of the battles and noble acts which he and his brethren had done, and of the pains that they had endured —
16
he said, "Shall we find such another man? Now therefore we will make him our friend and confederate."
17
Upon this he wrote a letter, and sent it unto him, according to these words, saying:
18
"King Alexander to his brother Yonatan sendeth greeting.
19
We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and meet to be our friend.
20
WHEREFORE NOW THIS YOM WE ORDAIN THEE TO BE THE KOHEN GADOL OF THY NATION, and to be called the king's friend" — and therewithal he sent him A PURPLE ROBE AND A CROWN OF GOLD — "and require thee to take our part, and keep friendship with us."
21
SO IN THE SEVENTH CHODESH OF THE HUNDRED AND SIXTIETH SHANAH, AT THE MO'ED OF SUKKOT, YONATAN PUT ON THE HOLY ROBE, and gathered together forces, and provided much armour.
22
Whereof when Demetrius heard, he was very sorry, and said,
23
"What have we done, that Alexander hath prevented us in making amity with the Yehudim to strengthen himself?
24
I also will write unto them words of encouragement, and promise them dignities and gifts, that I may have their aid."
25
He sent unto them therefore to this effect: "King Demetrius unto the am of the Yehudim sendeth greeting.
26
Whereas ye have kept covenants with us, and continued in our friendship, not joining yourselves with our enemies, we have heard hereof, and are glad.
27
Wherefore now continue ye still to be faithful unto us, and we will well recompense you for the things ye do in our behalf;
28
and will grant you many immunities, and give you rewards.
29
And now do I free you, and for your sake I release all the Yehudim, from tributes, and from the customs of salt, and from crown taxes;
30
and from that which appertaineth unto me to receive for the third part of the seed, and the half of the fruit of the trees, I release it from this yom forth, so that they shall not be taken of the land of Yehudah, nor of the three governments which are added thereunto out of the country of Shomron and the Galil, from this yom forth for evermore.
31
LET YERUSHALAYIM ALSO BE HOLY AND FREE, with the borders thereof, both from tenths and tributes.
32
And as for the tower which is at Yerushalayim, I yield up my authority over it, and give it to the Kohen Gadol, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it.
33
Moreover I freely set at liberty every one of the Yehudim that were carried captives out of the land of Yehudah into any part of my kingdom; and I will that all my officers remit the tributes even of their cattle.
34
FURTHERMORE I WILL THAT ALL THE MO'ADIM, AND SHABBATOT, AND NEW MOONS, AND SOLEMN YAMIM — and the three yamim before the mo'ed, and the three yamim after the mo'ed — SHALL BE ALL YAMIM OF IMMUNITY AND FREEDOM FOR ALL THE YEHUDIM IN MY REALM.
35
Also, no man shall have authority to meddle with them, or to molest any of them in any matter.
36
I will further, that there be enrolled among the king's forces about thirty thousand men of the Yehudim, unto whom pay shall be given, as belongeth to all the king's forces.
37
And of them some shall be placed in the king's strong holds, of whom also some shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom which are of trust; AND I WILL THAT THEIR OVERSEERS AND GOVERNORS BE OF THEMSELVES, AND THAT THEY LIVE AFTER THEIR OWN LAWS, even as the king hath commanded in the land of Yehudah.
38
And concerning the three governments that are added to Yehudah from the country of Shomron, let them be joined with Yehudah, that they may be reckoned to be under one, nor bound to obey other authority than the Kohen Gadol's.
39
As for Akko, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the Mikdash at Yerushalayim, for the necessary expenses of the Mikdash.
40
Moreover I give every shanah fifteen thousand shekels of silver out of the king's accounts, from the places appertaining.
41
And all the overplus, which the officers paid not in as in former time, from henceforth shall be given toward the works of the Heichal.
42
And beside this, the five thousand shekels of silver which they took from the uses of the Heichal out of the accounts shanah by shanah — even those things shall be released, because they appertain to the Kohanim that minister.
43
And whosoever they be that flee unto the Heichal at Yerushalayim, or be within the liberties thereof, being indebted unto the king, or for any other matter, LET THEM BE AT LIBERTY, and all that they have in my realm.
44
For the building also and repairing of the works of the Mikdash, expenses shall be given out of the king's accounts.
45
Yea, and for the building of the walls of Yerushalayim, and the fortifying thereof round about, expenses shall be given out of the king's accounts; as also for the building of the walls in Yehudah."
46
Now when Yonatan and the am heard these words, THEY GAVE NO CREDIT UNTO THEM, NOR RECEIVED THEM, BECAUSE THEY REMEMBERED THE GREAT EVIL THAT HE HAD DONE IN YISRA'EL; for he had afflicted them very sore.
47
But with Alexander they were well pleased, because he was the first that entreated of true shalom with them; and they were confederate with him always.
48
Then gathered King Alexander great forces, and camped over against Demetrius.
49
And after the two kings had joined battle, Demetrius' host fled; but Alexander followed after him, and prevailed against them.
50
And he continued the battle very sore until the sun went down; and that yom was Demetrius slain.
51
Afterward Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemy king of Mitzrayim, with a message to this effect:
52
"Forasmuch as I am come again to my realm, and am set in the throne of my progenitors, and have gotten the dominion, and overthrown Demetrius, and recovered our country —
53
for after I had joined battle with him, both he and his host was discomfited by us, so that we sit in the throne of his kingdom —
54
now therefore let us make a league of amity together; and give me now thy daughter to wife, and I will be thy son-in-law, and will give both thee and her gifts according to thy dignity."
55
Then Ptolemy the king gave answer, saying, "Happy be the yom wherein thou didst return into the land of thy fathers, and satest in the throne of their kingdom.
56
And now will I do to thee as thou hast written. Meet me therefore at Akko, that we may see one another; for I will marry my daughter to thee according to thy desire."
57
So Ptolemy went out of Mitzrayim with his daughter Cleopatra, and they came unto Akko in the hundred threescore and second shanah;
58
where King Alexander, meeting him, he gave unto him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage at Akko with great glory, as the manner of kings is.
59
Now King Alexander had written unto Yonatan, that he should come and meet him.
60
Who thereupon went honourably to Akko, where he met the two kings, and gave them and their friends silver and gold, and many presents, and found favour in their sight.
61
At that time certain pestilent fellows of Yisra'el, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him; BUT THE KING WOULD NOT HEAR THEM.
62
Yea, more than that, the king commanded to take off his garments, and clothe him in purple; and they did so.
63
Also he made him sit by himself, and said unto his princes, "Go with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause."
64
Now when his accusers saw that he was honoured according to the proclamation, and clothed in purple, THEY FLED ALL AWAY.
65
So the king honoured him, and wrote him among his chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker of his dominion.
66
Afterward Yonatan returned to Yerushalayim with shalom and gladness.
67
Furthermore, in the hundred threescore and fifth shanah, came Demetrius son of Demetrius out of Crete into the land of his fathers;
68
whereof when King Alexander heard tell, he was right sorry, and returned into Antioch.
69
Then Demetrius made Apollonius the governor of Coelesyria his general; who gathered together a great host, and camped in Yavneh, and sent unto Yonatan the Kohen Gadol, saying,
70
"Thou alone liftest up thyself against us, and I am laughed to scorn for thy sake, and reproached. And why dost thou vaunt thy power against us in the mountains?
71
Now therefore, if thou trustest in thine own strength, come down to us into the plain field, and there let us try the matter together; for with me is the power of the cities.
72
Ask and learn who I am, and the rest that take our part; and they shall tell thee that thy foot is not able to stand before our face, for thy fathers have been twice put to flight in their own land.
73
Wherefore now thou shalt not be able to abide the horsemen and so great a power in the plain, where is neither stone nor flint, nor place to flee unto."
74
So when Yonatan heard these words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind; and choosing ten thousand men, he went out of Yerushalayim, where Shimon his brother met him for to help him.
75
And he pitched his tents against Yafo; but they shut him out of the city, because Apollonius had a garrison in Yafo.
76
Then Yonatan laid siege unto it; whereupon they of the city let him in for fear; and so Yonatan won Yafo.
77
Whereof when Apollonius heard, he took three thousand horsemen, with a great host of footmen, and went to Ashdod as one that journeyed, and therewithal drew him forth into the plain, because he had a great number of horsemen, in whom he put his trust.
78
Then Yonatan followed after him to Ashdod, where the armies joined battle.
79
Now Apollonius had left a thousand horsemen in ambush.
80
And Yonatan knew that there was an ambushment behind him; for they had compassed in his host, and cast darts at the am, from morning till evening.
81
BUT THE AM STOOD STILL, AS YONATAN HAD COMMANDED THEM; and so the enemies' horses were tired.
82
Then brought Shimon forth his host, and set them against the footmen (for the horsemen were spent), who were discomfited by him, and fled.
83
The horsemen also, being scattered in the field, fled to Ashdod, and went into Beit Dagon, their idol's temple, for safety.
84
But Yonatan set fire on Ashdod, and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the temple of Dagon, with them that were fled into it, he burned with fire.
85
Thus there were burned and slain with the sword well nigh eight thousand men.
86
And from thence Yonatan removed his host, and camped against Ashkelon, where the men of the city came forth, and met him with great pomp.
87
After this returned Yonatan and his host unto Yerushalayim, having many spoils.
88
Now when King Alexander heard these things, he honoured Yonatan yet more;
89
and sent him a buckle of gold, as the use is to be given to such as are of the king's blood. He gave him also Ekron (עֶקְרוֹן, Accaron) with the borders thereof in possession.
Chapter 11
1
And the king of Mitzrayim gathered together a great host, like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore, and many ships; and went about through deceit to get Alexander's kingdom, and join it to his own.
2
Whereupon he took his journey into Aram in peaceable manner, so as they of the cities opened unto him, and met him; for King Alexander had commanded them so to do, because he was his father-in-law.
3
Now as Ptolemy entered into the cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of soldiers to keep it.
4
And when he came near to Ashdod, they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt, and Ashdod and the suburbs thereof that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad, and them that he had burnt in the battle; for they had made heaps of them by the way where he should pass.
5
Also they told the king whatsoever Yonatan had done, to the intent he might blame him; BUT THE KING HELD HIS PEACE.
6
Then Yonatan met the king with great pomp at Yafo (יָפוֹ, Joppa), where they saluted one another, and lodged.
7
Afterward Yonatan, when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus, returned again to Yerushalayim.
8
King Ptolemy therefore, having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea unto Seleucia upon the sea coast, imagined wicked counsels against Alexander.
9
Whereupon he sent ambassadors unto King Demetrius, saying, "Come, let us make a league betwixt us, and I will give thee my daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in thy father's kingdom.
10
For I repent that I gave my daughter unto him, for he sought to slay me."
11
Thus did he slander him, BECAUSE HE WAS DESIROUS OF HIS KINGDOM.
12
Wherefore he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander, so that their hatred was openly known.
13
Then Ptolemy entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head — the crown of Asia, and of Mitzrayim.
14
In the mean season was King Alexander in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those parts had revolted from him.
15
But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him; whereupon King Ptolemy brought forth his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight.
16
So Alexander fled into Arabia, there to be defended; but King Ptolemy was exalted.
17
For Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander's head, and sent it unto Ptolemy.
18
KING PTOLEMY ALSO DIED THE THIRD YOM AFTER; and they that were in the strong holds were slain one of another.
19
By this means Demetrius reigned in the hundred threescore and seventh shanah.
20
At the same time Yonatan gathered together them that were in Yehudah, to take the tower that was in Yerushalayim; and he made many engines of war against it.
21
Then certain ungodly persons, WHO HATED THEIR OWN AM, went unto the king, and told him that Yonatan besieged the tower.
22
Whereof when he heard, he was angry; and immediately removing, he came to Akko, and wrote unto Yonatan that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Akko in great haste.
23
Nevertheless Yonatan, when he heard this, COMMANDED TO BESIEGE IT STILL; and he chose certain of the zekenim of Yisra'el and the Kohanim, and put himself in peril;
24
and took silver and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, and went to Akko unto the king, where he found favour in his sight.
25
And though certain ungodly men of the am had made complaints against him,
26
yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends,
27
AND CONFIRMED HIM IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE KOHEN GADOL, and in all the honours that he had before, and gave him pre-eminence among his chief friends.
28
Then Yonatan desired the king that he would make Yehudah free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Shomron; and he promised him three hundred talents.
29
So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Yonatan of all these things after this manner:
30
"King Demetrius unto his brother Yonatan, and unto the nation of the Yehudim, sendeth greeting.
31
We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that ye might see it.
32
King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting.
33
We are determined to do good to the am of the Yehudim, who are our friends, and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.
34
Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Yehudah, with the three governments of Afarayim, and LOD (לֹד, Lydda), and RAMATAYIM (רָמָתַיִם, Ramathem), that are added unto Yehudah from the country of Shomron, and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Yerushalayim, instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.
35
And as for other things that belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits and the crown taxes which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief.
36
And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.
37
NOW THEREFORE SEE THAT THOU MAKE A COPY OF THESE THINGS, AND LET IT BE DELIVERED UNTO YONATAN, AND SET UPON THE HOLY MOUNT IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE."
38
After this, when King Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of strangers whom he had gathered from the isles of the goyim; wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.
39
Moreover there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander's part afore; who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian, that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,
40
and lay sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father's stead. He told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war were at enmity with him; and there he remained a long season.
41
In the mean time Yonatan sent unto King Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Yerushalayim, and those also in the fortresses; FOR THEY FOUGHT AGAINST YISRA'EL.
42
So Demetrius sent unto Yonatan, saying, "I will not only do this for thee and thy am, but I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve.
43
Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me."
44
Upon this Yonatan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch; and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.
45
Howbeit they that were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king.
46
Wherefore the king fled into the court; but they of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.
47
Then the king called to the Yehudim for help, who came unto him all at once; and dispersing themselves through the city, SLEW THAT YOM IN THE CITY TO THE NUMBER OF AN HUNDRED THOUSAND.
48
Also they set fire on the city, and gat many spoils that yom, AND DELIVERED THE KING.
49
So when they of the city saw that the Yehudim had got the city as they would, their courage was abated; wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,
50
"Grant us shalom, and let the Yehudim cease from assaulting us and the city."
51
With that they cast away their weapons, and made shalom; and the Yehudim were honoured in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they returned to Yerushalayim, having great spoils.
52
So King Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.
53
NEVERTHELESS HE DISSEMBLED IN ALL THAT EVER HE SPAKE, AND ESTRANGED HIMSELF FROM YONATAN; neither rewarded he him according to the benefits which he had received of him, but troubled him very sore.
54
After this returned Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned.
55
Then there gathered unto him all the men of war whom Demetrius had put away; and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.
56
Moreover Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.
57
At that time young Antiochus wrote unto Yonatan, saying, "I CONFIRM THEE IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE KOHEN GADOL, and appoint thee ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king's friends."
58
Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink in gold, AND TO BE CLOTHED IN PURPLE, AND TO WEAR A GOLDEN BUCKLE.
59
His brother Shimon also he made captain from the place called the Ladder of Tzor unto the borders of Mitzrayim.
60
Then Yonatan went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the water; and all the forces of Aram gathered themselves unto him for to help him. And when he came to Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן, Ascalon), they of the city met him honourably.
61
From whence he went to Azzah (עַזָּה, Gaza); but they of Azzah shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.
62
Afterward, when they of Azzah made supplication unto Yonatan, he made shalom with them, and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Yerushalayim; and passed through the country unto Dameshek (דַּמֶּשֶׂק, Damascus).
63
Now when Yonatan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Kedesh (קֶדֶשׁ, Cades), which is in the Galil, with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,
64
he went to meet them, and left Shimon his brother in the country.
65
Then Shimon encamped against Beit Tzur, and fought against it a long season, and shut it up;
66
but they desired to have shalom with him, which he granted them; and then put them out from thence, and took the city, and set a garrison in it.
67
As for Yonatan and his host, they pitched at the water of Kinneret (כִּנֶּרֶת, Gennesar); from whence betimes in the morning they gat them to the plain of Chatzor (חָצוֹר, Nasor).
68
And behold, the host of strangers met them in the plain; who, having laid men in ambush for him in the mountains, came themselves over against him.
69
So when they that lay in ambush rose out of their places, and joined battle, all that were of Yonatan's side fled;
70
INSOMUCH AS THERE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM LEFT, EXCEPT MATTITYAHU THE SON OF AVSHALOM, AND YEHUDAH THE SON OF CALPHI, THE CAPTAINS OF THE HOST.
71
Then Yonatan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, AND PRAYED.
72
Afterwards, turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away.
73
Now when his own men that were fled saw this, they turned again unto him, and with him pursued them to Kedesh, even unto their own tents; and there they camped.
74
So there were slain of the goyim that yom about three thousand men; but Yonatan returned to Yerushalayim.
Chapter 12
1
Now when Yonatan saw that the time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.
2
He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.
3
So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, "Yonatan the Kohen Gadol, and the am of the Yehudim, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship which ye had with them, and the league, as in former time."
4
Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place, that they should bring them into the land of Yehudah peaceably.
5
And this is the copy of the letters which Yonatan wrote to the Lacedemonians:
6
"Yonatan the Kohen Gadol, and the zekenim of the nation, and the Kohanim, and the other am of the Yehudim, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren, send greeting.
7
There were letters sent in times past unto Chonyo the Kohen Gadol from Daryavesh, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.
8
At which time Chonyo entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.
9
THEREFORE WE ALSO, ALBEIT WE NEED NONE OF THESE THINGS, FOR THAT WE HAVE THE HOLY BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE IN OUR HANDS TO COMFORT US,
10
have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether; for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.
11
WE THEREFORE AT ALL TIMES WITHOUT CEASING, BOTH IN OUR MO'ADIM AND OTHER CONVENIENT YAMIM, DO REMEMBER YOU IN THE SACRIFICES WHICH WE OFFER, AND IN OUR PRAYERS, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren;
12
and we are right glad of your honour.
13
As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.
14
Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars;
15
FOR WE HAVE HELP FROM SHAMAYIM THAT SUCCOURETH US, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.
16
For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Yason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.
17
We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.
18
Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto."
19
And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent:
20
"Areus, king of the Lacedemonians, to Chonyo the Kohen Gadol, greeting.
21
IT IS FOUND IN WRITING, THAT THE LACEDEMONIANS AND THE YEHUDIM ARE BRETHREN, AND THAT THEY ARE OF THE STOCK OF AVRAHAM.
22
Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.
23
We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise."
24
Now when Yonatan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,
25
he removed from Yerushalayim, and met them in the land of Chamat; FOR HE GAVE THEM NO RESPITE TO ENTER HIS COUNTRY.
26
He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the lailah season.
27
Wherefore, so soon as the sun was down, Yonatan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the lailah long they might be ready to fight; also he sent forth sentinels round about the host.
28
But when the adversaries heard that Yonatan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts; and they kindled fires in their camp.
29
Howbeit Yonatan and his company knew it not till the morning; for they saw the lights burning.
30
Then Yonatan pursued after them, but overtook them not; for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.
31
Wherefore Yonatan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.
32
And removing thence, he came to Dameshek, and so passed through all the country.
33
Shimon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ashkelon, and the holds there adjoining; from whence he turned aside to Yafo, and won it.
34
For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius' part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.
35
After this came Yonatan home again, and calling the zekenim of the am together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Yehudah,
36
and making the walls of Yerushalayim higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, THAT MEN MIGHT NEITHER SELL NOR BUY IN IT.
37
Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down; and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.
38
Shimon also set up Adida in the SHEFELAH (שְׁפֵלָה, Sephela, the lowland), and made it strong with gates and bars.
39
Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.
40
Howbeit he was afraid that Yonatan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Yonatan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Beit She'an.
41
Then Yonatan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Beit She'an.
42
Now when Tryphon saw that Yonatan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against him;
43
but received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him as to himself.
44
Unto Yonatan also he said, "Why hast thou put all this am to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?
45
Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Akko; for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge. As for me, I will return and depart; for this is the cause of my coming."
46
SO YONATAN, BELIEVING HIM, DID AS HE BADE HIM, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Yehudah.
47
And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into the Galil, and one thousand went with him.
48
NOW AS SOON AS YONATAN ENTERED INTO AKKO, THEY OF AKKO SHUT THE GATES, AND TOOK HIM; and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.
49
Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into the Galil, and into the great plain, to destroy all Yonatan's company.
50
But when they knew that Yonatan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another, and went close together, prepared to fight.
51
They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.
52
Whereupon they all came into the land of Yehudah peaceably; and there they bewailed Yonatan and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; WHEREFORE ALL YISRA'EL MADE GREAT LAMENTATION.
53
Then all the goyim that were round about them sought to destroy them; for said they, "THEY HAVE NO CAPTAIN, NOR ANY TO HELP THEM. Now therefore let us make war upon them, and TAKE AWAY THEIR MEMORIAL FROM AMONG MEN."
Chapter 13
1
Now when Shimon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a great host to invade the land of Yehudah and destroy it,
2
and saw that the am was in great trembling and fear, he went up to Yerushalayim, and gathered the am together,
3
and gave them exhortation, saying: "Ye yourselves know what great things I, and my brethren, and my father's house, have done for the Torah and the Mikdash — the battles also and troubles which we have seen;
4
by reason whereof ALL MY BRETHREN ARE SLAIN FOR YISRA'EL'S SAKE, AND I AM LEFT ALONE.
5
Now therefore be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of trouble; FOR I AM NO BETTER THAN MY BRETHREN.
6
Doubtless I will avenge my nation, and the Mikdash, and our wives, and our children; for all the goyim are gathered to destroy us of very malice."
7
Now as soon as the am heard these words, THEIR SPIRIT REVIVED.
8
And they answered with a loud voice, saying, "Thou shalt be our leader instead of Yehudah and Yonatan thy brother.
9
Fight thou our battles, and whatsoever thou commandest us, that will we do."
10
So then he gathered together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Yerushalayim, and he fortified it round about.
11
Also he sent Yonatan the son of Avshalom, and with him a great power, to Yafo; who, casting out them that were therein, remained there in it.
12
So Tryphon removed from Akko with a great power to invade the land of Yehudah; and Yonatan was with him in ward.
13
But Shimon pitched his tents at Adida, over against the plain.
14
Now when Tryphon knew that Shimon was risen up instead of his brother Yonatan, and meant to join battle with him, he sent messengers unto him, saying,
15
"Whereas we have Yonatan thy brother in hold, it is for money that he is owing unto the king's treasure, concerning the business that was committed unto him.
16
Wherefore now send an hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons for hostages, that when he is at liberty he may not revolt from us; and we will let him go."
17
Hereupon Shimon, ALBEIT HE PERCEIVED THAT THEY SPAKE DECEITFULLY UNTO HIM, yet sent he the money and the children, lest peradventure he should procure to himself great hatred of the am,
18
who might have said, "Because I sent him not the money and the children, therefore is Yonatan dead."
19
So he sent them the children and the hundred talents; HOWBEIT TRYPHON DISSEMBLED, NEITHER WOULD HE LET YONATAN GO.
20
And after this came Tryphon to invade the land and destroy it, going round about by the way that leadeth unto Adora; but Shimon and his host marched against him in every place, wheresoever he went.
21
Now they that were in the tower sent messengers unto Tryphon, to the end that he should hasten his coming unto them by the wilderness, and send them victuals.
22
Wherefore Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that lailah; BUT THERE FELL A VERY GREAT SNOW, by reason whereof he came not. So he departed, and came into the country of Gil'ad.
23
And when he came near to Bascama, HE SLEW YONATAN, WHO WAS BURIED THERE.
24
Afterward Tryphon returned, and went into his own land.
25
Then sent Shimon, and took the bones of Yonatan his brother, and buried them in Modi'in, the city of his fathers.
26
And all Yisra'el made great lamentation for him, and bewailed him many yamim.
27
Shimon also built a monument upon the sepulchre of his father and his brethren, and raised it aloft to the sight, with hewn stone behind and before.
28
Moreover he set up sheva pyramids, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren.
29
And in these he made cunning devices, about the which he set great pillars; and upon the pillars he made all their armour for a perpetual memory, and by the armour ships carved, that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea.
30
This is the sepulchre which he made at Modi'in, AND IT STANDETH YET UNTO THIS YOM.
31
Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with the young king Antiochus, and slew him;
32
and he reigned in his stead, and crowned himself king of Asia, and brought a great calamity upon the land.
33
Then Shimon built up the strong holds in Yehudah, and fenced them about with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars; and laid up victuals therein.
34
Moreover Shimon chose men, and sent to King Demetrius, to the end he should give the land an immunity; because all that Tryphon did was to spoil.
35
Unto whom King Demetrius answered and wrote after this manner:
36
"King Demetrius unto Shimon the Kohen Gadol, and friend of kings, as also unto the zekenim and nation of the Yehudim, sendeth greeting.
37
The golden crown and the scarlet robe which ye sent unto us, we have received; and we are ready to make a stedfast shalom with you, yea, and to write unto our officers to confirm the immunities which we have granted.
38
And whatsoever covenants we have made with you shall stand; and the strong holds which ye have builded shall be your own.
39
As for any oversight or fault committed unto this yom, we forgive it, and the crown tax also which ye owe us; and if there were any other tribute paid in Yerushalayim, it shall no more be paid.
40
And look who are meet among you to be in our court, let them be enrolled, and let there be shalom betwixt us."
41
THUS THE YOKE OF THE GOYIM WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM YISRA'EL IN THE HUNDRED AND SEVENTIETH SHANAH.
42
Then the am of Yisra'el began to write in their instruments and contracts: "IN THE FIRST SHANAH OF SHIMON THE KOHEN GADOL, THE GOVERNOR AND LEADER OF THE YEHUDIM."
43
In those yamim Shimon camped against Azzah, and besieged it round about. He made also an engine of war, and set it by the city, and battered a certain tower, and took it.
44
And they that were in the engine leaped into the city; whereupon there was a great uproar in the city;
45
insomuch as the am of the city rent their clothes, and climbed upon the walls with their wives and children, and cried with a loud voice, beseeching Shimon to grant them shalom.
46
And they said, "DEAL NOT WITH US ACCORDING TO OUR WICKEDNESS, BUT ACCORDING TO THY MERCY."
47
So Shimon was appeased toward them, and fought no more against them; but put them out of the city, and cleansed the houses wherein the idols were, and so entered into it with shirot and thanksgiving.
48
Yea, he put all uncleanness out of it, AND PLACED SUCH MEN THERE AS WOULD KEEP THE TORAH; and made it stronger than it was before, and built therein a dwelling place for himself.
49
They also of the tower in Yerushalayim were kept so strait, that they could neither come forth, nor go into the country, nor buy, nor sell; wherefore they were in great distress for want of victuals, and a great number of them perished through famine.
50
Then cried they to Shimon, beseeching him to be at one with them; which thing he granted them. And when he had put them out from thence, he cleansed the tower from pollutions;
51
and entered into it THE THREE AND TWENTIETH YOM OF THE SECOND CHODESH, in the hundred seventy and first shanah, with thanksgiving, AND BRANCHES OF PALM TREES, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and shirot; BECAUSE THERE WAS DESTROYED A GREAT ENEMY OUT OF YISRA'EL.
52
HE ORDAINED ALSO THAT THAT YOM SHOULD BE KEPT EVERY SHANAH WITH GLADNESS. Moreover the hill of the Heichal that was by the tower he made stronger than it was; and there he dwelt himself with his company.
53
And when Shimon saw that Yochanan his son was a valiant man, he made him captain of all the hosts; and he dwelt in Gezer.
Chapter 14
1
Now in the hundred threescore and twelfth shanah King Demetrius gathered his forces together, and went into Madai, to get him help to fight against Tryphon.
2
But when Arsaces, the king of Paras and Madai, heard that Demetrius was entered within his borders, he sent one of his princes to take him alive;
3
who went and smote the host of Demetrius, and took him, and brought him to Arsaces, by whom he was put in ward.
4
AS FOR THE LAND OF YEHUDAH, THAT WAS QUIET ALL THE YAMIM OF SHIMON; for he sought the good of his nation in such wise, as that evermore his authority and honour pleased them well.
5
And as he was honourable in all his acts, so in this, that he took Yafo for an haven, and made an entrance to the isles of the sea;
6
and enlarged the bounds of his nation, and recovered the country;
7
and gathered together a great number of captives, and had the dominion of Gezer, and Beit Tzur, and the tower, out of the which he took all uncleanness; neither was there any that resisted him.
8
THEN DID THEY TILL THEIR GROUND IN SHALOM, AND THE EARTH GAVE HER INCREASE, AND THE TREES OF THE FIELD THEIR FRUIT.
9
The zekenim sat all in the streets, communing together of good things; and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel.
10
He provided victuals for the cities, and set in them all manner of munition, so that his honourable name was renowned unto the end of the world.
11
HE MADE SHALOM IN THE LAND, AND YISRA'EL REJOICED WITH GREAT JOY;
12
FOR EVERY MAN SAT UNDER HIS VINE AND HIS FIG TREE, AND THERE WAS NONE TO FRAY THEM.
13
Neither was there any left in the land to fight against them; yea, the kings themselves were overthrown in those yamim.
14
Moreover he strengthened all those of his am that were brought low; THE TORAH HE SEARCHED OUT; and every contemner of the Torah and wicked person he took away.
15
HE BEAUTIFIED THE MIKDASH, AND MULTIPLIED THE VESSELS OF THE HEICHAL.
16
Now when it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Yonatan was dead, they were very sorry.
17
But as soon as they heard that his brother Shimon was made Kohen Gadol in his stead, and ruled the country and the cities therein,
18
they wrote unto him IN TABLES OF BRASS, to renew the friendship and league which they had made with Yehudah and Yonatan his brethren;
19
which writings were read before the congregation at Yerushalayim.
20
And this is the copy of the letters that the Lacedemonians sent: "The rulers of the Lacedemonians, with the city, unto Shimon the Kohen Gadol, and the zekenim, and Kohanim, and residue of the am of the Yehudim, our brethren, send greeting.
21
The ambassadors that were sent unto our am certified us of your glory and honour; wherefore we were glad of their coming,
22
and did register the things that they spake in the council of the am in this manner: 'Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Yason, the Yehudim's ambassadors, came unto us, to renew the friendship they had with us.'
23
And it pleased the am to entertain the men honourably, and to put the copy of their ambassage in public records, to the end the am of the Lacedemonians might have a memorial thereof. Furthermore we have written a copy thereof unto Shimon the Kohen Gadol."
24
After this Shimon sent Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight, to confirm the league with them.
25
Whereof when the am heard, they said, "WHAT THANKS SHALL WE GIVE TO SHIMON AND HIS SONS?
26
For he, and his brethren, and the house of his father, HAVE ESTABLISHED YISRA'EL, and chased away in fight their enemies from them, AND CONFIRMED THEIR LIBERTY."
27
So then they wrote it in tables of brass, which they set upon pillars in Har Tziyon; and this is the copy of the writing: "THE EIGHTEENTH YOM OF THE CHODESH ELUL (אֱלוּל, Elul), in the hundred threescore and twelfth shanah, being the third shanah of Shimon the Kohen Gadol,
28
at Saramel, in the great congregation of the Kohanim, and am, and rulers of the nation, and zekenim of the country, were these things notified unto us:
29
Forasmuch as oftentimes there have been wars in the country, wherein FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THEIR MIKDASH AND THE TORAH, Shimon the son of Mattityahu, of the posterity of Yoyariv, together with his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and, resisting the enemies of their nation, did their nation great honour —
30
for after that Yonatan, having gathered his nation together, and been their Kohen Gadol, was added to his am,
31
their enemies purposed to invade their country, that they might destroy it, and lay hands on the Mikdash;
32
at which time Shimon rose up, and fought for his nation, and spent much of his own substance, and armed the valiant men of his nation, and gave them wages;
33
and fortified the cities of Yehudah, together with Beit Tzur that lieth upon the borders of Yehudah, where the armour of the enemies had been before; but he set a garrison of Yehudim there;
34
moreover he fortified Yafo, which lieth upon the sea, and Gezer, that bordereth upon Ashdod, where the enemies had dwelt before; but he placed Yehudim there, and furnished them with all things convenient for the reparation thereof —
35
the am therefore, seeing the acts of Shimon, and unto what glory he thought to bring his nation, made him their governor and Kohen Gadol, because he had done all these things, and for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought by all means to exalt his am.
36
For in his time things prospered in his hands, so that the goyim were taken out of their country, and they also that were in the city of David in Yerushalayim, who had made themselves a tower, out of which they issued, and polluted all about the Mikdash, and did much hurt in the holy place;
37
but he placed Yehudim therein, and fortified it for the safety of the country and the city, and raised up the walls of Yerushalayim.
38
King Demetrius also confirmed him in the priesthood of the Kohen Gadol according to those things,
39
and made him one of his friends, and honoured him with great honour.
40
For he had heard say that the Romans had called the Yehudim their friends and confederates and brethren, and that they had entertained the ambassadors of Shimon honourably;
41
ALSO THAT THE YEHUDIM AND THE KOHANIM WERE WELL PLEASED THAT SHIMON SHOULD BE THEIR GOVERNOR AND KOHEN GADOL FOR EVER — UNTIL THERE SHOULD ARISE A FAITHFUL NAVI;
42
moreover, that he should be their captain, and should take charge of the Mikdash, to set them over their works, and over the country, and over the armour, and over the fortresses; that, I say, he should take charge of the Mikdash;
43
beside this, that he should be obeyed of every man, and that all the writings in the country should be made in his name, AND THAT HE SHOULD BE CLOTHED IN PURPLE, AND WEAR GOLD.
44
Also, that it should be lawful for none of the am or Kohanim to break any of these things, or to gainsay his words, or to gather an assembly in the country without him, or to be clothed in purple, or wear a buckle of gold;
45
and whosoever should do otherwise, or break any of these things, he should be punished.
46
Thus it liked all the am to deal with Shimon, and to do as hath been said.
47
Then Shimon accepted hereof, and was well pleased to be Kohen Gadol, and captain and governor of the Yehudim and Kohanim, and to defend them all.
48
So they commanded that this writing should be put in tables of brass, and that they should be set up WITHIN THE COMPASS OF THE MIKDASH IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE;
49
also that the copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury, to the end that Shimon and his sons might have them.
Chapter 15
1
Moreover Antiochus, son of Demetrius the king, sent letters from the isles of the sea unto Shimon the Kohen and prince of the Yehudim, and to all the am;
2
the contents whereof were these: "King Antiochus to Shimon the Kohen Gadol and prince of his nation, and to the am of the Yehudim, greeting.
3
Forasmuch as certain pestilent men have usurped the kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to challenge it again, that I may restore it to the old estate; and to that end have gathered a multitude of foreign soldiers together, and prepared ships of war;
4
my meaning also being to go through the country, that I may be avenged of them that have destroyed it, and made many cities in the kingdom desolate —
5
now therefore I confirm unto thee all the oblations which the kings before me granted thee, and whatsoever gifts besides they granted.
6
I GIVE THEE LEAVE ALSO TO COIN MONEY FOR THY COUNTRY WITH THINE OWN STAMP.
7
And as concerning Yerushalayim and the Mikdash, LET THEM BE FREE; and all the armour that thou hast made, and fortresses that thou hast built and keepest in thine hands, let them remain unto thee.
8
And if any thing be, or shall be, owing to the king, let it be forgiven thee from this time forth for evermore.
9
Furthermore, when we have obtained our kingdom, we will honour thee, and thy nation, and thy Heichal, with great honour, so that your honour shall be known throughout the world."
10
In the hundred threescore and fourteenth shanah went Antiochus into the land of his fathers; at which time all the forces came together unto him, so that few were left with Tryphon.
11
Wherefore, being pursued by King Antiochus, he fled unto Dor, which lieth by the sea side;
12
for he saw that troubles came upon him all at once, and that his forces had forsaken him.
13
Then camped Antiochus against Dor, having with him an hundred and twenty thousand men of war, and eight thousand horsemen.
14
And when he had compassed the city round about, and joined ships close to the town on the sea side, he vexed the city by land and by sea, neither suffered he any to go out or in.
15
In the mean season came Numenius and his company from Rome, having letters to the kings and countries, wherein were written these things:
16
"Lucius, consul of the Romans, unto King Ptolemy, greeting.
17
The Yehudim's ambassadors, our friends and confederates, came unto us to renew the old friendship and league, being sent from Shimon the Kohen Gadol, and from the am of the Yehudim;
18
and they brought a shield of gold of a thousand pound.
19
We thought it good therefore to write unto the kings and countries, that they should do them no harm, nor fight against them, their cities, or countries; nor yet aid their enemies against them.
20
It seemed also good to us to receive the shield of them.
21
If therefore there be any pestilent fellows that have fled from their country unto you, deliver them unto Shimon the Kohen Gadol, THAT HE MAY PUNISH THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN LAW."
22
The same things wrote he likewise unto Demetrius the king, and Attalus, to Ariarathes, and Arsaces,
23
and to all the countries; and to Sampsames, and the Lacedemonians, and to Delos, and Myndos, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samos, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Halicarnassus, and Rhodes, and Phaselis, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene.
24
And the copy hereof they wrote to Shimon the Kohen Gadol.
25
So Antiochus the king camped against Dor the second yom, assaulting it continually, and making engines; by which means he shut up Tryphon, that he could neither go out nor in.
26
At that time Shimon sent him two thousand chosen men to aid him; silver also, and gold, and much armour.
27
NEVERTHELESS HE WOULD NOT RECEIVE THEM, BUT BRAKE ALL THE COVENANTS WHICH HE HAD MADE WITH HIM AFORE, and became strange unto him.
28
Furthermore he sent unto him Athenobius, one of his friends, to commune with him, and say, "Ye withhold Yafo and Gezer, with the tower that is in Yerushalayim, which are cities of my realm.
29
The borders thereof ye have wasted, and done great hurt in the land, and got the dominion of many places within my kingdom.
30
Now therefore deliver the cities which ye have taken, and the tributes of the places whereof ye have gotten dominion without the borders of Yehudah;
31
or else give me for them five hundred talents of silver; and for the harm that ye have done, and the tributes of the cities, other five hundred talents. If not, we will come and fight against you."
32
So Athenobius the king's friend came to Yerushalayim; and when he saw the glory of Shimon, and the cupboard of gold and silver plate, and his great attendance, he was astonished, and told him the king's message.
33
Then answered Shimon, and said unto him, "WE HAVE NEITHER TAKEN OTHER MEN'S LAND, NOR HOLDEN THAT WHICH APPERTAINETH TO OTHERS, BUT THE NACHALAH (נַחֲלָה, inheritance) OF OUR FATHERS, WHICH OUR ENEMIES HAD WRONGFULLY IN POSSESSION A CERTAIN TIME.
34
Wherefore we, having opportunity, hold the nachalah of our fathers.
35
And whereas thou demandest Yafo and Gezer — albeit they did great harm unto the am in our country — yet will we give an hundred talents for them." Hereunto Athenobius answered him not a word;
36
but returned in a rage to the king, and made report unto him of these speeches, and of the glory of Shimon, and of all that he had seen; whereupon the king was exceeding wroth.
37
In the mean time fled Tryphon by ship unto Orthosias.
38
Then the king made Cendebeus captain of the sea coast, and gave him an host of footmen and horsemen,
39
and commanded him to remove his host toward Yehudah; also he commanded him to build up Kedron, and to fortify the gates, and to war against the am. But as for the king himself, he pursued Tryphon.
40
So Cendebeus came to Yavneh, and began to provoke the am, and to invade Yehudah, and to take the am prisoners, and slay them.
41
And when he had built up Kedron, he set horsemen there, and an host of footmen, to the end that, issuing out, they might make outroads upon the ways of Yehudah, as the king had commanded him.
Chapter 16
1
Then came up Yochanan from Gezer, and told Shimon his father what Cendebeus had done.
2
Wherefore Shimon called his two eldest sons, Yehudah and Yochanan, and said unto them: "I, and my brethren, and my father's house, have ever from our youth unto this yom fought against the enemies of Yisra'el; and things have prospered so well in our hands, that we have delivered Yisra'el oftentimes.
3
But now I am old, and ye, by the mercy of Elohim, are of a sufficient age. Be ye instead of me and my brother, and go and fight for our nation; AND THE HELP FROM SHAMAYIM BE WITH YOU."
4
So he chose out of the country twenty thousand men of war with horsemen, who went out against Cendebeus, and rested that lailah at Modi'in.
5
And when as they rose in the morning, and went into the plain, behold, a mighty great host both of footmen and horsemen came against them; howbeit there was a water brook betwixt them.
6
So he and his am pitched over against them; and when he saw that the am were afraid to go over the water brook, HE WENT FIRST OVER HIMSELF, and then the men, seeing him, passed through after him.
7
That done, he divided his men, and set the horsemen in the midst of the footmen; for the enemies' horsemen were very many.
8
THEN SOUNDED THEY WITH THE CHATZOTZROT (חֲצֹצְרוֹת, the holy trumpets); whereupon Cendebeus and his host were put to flight, so that many of them were slain, and the remnant gat them to the strong hold.
9
At that time was Yehudah, Yochanan's brother, wounded; but Yochanan still followed after them, until he came to Kedron, which Cendebeus had built.
10
So they fled even unto the towers in the fields of Ashdod; wherefore he burned it with fire, so that there were slain of them about two thousand men. Afterward he returned into the land of Yehudah in shalom.
11
Moreover in the plain of Yericho was Ptolemy the son of Abubus made captain, and he had abundance of silver and gold;
12
FOR HE WAS THE KOHEN GADOL'S SON-IN-LAW.
13
Wherefore his heart being lifted up, he thought to get the country to himself, and thereupon consulted deceitfully against Shimon and his sons to destroy them.
14
Now Shimon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; at which time he came down himself to Yericho with his sons, Mattityahu and Yehudah, in the hundred threescore and seventeenth shanah, in the eleventh chodesh, called SHEVAT (שְׁבָט, Sabat);
15
where the son of Abubus, receiving them deceitfully into a little hold called Docus, which he had built, made them a great banquet; HOWBEIT HE HAD HID MEN THERE.
16
So when Shimon and his sons had drunk largely, Ptolemy and his men rose up, and took their weapons, and came upon Shimon into the banqueting place, AND SLEW HIM, AND HIS TWO SONS, AND CERTAIN OF HIS AVADIM.
17
IN WHICH DOING HE COMMITTED A GREAT TREACHERY, AND RECOMPENSED EVIL FOR GOOD.
18
Then Ptolemy wrote these things, and sent to the king, that he should send him an host to aid him, and he would deliver him the country and cities.
19
He sent others also to Gezer to kill Yochanan; and unto the tribunes he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them silver, and gold, and rewards.
20
And others he sent to take Yerushalayim, and the mountain of the Heichal.
21
Now one had run afore to Gezer, and told Yochanan that his father and brethren were slain; and, quoth he, "Ptolemy hath sent to slay thee also."
22
Hereof when he heard, he was sore astonished; so he laid hands on them that were come to destroy him, and slew them; for he knew that they sought to make him away.
23
As concerning the rest of the acts of Yochanan, and his wars, and worthy deeds which he did, and the building of the walls which he made, and his doings —
24
behold, these are written in the chronicles of his priesthood, from the time he was made Kohen Gadol after his father.