HarperCollins Study Bible
Page 397
52So King Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him. 53But he broke his word about all that he had promised; he became estranged from Jonathan and did not repay the favors that Jonathanl had done him, but treated him very harshly.
Trypho Seizes Power
54After this Trypho returned, and with him the young boy Antiochus who began to reign and put on the crown. 55All the troops that Demetrius had discharged gathered around him; they fought against Demetrius,m and he fled and was routed. 56Trypho captured the elephantsn and gained control of Antioch. 57Then the young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying, “I confirm you in the high priesthood and set you over the four districts and make you one of the king’s Friends.” 58He also sent him gold plates and a table service, and granted him the right to drink from gold cups and dress in purple and wear a gold buckle. 59He appointed Jonathan’so brother Simon governor from the Ladder of Tyre to the borders of Egypt.
Campaigns of Jonathan and Simon
60Then Jonathan set out and traveled beyond the river and among the towns, and all the army of Syria gathered to him as allies. When he came to Askalon, the people of the city met him and paid him honor. 61From there he went to Gaza, but the people of Gaza shut him out. So he besieged it and burned its suburbs with fire and plundered them. 62Then the people of Gaza pleaded with Jonathan, and he made peace with them, and took the sons of their rulers as hostages and sent them to Jerusalem. And he passed through the country as far as Damascus.
63Then Jonathan heard that the officers of Demetrius had come to Kadesh in Galilee with a large army, intending to remove him from office. 64He went to meet them, but left his brother Simon in the country. 65Simon encamped before Beth-zur and fought against it for many days and hemmed it in. 66Then they asked him to grant them terms of peace, and he did so. He removed them from there, took possession of the town, and set a garrison over it.
67Jonathan and his army encamped by the waters of Gennesaret. Early in the morning they marched to the plain of Hazor, 68and there in the plain the army of the foreigners met him; they had set an ambush against him in the mountains, but they themselves met him face to face. 69Then the men in ambush emerged from their places and joined battle. 70All the men with Jonathan fled; not one of them was left except Mattathias son of Absalom and Judas son of Chalphi, commanders of the forces of the army. 71Jonathan tore his clothes, put dust on his head, and prayed. 72Then he turned back to the battle against the enemyp and routed them, and they fled. 73When his men who were fleeing saw this, they returned to him and joined him in the pursuit as far as Kadesh, to their camp, and there they encamped. 74As many as three thousand of the foreigners fell that day. And Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.
next chapter
* * *
a Gk his
b Other ancient authorities read they
c Gk he
d Gk him
e 145B.C.
f Gk first
g Cn: Gk the three districts and Samaria
h Or Samaria, for all those who offer sacrifice in Jerusalem, in place of
i Gk him
j Gk him
k Gk his troops
l Gk he
m Gk him
n Gk animals
o Gk his
p Gk them
11.1–19 The attempt by Ptolemy VI Philometer (Alexander Balas’s father-in-law) to annex the Seleucid kingdom ends in his death and that of Alexander Balas, thus allowing Demetrius II to take power in 145 BCE.
11.1 Other ancient sources cast doubt on the claim that Ptolemy’s sole motive was to get possession of Alexander’s (Seleucid) kingdom (see also v. 11).
11.3 The garrisons that Ptolemy VI established in the coastal towns were destroyed after his death (see v. 18).
11.4–5 For what Jonathan did at Azotus, see 10.83–85.
11.7 The river Eleutherus, two hundred miles north of Joppa, marked the southern border of the Syrian territory of the Seleucids.
11.8 Seleucia, the port city of Antioch, was loyal to Demetrius II.
11.9–12 For the earlier marriage alliance between Ptolemy and Alexander, see 10.51–58.
11.15 The battle was fought at the river Oenoparus near Antioch in summer 145 BCE. Ptolemy VI died (v. 18) from wounds inflicted in this battle.
11.16 Arabia, here the northern desert east of Damascus.
11.20–37 After another failed attempt at taking control of the citadel, Jonathan meets Demetrius II at Ptolemais, where he gains important concessions and honors.
11.20–21 In light of the political confusion at Antioch Jonathan sought to attack the citadel in Jerusalem. There was opposition from other Jews (renegades) more closely allied to Seleucid interests.
11.23–29 At Ptolemais (Acco) Demetrius II confirmed many privileges granted or promised by Demetrius I and Alexander Balas (10.3–6, 15–20, 25–45, 59–66).
11.31–32 Lasthenes, the chief of Demetrius’s Cretan mercenaries and his chief minister. His titles kinsman and father were honorary, expressing Lasthenes’ powerful role in the court of Demetrius II.
11.34 For the three districts, see 10.30, 38; 11.28. Their revenues were to go to supporting the Jerusalem temple.
11.37 For another public display of the copy of a treaty, see 8.22. The holy mountain is the Temple Mount, also called Mount Zion.
11.38–53 Although Jonathan helps Demetrius II put down a rebellion in Antioch, he is not rewarded properly.
11.38 Lasthenes convinced Demetrius II to dismiss all the native troops and retain only mercenary troops; thus Demetrius was freed from financial obligations and could exercise tighter control over his army. The Greek islands were the home of Lasthenes’ mercenaries.
11.39–40 Diodotus Trypho (“the luxurious one”) persuaded Imalkue to let him set up Alexander Balas’s young son as Antiochus VI. For Antiochus VI’s murder by Trypho, see 13.31–32.
11.41 Jonathan’s earlier attack against the citadel (vv. 20–21) had failed. For the other strongholds, see 9.50–51.
11.44–51 The role played by Jews, though substantial, was probably secondary to that of the Cretan mercenaries under Lasthenes.
11.53 Trusting in his mercenaries, Demetrius II felt bold enough to demand taxes from Judea going back to the “first kings.”
11.54–59 Through Antiochus VI, Trypho gains Jonathan and Simon as allies.
11.55 Trypho exploited the unrest among the Seleucid troops, who had been sent away under Lasthenes (see v. 38).
11.58 For the gold buckle as a sign of the rank of the King’s Kinsmen, see 10.89.
11.59 The appointment of Simon as governor of the coastal area from Syria to Egypt expanded Maccabean control westward.
11.60–74 Jonathan recruits soldiers for Antiochus VI and wins a surprising victory at Hazor, while Simon takes Beth-zur.
11.60–62 Jonathan traveled throughout beyond the river (the province west of the Euphrates) to gather troops against Demetrius II.
11.63 Because Jonathan was now supporting Antiochus VI, the officers of Demetrius sought to stop him from rallying troops.
11.65–66 Simon’s capture of Beth-zur in 144 BCE (see 9.51; 10.14) gave the Maccabees a southern garrison again.
11.67 Hazor, captured by Joshua (Josh 11.10–11), was ten miles north of the Sea of Galilee (the waters of Gennesaret).
11.71 Jonathan does what Joshua did according to Josh 7.6–9.
1 MACCABEES 12
Alliances with Rome and Sparta
1Now when Jonathan saw that the time was favorable for him, he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship with them. 2He also sent letters to the same effect to the Spartans and to other places. 3So they went to Rome and entered the senate chamber and said, “The high priest Jonathan and the Jewish nation have sent us to renew the former friendship and alliance with them.” 4And the Romansa gave them letters to the people in every place, asking them to provide for the envoysb safe conduct to the land of Judah.
5This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans: 6“The high priest Jonathan, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people to their brothers the Spartans, greetings. 7Already in time past a letter was sent to the high priest Onias from Arius,c who was king among you, stating that you are our brothers, as the appended copy shows. 8Onias welcomed the envoy with honor, and received the letter, which contained a clear declaration of alliance and friendship. 9Therefore, though we have no need of these things, since we have as encouragement the holy books that are in our hands, 10we have undertaken to send to renew our family ties and friendship with you, so that we may not become estranged from you, for considerable time has passed since you sent your letter to us. 11We therefore remember you constantly on every occasion, both at our festivals and on other appropriate days, at the sacrifices that we offer and in our prayers, as it is right and proper to remember brothers. 12And we rejoice in your glory. 13But as for ourselves, many trials and many wars have encircled us; the kings around us have waged war against us. 14We were unwilling to annoy you and our other allies and friends with these wars, 15for we have the help that comes from Heaven for our aid, and so we were delivered from our enemies, and our enemies were humbled. 16We therefore have chosen Numenius son of Antiochus and Antipater son of Jason, and have sent them to Rome to renew our former friendship and alliance with them. 17We have commanded them to go also to you and greet you and deliver to you this letter from us concerning the renewal of our family ties. 18And now please send us a reply to this.”
19This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Onias: 20“King Arius of the Spartans, to the high priest Onias, greetings. 21It has been found in writing concerning the Spartans and the Jews that they are brothers and are of the family of Abraham. 22And now that we have learned this, please write us concerning your welfare; 23we on our part write to you that your livestock and your property belong to us, and ours belong to you. We therefore command that our envoysd report to you accordingly.”
Further Campaigns of Jonathan and Simon
24Now Jonathan heard that the commanders of Demetrius had returned, with a larger force than before, to wage war against him. 25So he marched away from Jerusalem and met them in the region of Hamath, for he gave them no opportunity to invade his own country. 26He sent spies to their camp, and they returned and reported to him that the enemye were being drawn up in formation to attack the Jewsf by night. 27So when the sun had set, Jonathan commanded his troops to be alert and to keep their arms at hand so as to be ready all night for battle, and he stationed outposts around the camp. 28When the enemy heard that Jonathan and his troops were prepared for battle, they were afraid and were terrified at heart; so they kindled fires in their camp and withdrew.g 29But Jonathan and his troops did not know it until morning, for they saw the fires burning. 30Then Jonathan pursued them, but he did not overtake them, for they had crossed the Eleutherus river. 31So Jonathan turned aside against the Arabs who are called Zabadeans, and he crushed them and plundered them. 32Then he broke camp and went to Damascus, and marched through all that region.
33Simon also went out and marched through the country as far as Askalon and the neighboring strongholds. He turned aside to Joppa and took it by surprise, 34for he had heard that they were ready to hand over the stronghold to those whom Demetrius had sent. And he stationed a garrison there to guard it.
35When Jonathan returned he convened the elders of the people and planned with them to build strongholds in Judea, 36to build the walls of Jerusalem still higher, and to erect a high barrier between the citadel and the city to separate it from the city, in order to isolate it so that its garrisonh could neither buy nor sell. 37So they gathered together to rebuild the city; part of the wall on the valley to the east had fallen, and he repaired the section called Chaphenatha. 38Simon also built Adida in the Shephelah; he fortified it and installed gates with bolts.
Trypho Captures Jonathan
39Then Trypho attempted to become king in Asia and put on the crown, and to raise his hand against King Antiochus. 40He feared that Jonathan might not permit him to do so, but might make war on him, so he kept seeking to seize and kill him, and he marched out and came to Beth-shan. 41Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand picked warriors, and he came to Beth-shan. 42When Trypho saw that he had come with a large army, he was afraid to raise his hand against him. 43So he received him with honor and commended him to all his Friends, and he gave him gifts and commanded his Friends and his troops to obey him as they would himself. 44Then he said to Jonathan, “Why have you put all these people to so much trouble when we are not at war? 45Dismiss them now to their homes and choose for yourself a few men to stay with you, and come with me to Ptolemais. I will hand it over to you as well as the other strongholds and the remaining troops and all the officials, and will turn around and go home. For that is why I am here.”
46Jonathani trusted him and did as he said; he sent away the troops, and they returned to the land of Judah. 47He kept with himself three thousand men, two thousand of whom he left in Galilee, while one thousand accompanied him. 48But when Jonathan entered Ptolemais, the people of Ptolemais closed the gates and seized him, and they killed with the sword all who had entered with him.
49Then Trypho sent troops and cavalry into Galilee and the Great Plain to destroy all Jonathan’s soldiers. 50But they realized that Jonathan had been seized and had perished along with his men, and they encouraged one another and kept marching in close formation, ready for battle. 51When their pursuers saw that they would fight for their lives, they turned back. 52So they all reached the land of Judah safely, and they mourned for Jonathan and his companions and were in great fear; and all Israel mourned deeply. 53All the nations around them tried to destroy them, for they said, “They have no leader or helper. Now therefore let us make war on them and blot out the memory of them from humankind.”
next chapter
* * *
a Gk they
b Gk them
c Vg Compare verse 20: Gk Darius
d Gk they
e Gk they
f Gk them
g Other ancient authorities omit and withdrew
h Gk they
i Gk he
12.1–23 By confirming Jewish alliances with Rome and Sparta, Jonathan and Simon seek to take pressure off their own situation in 144 BCE.
12.1 For the earlier embassy to Rome and the friendship treaty, see 8.17–32.
12.2 With the Roman defeat of the Greek Achaean League in 146 BCE (see 8.9–10) the Spartans (who had not been part of that league) regained prominence.
12.3 The formula the high priest Jonathan and the Jewish nation implies an independent status beyond that claimed in 8.20; see also 12.6.
12.6 The senate (Greek gerousia) was the council of Jewish elders.
12.7 Onias I, the Jewish high priest around 300 BCE. Arius I, king of Sparta from 312 to 265.
12.8 The letter quoted in vv. 20–23 says nothing about an alliance.
12.9 For what constituted the holy books see the prologue to Sirach (“the Law and the Prophets and the other books of our ancestors”); see also 2 Macc 2.14.
12.14–15 The apparent failure of Onias I to respond to Arius I is explained as due to the Jews’ unwillingness to annoy allies.
12.16 The ambassadors sent to Rome (see also 14.22, 24) stopped at Sparta on their return home.
12.21 The fiction that Spartans and Jews both descended from Abraham is an example of finding genealogical justification for an alliance.
12.24–38 Jonathan and Simon win additional military victories and set up their own garrisons.
12.25 Hamath, in the Orontes Valley between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains.
12.31 The Zabadeans lived about thirty miles northwest of Damascus. There may be a connection with Zabdiel (11.17), who killed Alexander Balas.
12.33–34 Simon, now governor in the coastal district (11.59), puts down a planned rebellion in Joppa (10
.76).
12.35–36 The strongholds probably included those fortified by Bacchides (9.50; 10.12). The Jerusalem citadel still escaped Maccabean control.
12.37 Chaphenatha, usually identified as the “Second Quarter,” northwest of the temple area (see 2 Kings 22.14).
12.38 Adida, near Lydda, could serve as a stronghold between the coastal plain and the hill country of Judea.
12.39–53 At first Trypho is thwarted from capturing Jonathan but finally succeeds in doing so, thus leaving Israel without a leader or helper (v. 53).
12.39 Asia, a name for the Seleucid Empire.
12.40–41 Beth-shan (Scythopolis-Nysa), a strategic point in the Jordan Valley (see 5.52). Although forty thousand picked warriors is an exaggeration, it does seem that
12.24–38 Jonathan and Simon win additional military victories and set up their own garrisons.
12.25 Hamath, in the Orontes Valley between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains.
12.31 The Zabadeans lived about thirty miles northwest of Damascus. There may be a connection with Zabdiel (11.17), who killed Alexander Balas.