HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

1 MACHABEES 12

CHAPTER XII.

Ver. 1. Served, Syria being so much divided. Hence Jonathas went to the two most famous republics of the world, and probably to the Jews beyond the Euphrates, to the Nabutheans, &c. v. 2. C.

Ver. 2. Spartans. The city was also called Lacedemon and Theramne. W.

Ver. 6. People. The Jewish state then greatly resembled those of Rome and of Sparta. The high priest and senate ruled, yet not without the participation of the people. --- Brethren, proceeding from the same stock. This was the received opinion in both countries, though without foundation, that we can discover. C. Diss. --- The proofs might be known to those who were more concerned. H. --- The Spartans, whom Josephus, &c. style Lacedemonians, sprung from Abraham, (v. 21.) and were long ago in league with the Jews. W.

Ver. 7. Onias the third, between the years 3805 and 3829. --- Arius. Gr. and Syr. erroneously write, Darius. See v. 20. Jos. Ant. xii. 5.

Ver. 9. Things; the letters of Arius, as the sacred books testified the same. Gr. Jos. Grot. --- This sense appears to be the most natural; or we are not interested in make the present application.

Ver. 11. Observances. Gr. Syr. "supplications." The Vulg. had probably at first, obsecrationibus. The Jews prayed for their allies, &c. to beg for their temporal prosperity, and for their conversion. C. vii. 33.

Ver. 13. Kings. Ever since the time of Onias, wars had been waged against Epiphanes, Eupator, Soter, and Nicator. C.

Ver. 19. Letter. Arius wrote before Onias, though the letter be placed later. W. --- Josephus give it rather in different words. The answer to Jonathan was sent to Simon, A. 3861. C. xiv. 22. C.

Ver. 21. Spartans. They had probably some old genealogies. Jos. xii. 5. and xiii. 9. W. --- Yet they might not be true. Few nations can ascertain their origin; and most run into fabulous accounts, if we except the Jews. C. See v. 6. H. Salien, A. 3821. --- There is nothing certain. Rep. Heb. i. 2. M.

Ver. 23. Back. It would hence appear that the Jews wrote first which does not seem to be the case from Josephus, &c. C.

Ver. 24. Demetrius. He resided at Laodicea, feasting, (Diod.) while his generals attempted to detach Jonathas from Antiochus, but without success. They fled at his approach beyond the river Eleutherus, from which Laodicea was not remote. C.

Ver. 29. Burning. They had been left to conceal the flight. M. --- Grabe supplies, "and they departed," at the end of v. 28. H.

Ver. 31. Zabadeans. No nation of this name is known; whence most people read "Nabatheans," after Josephus. They had been allies of the Jews, but perhaps took part with Demetrius. C.

Ver. 33. Of it, as it was designing to revolt. Jonathas had possession before. C. x. 73. M.

Ver. 36. Mount. Lit. "height," (H.) or wall, to prevent the garrison from receiving supplies. C.

Ver. 37. For. Gr. "he approached," which Grabe substitutes instead of "was fallen down." H.

Ver. 38. Adiada, or Addus, (C. xiii. 13.) in the plain west of the mountains of Juda. C.

Ver. 39. Tryphon. In a moral sense, Tryphon represents the practice of the devil, who seeks first to deceive pastors. For, as S. Gregory (hom. xxxviii.) teaches, if the pastor's life be corrupt, his doctrine will be contemned. W.

Ver. 40. Bathsan, or Scythopolis, below the lake of Genesareth. Tryphon was not content with governing under the young Antiochus. He was afraid lest Jonathas should oppose his measures, (C.) knowing that he was a man of probity, to whom the king had shewn favour.

Ver. 49. Plain of Esdrelon, or Mageddo, (M.) styled also the vale of Jezrahel, and perhaps Arboth. C. v. 23. and ix. 2.

Ver. 50. Slain. So it was reported, though falsely. C.