HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

1 MACHABEES 15

CHAPTER XV.

Ver. 1. Demetrius. Soter, and brother of Nicator, (C.) now a captive. W. --- When the latter went beyond the Euphrates, he wandered for fear of Tryphon, till he found rest at Rhodes, where he heard of his brother's misfortune, and was invited by his wife to marry her. He therefore took the title of king, when he wrote to Simon from the isle of Rhodes. Soon after he landed (C.) at Seleucia, and married Cleopatra, who was indignant that her husband had taken to wife the daughter of Mithridates. Just. xxxvi. --- Tryphon's adherents flocked to him: exolescente favore recentis imperii. Trog. xxxix. Eusebius --- Demetrius was styled Sidetes, either because he came from Side, in Pamphylia, or because he was fond of "hunting." Yet his medals have, "Euergetes." Vaillant, Usher, A. 3864. C. --- Prince. Gr. "Ethnarch." H. --- Josephus often uses this title for an independent prince, beneath the dignity of a king. C.

Ver. 2. And to. Gr. properly adds, "and Ethnarch, and to," &c.

Ver. 3. Pestilent; disturbers of the peace, (H.) like Alexander, Antiochus, and Tryphon.

Ver. 5. Oblations, such as were presented to the Lord, or remittances. He is very liberal of what he could not get back.

Ver. 6. Money. He supposed that Simon would have his own image on it. But we find no human figure on the coins which he sent out during the first four years, but only vessels, trees, inscriptions, &c. Afterwards he seems to had desisted, either (as some suppose) because it was not conformable to the law, or because he found it brought no profit to the state.

Ver. 11. Dora, to the south of Carmel Tryphon had first tried the fortune of a battle. C.

Ver. 15. Numenius. He had been sent to Rome almost two years before, and now brought letters not only to the Jews, but to various kings and nations on their behalf. W.

Ver. 16. Lucius, Calvus, or Philus, (Drus. Grot.) or Piso, (Usher. Sal. M.) whose colleague Lenas, went against Numantia. C. --- Ptolemee, surnamed Physcon, brother and successor of Philometor, (Ch.) in Egypt. H.

Ver. 22. Attalus, &c. Attalus was king of Pergamus, Ariarethes was king of Cappadocia, and Arsaces was king of the Parthians. Ch. --- Demetrius was prisoner of the latter.

Ver. 23. Lampsacus, in Mysia, a free city. --- Delus, an island of great trade after the fall of Carthage. --- Myndus, a port in Caria. --- Sicyon, another in Achaia. --- Samus, and independent and powerful island near Asia Minor. --- Pamphylia, in Cilicia, beyond Taurus. --- Lycia had been freed from the Rhodians, by the Romans. --- Alicarnassus, an ancient town of Caria, opposite to the isle of Coo. --- Side, in Pamphylia. v. 1. Grotius conjectures we should read, "Sidon." --- Aradus, near the coasts of Syria. --- Rhodes, famous for its Colossus. --- Phaselis, a maritime town near Lycia. --- Gortyna, a city of Crete, which was then an independent island. --- Gnidus, an island near Rhodes. --- Cyrene, a province of Egypt. It must hen have been partly free, and in alliance with Rome.

Ver. 24. Simon, that he might know what they had done for him, and to whom he might apply for aid.

Ver. 25. Second. He had interrupted the siege, or made a fresh wall or attack.

Ver. 27. Not. Josephus seems to assert the contrary; observing that the king applied for aid, which was readily granted. Yet he soon forgot the favour, and sent Cendebeus against the Jews. He passed over the embassy of Athenobius. v. 28.

Ver. 28. Gazara. The edit. of Basle properly reads, "Gadara."

Ver. 30. Taken, such as Joppe, the three governments, &c. C.

Ver. 35. Talents. Simon subdued these two towns, because they attacked his country; but as they did not otherwise belong to him, he paid (W.) or offered to pay something for them. H. --- Those of Joppe drowned two hundred Jews. 2 B. xii. What Gazara had done we know not. W.

Ver. 37. Orthosias, in PhÅ“nicia, opposite to Aradus. Hence he fled to Apamea, (C.) strewing silver in the way to stop his pursuers. Front. ii. 13. --- The city was however besieged, and he slew himself, (Strabo xiv.) or was slain after a reign of five years. Jos. Vaillant.

Ver. 38. Coast. This government was granted to Simon by young Antiochus. C. xi. 59.

Ver. 39. Gedor, near Jamnia. Gr. "Cedron," (C.) as also v. 40. formerly (H.) in the Vulg. A city was here repaired on the river Cedron. W. --- Syr. "Hebron." --- Fortify. Lit. "to block up." H. --- But this is the import of the Greek. C. --- Alex. MS. "to fortify cities." H. --- Gates, or defiles. Grot.