Ver. 2. Persepolis; otherwise called Elymais, (Ch.) a chief (W.) "city of Persia." Hence Elymais may be called Persepolis. H. --- The famous city of this name, where Cyrus had built a palace to the astonishment of the world, had been (C.) burnt by Alexander when intoxicated, and urged on by a harlot. Curt. v. 15. --- Noble ruins still remain on the Araxes.

Ver. 3. Ecbatana, capital of Media. C. --- See C. i. 16. H.

Ver. 4. Forward. He felt a violent fit of the cholic.

Ver. 8. Man. He seems to have claimed divine honours, v. 12. C. v. 21. and ix. 8. Dan. xi. 36. Arab. C.

Ver. 13. Not like. Because his repentance was not for the offence committed against God, but barely on account of his present sufferings. Ch. --- For these he really grieved. 1 B. vi. 11. Yet was not sorry for the offence against God and men. So the damned acknowledge that their punishments are inflicted on account of their sins, yet have not true repentance. W. --- In like manner Esau repented for the loss of his birthright. Heb. xii. 17. M. --- Epiphanes had abandoned God, who now laughs at him, (Prov. i. 26.) as some of the Machabees had threatened. C. vii. 14. 7. 9. 31. 2. 5. 6. He is the model of false penitents, who are actuated by servile fear.

Ver. 14. Free and independent, (C.) like Antioch. Pliny v. 21.

Ver. 15. Athenians. This seems to have been put for Antiochians, C. iv. 9. in Greek; which name would suit better here, as Epiphanes had no power over Athens. Grot. C. --- Yet it was highly privileged (H.) above all the cities of Greece. M. --- Jason had obtained for the citizens of Jerusalem to be called Antiochians. C. vi. 1. But this grant had been revoked, or not carried into effect since the late troubles. C. --- Here the privilege is to be extended to all the Jews. H. --- Ptolemais and Calliroe enjoyed the same. Harduin.

Ver. 16. Sacrifices, as Darius, Philometor, and afterwards (1 B. x. 39.) Nicator did. 1 Esd. vi. 9. C.

Ver. 19. Subjects. Lit. "citizens." H. --- Similar addresses (v. 20.) were sent by the emperors to the Romans; and by CÃ¦sar and Anthony to their allies. Jos. Ant. xiv. 17. and 22. Tull. Epist.

Ver. 23. Father: Antiochus the great. The Persian monarchs generally took this precaution. --- Countries. So profane authors style the provinces beyond the Euphrates. Diodorus, S. Jerom (in Dan. xi.) and others, inform us that Antiochus attempted to plunder the temple of Belus, at Elymais, and took off a vast sum of money under pretext of paying the tribute to the Romans. But the neighbouring nations fell upon him, and cut him with his army to pieces. Philopator succeeded to the throne.

Ver. 25. Antiochus Eupator, nine years old. --- Below. This is lost.

Ver. 26. Favours. He must have been deranged. C.

Ver. 28. Mountains, at Tabes, (Polyb.) in Patacene. Curt. v. --- Historians relate that he lost his senses, (daimonesas) being terrified by a demon, on account of his criminal attempt against the temple of Diana. Polyb. excerp. Vales. S. Jer. --- This was a real crime in him, as he took the idol for a deity. But his conduct towards the temple and nation of the Jews would probably weigh heavier upon his conscience. C. --- S. Cyprian (exhort.) styles him "an inveterate enemy to all good; nay, in Antiochus antichrist is expressed." W.

Ver. 29. That was. Syr. "son of his nurse," appointed regent. --- Philometor Lysias asserted his title to the regency, and had the young king, so that Philip applied to the Egyptians to help in the execution of the last will of the deceased. C. --- Read 1 B. vi. 17. W.