HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

2 MACHABEES 10

CHAPTER X.

Ver. 1. City. He had done both before the death of Epiphanes, (C.) after the fourth battle against Lysias. 1 B. iv. W. --- The author has given the journey and death of Antiochus together, and now returns to his subject.

Ver. 2. Altars. Such were erected before the houses. 1 B. i. 50. Jer. xi. 13.

Ver. 3. Stones; "heated," (Gr. Syr. Serar.) or by miracle, (Arab. Gorion. T.) or striking fire with a flint upon tinder. In this manner the Church still renews fire on Holy Saturday. The Jews could not use profane fire in the temple. Lev. x. 1. God restored the sacred fire by miracle. C. i. 18. &c. Pagans have had many superstitious customs with regard to fire. C.

Adde quod arcanÃ¢ fieri novus ignis in Ã¦de

Dicitur et vires flamma reflecta capit. Ovid, Fast. iii.

--- They obtained fire by means of a burning glass. C. --- If the vestal suffered it to go out, she was scourged by the pontiff. Sextus. --- Two, dating from the administration of Judas, and three since the temple was defiled. Usher, A. 3840.

Ver. 6. Manner, with the like ceremonies and solemnity. C. --- Green branches might be procured in November and December, as those months in Palestine are as fine as our spring. Roger.

Ver. 7. Green. Gr. "beautiful;" probably the orange tree. Lev. xxiii. 40. See diss. on mandrakes. C. H.

Ver. 8. Days. Beza allows that Christ complied. Jo. x. It is wonderful then that Prot. should reject this book.

Ver. 9. Illustrious. Go to 1 B. v. 1. W.

Ver. 11. Appointed. So Lysias gave out. C. ix. 29. He had been governor before the journey of Epiphanes. 1 B. iii. 32.

Ver. 12. Macer, "lean." Gr. makros, "tall." See C. iv. 45. and viii. 8. Polybius styles him "a prudent and active man." C.

Ver. 13. Revolted. So they interpreted (H.) his disapprobation of the cruelties exercised upon the Jews. C. --- Gr. "had not yet any honourable place of power entrusted to him, being dispirited, he," &c. H. --- It is never a proof of fortitude, but of pusillanimity, to kill oneself to get rid of temporal misery. But it is very heroical to die willingly for God's glory.

Ver. 14. Gorgias, who had been defeated. 1 B. iv. W. --- He was an experienced captain in Idumea, and the country south of Carmel. C. --- Fought. Gr. "prolonged the war." Grot.

Ver. 15. The Jews, &c. He speaks of them that had fallen from their religion, and were enemies of their country, who joining with the Idumeans or Edomites, kept possession of the strong holds, and from thence annoyed their countrymen. Ch. --- Gr. and Syr. "Idumeans," who appear in the sequel.

Ver. 18. Some; probably the sons of Bean. 1 B. v. 4.

Ver. 23. Holds; strong places, defended with towers. Some Judas burnt. C.

Ver. 24. Timotheus, who had been defeated (1 B. viii. 30. W.) soon after Nicanor.

Ver. 26. Altar, between it and the porch. Joel ii. 17. --- Law. Ex. xxiii. 22. Lev. xxvi. 7. Deut. vii. 15. C.

Ver. 32. Gazara, different from Gaza, which is so called elsewhere. M. --- This Gazara was a fortress against the inroads of the Idumeans. --- Chereas, brother of Timotheus. C.

Ver. 35. Men. Gorionides (iii. 13.) says they were Assideans, mentioned before 1 B. ii. 42. and vii. 13. W. --- Got. Gr. "slew every one they met." H.

Ver. 36. After. Gr. "by a back way (H. undefended, perispasmw. Grot.) to those within, burnt the towers, and kindling fires burnt the blasphemers alive. But these cut down the gates; and giving entrance to the rest of the army, took the city and killed Timotheus, who had hidden in a hole," (H.) or cistern; lakkw. C. --- Vulg. had perhaps lacu. Sa. M.