HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

2 MACHABEES 11

CHAPTER XI.

Ver. 1. Cousin. He was of the blood royal and governor, (v. 22. and 1 B. xi. 18.) having supplanted Philip. C. --- Lysias had been vanquished already. 1 B. iv. 28. W. C.

Ver. 3. Temple, as of a farm, by selling offices and requiring money of those who offered victims. 1 B. x. 42. C.

Ver. 5. Narrow. Gr. "secure." Prot. "strong town." --- Furlongs. Gr. "schÅ“nus," (H.) 625 paces. Yet Eusebius and S. Jerom say it was twenty miles distant, towards Hebron, (Jos. xv. 58.) which seems more accurate. C. --- Some figure may easily have been changed. H.

Ver. 6. Angel. Knowing that the patriarchs and Moses had often received such aid, the Machabees prayed that their good cause might be espoused by the angels; and their request was granted, though they were forced to co-operate. Sometimes God gave victory without the interference of men. Ex. xiv. and 4 K. xix. W.

Ver. 8. Horseman, in appearance, but really (H.) an angel, as five came before. C. x. 29.

Ver. 17. Delivering; (Syr.) but Gr. has, "seeing the oracle subscribed, (or underwritten) made a petition concerning the things declared in it." H. --- Kings' decrees were often styled oracles; and this might contain leave for Lysias to treat with the Jews, (Grot.) or the last injunction of Epiphanes, (C. ix. 19.) or the resolution of Judas. C.

Ver. 21. In the year one hundred and forty-eight; viz. according to the computation of the Greeks, which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the writer of the first book of Machabees. However by this date, as well as by other circumstances, it appears that the expedition of Lysias, mentioned in this chapter, is different from that recorded 1 Mac. vi. 16. Ch. --- Dioscorus. Syr. "the last of Tisri." Gr. "Jupiter of Corinth," which is more unintelligible. There was no month called Dioscorus among the Greeks. C. --- It might be put for Dius, (Grot.) or Distrus, (Serar. T.) or it was an intercalary month, between March and April, (Salien) or the Macedonians had two names for some months. H.

Ver. 22. Brother. So he is styled for honour. v. 35. M.

Ver. 23. Gods. This impious custom began in the East, and was abolished by Christianity. C. --- Epiphanes had affected to be a god, but at last saw his folly. C. ix. H.

Ver. 25. Restored. It was already occupied by the Jews, but they were much disturbed by the garrison. Now their rights are admitted.

Ver. 27. Senate. The constitution was aristocratical.

Ver. 29. Menelaus. He was at Antioch, and was reputed high priest, being established by the king. But the Jews would not receive him, having chosen Judas. C.

Ver. 30. Day, or for fifteen days. v. 33. M.

Ver. 31. Ignorance. He excuses them, and grants an amnesty. 1 B. xiii. 39. C.

Ver. 34. Romans. Others were sent soon after to burn the ships and maim the elephants, which Eupator had more than had been agreed upon. Usher, A. 3841. --- They undertake to promote the welfare of their allies. Yet the peace was of short duration, and perhaps never ratified.