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2 Machabees xii.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 2.
Timotheus and Apolloinus. Others of the same name were slain before, chap. x. 37., and 1 Machabees iii. 11. (Worthington)
(Calmet)
Ver. 8.
Designed. The heart is the source of sin, and God thus punished the intentions of the Jamnites. (Haydock)
Ver. 9.
Off, or ten leagues. Jerusalem was on elevated ground. (Calmet) --- A furlong is about the eighth part of a mile, (others
say the fifth, or a thousand feet) so that the fire was seen at the distance of thirty or forty-eight miles. (Worthington)
Ver. 11.
Rest. Greek, "the Nomades," (Haydock) who dwelt in tents, and lived on plunder, (Strabo xvi.) like Ismael, Genesis
xvi. 12.
Ver. 13.
Casphin; Chasbon, or Hesebon, 1 Machabees v. 26., and Numbers xxi. 25. It was famous for its waters.
Ver. 14.
Spoken. The enemy generally reviled the Jews.
Ver. 15.
World. Thus setting a pattern to virtuous generals.
Ver. 17.
Characa, or Carcar, Judges viii. 10., and xi. 3. (Calmet) --- Tubianites, "religiously good;" probably the Assideans,
(1 Machabees ii. 42.; Worthington) or inhabitants of Tob. (Haydock)
Ver. 18.
Things. The Jews had retired to Characa or Dathema, so that he ravaged the country and left garrisons, which were cut
in pieces. Judas soon after with 6000 routed Timotheus, though he had 122,500 men, 1 Machabees v. 8, 27, 43.
Ver. 21.
Carnion, or Asteroth Carnaim.
Ver. 24.
Deceived. Greek, "if they slew him, would not be regarded," (Haydock) but slain without mercy. (Calmet)
Ver. 26.
Carnion. Greek adds, "and the temple of Astergata," (Haydock) the idol Astarte, or Derceto of the Philistines.
Ver. 29.
Scythopolis. Formerly called Bethsan, (Challoner) near the lake of Tiberias.
Ver. 31.
Weeks of Pentecost, celebrated seven weeks after the Passover, Leviticus xxiii. 15. (Calmet)
Ver. 32.
Gorgias, who had been twice defeated, chap. x. 14., and 1 Machabees iv. 1. (Worthington) --- Idumea. Grotius
would read Jamnia. But he might govern the southern parts of Juda, (Calmet) then occupied by the Idumeans. (Haydock)
Ver. 35.
Maresa. Syriac, "Samaria," as the Vulgate has, 1 Machabees v. 66.
Ver. 38.
Place. Probably without the walls, Numbers xix. 2, 17., and xxxi. 19.
Ver. 39.
Following, on Saturday evening, or on Sunday. --- Fathers, with those of the same nation.
Ver. 40.
Of the donaries, &c. That is, of the votive offerings, which had been hung up in the temples of the idols, which
they had taken away when they burnt the port of Jamnia, (ver. 9.) contrary to the prohibition of the law, Deuteronomy vii.
25. (Challoner) --- All such things should have been destroyed, (Josue vii., and 1 Kings xv.; Worthington) or melted down.
Perhaps the soldiers intended to bring them to Judas. He excused them charitably, and hoped that their temporal chastisement
might have served to expiate their fault.
Ver. 42.
Forgotten. Syriac, "imperfect." Greek, "effaced." (Calmet) --- Some copies, "that they might not, on account of the
sin committed, be entirely blotted out." (Aldus; Usher) --- They were convinced that some sins might be forgiven in the other
world, particularly when the living interceded. (Calmet) --- The Jews began to pray for the dead after the captivity, (Grotius)
when the prophets had more clearly explained what took place after death. (Calmet) --- Yet the doctrine and practice might
still be as ancient as the world. (Haydock) --- If it had not prevailed before, Judas would never have entertained such sentiments.
(Worthington) --- The Jews admit a sort of purgatory for "the prevaricators of Israel," which differs from hell only in duration.
They assert that the damned of their nation are exempt from suffering on the sabbath. (Bartolocci; Leo v. 10.; Tirinus; Estius)
--- Some Christians have supposed that the sin here specified was mortal, and the deceased in hell, yet prayer might be of
service to them. Origen (Prin. iii. 6.) thought that even the devils would one day be liberated. St. Augustine (Ench. cx.
29.) says prayers "are of service, either that the remission may be entire, or surely that damnation itself may be more tolerable."
Most understand this of purgatory: but several explain it of the damned. (Rrot. Bened.) --- A mass was formerly composed for
this purpose, tolerabilia fiant ipsa tormenta: and some monks prayed for certain robbers slain, "that their pains might
be diminished by the severe judge." (Aldrev. xxi) Excommunication might be taken off from the deceased. (St. Gregory, Dial.
ii. 29.) --- Purgatory is for venial sins. (Ibid.[St. Gregory, Dial.] iv. 39.) This doctrine is proved beyond reply by various
controvertists. (Calmet)
Ver. 43.
Twelve. Greek, "two." Syriac, "three." St. Prosper. reads "12,000 talents." Sacrifices for the dead were not enjoined,
but the practice was then established, and this author takes every opportunity of proving the resurrection against the Sadducees,
who then began to appear. The Church of Christ has adopted the same practice. See Bellarmine, Serarius, &c. Our adversaries
confess that such was the opinion of the Jews, and of the ancient doctors of the Church. But they declare it superstitious,
and deny the authority of these books, which has been sufficiently established. Could such holy personages authorize superstition?
Would Christ and his apostles have tolerated it? St. Paul prayed for Onesiphorus after his decease, 2 Timothy i. 16. See Matthew
xii. 33., and Luke xvi. 9., and 1 Corinthians iii. 13., and xv. 29.; Eusebius, Life of Constantine iv.; St. Epiphanius, hær.
lxxv.; St. Cyprian i. ep. 9.; Tertullian, &c. (Calmet)
Ver. 45.
With godliness. Judas hoped that these men who died fighting for the cause of God and religion, might find mercy; either
because they might be excused from mortal sin by ignorance, or might have repented of their sin at least at their death. (Challoner)
--- Charity requires us to judge thus, when there are no positive proofs to the contrary. (Calmet) --- Pope John VIII answered
the bishops of France, that those who died fighting against infidels were saved. (Mabil. T. iii. An. Ben.) --- Judas might
entertain the like hopes, though they are not always well grounded. (Haydock)
Ver. 46.
Holy. This text is so clear, that our adversaries judge it best to deny the book to be canonical. As that has been
authentically proved, (Preface) we shall only add that the Greek version, though differing in many points, is here as express
as the Vulgate, (Worthington) 45. "considering that the best grace is laid up for those who sleep in piety. Holy and
pious is the thought. (Haydock) Wherefore he made reconciliation (or expiation) for the dead, that they might
be delivered from sin," or punishment due to it. (Worthington) --- Sin is often taken for the punishment; and this effect
of mortal sin may be remitted in purgatory, when the person has sincerely repented in this life. (Haydock) --- To pass over
other proofs, we will only mention St. Augustine (hær. liii.) and St. Bernard, (Cant. lxvi.) who plainly account those "heretics,"
who deny purgatory. It is also worthy of notice that Judas, who acted thus charitably, was the high priest and defender of
the true faith; and that the Jews still pray for the dead, as the book Mahzor, published by Genebrard, 1569, evinces.
There they say, "Let him rest in peace," and "ye angels of peace come forth to meet him." But this is acknowledged by Munster
and Fagius, (in Deuteronomy xiv.) and by Whitaker. --- Sins. Go to 1 Machabees vi. 18. (Worthington)
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Bible Text & Cross-references:
The Jews are still molested by their neighbours. Judas
gains divers victories over them. He orders sacrifice and prayers for the dead.
1 When *these covenants were made, Lysias went to the king, and the Jews
gave themselves to husbandry.
2 But they that were behind, viz. Timotheus, and Apollonius, the son
of Genneus, also Hieronymus, and Demophon, and besides them Nicanor, the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to live
in peace, and to be quiet.
3 The men of Joppe also were guilty of this kind of wickedness: they
desired the Jews, who dwelt among them, to go with their wives and children into the boats, which they had prepared, as though
they had no enmity to them.
4 Which when they had consented to, according to the common decree of
the city, suspecting nothing, because of the peace: when they were gone forth into the deep, they drowned no fewer than two
hundred of them.
5 But as soon as Judas heard of this cruelty done to his countrymen,
he commanded the men that were with him: and after having called upon God, the just judge,
6 He came against those murderers of his brethren, and set the haven
on fire in the night, burnt the boats, and slew with the sword them that escaped from the fire.
7 And when he had done these things in this manner, he departed as if
he would return again, and root out all the Joppites.
8 But when he understood that the men of Jamnia also designed to do in
like manner to the Jews that dwelt among them,
9 He came upon the Jamnites also by night, and set the haven on fire,
with the ships, so that the light of the fire was seen at Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs off.
10 And when they were now gone from thence nine furlongs, and were marching
towards Timotheus, five thousand footmen, and five hundred horsemen of the Arabians, set upon them.
11 And after a hard fight, in which, by the help of God, they got the
victory, the rest of the Arabians being overcome, besought Judas for peace, promising to give him pastures, and to assist
him in other things.
12 And Judas thinking that they might be profitable indeed in many things,
promised them peace, and after having joined hands, they departed to their tents.
13 He also laid siege to a certain strong city, encompassed with bridges
and walls, and inhabited by multitudes of different nations, the name of which is Casphin.
14 But they that were within it, trusting in the strength of the walls,
and the provision of victuals, behaved in a more negligent manner, and provoked Judas with railing and blaspheming, and uttering
such words as were not to be spoken.
15 But Machabeus calling upon the great Lord of the world, who without
any rams or engines of war threw down the walls of Jericho, *in the time of Josue, fiercely assaulted the walls.
16 And having taken the city by the will of the Lord, he made an unspeakable
slaughter, so that a pool adjoining, of two furlongs broad, seemed to run with the blood of the slain.
17 From thence they departed seven hundred and fifty furlongs, and came
to Characa, to the Jews that are called Tubianites.
18 But as for Timotheus, they found him not in those places, for before
he had dispatched any thing he went back, having left a very strong garrison in a certain hold:
19 But Dositheus, and Sosipater, who were captains with Machabeus, slew
them that were left by Timotheus in the hold, to the number of ten thousand men.
20 And Machabeus having set in order about him six thousand men, and
divided them by bands, went forth against Timotheus, who had with him a hundred and twenty thousand footmen, and two thousand
five hundred horsemen.
21 Now when Timotheus had knowledge of the coming of Judas, he sent the
women and children, and the other baggage, before him into a fortress, called Carnion: for it was impregnable, and hard to
come at, by reason of the straitness of the places.
22 But when the first band of Judas came in sight, the enemies were struck
with fear, by the presence of God, who seeth all things, and they were put to flight one from another, so that they were often
thrown down by their own companions, and wounded with the strokes of their own swords.
23 But Judas was pursued them close, punishing the profane, of whom he
slew thirty thousand men.
24 And Timotheus himself fell into the hands of the band of Dositheus
and Sosipater, and with many prayers he besought them to let him go with his life, because he had the parents and brethren
of many of the Jews, who, by his death, might happen to be deceived.
25 And when he had given his faith that he would restore them according
to the agreement, they let him go without hurt, for the saving of their brethren.
26 Then Judas went away to Carnion, where he slew five and twenty thousand
persons.
27 And *after he had put to flight and destroyed these, he removed his
army to Ephron, a strong city, wherein there dwelt a multitude of divers nations: and stout young men standing upon the walls,
made a vigorous resistance: and in this place there were many engines of war, and a provision of darts.
28 But when they had invocated the Almighty, who with his power breaketh
the strength of the enemies, they took the city: and slew five and twenty thousand of them that were within.
29 From thence they departed to Scythopolis, which lieth six hundred
furlongs from Jerusalem.
30 But the Jews that were among the Scythopolitans testifying that they
were used kindly by them, and that even in the times of their adversity they had treated them with humanity:
31 They gave them thanks, exhorting them to be still friendly to their
nation, and so they came to Jerusalem, the feast of the weeks being at hand.
32 And after Pentecost they marched against Gorgias, the governor of
Idumea.
33 And he came out with three thousand footmen, and four hundred horsemen.
34 And when they had joined battle, it happened that a few of the Jews
were slain.
35 But Dositheus, a horseman, one of Bacenor's band, a valiant
man, took hold of Gorgias: and when he would have taken him alive, a certain horseman of the Thracians came upon him, and
cut off his shoulder: and so Gorgias escaped to Maresa.
36 But when they that were with Esdrin had fought long, and were weary,
Judas called upon the Lord to be their helper, and leader of the battle:
37 Then beginning in his own language, and singing hymns with a loud
voice, he put Gorgias's soldiers to flight.
38 So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam:
and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the same place.
39 And the day following Judas came with his company, to take away the
bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.
40 And they found under the coats of the slain, some of the donaries
of the idols of Jamnia, *which the law forbiddeth to the Jews: so that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain.
41 Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered
the things that were hidden.
42 And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the
sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin,
forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain.
43 And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver
to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection.
44 (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again,
it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead)
45 And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness,
had great grace laid up for them.
46 It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead,
that they may be loosed from sins.
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*
1: Year of the World 3841, Year before Christ 163.
15: Josue vi. 20.
27: Year of the World 3841, Year before Christ 163.
40: Deuteronomy vii. 25.
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