The Second Book of Maccabees

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- Chapter 11 -

Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.

But a short time afterwards, Lysias, the procurator of the king and a near relative, who also was in charge of the government, was heavily weighed upon by what had happened.

Gathering together eight thousand, along with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking that the city would certainly be captured, making it a dwelling place for the Gentiles,

in truth, also thinking to make a profit in money from the temple, just as from the other shrines of the Gentiles, and to put the priesthood up for sale every year.

Never recognizing the power of God, but inflated in mind, he trusted in the multitude of the foot soldiers, and in the thousands of horsemen, and in the eighty elephants.

And so, he entered Judea, and, approaching Bethzur, which was in a narrow place, at an interval of five stadia from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that stronghold.(a)

But when Maccabeus and those who were with him realized that the strongholds were besieged, they and all the crowd together petitioned the Lord with weeping and tears, that he would send a good Angel to save Israel.

And so the leader Maccabeus, taking up arms, exhorted the others, to undergo the peril together with him, and to bring assistance to their brothers.

And when they together were going forth with a ready spirit, there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman, preceding them in radiant clothing and with weapons of gold, waving a spear.

Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and strengthened their souls, being prepared to break through not only men, but also the most ferocious beasts and walls of iron.

Thus, they went forth readily, having a helper from heaven, and with the Lord taking pity on them.

Then, rushing violently against the enemy, in the manner of lions, they struck down from among them: eleven thousand foot soldiers and one thousand six hundred horsemen.

And they turned all the rest to flight. But many of them, being wounded, escaped with nothing. And Lysias himself also escaped, fleeing in disgrace.(b)

And because he was not irrational, thinking to himself about the loss that had happened against him, and understanding the Hebrews to be invincible because they depend upon the help of Almighty God, he sent to them,

and he promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.

Then Maccabeus assented to the request of Lysias, considering it useful in every way. And whatever Maccabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king consented to it.

For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, which, indeed, were composed in this way: “Lysias, to the people of the Jews: greetings.

John and Absalom, who had been sent from you to deliver your writings, requested that I would implement these things that were signified by them.

Therefore, whatever things could be brought before the king, I have presented them. And he has conceded to those things that are permitted.

If, therefore, you will keep yourselves faithful in these matters, then, from now on, I will endeavor to be a cause of your good.

But as for other particulars, I have given orders by word, both to these, and to those who have been sent by me, to confer with you.

Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of Dioscorus.”(c)

But the letter of the king contained this: “King Antiochus to Lysias, his brother: greetings.

Since our father has been transferred among the gods, we are willing that those who are in our kingdom should act without tumult, and should attend diligently to their own concerns.

We have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to convert to the rites of the Greeks, but that they chose to keep to their own institutions, and, because of this, that they ask of us to leave them to their own laws.

Therefore, wanting this nation, likewise, to be at rest, we have reached a judgment that the temple should be restored to them, so that they may act according to the custom of their ancestors.

You will do well, therefore, if you send to them and grant them a pledge, so that our will becomes known, and they may be of good courage, and may look after their own needs.”

Truly, the letter of the king to the Jews was such as this: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews: greetings.

If you are well, such is what we desire. But we ourselves are also well.

Menelaus came to us, saying that you wished to come down to your own, who are among us.

Therefore, we grant a pledge of security to those who come and go, even until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

so that the Jews may make use of their own foods and laws, just as also before, and so that none of them should endure any kind of trouble for things which have been done by ignorance.

And so, we have also sent Menelaus, who will talk with you.

Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.”

But the Romans also now sent a letter, having this in it: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews: greetings.

Concerning these things that Lysias, the relative of the king, has conceded to you, we also have conceded.

But about such things as he judged should be referred to the king, send someone, as soon as you have diligently conferred among yourselves, so that we may make a decree, just as it is agreeable to you. For we are going to Antioch.

And, therefore, make haste to write back, so that we may know whatever your will may be.

Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.”

Footnotes

(a)11:5 The distance of five stadia is just under one kilometer, or just under 0.6 miles.(Conte)

(b)11:12 The word ‘nudi’ does not mean ‘naked’ in this context; rather, it means that they escaped empty-handed, with no weapons or supplies.(Conte)

(c)11:21 In the year 148:Viz., according to the computation followed by the Greeks; which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the writer of the first book of Maccabees. 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 which is recorded, 1 Mac. 6.(Challoner)

Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.

Now after a very little time, Lysias, the king’s guardian, kinsman, and chancellor, being very displeased about the things that had happened,

collected about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came against the Jews, planing to make the city a home for Greeks,

and to levy tribute on the temple, as (a)on the other sacred places of the nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.

He took no account of God’s power, but was puffed up with his ten thousands of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.

Coming into Judea and approaching Bethsuron, which was a strong place and about five stadia(b) away from Jerusalem, he pressed it hard.

When Maccabaeus and his men learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentations and tears made supplication to the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.

Maccabaeus himself took up weapons first, and exhorted the others to put themselves in jeopardy together with him and help their kindred; and they went out with him very willingly.

As they were there, close to Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head in white apparel, brandishing(c) weapons of gold.

They all together praised the merciful God, and were yet more strengthened in heart, being ready to (d)assail not only men but the wildest animals and walls of iron,

they advanced in array, having him who is in heaven to fight on their side, for the Lord had mercy on them.

Hurling themselves like lions against the enemy, they killed eleven thousand infantry and one thousand six hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.

Most of them escaped wounded and naked. Lysias himself also escaped by shameful flight.

But as he was a man not void of understanding, pondering the defeat which had befallen him, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome because the Almighty God fought on their side, he sent again

and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and (e) promised that he would also persuade the king to become their friend.

Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the common good; for whatever requests Maccabaeus delivered in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews the king allowed.

The letter written to the Jews from Lysias was to this effect: “Lysias to the (f)people of the Jews, greetings.

John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the document written below, made request concerning the things written therein.

Whatever things therefore needed to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.

If then you will all preserve your good will toward the government, I will also endeavor in the future to contribute to your good.

Concerning this, I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those who are sent from me, to confer with you.

Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month (g)Dioscorinthius.”

And the king’s letter contained these words: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.

Seeing that our father passed to the gods having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom (h)should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,

we, having heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them to the customs of the Greeks, but choose rather their own way of living, and make request that the customs of their law be allowed to them—

choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from disturbance, we determine that their temple is to be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.

You will therefore do well to send messengers to them and give them the right hand of friendship, that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.”

And to the nation, the king’s letter was as follows: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.

If you are all well, it is as we desire. We ourselves also are in good health.

Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.

They therefore who depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have our (i)friendship, with full permission

that the Jews use their own foods and observe their own laws, even as formerly. None of them shall be in any way molested for the things that have been done in ignorance.

Moreover I have sent Menelaus also, that he may encourage you.

Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.”

The Romans also sent to them a letter in these words: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.

In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent.

But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send someone promptly, after you have considered them, that we may publish such decrees as are appropriate for your case; for we are on our way to Antioch.

Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind.

(j)Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.

Footnotes

(a)11:3 Or, on all the sacred places of the heathen

(b)11:5 One stadia was roughly 189 meters or 618 feet, so 5 stadia was about a little less than 1 km or a little more than half a mile.

(d)11:9 Gr. wound.

(e)11:14 The Greek text here is corrupt.

(f)11:16 Gr. multitude.

(g)11:21 This month name is not found elsewhere, and is perhaps corrupt.

(h)11:23 Or, should not be disquieted but

(i)11:30 Gr. right hand.

(j)11:38 Gr. Be in good health.