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13:1 Et audivit Simon quod congregavit Tryphon exercitum copiosum ut veniret in terram Juda, et attereret eam.
*H Now Simon heard that Tryphon was gathering together a very great army to invade the land of Juda, and to destroy it.
Ver. 1. Simon, the fourth high priest and prince of this family, who was judged by his father to be the most prudent. C. ii. 65. He endeavoured to defend the nation. W.
Καὶ ἤκουσε Σίμων ὅτι συνήγαγε Τρύφων δύναμιν πολλὴν τοῦ ἐλθεῖν εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα, καὶ ἐκ ρίψαι αὐτήν.
13:2 Videns quia in tremore populus est, et in timore, ascendit Jerusalem, et congregavit populum :
And seeing that the people was in dread and in fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and assembled the people,
Καὶ εἶδε τὸν λαὸν ὅτι ἐστὶν ἔντρομος, καὶ ἔμφοβος, καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἤθροισε τὸν λαόν.
13:3 et adhortans dixit : Vos scitis quanta ego, et fratres mei, et domus patris mei, fecimus pro legibus et pro sanctis, praelia, et angustias quales vidimus :
And exhorted them, saying: You know what great battles I and my brethren, and the house of my father, have fought for the laws, and the sanctuary, and the distresses that we have seen:
Καὶ παρεκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, αὐτοὶ οἴδατε ὅσα ἐγὼ, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου, ὁ καὶ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός μου, ἐποιήσαμεν περὶ τῶν νόμων, καὶ τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ τοὺς πολέμους, καὶ τὰς στενοχωρίας ἃς εἴδομεν.
* Summa
*S Part 3,
Ques 188,
Article 3
[II-II, Q. 188, Art. 3]
Whether a Religious Order Can Be Directed to Soldiering?
Objection 1: It would seem that no religious order can be directed to soldiering. For all religious orders belong to the state of perfection. Now our Lord said with reference to the perfection of Christian life (Matt. 5:39): "I say to you not to resist evil; but if one strike thee on the right cheek, turn to him also the other," which is inconsistent with the duties of a soldier. Therefore no religious order can be established for soldiering.
Obj. 2: Further, the bodily encounter of the battlefield is more grievous than the encounter in words that takes place between counsel at law. Yet religious are forbidden to plead at law, as appears from the Decretal De Postulando quoted above (A. 2, Obj. 2). Therefore it is much less seemly for a religious order to be established for soldiering.
Obj. 3: Further, the religious state is a state of penance, as we have said above (Q. 187, A. 6). Now according to the code of laws soldiering is forbidden to penitents. For it is said in the Decretal De Poenit., Dist. v, cap. 3: "It is altogether opposed to the rules of the Church, to return to worldly soldiering after doing penance." Therefore it is unfitting for any religious order to be established for soldiering.
Obj. 4: Further, no religious order may be established for an unjust object. But as Isidore says (Etym. xviii, 1), "A just war is one that is waged by order of the emperor." Since then religious are private individuals, it would seem unlawful for them to wage war; and consequently no religious order may be established for this purpose.
_On the contrary,_ Augustine says (Ep. clxxxix; ad Bonifac.), "Beware of thinking that none of those can please God who handle war-like weapons. Of such was holy David to whom the Lord gave great testimony." Now religious orders are established in order that men may please God. Therefore nothing hinders the establishing of a religious order for the purpose of soldiering.
_I answer that,_ As stated above (A. 2), a religious order may be established not only for the works of the contemplative life, but also for the works of the active life, in so far as they are concerned in helping our neighbor and in the service of God, but not in so far as they are directed to a worldly object. Now the occupation of soldiering may be directed to the assistance of our neighbor, not only as regards private individuals, but also as regards the defense of the whole commonwealth. Hence it is said of Judas Machabeus (1 Macc. 3:2, 3) that "he [Vulg.: 'they'] fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel, and he got his people great honor." It can also be directed to the upkeep of divine worship, wherefore (1 Macc. 3:21) Judas is stated to have said: "We will fight for our lives and our laws," and further on (1 Macc. 13:3) Simon said: "You know what great battles I and my brethren, and the house of my father, have fought for the laws and the sanctuary."
Hence a religious order may be fittingly established for soldiering, not indeed for any worldly purpose, but for the defense of divine worship and public safety, or also of the poor and oppressed, according to Ps. 81:4: "Rescue the poor, and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner."
Reply Obj. 1: Not to resist evil may be understood in two ways. First, in the sense of forgiving the wrong done to oneself, and thus it may pertain to perfection, when it is expedient to act thus for the spiritual welfare of others. Secondly, in the sense of tolerating patiently the wrongs done to others: and this pertains to imperfection, or even to vice, if one be able to resist the wrongdoer in a becoming manner. Hence Ambrose says (De Offic. i, 27): "The courage whereby a man in battle defends his country against barbarians, or protects the weak at home, or his friends against robbers is full of justice": even so our Lord says in the passage quoted [*Luke 6:30: "Of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again"; Cf. Matt. 5:40," . . . thy goods, ask them not again."] If, however, a man were not to demand the return of that which belongs to another, he would sin if it were his business to do so: for it is praiseworthy to give away one's own, but not another's property. And much less should the things of God be neglected, for as Chrysostom [*Hom. v in Matth. in the Opus Imperfectum, falsely ascribed to St. John Chrysostom] says, "it is most wicked to overlook the wrongs done to God."
Reply Obj. 2: It is inconsistent with any religious order to act as counsel at law for a worldly object, but it is not inconsistent to do so at the orders of one's superior and in favor of one's monastery, as stated in the same Decretal, or for the defense of the poor and widows. Wherefore it is said in the Decretals (Dist. lxxxviii, cap. 1): "The holy synod has decreed that henceforth no cleric is to buy property or occupy himself with secular business, save with a view to the care of the fatherless . . . and widows." Likewise to be a soldier for the sake of some worldly object is contrary to all religious life, but this does not apply to those who are soldiers for the sake of God's service.
Reply Obj. 3: Worldly soldiering is forbidden to penitents, but the soldiering which is directed to the service of God is imposed as a penance on some people, as in the case of those upon whom it is enjoined to take arms in defense of the Holy Land.
Reply Obj. 4: The establishment of a religious order for the purpose of soldiering does not imply that the religious can wage war on their own authority; but they can do so only on the authority of the sovereign or of the Church. _______________________
FOURTH
13:4 horum gratia perierunt fratres mei omnes propter Israel, et relictus sum ego solus.
By reason whereof all my brethren have lost their lives for Israel's sake, and I am left alone.
Τούτου χάριν ἀπώλοντο οἱ ἀδελφοί μου πάντες χάριν τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ κατελείφθην ἐγὼ μόνος.
13:5 Et nunc non mihi contingat parcere animae meae in omni tempore tribulationis : non enim melior sum fratribus meis.
And now far be it from me to spare my life in any time of trouble: for I am not better than my brethren.
Καὶ νῦν μή μοι γένοιτο φείσασθαί μου τῆς ψυχῆς ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ θλίψεως, οὐ γάρ εἰμι κρείσσων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου.
13:6 Vindicabo itaque gentem meam, et sancta, natos quoque nostros, et uxores : quia congregatae sunt universae gentes conterere nos inimicitiae gratia.
I will avenge then my nation and the sanctuary, and our children, and wives: for all the heathens are gathered together to destroy us out of mere malice.
Πλὴν ἐκδικήσω περὶ τοῦ ἔθνους μου, καὶ περὶ τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ περὶ τῶν γυναικῶν καὶ τῶν τέκνων ἡμῶν, ὅτι συνήχθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἐκτρίψαι ἡμᾶς ἔχθρας χάριν.
13:7 Et accensus est spiritus populi simul ut audivit sermones istos :
And the spirit of the people was enkindled as soon as they heard these words:
Καὶ ἀνεζωοπύρησε τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ λαοῦ ἅμα τῷ ἀκοῦσαι τῶν λόγων τούτων,
13:8 et responderunt voce magna, dicentes : Tu es dux noster loco Judae, et Jonathae fratris tui :
And they answered with a loud voice, saying: Thou art our leader in the place of Judas, and Jonathan, thy brother:
καὶ ἀπεκρίθησαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, λέγοντες, σὺ εἶ ἡμῶν ἡγούμενος ἀντὶ Ἰούδα, καὶ Ἰωνάθαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου.
13:9 pugna praelium nostrum : et omnia, quaecumque dixeris nobis, faciemus.
Fight thou our battles, and we will do whatsoever thou shalt say to us.
Πολέμησον τὸν πόλεμον ἡμῶν, καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἂν εἴπῃς ἡμῖν, ποιήσομεν.
13:10 Et congregans omnes viros bellatores, acceleravit consummare universos muros Jerusalem, et munivit eam in gyro.
So gathering together all the men of war, he made haste to finish all the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about.
Καὶ συνήγαγε πάντας τοὺς ἄνδρας τοὺς πολεμιστὰς, καὶ ἐτάχυνε τοῦ τελέσαι τὰ τείχη Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ ὠχύρωσεν αὐτὴν κυκλόθεν.
13:11 Et misit Jonathan filium Absalomi, et cum eo exercitum novum in Joppen, et ejectis his qui erant in ea, remansit illic ipse.
*H And he sent Jonathan, the son of Absalom, and with him a new army, into Joppe, and he cast out them that were in it, and himself remained there.
Ver. 11. Jonathan, his friend, (Jos.) brother of Mathathias, mentioned C. xi. 70.
Καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἰωνάθαν τὸν τοῦ Ἀβεσσαλώμου καὶ μετʼ αὐτοῦ δύναμιν ἱκανὴν εἰς Ἰόππην, καὶ ἐξέβαλε τοὺς ὄντας ἐν αὐτῇ, καὶ ἔμεινεν ἐκεῖ ἐν αὐτῇ.
13:12 Et movit Tryphon a Ptolemaida cum exercitu multo, ut veniret in terram Juda, et Jonathas cum eo in custodia.
*H And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a great army, to invade the land of Juda, and Jonathan was with him in custody.
Ver. 12. Custody: tied to a soldier, like S. Paul. Acts xviii. 16.
Καὶ ἀπῇρε Τρύφων ἀπὸ Πτολεμαΐδος μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς εἰσελθεῖν εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα, καὶ Ἰωνάθαν μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν φυλακῇ.
13:13 Simon autem applicuit in Addus contra faciem campi.
*H But Simon pitched in Addus, over against the plain.
Ver. 13. Plain; Sephala, (C. xii. 38.) above Eleutheropolis, by which road Jerusalem was most easily attacked. C. vi. 31. C.
Σίμων δὲ παρενέβαλεν ἐν Ἀδιδὰ κατὰ πρόσωπον τοῦ πεδίου.
13:14 Et ut cognovit Tryphon quia surrexit Simon loco fratris sui Jonathae, et quia commissurus esset cum eo praelium, misit ad eum legatos,
And when Tryphon understood that Simon was risen up in the place of his brother, Jonathan, and that he meant to join battle with him, he sent messengers to him,
Καὶ ἐπέγνω Τρύφων ὅτι ἀνέστη Σίμων ἀντὶ Ἰωνάθου τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὅτι συνάπτειν αὐτῷ μέλλει πόλεμον, καὶ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτὸν πρέσβεις, λέγων,
13:15 dicens : Pro argento, quod debebat frater tuus Jonathas in ratione regis propter negotia quae habuit, detinuimus eum.
Saying: We have detained thy brother, Jonathan, for the money that he owed in the king's account, by reason of the affairs which he had the management of.
περὶ ἀργυρίου οὗ ὤφειλεν Ἰωνάθαν ὁ ἀδελφός σου εἰς τὸ βασιλικὸν διʼ ἃς εἶχε χρείας συνέχομεν αὐτόν.
13:16 Et nunc mitte argenti talenta centum, et duos filios ejus obsides, ut non dimissus fugiat a nobis, et remittemus eum.
But now send a hundred talents of silver, and his two sons for hostages, that when he is set at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will release him.
Καὶ νῦν ἀπόστειλον ἀργυρίου τάλαντα ἑκατὸν, καὶ δύο τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ ὅμηρα, ὅπως μὴ ἀφεθεὶς ἀποστατήσῃ ἀφʼ ἡμῶν, καὶ ἀφήσομεν αὐτόν.
13:17 Et cognovit Simon quia cum dolo loqueretur secum : jussit tamen dari argentum et pueros, ne inimicitiam magnam sumeret ad populum Israel, dicentem :
Now Simon knew that he spoke deceitfully to him; nevertheless, he ordered the money and the children to be sent, lest he should bring upon himself a great hatred of the people of Israel, who might have said:
Καὶ ἔγνω Σίμων ὅτι δόλῳ λαλοῦσι πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ πέμπει τὸ ἀργύριον, καὶ τὰ παιδάρια, μήποτε ἔχθραν ἄρῃ μεγάλην πρός τὸν λαόν,
13:18 Quia non misit ei argentum, et pueros, propterea periit.
Because he sent not the money and the children therefore is he lost.
λέγων, ὅτι οὐκ ἀπέστειλα αὐτῷ τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὰ παιδάρια, καὶ ἀπώλετο.
13:19 Et misit pueros, et centum talenta : et mentitus est, et non dimisit Jonathan.
*H So he sent the children and the hundred talents and he lied, and did not let Jonathan go.
Ver. 19. Talents. If he had refused, he might have been suspected of avarice or of ambition. M. — Jonathan would most probably have been slain, and the people would have revolted. S. Tho. W.
Καὶ ἀπέστειλε τὰ παιδάρια, καὶ τὰ ἑκατὸν τάλαντα· καὶ διεψεύσατο, καὶ οὐκ ἀφῆκε τὸν Ἰωνάθαν.
13:20 Et post haec venit Tryphon intra regionem, ut contereret eam : et gyraverunt per viam quae ducit Ador : et Simon et castra ejus ambulabant in omnem locum quocumque ibant.
*H And after this, Tryphon entered within the country, to destroy it: and they went about by the way that leadeth to Ador: and Simon and his army marched to every place whithersoever they went.
Ver. 20. Ador, called Adoraim, (2 Par. ii. 9.) near Marissa; or perhaps Eder, a southern city of Juda, may be meant. Tryphon attempted in vain to cross the mountains. C.
Καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἦλθε Τρύφων τοῦ ἐμβατεῦσααι εἰς τὴν χώραν, καὶ ἐκτρίψαι αὐτὴν, καὶ ἐκύκλωσεν ὁδὸν τὴν εἰς Ἄδωρα· καὶ Σίμων καὶ ἡ παρεμβολὴ αὐτοῦ ἀντιπαρῆγεν αὐτῷ εἰς πάντα τόπον οὗ ἂν ἐπορεύετο.
13:21 Qui autem in arce erant, miserunt ad Tryphonem legatos, ut festinaret venire per desertum, et mitteret illis alimonias.
And they that were in the castle, sent messengers to Tryphon, that he should make haste to come through the desert, and send them victuals.
Οἱ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας ἀπέστελλον πρὸς Τρύφωνα πρεσβευτὰς κατασπεύδοντας αὐτὸν τοῦ ἐλθεῖν προὺς αὐτὸν διὰ τῆς ἐρήμου, καὶ· ἀποστεῖλαι αὐτοῖς τροφάς.
13:22 Et paravit Tryphon omnem equitatum, ut veniret illa nocte : erat autem nix multa valde, et non venit in Galaaditim.
*H And Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night; but there fell a very great snow, and he came not into the country of Galaad.
Ver. 22. But. Gr. "and that very night there was very much snow; and he came not on account of the snow; and he rose, and went into," &c. H. — He gave this out, or intended to go, but went back along the Jordan.
Καὶ ἡτοίμασε Τρύφων πᾶσαν τὴν ἵππον αὐτοῦ ἐλθεῖν ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ· καὶ ἦν χιὼν πολλὴ σφόδρα, καὶ οὐκ ἦλθε διὰ τὴν χιόνα, καὶ ἀπῇρε, καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν Γαλααδίτιν.
13:23 Et cum appropinquasset Bascaman, occidit Jonathan et filios ejus illic.
*H And when he approached to Bascama, he slew Jonathan and his sons there.
Ver. 23. Bascama; perhaps Besech. 1 K. xi. 8. C.
Ὡς δὲ ἤγγισε τῇ Βασκαμᾷ, ἀπέκτεινε τὸν Ἰωνάθαν, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐκεῖ.
13:24 Et convertit Tryphon, et abiit in terram suam.
And Tryphon returned, and went into his own country.
Καὶ ἐπέστρεψε Τρύφων, καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ.
13:25 Et misit Simon, et accepit ossa Jonathae fratris sui, et sepelivit ea in Modin civitate patrum ejus.
And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan, his brother, and buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers.
Καὶ ἀπέστειλε Σίμων, καὶ ἔλαβε τὰ ὀστᾶ Ἰωνάθαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔθαψεν αὐτὰ ἐν Μωδεῒν πόλει τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ.
13:26 Et planxerunt eum omnis Israel planctu magno, et luxerunt eum dies multos.
And all Israel bewailed him with great lamentation: and they mourned for him many days.
Καὶ ἐκόψαντο αὐτὸν πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ κοπετὸν μέγαν, καὶ ἐπένθησαν αὐτὸν ἡμέρας πολλάς.
13:27 Et aedificavit Simon super sepulchrum patris sui et fratrum suorum aedificium altum visu, lapide polito retro et ante.
And Simon built over the sepulchre of his father and of his brethren, a building lofty to the sight, of polished stone, behind and before:
Καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε Σίμων ἐπὶ τὸν τάφον τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὕψωσεν αὐτὸν τῇ ὁράσει λίθῳ ξεστῷ ἐκ τῶν ὄπισθεν καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἔμπροσθεν.
13:28 Et statuit septem pyramidas, unam contra unam, patri et matri, et quatuor fratribus :
*H And he set up seven pyramids, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren:
Ver. 28. Pyramids. In such the kings of Egypt were buried. Lucan viii. 998. — Simon enclosed the pyramids with porticoes, supported by pillars all of one piece of marble. Josephus and S. Jerom saw the sepulchres. C. — One was probably designed by Simon for himself. H.
Καὶ ἔστησεν ἐπʼ αὐτὰ ἑπτὰ πυραμίδας, μίαν κατέναντι τῆς μιᾶς, τῷ πατρὶ καὶ τῇ μητρὶ καὶ τῇ μητρὶ καὶ τοῖς τέσσαρσιν ἀδελφοῖς.
13:29 et his circumposuit columnas magnas : et super columnas arma, ad memoriam aeternam : et juxta arma naves sculptas, quae viderentur ab omnibus navigantibus mare :
*H And round about these he set great pillars; and upon the pillars, arms, for a perpetual memory; and by the arms, ships carved, which might be seen by all that sailed on the sea.
Ver. 29. Arms, to denote their victories or solicitude for the people's welfare both by sea and land. The Machabees had repaired the port of Joppe, by which they traded with the Mediterranean. C. x. 75. and xiv. 5. Trophies of arms, in reality or in sculpture, were commonly placed on the tombs of great generals. Ezec. xxxii. 27. Virg. C. — Simon promoted not vain but true glory, exciting others to imitate the virtuous. W. — The humble desire honour in God; proud men will be honoured more than God. S. Aug. c. Secund. xvii. — How many epitaphs record the ambition and vices of men! Those which praise real virtues extend the glory of God, who is the author of them all. W.
Καὶ ταύταις ἐποίησε μηχανήματα, περιθεὶς στύλους μεγάλους, καὶ ἐποίησεν ἐπὶ τοῖς στύλοις πανοπλίας εἰς ὄνομα αἰώνιον, καὶ παρὰ ταῖς πανοπλίαις πλοῖα ἐπιγεγλυμμένα, εἰς τὸ θεωρεῖσθαι ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν πλεόντων τὴν θάλασσαν.
13:30 hoc est sepulchrum, quod fecit in Modin usque in hunc diem.
This is the sepulchre that he made in Modin, even unto this day.
Οὗτος ὁ τάφος ὃν ἐποίησεν ἐν Μωδεῒν, ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης.
13:31 Tryphon autem cum iter faceret cum Antiocho rege adolescente, dolo occidit eum :
*H But Tryphon, when he was upon a journey with the young king, Antiochus, treacherously slew him.
Ver. 31. Slew him. He hired surgeons to cut him, pretending it was for the stone. Epit. Liv. lv. Just. xxxvi. — Antiochus was only ten years old. A. 3861.
Ὁ δὲ Τρύφων ἐπορεύετο δόλῳ μετὰ Ἀντιόχου τοῦ βασιλέως τοῦ νεωτέρου, καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτὸν,
13:32 et regnavit loco ejus, et imposuit sibi diadema Asiae, et fecit plagam magnam in terra.
*H And he reigned in his place, and put on the crown of Asia: and brought great evils upon the land.
Ver. 32. Crown. The soldiers declared for him, in hopes of great rewards which he had promised. He assumed the name of Tryphon, "wearing a helmet," or "addicted to pleasure." His medals have always a helmet; and the tyrant styles himself, (C.) "king Tryphon, the autocrat," (H.) or generalissimo. He sent a golden statue of victory to Rome, but the senate inscribed the name of the young Antiochus upon it. The first conquest of Tryphon was Apamea, where he was born.
καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ περιέθετο διάδημα τῆς Ἀσίας, καὶ ἐποίησε πληγὴν μεγάλην ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
13:33 Et aedificavit Simon praesidia Judaeae, muniens ea turribus excelsis, et muris magnis, et portis, et seris : et posuit alimenta in munitionibus.
And Simon built up the strong holds of Judea, fortifying them with high towers, and great walls, and gates and bars: and he stored up victuals in the fortresses.
Καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε Σίμων τὰ ὀχυρώματα τῆς Ἰουδαίας, καὶ περιετείχισε πύργοις ὑψηλοῖς, καὶ τείχεσι μεγάλοις, καὶ πύλαις, καὶ μοχλοῖς, καὶ ἔθετο βρώματα ἐν τοῖς ὀχυρώμασι.
13:34 Et elegit Simon viros, et misit ad Demetrium regem ut faceret remissionem regioni : quia actus omnes Tryphonis per direptionem fuerant gesti.
*H And Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end that he should grant an immunity to the land; for all that Tryphon did, was to spoil.
Ver. 34. Demetrius, who still possessed a great part of Syria. Jonathas adhered to his competitor. But Simon preferred him before Tryphon, on condition that he granted the immunities which Soter had promised. C. x. 29.
Καὶ ἐπέλεξε Σίμων ἄνδρας, καὶ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς Δημήτριον τὸν βασιλέα τοῦ ποιῆσαι ἄφεσιν τῇ χώρᾳ, ὅτι πᾶσαι αἱ πράξεις Τρύφωνος ἦσαν ἁρπαγαί.
13:35 Et Demetrius rex ad verba ista respondit ei, et scripsit epistolam talem :
And king Demetrius, in answer to this request, wrote a letter in this manner:
Καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτῷ Δημήτριος ὁ βασιλεὺς κατὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους· καὶ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔγραψεν αὐτῷ ἐπιστολὴν τοιαύτην·
13:36 Rex Demetrius Simoni summo sacerdoti et amico regum, et senioribus, et genti Judaeorum, salutem.
King Demetrius to Simon, the high priest, and friend of kings, and to the ancients, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting:
Βασιλεὺς Δημήτριος Σίμονι ἀρχιερεῖ καὶ φίλῳ βασιλέων, καὶ πρεσβυτέροις, καὶ ἔθνει Ἰουδαίων χαίρειν.
13:37 Coronam auream, et bahem, quam misistis, suscepimus : et parati sumus facere vobiscum pacem magnam, et scribere praepositis regis remittere vobis quae indulsimus.
*H The golden crown, and the palm, which you sent, we have received: and we are ready to make a firm peace with you, and to write to the king's chief officers to release you the things that we have released.
Ver. 37. Palm; bahem, "a precious chain." W. — Gr. βαινην, ωηιχη Γροτιυσ τηινκσ ισ δεριvεδ φρομ βαισ, α παλμ βρανχη. Χ. ϑοην ξιι. 13. emdash ~ It was probably of gold, (M.) like that offered by Alcimus. 2 B. xiv. 4. Some suppose that a collar or garment, adorned with gold and representations of palm branches, may be meant; such as that which was presented by the Romans to Masinissa. Livy iii. B. x. — Syriac translates, "a robe."
Τὸν στέφανον τὸν χρυσοῦν, καὶ τὴν βαΐνην ἣν ἀπεστείλατε, κεκομίσμεθα, καὶ ἕτοιμοί ἐσμεν τοῦ ποιεῖν ὑμῖν εἰρήνην μεγάλην, καὶ γράφειν τοῖς ἐπὶ τῶν χρειῶν τοῦ ἀφιέναι ὑμῖν ἀφέματα.
13:38 Quaecumque enim constituimus, vobis constant : munitiones, quas aedificastis, vobis sint :
*H For all that we have decreed in your favour shall stand in force. The strong holds that you have built, shall be your own.
Ver. 38. Force. He grants all Simon's requests, which he had offered to do at the beginning of his reign. C. xi. 37.
Καὶ ὅσα ἑστήκαμεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔστηκε, καὶ τὰ ὀχυρώματα ἃ ᾠκοδομήκατε ὑπαρχέτω ὑμῖν.
13:39 remittimus quoque ignorantias et peccata usque in hodiernum diem, et coronam quam debebatis : et si quid aliud erat tributarium in Jerusalem, jam non sit tributarium.
*H And as for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it: and the crown which you owed: and if any other thing were taxed in Jerusalem, now let it not be taxed.
Ver. 39. Oversight. All sins in some sense proceed from ignorance.
Ἀφίεμεν δὲ ἀγνοήματα καὶ τὰ ἁμαρτήματα ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, καὶ τὸν στέφανον ὃν ὠφείλετε, καὶ εἴ τι ἄλλο ἐτελωνεῖτο ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, μηκέτι τελωνείσθω.
13:40 Et si qui ex vobis apti sunt conscribi inter nostros, conscribantur, et sit inter nos pax.
And if any of you be fit to be enrolled among ours, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.
Καὶ εἴ τινες ἐπιτήδειοι ὑμῶν γραφῆναι εἰς τοὺς περὶ ἡμᾶς, ἐγγραφέσθωσαν, καὶ γινέσθω ἀναμέσον ἡμῶν εἰρήνη.
13:41 Anno centesimo septuagesimo, ablatum est jugum gentium ab Israel.
* Footnotes
*H In the year one hundred and seventy, the yoke of the Gentiles was taken off from Israel.
Ver. 41. Israel, A. 3861, B.C. 143. C. — Thus, after a hard struggle, the independence of the Jews was acknowledged. H.
Ἔτους ἑβδομηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ ᾔρθη ὁ ζυγὸς τῶν ἐθνῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἰσραήλ.
13:42 Et coepit populus Israel scribere in tabulis, et gestis publicis, anno primo sub Simone summo sacerdote, magno duce, et principe Judaeorum.
*H And the people of Israel began to write in the instruments, and public records, The first year under Simon, the high priest, the great captain, and prince of the Jews.
Ver. 42. Public. Gr. "contracts." M. — This became a new era. H.
Καὶ ἤρξατο ὁ λαὸς Ἰσραὴλ γράφειν ἐν ταῖς συγγραφαῖς καὶ συναλλάγμασιν, ἔτους πρώτου ἐπὶ Σίμωνος ἀρχιερέως μεγάλου καὶ στρατηγοῦ καὶ ἡγουμένου Ἰουδαίων.
13:43 In diebus illis applicuit Simon ad Gazam, et circumdedit eam castris, et fecit machinas, et applicuit ad civitatem, et percussit turrem unam, et comprehendit eam.
*H In those days Simon besieged Gaza, and camped round about it, and he made engines, and set them to the city, and he struck one tower, and took it.
Ver. 43. Gaza. It had revolted. C. xi. 61. — Engines. Gr. ελεπο λεις, denoting engines of a great size, invented by Demetrius at the siege of Rhodes, who was thence styled "the city taker." C. — Its top was covered with mortar, (Marcellin xxiii. 9.) and the sides with raw hides and iron bars, so that fire or stones made no impression upon it, while people within moved it to batter the walls by means of wheels. When a breach was made, they jumped into the city, v. 44. See Vitruv. x. 22.
Ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις παρενέβαλε Σίμων ἐπὶ Γάζαν, καὶ ἐκύκλωσεν αὐτὴν παρεμβολαῖς, καὶ ἐποίησεν ἑλεπόλεις καὶ προσήγαγε τῇ πόλει, καὶ ἐπάταξε πύργον ἕνα καὶ κατελάβετο.
13:44 Et eruperant qui erant intra machinam in civitatem, et factus est motus magnus in civitate.
And they that were within the engine leapt into the city: and there was a great uproar in the city.
Καὶ ἐξήλλοντο οἱ ἐν τῇ ἑλεπόλει εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ἐγένετο κίνημα μέγα ἐν τῇ πόλει.
13:45 Et ascenderunt qui erant in civitate cum uxoribus et filiis supra murum, scissis tunicis suis, et clamaverunt voce magna, postulantes a Simone dextras sibi dari,
And they that were in the city went up, with their wives and children, upon the wall, with their garments rent, and they cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them peace.
Καὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ ἐν τῇ πόλει σὺν ταῖς γυναιξὶ καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις ἐπὶ τὸ τεῖχος διεῤῥηχότες τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐβόησαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ἀξιοῦντες Σίμωνα δεξιὰς αὐτοῖς δοῦναι,
13:46 et dixerunt : Non nobis reddas secundum malitias nostras, sed secundum misericordias tuas.
And they said: Deal not with us according to our evil deeds, but according to thy mercy.
καὶ εἶπον, μὴ ἡμῖν χρήσῃ κατὰ τὰς πονηρίας ἡμῶν, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸ ἔλεός σου.
13:47 Et flexus Simon, non debellavit eos : ejecit tamen eos de civitate, et mundavit aedes in quibus fuerant simulacra, et tunc intravit in eam cum hymnis benedicens Dominum :
*H And Simon being moved, did not destroy them but yet he cast them out of the city, and cleansed the houses wherein there had been idols, and then he entered into it with hymns, blessing the Lord:
Ver. 47. Idols, of a domestic kind. The city had been assigned to Juda, and must be purified. Jos. xv. 47. Deut. vii. 25. C. — Mercy is most pleasing to God and men, provided justice and religion be not injured. W.
Καὶ συνελύθη Σίμων αὐτοῖς, καὶ οὐκ ἐπολέμησεν αὐτούς· καὶ ἐξέβαλεν αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἐκαθάρισε τὰς οἰκίας ἐν αἷς ἦν τὰ εἴδωλα, καὶ οὕτως εἰσῆλθεν εἰς αὐτὴς ὑμνῶν καὶ εὐλογῶν.
13:48 et ejecta ab ea omni immunditia, collocavit in ea viros qui legem facerent : et munivit eam, et fecit sibi habitationem.
*H And having cast out of it all uncleanness, he placed in it men that should observe the law: and he fortified it, and made it his habitation.
Ver. 48. Habitation sometimes, to guard against Egypt.
Καὶ ἐξέβαλεν ἐξ αὐτῆς πᾶσαν ἀκαθαρσίαν, καὶ κατῴκισεν ἐκεῖ ἄνδρας οἵτινες τὸν νόμον ποιοῦσι, καὶ προσωχύρωσεν αὐτὴν, καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἑαυτῷ ἑν αὐτῇ οἴκησιν.
13:49 Qui autem erant in arce Jerusalem, prohibebantur egredi et ingredi regionem, et emere ac vendere : et esurierunt valde, et multi ex eis fame perierunt,
But they that were in the castle of Jerusalem were hindered from going out and coming into the country, and from buying and selling: and they were straitened with hunger, and many of them perished through famine.
Οἱ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐκωλύοντο ἐκπορεύεσθαι καὶ εἰσπορεύεσθαι εἰς τὴν χώραν, καὶ ἀγοράζειν καὶ πωλεῖν, καὶ ἐπείνασαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἀπώλοντο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἱκανοὶ τῇ λιμῷ.
13:50 et clamaverunt ad Simonem ut dextras acciperent : et dedit illis : et ejecit eos inde, et mundavit arcem a contaminationibus :
*H And they cried to Simon for peace, and he granted it to them: and he cast them out from thence and cleansed the castle from uncleannesses.
Ver. 50. Castle. It had been occupied by the Syrians, from A. 3836 to 3861.
Καὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς Σίμωνα δεξιὰς λαβεῖν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐξέβαλεν αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖθεν, καὶ ἐκαθάρισε τὴν ἄκραν ἀπὸ τῶν μιασμάτων.
13:51 et intraverunt in eam tertia et vigesima die secundi mensis, anno centesimo septuagesimo primo, cum laude, et ramis palmarum, et cinyris, et cymbalis, et nablis, et hymnis, et canticis, quia contritus est inimicus magnus ex Israel.
* Footnotes
And they entered into it the three and twentieth day of the second month, in the year one hundred and seventy-one, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and harps, and cymbals, and psalteries, and hymns, and canticles, because the great enemy was destroyed out of Israel.
Καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς αὐτὴν τῇ τρίτῃ καὶ εἰκάδι τοῦ δευτέρου μηνὸς ἔτους ἑνὸς καὶ ἑβδομηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ μετὰ αἰνέσεως καὶ βαΐων, καὶ ἐν κινύραις, καὶ ἐν κυμβάλοις, καὶ ἐν νάβλαις, καὶ ἐν ὕμνοις, καὶ ἐν ᾠδαῖς, ὅτι συνετρίβη ἐχθρὸς μέγας ἐξ Ἰσραήλ.
13:52 Et constituit ut omnibus annis agerentur dies hi cum laetitia.
*H And he ordained that these days should be kept every year with gladness.
Ver. 52. Days; the octave, or the 23rd of the second month, annually. H. — This was like one of the days appointed. C. x. 34. The festival was observed perhaps only during his reign. Josephus takes no notice of it: but informs us (C.) that Simon reflecting on the miseries inflicted on the city by this castle, and fearing lest it should fall again into the hands of the enemy, advised the people to level it to the ground; which they did in the space of three years. Ant. xiii. 11. They did not commence immediately, as Sidetes reclaimed it three years hence. C.
Καὶ ἔστησε κατʼ ἐνιαυτὸν τοῦ ἄγειν τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην μετʼ εὐφροσύνης· καὶ προσωχύρωσε τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἱεροῦ τὸ παρὰ τὴν ἄκραν, καὶ ᾤκει ἐκεῖ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ παρʼ αὐτοῦ.
13:53 Et munivit montem templi, qui erat secus arcem, et habitavit ibi ipse, et qui cum eo erant.
*H And he fortified the mountain of the temple that was near the castle, and he dwelt there himself, and they that were with him.
Ver. 53. Fortified. This work employed them six years. Jos.
Καὶ εἶδε Σίμων τὸν Ἰωάννην υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀνήρ ἐστι, καὶ ἔθετο αὐτὸν ἡγούμενον τῶν δυνάμεων πασῶν, καὶ ᾤκει ἐν Γαζάροις.
13:54 Et vidit Simon Joannem filium suum, quod fortis praelii vir esset : et posuit eum ducem virtutum universarum : et habitavit in Gazaris.
*H And Simon saw that John, his son, was a valiant man for war: and he made him captain of all the forces: and he dwelt in Gazara.
Ver. 54. John. Hyrcan, who defended the country, (C. xvi. W.) and succeeded Simon. — Gazara; perhaps Gadara, (C.) which the Jews seized, (Strabo xvi.) or Gaza. M.