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50:1 [Simon, Oniae filius, sacerdos magnus, qui in vita sua suffulsit domum, et in diebus suis corroboravit templum.
* Footnotes
  • * 1_Machabees 12:6
    Jonathan, the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting.
*H Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.


Ver. 1. Simon I. was "styled the just, on account of his piety towards God, and his good-will to his countrymen." Jos. xii. 2. Many apply what follows to him. Eus. Salien. M. &c. — But Simon II. is more probably meant, who opposed the entrance of Philopator into the sanctuary, after he had offered sacrifice for him, in the pompous manner here described. Boss. iii. Mac. C. — Temple. Which began to want repairs. M. — Simon II. reigned twenty years. C. Jos. xii. 4. H. — The first lived in the time of Ptolemy I. of Egypt, when this book was written; and dies before it was translated, under Ptolemy III. about three hundred years before Christ. W.

Σίμων Ὀνίου υἱὸς ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας, ὃς ἐν ζωῇ αὐτοῦ ὑπέῤῥαψεν οἶκον, καὶ ἐν ἡμέραις αὐτοῦ ἐστερέωσε τὸν ναόν·
50:2 Templi etiam altitudo ab ipso fundata est, duplex aedificatio, et excelsi parietes templi.
*H By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.


Ver. 2. Walls. Gr. αναλημμα, "the repairs (or elevated building, Mello. 2 Par. xxii. 5.) round the temple," including the court of the Gentiles, which had not been finished. Ezec. xl. 5. It was necessary to build at the edge of the mountain, (C.) and the wall was three hundred cubits from the bottom. This was more than double the height of the temple, as it was only one hundred and twenty cubits high. M.

καὶ ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ ἐθεμελιώθη ὕψος διπλῆς ἀνάλημμα ὑψηλὸν περιβόλου ἱεροῦ.
50:3 In diebus ipsius emanaverunt putei aquarum, et quasi mare adimpleti sunt supra modum.
*H In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.


Ver. 3. Out. Of the reservoirs. But he repaired them. H.

Ἐν ἡμέραις αὐτοῦ ἠλαττώθη ἀποδοχεῖον ὑδάτων, χαλκὸς ὡσεὶ θαλάσσης τὸ περίμετρον·
50:4 Qui curavit gentem suam, et liberavit eam a perditione :
*H He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.


Ver. 4. Destruction. When it was in the most imminent danger from Philopater. 3 Mac. Bos. C.

ὁ φροντίζων τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ πτώσεως, καὶ ἐνισχύσας πόλιν ἐμπολιορκῆσαι,
50:5 qui praevaluit amplificare civitatem, qui adeptus est gloriam in conversatione gentis, et ingressum domus et atrii amplificavit.
*H He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.


Ver. 5. Enlarge. Gr. "fortify." — Conversation. Gr. "when in the midst of the people, coming out of the house of the veil. (6.) He," &c. H. — Leaving the most holy place, he was surrounded by crowds of sacred ministers, (v. 14.) or rather on the day of expiation, he came into the court of the people, to purify them. C.

ὡς ἐδοξάσθη ἐν περιστροφῇ λαοῦ, ἐν ἐξόδῳ οἴκου καταπετάσματος·
50:6 Quasi stella matutina in medio nebulae, et quasi luna plena, in diebus suis lucet :
*H He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.


Ver. 6. Cloud. He was a far superior to the other priests in majestic appearance and attire, as Lucifer is to other stars, &c. v. 11. C.

ὡς ἀστὴρ ἑωθινὸς ἐν μέσῳ νεφέλης, ὡς σελήνη πλήρης ἐν ἡμέραις·
50:7 et quasi sol refulgens, sic ille effulsit in templo Dei.
*H And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.


Ver. 7. So did. Gr. "on the temple of the Most High," with dazzling effulgence. Jos. Bel. vi. 6.

ὡς ἥλιος ἐκλάμπων ἐπὶ ναὸν ὑψίστου, καὶ ὡς τόξον φωτίζον ἐν νεφέλαις δόξης·
50:8 Quasi arcus refulgens inter nebulas gloriae, et quasi flos rosarum in diebus vernis, et quasi lilia quae sunt in transitu aquae, et quasi thus redolens in diebus aestatis :
And as the rainbow giving light in bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.
ὡς ἄνθος ῥόδων ἐν ἡμέραις νέων, ὡς κρίνα ἐπʼ ἐξόδων ὕδατος· ὡς βλαστὸς Λιβάνου ἐν ἡμέραις θέρους,
50:9 quasi ignis effulgens, et thus ardens in igne :
As a bright fire, and frankincense burning in the fire.
ὡς πῦρ καὶ λίβανος ἐπὶ πυρείου· ὡς σκεῦος χρυσίου ὁλοσφύρητον κεκοσμημένον παντὶ λίθῳ πολυτελεῖ·
50:10 quasi vas auri solidum, ornatum omni lapide pretioso :
As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.
ὡς ἐλαία ἀναθάλλουσα καρποὺς, καὶ ὡς κυπάρισσος ὑψουμένη ἐν νεφέλαις.
50:11 quasi oliva pullulans, et cypressus in altitudinem se extollens, in accipiendo ipsum stolam gloriae, et vestiri eum in consummationem virtutis.
*H As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.


Ver. 11. Forth. Gr. adds, "fruits." — Rearing. Gr. "elevated to the clouds." H. — Robe. Stole, or violet tunic. C. — Power. That is, with all his vestments, denoting his dignity and authority, (Ch.) and extremely rich, as virtus often implies. C. xliv. 3. C. — Gr. has, "boasting."

Ἐν τῷ ἀναλαμβάνειν αὐτὸν στολὴν δόξης, καὶ ἐνδιδύσκεσθαι αὐτὸν συντέλειαν καυχήματος, ἐν ἀναβάσει θυσιαστηρίου ἁγίου ἐδόξασε περιβολὴν ἁγιάσματος.
50:12 In ascensu altaris sancti gloriam dedit sanctitatis amictum.
*H When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness.


Ver. 12. Vesture. Gr. "enclosure of holiness," περιβολην. H. — His splendid attire of gold and jewels, cast a dazzling light all around. C. — He was pleased to offer the peace-offering for the king of Egypt, (Bossuet) to honour him, though another priest might have done it. H.

Ἐν δὲ τῷ δέχεσθαι μέλη ἐκ χειρῶν ἱερέων, καὶ αὐτὸς ἑστὼς παρʼ ἐσχάρᾳ βωμοῦ, κυκλόθεν αὐτοῦ στέφανος ἀδελφῶν, ὡς βλάστημα κέδρου ἐν τῶ λιβάνῳ· καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν αὐτὸν ὡς στελέχη φοινίκων,
50:13 In accipiendo autem partes de manu sacerdotum, et ipse stans juxta aram : et circa illum corona fratrum : quasi plantatio cedri in monte Libano,
And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,
καὶ πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀαρὼν ἐν δόξῃ αὐτῶν· καὶ προσφορὰ Κυρίου ἐν χερσὶν αὐτῶν ἔναντι πάσης ἐκκλησίας Ἰσραήλ.
50:14 sic circa illum steterunt quasi rami palmae : et omnes filii Aaron in gloria sua.
*H And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.


Ver. 14. Palm. A forest of young ones shoots up from its roots; (Job xxix. 18.) so the high priest shone among the other children of Aaron. C.

Καὶ συντέλειαν λειτουργῶν ἐπὶ βωμῶν, κοσμῆσαι προσφορὰν ὑψίστου παντοκράτορος,
50:15 Oblatio autem Domini in manibus ipsorum coram omni synagoga Israel : et consummatione fungens in ara, amplificare oblationem excelsi Regis,
*H And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the offering of the most high King,


Ver. 15. King. Gr. "Almighty" King, παντοκρατορος. H. — He presented an unblemished victim, with all due solemnity. Lev. iii. 1.

ἐξέτεινεν ἐπὶ σπονδείου χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσπεισεν ἐξ αἵματος σταφυλῆς· ἐξέχεεν εἰς θεμέλια θυσιαστηρίου ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας ὑψίστῷ παμβασιλεῖ.
50:16 porrexit manum suam in libatione, et libavit de sanguine uvae.
*H He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.


Ver. 16. Grape. Pouring wine upon the fire. Ex. xxix. 40. C.

Τότε ἀνέκραγον υἱοὶ Ἀαρὼν, ἐν σάλπιγξιν ἐλαταῖς ἤχησαν· ἀκουστὴν ἐποίησαν φωνὴν μεγάλην εἰς μνημόσυνον ἔναντι ὑψίστου.
50:17 Effudit in fundamento altaris odorem divinum excelso Principi.
*H He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince.


Ver. 17. Prince. Gr. "universal king." H. — The whole sacrifice was pleasing to him.

Τότε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς κοινῇ κατέσπευσε, καὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, προσκυνῆσαι τῷ Κυρίῳ αὐτῶν παντοκράτορι Θεῷ τῷ ὑψίστῳ.
50:18 Tunc exclamaverunt filii Aaron, in tubis productilibus sonuerunt : et auditam fecerunt vocem magnam in memoriam coram Deo.
*H Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.


Ver. 18. God. Gr. "the Highest." He had required these sacrifices, as memorials of his covenant, and sovereign dominion. Lev. xxiii. 34.

Καὶ ᾔνεσαν οἱ ψαλμῳδοὶ ἐν φωναῖς αὐτῶν, ἐν πλείστῳ οἴκῳ ἐγλυκάνθη μέλος.
50:19 Tunc omnis populus simul properaverunt, et ceciderunt in faciem super terram, adorare Dominum Deum suum, et dare preces omnipotenti Deo excelso.
Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.
Καὶ ἐδεήθη ὁ λαὸς Κυρίου ὑψίστου ἐν προσευχῇ κατέναντι ἐλεήμονος, ἕως συντελεσθῇ κόσμος Κυρίου, καὶ τὴν λειτουργίαν αὐτοῦ ἐτελείωσαν.
50:20 Et amplificaverunt psallentes in vocibus suis, et in magna domo auctus est sonus suavitatis plenus.
*H And the singers lifted up their voices, and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.


Ver. 20. House. Gr. Comp. and Grabe, "sound, sweet melody was made."

Τότε καταβὰς ἐπῇρε χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πᾶσαν ἐκκλησίαν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, δοῦναι εὐλογίαν Κυρίῳ ἐν χειλέων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ καυχᾶσθαι.
50:21 Et rogavit populus Dominum excelsum in prece, usque dum perfectus est honor Domini, et munus suum perfecerunt.
*H And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.


Ver. 21. Office, λειτουργιαν αυτου, "his service." H. — The people prayed for king Ptolemy, to whom they were subject; though the high priest possessed almost sovereign power. The Egyptian monarch was present, (C.) and at the end of the sacrifice expressed his resolution to go into the inmost recesses of the temple, from which the people endeavoured to dissuade him. Finding their efforts to be in vain, "they all (addressing themselves to God) said with one accord." 3 Mac. ii. Grabe substitutes, "wherefore the high priest, Simon, kneeling down before the temple, and stretching forth his hand with solemnity, made this prayer."

Καὶ ἐδευτέρωσεν ἐν προσκυνήσει ἐπιδείξασθαι τὴν εὐλογίαν παρὰ ὑψίστου.
50:22 Tunc descendens, manus suas extulit in omne congregationem filiorum Israel, dare gloriam Deo a labiis suis, et in nomine ipsius gloriari :
Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:
Καὶ νῦν εὐλογήσατε τῷ Θεῷ πάντες τῷ μεγαλοποιοῦντι πάντη, τὸν ὑψοῦντα ἡμέρας ἡμῶν ἐκ μήτρας, καὶ ποιοῦντα μεθʼ ἡμῶν κατὰ τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.
50:23 et iteravit orationem suam, volens ostendere virtutem Dei.
*H And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.


Ver. 23. Prayer. Gr. "adoration, that they might receive a blessing from the Most High." H. — Power. In keeping Philopator out of the temple. God granted his request, (C. λιτανειας ) "and scourged him who was so insolent and bold...throwing him like a reed, unable to move, and speechless on the pavement." 2 Mac. ii. 26. After Philopator's guards had removed him, the high priest congratulated the people, (v. 26.) expressing his abhorrence of their enemies in general, though he only mentions three neighbouring nations which had shewn a particular enmity to the Jews, when a contrary behaviour might have been expected. v. 28. H.

Δῴη ἡμῖν εὐφροσύνην καρδίας, καὶ γενέσθαι εἰρήνην ἐν ἡμέραις ἡμῶν ἐν Ἰσραὴλ κατὰ τὰς ἡμέρας τοῦ αἰῶνος,
50:24 Et nunc orate Deum omnium, qui magna fecit in omni terra, qui auxit dies nostros a ventre matris nostrae, et fecit nobiscum secundum suam misericordiam :
*H And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.


Ver. 24. Now. At the sight of these wonders, the author exhorts the people to be grateful, and full of hope. C.

ἐμπιστεῦσαι μεθʼ ἡμῶν τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτοῦ λυτρωσάσθω ἡμᾶς.
50:25 det nobis jucunditatem cordis, et fieri pacem in diebus nostris in Israel per dies sempiternos :
May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:
Ἐν δυσὶν ἔθνεσι προσώχθισεν ἡ ψυχή μου, καὶ τὸ τρίτον οὐκ ἔστιν ἔθνος.
50:26 credere Israel nobiscum esse Dei misericordiam, ut liberet nos in diebus suis.]
*H That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.


Ver. 26. His, Simon's, (M.) or God's days. When he may judge it convenient. H.

Οἱ καθήμενοι ἐν ὄρει Σαμαρείας, Φυλιστιεὶμ καὶ ὁ λαὸς μωρὸς ὁ κατοικῶν ἐν Σικίμοις.
50:27 [Duas gentes odit anima mea : tertia autem non est gens quam oderim :
*H There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation: which I hate:


Ver. 27. Abhorreth. Viz. with a holy indignation as enemies of God and persecutors of his people. Such were then the Edomites, who abode in Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the Samaritans, who dwelt in Sichem, and had their schismatical temple in that neighbourhood. Ch. — This was the source of continual dissensions. Joseph. xi. 8. and xii. 2. Jo. iv. 20. — The Jews and Samaritans are still at variance. The former, in the days of Esdras, pronounced a curse against the latter, forbidding any of them to become converts to their religion, (Grot.) which, if true, shews a very blameable malice. See Deut. xxvii. 4. H. — Which, &c. is omitted in Gr. These three nations had evinced the greatest hatred towards the Jews, and thus deserved to be accounted objects of horror, though if the author harboured any ill-will, his conduct is not praised, (C.) but only recoreded. H. — The Samaritans consisted of Assyrians, Jews, &c. and therefore are styled no nation; and they were foolish in mixing idolatry with the true worship. W.

Παιδείαν συνέσεως καὶ ἐπιστήμης ἐχάραξε ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ, τούτῳ, Ἰησοῦς υἱὸς Σειρὰχ Ἱεροσολυμίτης, ὃς ἀνώμβρησε σοφίαν ἀπὸ καρδίας αὐτοῦ.
50:28 qui sedent in monte Seir, et Philisthiim, et stultus populus qui habitat in Sichimis.]
*H They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.


Ver. 28. Seir. Gen. xiv. 6. All the Greek copies read corruptly "of Samaria." — Foolish. Thus Christ said, you adore what you know not. Jo. iv. 22. C. See 4 K. xvii. 29. W.

Μακάριος ὃς ἐν τούτοις ἀναστραφήσεται, καὶ ὁ θεὶς αὐτὰ ἐπὶ καρδίαν αὐτοῦ σοφισθήσεται.
50:29 [Doctrinam sapientiae et disciplinae scripsit in codice isto Jesus, filius Sirach, Jerosolymita, qui renovavit sapientiam de corde suo.
*H Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.


Ver. 29. Jesus. He declares his name, and concludes with wishing peace to the observers of these maxims. Grotius thinks that this was inserted by the grandson, (C.) who translated the work into Greek. H. — But there is no reason for this supposition. Solomon puts his name at the beginning and at the end of Ecclesiastes, and he frequently commends his own instructions, as this author does. C. xxxiii. 17. and xxxix. 16. and li. 19. C.

Ἐὰν γὰρ αὐτὰ ποιήσῃ, πρὸς πάντα ἰσχύσει, ὅτι φῶς Κυρίου τὸ ἴχνος αὐτοῦ.
50:30 Beatus qui in istis versatur bonis : qui ponit illa in corde suo, sapiens erit semper.
Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.
50:31 Si enim haec fecerit, ad omnia valebit, quia lux Dei vestigium ejus est.]
*H For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.


Ver. 31. Steps. He...shall have the light of life. Jo. viii. 12. M. — Some Gr. copies add, "and to the pious he has given wisdom. Blessed be the Lord for ever. So be it. So be it." H.

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