Sefarim
Maqabim Alef8
1 Maccabees · Chapter 8
Now Judas had heard of the Romans, that they were mighty and valiant men, and such as would lovingly accept all that joined themselves unto them, and make a league of amity with all that came unto them;
And that they were men of great valour. It was told him also of their wars and noble acts which they had done among the Galatians, and how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute;
And what they had done in the country of Spain, for the winning of the mines of the silver and gold which is there;
And that by their policy and patience they had conquered all the place, though it were very far from them; and the kings also that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth, till they had discomfited them, and given them a great overthrow, so that the rest did give them tribute every year:
Beside this, how they had discomfited in battle Philip, and Perseus, king of the Citims, with others that lifted up themselves against them, and had overcome them:
How also Antiochus the great king of Asia, that came against them in battle, having an hundred and twenty elephants, with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was discomfited by them;
And how they took him alive, and covenanted that he and such as reigned after him should pay a great tribute, and give hostages, and that which was agreed upon,
And the country of India, and Media and Lydia and of the goodliest countries, which they took of him, and gave to king Eumenes:
Moreover how the Grecians had determined to come and destroy them;
And that they, having knowledge thereof sent against them a certain captain, and fighting with them slew many of them, and carried away captives their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and took possession of their lands, and pulled down their strong holds, and brought them to be their servants unto this day:
It was told him besides, how they destroyed and brought under their dominion all other kingdoms and isles that at any time resisted them;
But with their friends and such as relied upon them they kept amity: and that they had conquered kingdoms both far and nigh, insomuch as all that heard of their name were afraid of them:
Also that, whom they would help to a kingdom, those reign; and whom again they would, they displace: finally, that they were greatly exalted:
Yet for all this none of them wore a crown or was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby:
Moreover how they had made for themselves a senate house, wherein three hundred and twenty men sat in council daily, consulting alway for the people, to the end they might be well ordered:
And that they committed their government to one man every year, who ruled over all their country, and that all were obedient to that one, and that there was neither envy nor emmulation among them.
In consideration of these things, Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome, to make a league of amity and confederacy with them,
And to intreat them that they would take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Grecians did oppress Yisra'el with servitude.
They went therefore to Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the senate, where they spake and said.
Judas Maccabeus with his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us unto you, to make a confederacy and peace with you, and that we might be registered your confederates and friends.
So that matter pleased the Romans well.
And this is the copy of the epistle which the senate wrote back again in tables of brass, and sent to Yerushalayim, that there they might have by them a memorial of peace and confederacy:
Good success be to the Romans, and to the people of the Jews, by sea and by land for ever: the sword also and enemy be far from them,
If there come first any war upon the Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion,
The people of the Jews shall help them, as the time shall be appointed, with all their heart:
Neither shall they give any thing unto them that make war upon them, or aid them with victuals, weapons, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants without taking any thing therefore.
In the same manner also, if war come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the time shall be appointed them:
Neither shall victuals be given to them that take part against them, or weapons, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants, and that without deceit.
According to these articles did the Romans make a b'rit with the people of the Jews.
Howbeit if hereafter the one party or the other shall think to meet to add or diminish any thing, they may do it at their pleasures, and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be ratified.
And as touching the evils that Demetrius doeth to the Jews, we have written unto him, saying, Wherefore thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends and confederates the Jews?
If therefore they complain any more against thee, we will do them justice, and fight with thee by sea and by land.
Sefarim
Maqabim Alef9
1 Maccabees · Chapter 9
Furthermore, when Demetrius heard the Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judea the second time, and with them the chief strength of his host:
Who went forth by the way that leadeth to Galgala, and pitched their tents before Masaloth, which is in Arbela, and after they had won it, they slew much people.
Also the first month of the hundred fifty and second year they encamped before Yerushalayim:
From whence they removed, and went to Berea, with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen.
Now Judas had pitched his tents at Eleasa, and three thousand chosen men with him:
Who seeing the multitude of the other army to he so great were sore afraid; whereupon many conveyed themselves out of the host, insomuch as abode of them no more but eight hundred men.
When Judas therefore saw that his host slipt away, and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sore troubled in mind, and much distressed, for that he had no time to gather them together.
Nevertheless unto them that remained he said, Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them.
But they dehorted him, saying, We shall never be able: let us now rather save our lives, and hereafter we will return with our brethren, and fight against them: for we are but few.
Then Judas said, Elohim forbid that I should do this thing, and flee away from them: if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our honour.
With that the host of Bacchides removed out of their tents, and stood over against them, their horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going before the host and they that marched in the foreward were all mighty men.
As for Bacchides, he was in the right wing: so the host drew near on the two parts, and sounded their trumpets.
They also of Judas’ side, even they sounded their trumpets also, so that the earth shook at the noise of the armies, and the battle continued from morning till night.
Now when Judas perceived that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, he took with him all the hardy men,
Who discomfited the right wing, and pursued them unto the mount Azotus.
But when they of the left wing saw that they of the right wing were discomfited, they followed upon Judas and those that were with him hard at the heels from behind:
Whereupon there was a sore battle, insomuch as many were slain on both parts.
Judas also was killed, and the remnant fled.
THen Yonatan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modin.
Moreover they bewailed him, and all Yisra'el made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying,
How is the valiant man fallen, that delivered Yisra'el!
As for the other things concerning Judas and his wars, and the noble acts which he did, and his greatness, they are not written: for they were very many.
Now after the death of Judas the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the coasts of Yisra'el, and there arose up all such as wrought iniquity.
In those days also was there a very great famine, by reason whereof the country revolted, and went with them.
Then Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country.
And they made enquiry and search for Judas’ friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took vengeance of them, and used them despitefully.
So was there a great affliction in Yisra'el, the like whereof was not since the time that a navi was not seen among them.
For this cause all Judas’ friends came together, and said unto Yonatan,
Since thy brother Judas died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies, and Bacchides, and against them of our nation that are adversaries to us.
Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and captain in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles.
Upon this Yonatan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up instead of his brother Judas.
But when Bacchides gat knowledge thereof, he sought for to slay him
Then Yonatan, and Simon his brother, and all that were with him, perceiving that, fled into the wilderness of Thecoe, and pitched their tents by the water of the pool Asphar.
Which when Bacchides understood, he came near to Yarden with all his host upon the shabbat day.
Now Yonatan had sent his brother John, a captain of the people, to pray his friends the Nabathites, that they might leave with them their carriage, which was much.
But the children of Jambri came out of Medaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went their way with it.
After this came word to Yonatan and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabatha with a great train, as being the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan.
Therefore they remembered John their brother, and went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain:
Where they lifted up their eyes, and looked, and, behold, there was much ado and great carriage: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and brethren, to meet them with drums, and instruments of musick, and many weapons.
Then Yonatan and they that were with him rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and made a slaughter of them in such sort, as many fell down dead, and the remnant fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils.
Thus was the marriage turned into mourning, and the noise of their melody into lamentation.
So when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned again to the marsh of Yarden.
Now when Bacchides heard hereof, he came on the shabbat day unto the banks of Yarden with a great power.
Then Yonatan said to his company, Let us go up now and fight for our lives, for it standeth not with us to day, as in time past:
For, behold, the battle is before us and behind us, and the water of Yarden on this side and that side, the marsh likewise and wood, neither is there place for us to turn aside.
Wherefore cry ye now unto shamayim, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies.
With that they joined battle, and Yonatan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned back from him.
Then Yonatan and they that were with him leapt into Yarden, and swam over unto the other bank: howbeit the other passed not over Yarden unto them.
So there were slain of Bacchides’ side that day about a thousand men.
Afterward returned Bacchides to Yerushalayim and repaired the strong cites in Judea; the fort in Yericho, and Emmaus, and Bethhoron, and Bethel, and Thamnatha, Pharathoni, and Taphon, these did he strengthen with high walls, with gates and with bars.
And in them he set a garrison, that they might work malice upon Yisra'el.
He fortified also the city Bethsura, and Gazera, and the tower, and put forces in them, and provision of victuals.
Besides, he took the chief men’s sons in the country for hostages, and put them into the tower at Yerushalayim to be kept.
Moreover in the hundred fifty and third year, in the second month, Alcimus commanded that the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary should be pulled down; he pulled down also the works of the nevi'im
And as he began to pull down, even at that time was Alcimus plagued, and his enterprizes hindered: for his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak any thing, nor give order concerning his house.
So Alcimus died at that time with great torment.
Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king: whereupon the land of Judea was in rest two years.
Then all the ungodly men held a council, saying, Behold, Yonatan and his company are at ease, and dwell without care: now therefore we will bring Bacchides hither, who shall take them all in one night.
So they went and consulted with him.
Then removed he, and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in Judea, that they should take Yonatan and those that were with him: howbeit they could not, because their counsel was known unto them.
Wherefore they took of the men of the country, that were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons, and slew them.
Afterward Yonatan, and Simon, and they that were with him, got them away to Bethbasi, which is in the wilderness, and they repaired the decays thereof, and made it strong.
Which thing when Bacchides knew, he gathered together all his host, and sent word to them that were of Judea.
Then went he and laid siege against Bethbasi; and they fought against it a long season and made engines of war.
But Yonatan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth himself into the country, and with a certain number went he forth.
And he smote Odonarkes and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent.
And when he began to smite them, and came up with his forces, Simon and his company went out of the city, and burned up the engines of war,
And fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him sore: for his counsel and travail was in vain.
Wherefore he was very wroth at the wicked men that gave him counsel to come into the country, inasmuch as he slew many of them, and purposed to return into his own country.
Whereof when Yonatan had knowledge, he sent ambassadors unto him, to the end he should make peace with him, and deliver them the prisoners.
Which thing he accepted, and did according to his demands, and sware unto him that he would never do him harm all the days of his life.
When therefore he had restored unto him the prisoners that he had taken aforetime out of the land of Judea, he returned and went his way into his own land, neither came he any more into their borders.
Thus the sword ceased from Yisra'el: but Yonatan dwelt at Machmas, and began to govern the people; and he destroyed the ungodly men out of Yisra'el.
Sefarim
Maqabim Alef10
1 Maccabees · Chapter 10
In the hundred and sixtieth year Alexander, the son of Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, went up and took Ptolemais: for the people had received him, by means whereof he reigned there,
Now when king Demetrius heard thereof, he gathered together an exceeding great host, and went forth against him to fight.
Moreover Demetrius sent letters unto Yonatan with loving words, so as he magnified him.
For said he, Let us first make peace with him, before he join with Alexander against us:
Else he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brethren and his people.
Wherefore he gave him authority to gather together an host, and to provide weapons, that he might aid him in battle: he commanded also that the hostages that were in the tower should be delivered him.
Then came Yonatan to Yerushalayim, and read the letters in the audience of all the people, and of them that were in the tower:
Who were sore afraid, when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an host.
Whereupon they of the tower delivered their hostages unto Yonatan, and he delivered them unto their parents.
This done, Yonatan settled himself in Yerushalayim, and began to build and repair the city.
And he commanded the workmen to build the walls and the mount Sion and about with square stones for fortification; and they did so.
Then the strangers, that were in the fortresses which Bacchides had built, fled away;
Insomuch as every man left his place, and went into his own country.
Only at Bethsura certain of those that had forsaken the torah and the mitsvot remained still: for it was their place of refuge.
Now when king Alexander had heard what promises Demetrius had sent unto Yonatan: when also it was told him of the battles and noble acts which he and his brethren had done, and of the pains that they had endured,
He said, Shall we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and confederate.
Upon this he wrote a letter, and sent it unto him, according to these words, saying,
King Alexander to his brother Yonatan sendeth greeting:
We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and meet to be our friend.
Wherefore now this day we ordain thee to be the high kohen of thy nation, and to be called the king’s friend; (and therewithal he sent him a purple robe and a crown of gold:) and require thee to take our part, and keep friendship with us.
So in the seventh month of the hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of the tabernacles, Yonatan put on the holy robe, and gathered together forces, and provided much armour.
Whereof when Demetrius heard, he was very sorry, and said,
What have we done, that Alexander hath prevented us in making amity with the Jews to strengthen himself?
I also will write unto them words of encouragement, and promise them dignities and gifts, that I may have their aid.
He sent unto them therefore to this effect: King Demetrius unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:
Whereas ye have kept covenants with us, and continued in our friendship, not joining yourselves with our enemies, we have heard hereof, and are glad.
Wherefore now continue ye still to be faithful unto us, and we will well recompense you for the things ye do in our behalf,
And will grant you many immunities, and give you rewards.
And now do I free you, and for your sake I release all the Jews, from tributes, and from the customs of salt, and from crown taxes,
And from that which appertaineth unto me to receive for the third part or the seed, and the half of the fruit of the trees, I release it from this day forth, so that they shall not be taken of the land of Judea, nor of the three governments which are added thereunto out of the country of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth for evermore.
Let Yerushalayim also be holy and free, with the borders thereof, both from tenths and tributes.
And as for the tower which is at Yerushalayim, I yield up authority over it, and give the high kohen, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it.
Moreover I freely set at liberty every one of the Jews, that were carried captives out of the land of Judea into any part of my kingdom, and I will that all my officers remit the tributes even of their cattle.
Furthermore I will that all the feasts, and sabbaths, and new moons, and solemn days, and the three days before the feast, and the three days after the feast shall be all of immunity and freedom for all the Jews in my realm.
Also no man shall have authority to meddle with or to molest any of them in any matter.
I will further, that there be enrolled among the king’s forces about thirty thousand men of the Jews, unto whom pay shall be given, as belongeth to all king’s forces.
And of them some shall be placed in the king’s strong holds, of whom also some shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust: and I will that their overseers and governors be of themselves, and that they live after their own laws, even as the king hath commanded in the land of Judea.
And concerning the three governments that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be joined with Judea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, nor bound to obey other authority than the high kohen’s.
As for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at Yerushalayim for the necessary expences of the sanctuary.
Moreover I give every year fifteen thousand shekels of silver out of the king’s accounts from the places appertaining.
And all the overplus, which the officers payed not in as in former time, from henceforth shall be given toward the works of the heikhal.
And beside this, the five thousand shekels of silver, which they took from the uses of the heikhal out of the accounts year by year, even those things shall be released, because they appertain to the kohanim that minister.
And whosoever they be that flee unto the heikhal at Yerushalayim, or be within the liberties hereof, being indebted unto the king, or for any other matter, let them be at liberty, and all that they have in my realm.
For the building also and repairing of the works of the sanctuary expences shall be given of the king’s accounts.
Yea, and for the building of the walls of Yerushalayim, and the fortifying thereof round about, expences shall be given out of the king’s accounts, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.
Now when Yonatan and the people heard these words, they gave no credit unto them, nor received them, because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Yisra'el; for he had afflicted them very sore.
But with Alexander they were well pleased, because he was the first that entreated of true peace with them, and they were confederate with him always.
Then gathered king Alexander great forces, and camped over against Demetrius.
And after the two kings had joined battle, Demetrius’ host fled: but Alexander followed after him, and prevailed against them.
And he continued the battle very sore until the sun went down: and that day was Demetrius slain.
Afterward Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Mitsrayim with a message to this effect:
Forasmuch as I am come again to my realm, and am set in the throne of my progenitors, and have gotten the dominion, and overthrown Demetrius, and recovered our country;
For after I had joined battle with him, both he and his host was discomfited by us, so that we sit in the throne of his kingdom:
Now therefore let us make a league of amity together, and give me now thy daughter to wife: and I will be thy son in torah, and will give both thee and her as according to thy dignity.
Then Ptolemee the king gave answer, saying, Happy be the day wherein thou didst return into the land of thy fathers, and satest in the throne of their kingdom.
And now will I do to thee, as thou hast written: meet me therefore at Ptolemais, that we may see one another; for I will marry my daughter to thee according to thy desire.
So Ptolemee went out of Mitsrayim with his daughter Cleopatra, and they came unto Ptolemais in the hundred threescore and second year:
Where king Alexander meeting him, he gave unto him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great glory, as the manner of kings is.
Now king Alexander had written unto Yonatan, that he should come and meet him.
Who thereupon went honourably to Ptolemais, where he met the two kings, and gave them and their friends silver and gold, and many presents, and found favour in their sight.
At that time certain pestilent fellows of Yisra'el, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him: but the king would not hear them.
Yea more than that, the king commanded to take off his garments, and clothe him in purple: and they did so.
And he made him sit by himself, and said into his princes, Go with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.
Now when his accusers saw that he was honored according to the proclamation, and clothed in purple, they fled all away.
So the king honoured him, and wrote him among his chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker of his dominion.
Afterward Yonatan returned to Yerushalayim with peace and gladness.
Furthermore in the; hundred threescore and fifth year came Demetrius son of Demetrius out of Crete into the land of his fathers:
Whereof when king Alexander heard tell, he was right sorry, and returned into Antioch.
Then Demetrius made Apollonius the governor of Celosyria his general, who gathered together a great host, and camped in Jamnia, and sent unto Yonatan the high kohen, saying,
Thou alone liftest up thyself against us, and I am laughed to scorn for thy sake, and reproached: and why dost thou vaunt thy power against us in the mountains?
Now therefore, if thou trustest in thine own strength, come down to us into the plain field, and there let us try the matter together: for with me is the power of the cities.
Ask and learn who I am, and the rest that take our part, and they shall tell thee that thy foot is not able to to flight in their own land.
Wherefore now thou shalt not be able to abide the horsemen and so great a power in the plain, where is neither stone nor flint, nor place to flee unto.
So when Yonatan heard these words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind, and choosing ten thousand men he went out of Yerushalayim, where Simon his brother met him for to help him.
And he pitched his tents against Joppa: but; they of Joppa shut him out of the city, because Apollonius had a garrison there.
Then Yonatan laid siege unto it: whereupon they of the city let him in for fear: and so Yonatan won Joppa.
Whereof when Apollonius heard, he took three thousand horsemen, with a great host of footmen, and went to Azotus as one that journeyed, and therewithal drew him forth into the plain. because he had a great number of horsemen, in whom he put his trust.
Then Yonatan followed after him to Azotus, where the armies joined battle.
Now Apollonius had left a thousand horsemen in ambush.
And Yonatan knew that there was an ambushment behind him; for they had compassed in his host, and cast darts at the people, from morning till evening.
But the people stood still, as Yonatan had commanded them: and so the enemies’ horses were tired.
Then brought Simon forth his host, and set them against the footmen, (for the horsemen were spent) who were discomfited by him, and fled.
The horsemen also, being scattered in the field, fled to Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their idol’s heikhal, for safety.
But Yonatan set fire on Azotus, and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the heikhal of Dagon, with them that were fled into it, he burned with fire.
Thus there were burned and slain with the sword well nigh eight thousand men.
And from thence Yonatan removed his host, and camped against Ascalon, where the men of the city came forth, and met him with great pomp.
After this returned Yonatan and his host unto Yerushalayim, having any spoils.
Now when king ALexander heard these things, he honoured Yonatan yet more.
And sent him a buckle of gold, as the use is to be given to such as are of the king’s blood: he gave him also Accaron with the borders thereof in possession.