2 Maccabees 11
The eleventh chapter of 2
Maccabees is offered here in the Revised Standard version; the first
chapter can be found here.
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A war elephant (Allard Pierson Museum, Amsterdam)
First campaign of Lysias
Very
soon after this, Lysias, the king's guardian and kinsman, who was in charge
of the government, being vexed at what had happened, 
gathered
about eighty thousand men and all his cavalry and came against the Jews.
He intended to make the city a home for Greeks, 
and
to levy tribute on the temple as he did on the sacred places of the other
nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year. 
He
took no account whatever of the power of God, but was elated with his ten
thousands of infantry, and his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants. 
Invading
Judea, he approached Beth-zur, which was a fortified place about five leagues
from Jerusalem, and pressed it hard.
When
Maccabeus and his men got word that Lysias was besieging the strongholds,
they and all the people, with lamentations and tears, besought the Lord
to send a good angel to save Israel. 
Maccabeus
himself was the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to risk
their lives with him to aid their brethren. Then they eagerly rushed off
together.
And
there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their
head, clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold. 
And
they all together praised the merciful God, and were strengthened in heart,
ready to assail not only men but the wildest beasts or walls of iron.
They advanced in
battle order, having their heavenly ally, for the Lord had mercy on them. 
They
hurled themselves like lions against the enemy, and slew eleven thousand
of them and sixteen hundred horsemen, and forced all the rest to flee. 
Most
of them got away stripped and wounded, and Lysias himself escaped by disgraceful
flight.
And as he was not
without intelligence, he pondered over the defeat which had befallen him,
and realized that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God fought
on their side. So he sent to them 
and
persuaded them to settle everything on just terms, promising that he would
persuade the king, constraining him to be their friend.
Maccabeus, having
regard for the common good, agreed to all that Lysias urged. For the king
granted every request in behalf of the Jews which Maccabeus delivered to
Lysias in writing. 
The
letter written to the Jews by Lysias was to this effect
Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.
John and Absalom, who were sent by you, have delivered your signed communication and have asked about the matters indicated therein.
I have informed the king of everything that needed to be brought before him, and he has agreed to what was possible.
If you will maintain your good will toward the government, I will endeavor for the future to help promote your welfare.
And concerning these matters and their details, I have ordered these men and my representatives to confer with you.
Farewell.
The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Dioscorinthius twenty-fourth [March 164 BCE].
The king's letter
ran thus:
King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greeting.
Now that our father has gone on to the gods, we desire that the subjects of the kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs.
We have heard that the Jews do not consent to our father's change to Greek customs but prefer their own way of living and ask that their own customs be allowed them.
Accordingly, since we choose that this nation also be free from disturbance, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live according to the customs of their ancestors.
You will do well, therefore, to send word to them and give them pledges of friendship, so that they may know our policy and be of good cheer and go on happily in the conduct of their own affairs.
To the nation the
king's letter was as follows:
King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greeting.If you are well, it is as we desire. We also are in good health.
Menelaus has informed us that you wish to return home and look after your own affairs.
Therefore those who go home by the thirtieth day of Xanthicus will have our pledge of friendship and full permission
for the Jews to enjoy their own food and laws, just as formerly, and none of them shall be molested in any way for what he may have done in ignorance.
And I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you.
Farewell.
The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Xanthicus fifteenth.[1]
The Romans also sent
them a letter, which read thus:
Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, envoys of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.
With regard to what Lysias the kinsman of the king has granted you, we also give consent.
But as to the matters which he decided are to be referred to the king, as soon as you have considered them, send some one promptly, so that we may make proposals appropriate for you. For we are on our way to Antioch.
Therefore make haste and send some men, so that we may have your judgment.
Farewell.
The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Xanthicus fifteenth.
>> to chapter 12 >>
11 April 164. The fifteenth of Xanthicus is identical to 15 Nisan, the between Passover and the sacrifice of the firstfruits of barley.
Latest revision: 8 December 2006
