2 Maccabees 10
Commentary from 1 father
Now Maccabeus and his company, the Lord guiding them, recovered the temple and the city:
ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙΟΣ δὲ καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ, τοῦ Κυρίου προάγοντος αὐτούς, τὸ μὲν ἱερὸν ἐκομίσαντο καὶ τὴν πόλιν,
Маккаве́й же и҆ и҆̀же съ ни́мъ бѧ́хꙋ, гдⷭ҇ꙋ и҆̀хъ защища́ющꙋ, хра́мъ ᲂу҆́бѡ и҆ гра́дъ воспрїѧ́ша:
But the altars which the heathen had built in the open street, and also the chapels, they pulled down.
τοὺς δὲ κατὰ τὴν ἀγορὰν βωμοὺς ὑπὸ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων δεδημιουργημένους, ἔτι δὲ τεμένη καθεῖλον.
ка̑пища же ѿ и҆ноплеме́нникѡвъ на то́ржищи ᲂу҆стро́єннаѧ, є҆ще́ же и҆ трє́бища раскопа́ша,
And having cleansed the temple they made another altar, and striking stones they took fire out of them, and offered a sacrifice after two years, and set forth incense, and lights, and shewbread.
καὶ τὸν νεὼν καθαρίσαντες ἕτερον θυσιαστήριον ἐποίησαν καὶ πυρώσαντες λίθους καὶ πῦρ ἐκ τούτων λαβόντες, ἀνήνεγκαν θυσίαν μετὰ διετῆ χρόνον καὶ θυμίαμα καὶ λύχνους καὶ τῶν ἄρτων τὴν πρόθεσιν ἐποιήσαντο.
и҆ ѡ҆чи́стивше хра́мъ, и҆́нъ ѻ҆лта́рь сотвори́ша, и҆ разже́гше ка́менїе и҆ взе́мше ѻ҆́гнь ѿ ни́хъ, принесо́ша же́ртвꙋ по двою̀ лѣ́тꙋ и҆ ше́сти мцⷭ҇ѣхъ, и҆ ѳѷмїа́мъ и҆ свѣ́щники, и҆ хлѣ́бѡвъ предложе́нїе сотвори́ша.
When that was done, they fell flat down, and besought the Lord that they might come no more into such troubles; but if they sinned any more against him, that he himself would chasten them with mercy, and that they might not be delivered unto the blasphemous and barbarous nations.
ταῦτα δὲ ποιήσαντες ἠξίωσαν τὸν Κύριον πεσόντες ἐπὶ κοιλίαν μηκέτι περιπεσεῖν τοιούτοις κακοῖς, ἀλλ᾿ ἐάν ποτε καὶ ἁμάρτωσιν, ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ ἐπιεικείας παιδεύεσθαι καὶ μὴ βλασφήμοις καὶ βαρβάροις ἔθνεσι παραδίδοσθαι.
Сїѧ̑ же сотво́рше, молѧ́хꙋ гдⷭ҇а па́дше ни́цъ, да не ктомꙋ̀ въ сицєва́ѧ ѕла̑ѧ впадꙋ́тъ, но а҆́ще когда̀ и҆ согрѣ́шатъ, ѿ негѡ̀ съ кро́тостїю да наказꙋ́ютсѧ, а҆ не ва́рварѡмъ и҆ хꙋ́льнымъ ꙗ҆зы́кѡмъ предадѧ́тсѧ.
And they kept the eight days with gladness, as in the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long afore they had held the feast of the tabernacles, when as they wandered in the mountains and dens like beasts.
καὶ μετ᾿ εὐφροσύνης ἦγον ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ σκηνωμάτων τρόπον, μνημονεύοντες ὡς πρὸ μικροῦ χρόνου τὴν τῶν σκηνῶν ἑορτὴν ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσι καὶ ἐν τοῖς σπηλαίοις θηρίων τρόπον ἦσαν νεμόμενοι.
И҆ съ весе́лїемъ пра́здновахꙋ дні́й ѻ҆́смь по ѡ҆́бразꙋ сѣ́ней, помина́юще, ꙗ҆́кѡ пре́жде ма́лагѡ вре́мене пра́здникъ сѣ́нницъ въ гора́хъ и҆ въ пеще́рахъ ѕвѣри́нымъ ѡ҆́бразомъ бѧ́хꙋ провожда́юще.
Therefore they bare branches, and fair boughs, and palms also, and sang psalms unto him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.
διὸ θύρσους καὶ κλάδους ὡραίους, ἔτι δὲ φοίνικας ἔχοντες ὕμνους ἀνέφερον τῷ εὐοδώσαντι καθαρισθῆναι τὸν ἑαυτοῦ τόπον.
Сегѡ̀ ра́ди ѳѵ́рси {вѣнцы̀ и҆з̾ цвѣтѡ́въ} и҆ вѣ̑тви зелє́ныѧ, є҆ще́ же и҆ фі́нїки и҆мѣ́юще, пѣ̑сни приноша́хꙋ бл҃гопоспѣши́вшемꙋ ѡ҆чⷭ҇тити мѣ́сто своѐ.
They ordained also by a common statute and decree, That every year those days should be kept of the whole nation of the Jews.
ἐδογμάτισαν δὲ μετὰ κοινοῦ προστάγματος καὶ ψηφίσματος παντὶ τῷ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ἔθνει κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἄγειν τάσδε τὰς ἡμέρας.
И҆ ᲂу҆зако́ниша ѻ҆́бщимъ повелѣ́нїемъ и҆ ᲂу҆ставле́нїемъ всемꙋ̀ ꙗ҆зы́кꙋ і҆ꙋде́йскꙋ по всѧ̑ лѣ̑та пра́здновати дни̑ сїѧ̑.
And this was the end of Antiochus, called Epiphanes.
καὶ τὰ μὲν τῆς ᾿Αντιόχου τοῦ προσαγορευθέντος ᾿Επιφανοῦς τελευτῆς οὕτως εἶχε.
И҆ а҆нтїо́хъ ᲂу҆́бѡ, и҆́же проименова́шесѧ є҆пїфа́нъ, кончи́нꙋ та́кѡ и҆мѣ̀.
And the death of Antiochus, who was called the Noble, took place as follows, etc.
The history of the previous book relates that Antiochus the Noble, when he was about to set out for Persia, appointed Lysias over the royal affairs from the river Euphrates to the river of Egypt, and to act as guardian for Antiochus his son until he should return. Now, however, it is related that this same Antiochus, the son of Antiochus the Noble, that is, Eupator, appoints Lysias over the same royal affairs. But because he says that he has shortened in his narration many things that were done in the wars, he shows that he has passed over in the order of the history those wars which the younger Antiochus waged by himself against the Jews, when he came there with elephants and a great multitude, both of his own people and of other nations, and when Eleazar the son of Saura killed the largest of the elephants, thinking that the king was on it.
Commentary on 2 MaccabeesNow will we declare the acts of Antiochus Eupator, who was the son of this wicked man, gathering briefly the calamities of the wars.
Νυνὶ δὲ τὰ κατὰ τὸν Εὐπάτορα ᾿Αντίοχον, υἱὸν δὲ τοῦ ἀσεβοῦς γενόμενον δηλώσομεν, αὐτὰ συντέμνοντες τὰ τῶν πολέμων κακά.
Нн҃ѣ же ꙗ҆̀же ѡ҆ є҆ѵпа́торѣ а҆нтїо́хѣ, сы́нѣ нечести́вагѡ бы́вшемъ, рече́мъ, сокраща́юще ѕла̑ѧ, ꙗ҆̀же во бра́нехъ сотворє́на сꙋ́ть.
So when he was come to the crown, he set one Lysias over the affairs of his realm, and appointed him his chief governor of Celosyria and Phenice.
αὐτὸς γὰρ παραλαβὼν βασιλείαν ἀνέδειξεν ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων Λυσίαν τινά, Κοίλης δὲ Συρίας καὶ Φοινίκης στρατηγὸν πρώταρχον.
Се́й бо воспрїѧ́въ ца́рствїе, поста́ви над̾ дѣла́ми ца́рскими лѷсі́ю нѣ́коего, кїлисѷрі́и же и҆ фїнїкі́и воево́дꙋ первонача́льнаго.
For Ptolemeus, that was called Macron, choosing rather to do justice unto the Jews for the wrong that had been done unto them, endeavoured to continue peace with them.
Πτολεμαῖος γὰρ ὁ καλούμενος Μάκρων τὸ δίκαιον συντηρεῖν προηγούμενος εἰς τοὺς ᾿Ιουδαίους διὰ τὴν γεγονυῖαν εἰς αὐτοὺς ἀδικίαν ἐπειρᾶτο τὰ πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἰρηνικῶς διεξάγειν.
Птоломе́й бо нарица́емый ма́крѡнъ пра́вдꙋ соблюда́ти произво́ливъ ко і҆ꙋде́ѡмъ бы́вшаѧ ра́ди къ ни̑мъ ѡ҆би́ды, покꙋша́шесѧ ꙗ҆̀же къ ни̑мъ ми́рнѡ препроводи́ти.
Whereupon being accused of the king’s friends before Eupator, and called traitor at every word because he had left Cyprus, that Philometor had committed unto him, and departed to Antiochus Epiphanes, and seeing that he was in no honourable place, he was so discouraged, that he poisoned himself and died.
ὅθεν κατηγορούμενος ὑπὸ τῶν φίλων πρὸς τὸν Εὐπάτορα καὶ προδότης παρέκαστα ἀκούων διὰ τὸ τὴν Κύπρον ἐμπιστευθέντα ὑπὸ τοῦ Φιλομήτορος ἐκλιπεῖν καὶ πρὸς ᾿Αντίοχον τὸν ᾿Επιφανῆ ἀναχωρῆσαι μήτ᾿ εὐγενῆ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἔχων, ὑπ᾿ ἀθυμίας φαρμακεύσας ἑαυτὸν ἐξέλιπε τὸν βίον.
Тѣ́мже ѡ҆клевета́нъ ѿ дрꙋгѡ́въ ко є҆ѵпа́торꙋ и҆ ча́стѡ нарица́емь а҆́кибы преда́тель, поне́же кѵ́пръ ввѣ́ренный ѿ фїломи́тора ѡ҆ста́ви и҆ ко а҆нтїо́хꙋ є҆пїфа́нꙋ ѿи́де, нижѐ честны́ѧ вла́сти и҆мꙋ́щь, ѿ печа́ли ѡ҆трави́въ себѐ живо́тъ сконча̀.
But when Gorgias was governor of the holds, he hired soldiers, and nourished war continually with the Jews:
Γοργίας δὲ γενόμενος στρατηγὸς τῶν τόπων ἐξενοτρόφει καὶ παρέκαστα πρὸς τοὺς ᾿Ιουδαίους ἐπολεμοτρόφει.
Горгі́а же бы́въ воево́да над̾ мѣста́ми, собира́ше чꙋжди́хъ во́євъ и҆ непреста́ннѡ на і҆ꙋдє́и ра́товаше.
Gorgias, however, since he was commander of the region, having gathered foreign troops, frequently waged war against the Jews, etc.
This Gorgias, as we have already shown above, the earlier book relates to have acted together with Lysias, as well as with Ptolemy and Nicanor, in attacking Judea. What that attack was like is reported in the earlier and in the present book, but it is stated that the victory remained with the Jews.
Now, as for Gorgias himself, since he was summoning various nations to make war against the Jews, it has already been said above that he represents the type of the Devil, who stirs up unbelievers against the Church of Christ and raises war against His faithful ones. But because it is written there that Gorgias chose seven thousand men for battle, and here, according to the multiplication of the number five in itself, twenty-seven thousand are reported to have been slaughtered, this signifies that all who, through the seven senses of the body, fight for the Devil by carnal desires are punished with a death they deserve.
Commentary on 2 MaccabeesAnd therewithal the Idumeans, having gotten into their hands the most commodious holds, kept the Jews occupied, and receiving those that were banished from Jerusalem, they went about to nourish war.
ὁμοῦ δὲ τούτῳ καὶ οἱ ᾿Ιδουμαῖοι ἐγκρατεῖς ἐπικαίρων ὀχυρωμάτων ὄντες ἐγύμναζον τοὺς ᾿Ιουδαίους, καὶ τοὺς φυγαδευθέντας ἀπὸ ῾Ιεροσολύμων προσλαβόμενοι πολεμοτροφεῖν ἐπεχείρουν.
Съ ни́мъ же кꙋ́пнѡ и҆ і҆дꙋме́ане ѡ҆бдержа́ще крѣ̑пкїѧ тверды̑ни ѡ҆бꙋча́хꙋ і҆ꙋде́ѡвъ, и҆ и҆згонѧ́емыхъ и҆з̾ і҆ерⷭ҇ли́ма прїе́млюще, ра́товати начина́хꙋ.
Then they that were with Maccabeus made supplication, and besought God that he would be their helper; and so they ran with violence upon the strong holds of the Idumeans,
οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον ποιησάμενοι λιτανείαν καὶ ἀξιώσαντες τὸν Θεὸν σύμμαχον αὐτοῖς γενέσθαι, ἐπὶ τὰ τῶν ᾿Ιδουμαίων ὀχυρώματα ὥρμησαν,
Сꙋ́щїи же со маккаве́омъ сотво́рше моли́твꙋ и҆ моли́вше бг҃а спобо́рника и҆̀мъ бы́ти, на і҆дꙋмє́йскїѧ тверды̑ни ᲂу҆стреми́шасѧ.
And assaulting them strongly, they won the holds, and kept off all that fought upon the wall, and slew all that fell into their hands, and killed no fewer than twenty thousand.
οἷς καὶ προσβαλόντες εὐρώστως ἐγκρατεῖς ἐγένοντο τῶν τόπων πάντας τε τοὺς ἐπὶ τῷ τείχει μαχομένους ἠμύναντο κατέσφαζόν τε τοὺς ἐμπίπτοντας, ἀνεῖλον δὲ οὐχ ἦττον τῶν δισμυρίων.
Къ ни̑мъ же и҆ пристꙋпи́вше мꙋ́жественнѡ ѡ҆держа́ша мѣста̀, всѣ̑мъ же на стѣнѣ̀ ра́тꙋющымъ ѿмсти́ша и҆ срѣта́ющихсѧ закала́хꙋ, ᲂу҆би́ша же не ме́ньше два́десѧти ты́сѧщъ.
And because certain, who were no less than nine thousand, were fled together into two very strong castles, having all manner of things convenient to sustain the siege,
συμφυγόντων δὲ οὐκ ἔλαττον τῶν ἐνακισχιλίων εἰς δύο πύργους ὀχυροὺς εὖ μάλα καὶ πάντα τὰ πρὸς πολιορκίαν ἔχοντας,
И҆збѣ́гшымъ же нѣ̑кїимъ не ме́ньши девѧтѝ ты́сѧщъ въ двѣ̀ пѵ̑рги крѣ̑пки ѕѣлѡ̀ и҆ всѧ̑, ꙗ҆̀же проти́вꙋ ѡ҆блеже́нїѧ, и҆мꙋ́щыѧ,
Moreover, when certain men had taken refuge in two very strongly fortified towers, etc.
As the spiritual Maccabee fights, the enemies are driven to take refuge in two towers, since those who strove to overthrow Christ's army, although in no way able to resist the truth of the Gospel, yet, not believing unto salvation, and not fearing the future judgment of the Lord, choose rather to flee into the towers of pride and idolatry than, pierced by the pains of repentance, to abandon their errors. Against them Judas sends soldiers with Simon and Joseph; but some of them, deceived by the love of money, neglected to carry out the battle that had been entrusted to them, because it often happens that those to whom the dignity of the priesthood and the warfare of spiritual combat have been committed, deceived by earthly desire, prefer to satisfy their own greed rather than, despising earthly advantages, to exalt Christ's will by fighting lawfully. But such men will not escape the punishments they deserve; rather, when the true teachers, strengthened by the Spirit of God, have extinguished the enemies by fighting and overcoming them, they themselves will be justly punished by these teachers through the retribution of anathema.
Commentary on 2 MaccabeesMaccabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zaccheus also, and them that were with him, who were enough to besiege them, and departed himself unto those places which more needed his help.
ὁ Μακκαβαῖος εἰς ἐπείγοντας τόπους ἀπολιπὼν Σίμωνα καὶ ᾿Ιώσηφον, ἔτι δὲ καὶ Ζακχαῖον καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ἱκανοὺς πρὸς τὴν τούτων πολιορκίαν, αὐτὸς ἐχωρίσθη.
маккаве́й ѡ҆ста́вивъ сі́мѡна и҆ і҆ѡ́сифа, є҆ще́ же и҆ закхе́а и҆ и҆̀же съ ни́мъ дово́льныхъ ко ѡ҆блеже́нїю и҆́хъ, на нꙋ́жднаѧ мѣста̀ са́мъ ѿи́де.
Now they that were with Simon, being led with covetousness, were persuaded for money through certain of those that were in the castle, and took seventy thousand drachms, and let some of them escape.
οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Σίμωνα φιλαργυρήσαντες ὑπό τινων τῶν ἐν τοῖς πύργοις ἐπείσθησαν ἀργυρίῳ· ἑπτάκις δὲ μυριάδας δραχμὰς λαβόντες εἴασάν τινας διαρρυῆναι.
Сꙋ́щїи же съ сі́мѡномъ сребролюби́вїи ѿ нѣ́кїихъ, и҆́же въ пѵ̑ргахъ, сребро́мъ прельще́ни, и҆ се́дмьдесѧтъ ты́сѧщъ дра́хмъ взе́мше, ѡ҆ста́виша нѣ́кїихъ и҆збѣжа́ти.
But when it was told Maccabeus what was done, he called the governors of the people together, and accused those men, that they had sold their brethren for money, and set their enemies free to fight against them.
προσαγγελθέντος δὲ τῷ Μακκαβαίῳ περὶ τοῦ γεγονότος, συναγαγὼν τοὺς ἡγουμένους τοῦ λαοῦ κατηγόρησεν ὡς ἀργυρίου πεπράκασι τοὺς ἀδελφούς, τοὺς πολεμίους κατ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀπολύσαντες.
Є҆гда́ же возвѣсти́сѧ маккаве́ю ѡ҆ бы́вшемъ, собра́въ нача́льники люді́й, порица́ше, ꙗ҆́кѡ за сребро̀ прода́ша бра́тїю, сꙋпоста́тѡвъ на ни́хъ ѿпꙋсти́вше.
So he slew those that were found traitors, and immediately took the two castles.
τούτους μὲν οὖν προδότας γενομένους ἀπέκτεινε καὶ παραχρῆμα τοὺς δύο πύργους κατελάβετο.
Си́хъ ᲂу҆̀бо преда́телей бы́вшихъ ᲂу҆бѝ и҆ внеза́пꙋ двѣ̀ пѵ̑рги разрꙋшѝ.
And having good success with his weapons in all things he took in hand, he slew in the two holds more than twenty thousand.
τοῖς δὲ ὅπλοις τὰ πάντα ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν εὐοδούμενος ἀπώλεσεν ἐν τοῖς δυσὶν ὀχυρώμασι πλείους τῶν δισμυρίων.
Ѻ҆рꙋ́жїемъ же во всѣ́хъ и҆ рꙋка́ми благоꙋспѣва́ѧ, погꙋбѝ въ двꙋ̀ тверды́нехъ бо́лѣе два́десѧти ты́сѧщъ.
Now Timotheus, whom the Jews had overcome before, when he had gathered a great multitude of foreign forces, and horses out of Asia not a few, came as though he would take Jewry by force of arms.
Τιμόθεος δὲ ὁ πρότερον ἡττηθεὶς ὑπὸ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων συναγαγὼν ξένας δυνάμεις παμπληθεῖς καὶ τοὺς τῆς ᾿Ασίας γενομένους ἵππους συναθροίσας οὐκ ὀλίγους, παρῆν ὡς δορυάλωτον ληψόμενος τὴν ᾿Ιουδαίαν.
Тїмоѳе́й же, и҆́же пре́жде ѿ і҆ꙋдє́й бы́сть пораже́нъ, собра́въ во́євъ стра́нныхъ мно́жество, и҆ во а҆сі́и бы́вшихъ ко́нникѡвъ собра́въ не ма́лѡ, прїи́де а҆́ки ѻ҆рꙋ́жїемъ і҆ꙋде́ю хотѧ́щь взѧ́ти.
And Timotheus, who had previously been defeated by the Jews, having assembled an army of foreign troops, etc.
This Timotheus represents the type of the heretics, as we have shown in the preceding book, who always strive to destroy the faith of Christ and the truth of the Gospel, both by themselves and by the help and support of others. But against the wickedness of these men, the holy teachers ask help from the Lord, and, trusting with firm hope in heavenly assistance, they fight bravely against their enemies. Now the five horsemen who appeared on horses adorned with golden bridles and gave guidance to the Jews represent the five books of the Law; when these are brought into spiritual understanding and, with the typological veil of the letter removed, are reviewed by spiritual knowledge according to the sense of the Gospel, they offer timely comfort to those who carry them out, and, protecting the true confessors of Christ on the right and on the left through the two commandments of love, they hurl fiery darts of judgments against their adversaries, by which, confused in the blindness of their mind and filled with disturbance of understanding, they fall. From these, moreover, twenty thousand and five hundred are struck down, since all who hold opinions contrary to Catholic doctrine, which is contained in the two Testaments, and to the grace of the Holy Spirit, are overcome and cast down when the truth prevails; similarly, the six hundred horsemen are crushed when the pride of their mind, by which they often hoped to prevail over Catholics, is utterly destroyed by the will of the Most High.
Commentary on 2 MaccabeesBut when he drew near, they that were with Maccabeus turned themselves to pray unto God, and sprinkled earth upon their heads, and girded their loins with sackcloth,
οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον συνεγγίζοντος αὐτοῦ, πρὸς ἱκετείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐτράπησαν γῇ τὰς κεφαλὰς καταπάσαντες καὶ τὰς ὀσφύας σάκκοις ζώσαντες,
Маккаве́й же и҆ сꙋ́щїи съ ни́мъ, приближа́ющꙋсѧ томꙋ̀, ко моли́твѣ бж҃їй ѡ҆брати́шасѧ, главы̑ земле́ю посы́павше и҆ чрє́сла вре́тищами препоѧ́савше,
And fell down at the foot of the altar, and besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declareth.
ἐπὶ τὴν ἀπέναντι τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου κρηπῖδα προσπεσόντες, ἠξίουν ἵλεων αὐτοῖς γενόμενν ἐχθρεῦσαι τοῖς ἐχθροῖς αὐτῶν καὶ ἀντικεῖσθαι τοῖς ἀντικειμένοις, καθὼς ὁ νόμος διασαφεῖ.
пред̾ ѻ҆лта́рнымъ пра́гомъ ни́цъ па́дше, молѧ́хꙋ млⷭ҇тива и҆̀мъ бы́ти, враждова́ти же враждꙋ́ющымъ на ни́хъ и҆ сꙋпоста́тѡмъ проти́витисѧ ꙗ҆́кѡ зако́нъ глаго́летъ.
So after the prayer they took their weapons, and went on further from the city: and when they drew near to their enemies, they kept by themselves.
γενόμενοι δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς δεήσεως, ἀναλαβόντες τὰ ὅπλα προῆγον ἀπὸ τῆς πόλεως ἐπὶ πλεῖον· συνεγγίσαντες δὲ τοῖς πολεμίοις ἐφ᾿ ἑαυτῶν ἦσαν.
Бы́вше же по моли́твѣ, воспрїе́мше ѻ҆рꙋ̑жїѧ дале́че и҆з̾ гра́да и҆зыдо́ша: прибли́жшежесѧ къ сꙋпоста́тѡмъ, ѡ҆ себѣ̀ ста́ша.
Now the sun being newly risen, they joined both together; the one part having together with their virtue their refuge also unto the Lord for a pledge of their success and victory: the other side making their rage leader of their battle
ἄρτι δὲ τῆς ἀνατολῆς διαδεχομένης προσέβαλον ἑκάτεροι, οἱ μὲν ἔγγυον ἔχοντες εὐημερίας καὶ νίκης μετ᾿ ἀρετῆς τὴν ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον καταφυγήν, οἱ δὲ καθηγεμόνα τῶν ἀγώνων ταττόμενοι τὸν θυμόν.
Со́лнцꙋ же возсїѧва́ющꙋ, ѻ҆боѝ срази́шасѧ: сі́и ᲂу҆́бѡ спорꙋ́чника и҆мꙋ́ще благополꙋ́чїѧ и҆ побѣ́ды съ добродѣ́телїю ко гдⷭ҇ꙋ прибѣ́жище, ѻ҆ни́ же воево́дꙋ бра́ней ᲂу҆чини́ша ꙗ҆́рость.
But when the battle waxed strong, there appeared unto the enemies from heaven five comely men upon horses, with bridles of gold, and two of them led the Jews,
γενομένης δὲ καρτερᾶς μάχης, ἐφάνησαν τοῖς ὑπεναντίοις ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἐφ᾿ ἵππων χρυσοχαλίνων ἄνδρες πέντε διαπρεπεῖς, καὶ ἀφηγούμενοι τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων,
Пребыва́ющей же крѣ́пцей бра́ни, ꙗ҆ви́шасѧ сꙋпоста́тѡмъ ѿ нб҃сѐ мꙋ́жїе пѧ́ть на ко́нехъ зла̑ты ᲂу҆зды̑ и҆мꙋ́щихъ, благолѣ́пни, и҆ пра́вѧще і҆ꙋде́ѡвъ два̀:
And took Maccabeus betwixt them, and covered him on every side weapons, and kept him safe, but shot arrows and lightnings against the enemies: so that being confounded with blindness, and full of trouble, they were killed.
οἳ καὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον μέσον λαβόντες καὶ σκεπάζοντες ταῖς ἑαυτῶν πανοπλίαις ἄτρωτον διεφύλαττον, εἰς δὲ τοὺς ὑπεναντίους τοξεύματα καὶ κεραυνοὺς ἐξερρίπτουν· διὸ συγχυθέντες ἀορασίᾳ κατεκόπτοντο ταραχῆς πεπληρωμένοι.
и҆ маккаве́а средѣ̀ себє̀ взе́мше и҆ защища́юще свои́мъ всеѻрꙋ́жїемъ невреди́ма сохранѧ́хꙋ, на сꙋпоста́ты же стрѣ́лы и҆ мѡ́лнїи мета́хꙋ: тѣ́мже смѣси́вшесѧ невидѣ́нїемъ сѣча́хꙋсѧ мѧте́жа и҆спо́лнени.
And there were slain of footmen twenty thousand and five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.
κατεσφάγησαν δὲ δισμύριοι πρὸς τοῖς πεντακοσίοις, ἱππεῖς δὲ ἑξακόσιοι.
Оу҆бїе́нныхъ же бы́сть два́десѧть ты́сѧщъ и҆ пѧ́ть сѡ́тъ, ко́нныхъ же ше́сть сѡ́тъ.
As for Timotheus himself, he fled into a very strong hold, called Gazara, where Chereas was governor.
αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Τιμόθεος συνέφυγεν εἰς Γάζαρα λεγόμενον ὀχύρωμα, εὖ μάλα φρούριον, στρατηγοῦντος ἐκεῖ Χαιρέου.
Са́мъ же тїмоѳе́й побѣжѐ въ газа́рꙋ глаго́лемꙋю тверды́ню, ѕѣлѡ̀ крѣ́пкꙋю, воево́дствꙋющꙋ та́мѡ хере́ю.
But Timotheus fled to Gazara, a fortified stronghold, over which Chaereas was set. But Maccabeus and those who were with him, rejoicing, besieged the stronghold for four days, etc.
What does it mean that Timotheus, defeated by Judas, fled with his men into the fortified stronghold of Gazara, and from there, trusting in the strength of the place, hurled curses against the people? Except that heretics, separated from the unity of the true faith and overcome, withdraw into the hiding places of their errors and, trusting in the protection of their own cunning, hurl words of curse against Catholics. For Timotheus is interpreted as "beneficent" or rather "sorcerer," and Gazara as "division" or "battle." But Judas, besieging the stronghold with his companions for four days, at last broke into the fortification by means of twenty young men whose spirits were inflamed because of the blasphemy; he set fire to the towers and the gates, and burned the blasphemers themselves alive. So too the holy teachers, by enclosing the enemies on every side with the four books of the Gospel, through those who keep the commandments of the Law in the two precepts of love, destroy their engines, and burn them alive with the fire of sorrow and repentance. And therefore, in two days, by the help of the two Testaments, laying waste the stronghold of all errors, they kill the true Timotheus, that is, the Devil, the head of all error and the author of all evil, who wishes to hide in his own wickedness, with the sword of God's word.
Commentary on 2 MaccabeesBut they that were with Maccabeus laid siege against the fortress courageously four days.
οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον ἄσμενοι περιεκάθισαν τὸ φρούριον ἡμέρας τέσσαρας.
Маккаве́й же и҆ сꙋ́щїи съ ни́мъ ве́селѡ ѡ҆бсѣдо́ша крѣ́пость дни̑ четы́ри.
And they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and uttered wicked words.
οἱ δὲ ἔνδον τῇ ἐρυμνότητι τοῦ τόπου πεποιθότες ὑπεράγαν ἐβλασφήμουν καὶ λόγους ἀθεμίτους προΐεντο.
сꙋ́щїи же внꙋ́трь на тве́рдость мѣ́ста ᲂу҆пова́юще, па́че мѣ́ры хꙋ́лѧхꙋ и҆ словеса̀ беззакѡ́ннаѧ и҆зноша́хꙋ.
Nevertheless upon the fifth day early twenty young men of Maccabeus’ company, inflamed with anger because of the blasphemies, assaulted the wall manly, and with a fierce courage killed all that they met withal.
ὑποφαινούσης δὲ τῆς πέμπτης ἡμέρας, εἴκοσι νεανίαι τῶν περὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον πυρωθέντες τοῖς θυμοῖς διὰ τὰς βλασφημίας, προσβαλόντες τῷ τείχει ἀρρενωδῶς καὶ θηριώδει θυμῷ τὸν ἐμπίπτοντα ἔκοπτον.
Ꙗ҆́вльшꙋжесѧ пѧ́томꙋ дню̀ два́десѧть ю҆́ношей, и҆̀же съ маккаве́емъ бѣ́хꙋ, разже́гшесѧ ꙗ҆́ростїю хꙋле́нїѧ ра́ди, прибли́жившесѧ ко стѣнѣ̀, мꙋ́жественнѡ и҆ ѕвѣроѡбра́зною ꙗ҆́ростїю прилꙋчи́вшихсѧ разсѣца́хꙋ.
Others likewise ascending after them, whiles they were busied with them that were within, burnt the towers, and kindling fires burnt the blasphemers alive; and others broke open the gates, and, having received in the rest of the army, took the city,
ἕτεροι δὲ ὁμοίως προσαναβάντες ἐν τῷ περισπασμῷ πρὸς τοὺς ἔνδον, ἐνεπίμπρων τοὺς πύργους καὶ πυρὰς ἀνάψαντες ζῶντας τοὺς βλασφήμους κατέκαιον. οἱ δὲ τὰς πύλας διέκοπτον, εἰσδεξάμενοι δὲ τὴν λοιπὴν τάξιν προκατελάβοντο τὴν πόλιν.
И҆ні́и же подо́бнѣ возше́дше съ нꙋ́ждею къ сꙋ́щымъ внꙋ́трь, зажига́хꙋ пѵ̑рги, и҆ возже́гше ѻ҆гни̑ща, живы́хъ хꙋ́льникѡвъ сожго́ша.
And killed Timotheus, that was hid in a certain pit, and Chereas his brother, with Apollophanes.
καὶ τὸν Τιμόθεον ἀποκεκρυμμένον ἔν τινι λάκκῳ κατέσφαξαν καὶ τὸν τούτου ἀδελφὸν Χαιρέαν καὶ τὸν ᾿Απολλοφάνην.
И҆ні́и же врата̀ разсѣко́ша, и҆ впꙋсти́вше про́чїй по́лкъ, взѧ́ша гра́дъ, и҆ тїмоѳе́а скры́вшагосѧ въ нѣ́коемъ рвѣ̀ закла́ша, и҆ бра́та є҆гѡ̀ хере́а и҆ а҆поллѡфа́на.
When this was done, they praised the Lord with psalms and thanksgiving, who had done so great things for Israel, and given them the victory.
ταῦτα δὲ διαπραξάμενοι μεθ᾿ ὕμνων καὶ ἐξομολογήσεων εὐλόγουν τῷ Κυρίῳ τῷ μεγάλως εὐεργετοῦντι τὸν ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ τὸ νῖκος αὐτοῖς διδόντι.
Сїѧ̑ же сотво́рше съ пѣ́сньми и҆ и҆сповѣ́даньми благословлѧ́хꙋ гдⷭ҇а бл҃годѣ́телѧ вели́каго і҆и҃лю и҆ побѣ́дꙋ и҆̀мъ да́вшаго.
When these things had been done, in hymns and confessions they blessed the Lord, who had done great things in Israel and had given them victory, etc.
In the first book of this history it is written that Lysias, having had the affairs of the kingdom entrusted to him by Antiochus, who was surnamed Epiphanes or the Noble, fought against the Jews, where, when the battle was joined, five thousand men were killed in the army of Lysias. And seeing the flight of his own men and the boldness of the Jews, he went off to Antioch in order to gather the forces of the army again, intending to set out once more into Judea. But now, since it is reported that again, under Antiochus Eupator, he came into Judea, and there, having waged war unsuccessfully, escaped in disgrace by flight, it appears that this same Lysias fought against the Jews under both kings named Antiochus, that is, father and son, and in each battle was defeated by the Jews; but at last, compelled by his own humiliation and terrified by Philip's incursion into the kingdom, as has been shown elsewhere, he persuaded the king to make peace with the Hebrews, which, however, he did not keep.
Commentary on 2 Maccabees
Now upon the same day that the strangers profaned the temple, on the very same day it was cleansed again, even the five and twentieth day of the same month, which is Casleu.
ἐν ᾗ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ ὁ νεὼς ὑπὸ ἀλλοφύλων ἐβεβηλώθη, συνέβη κατὰ τὴν αὐτὴν ἡμέραν τὸν καθαρισμὸν γενέσθαι τοῦ ναοῦ, τῇ πέμπτῃ καὶ εἰκάδι τοῦ αὐτοῦ μηνός, ὅς ἐστι Χασελεῦ.
И҆ во́ньже де́нь хра́мъ ѿ и҆ноплемє́нникъ ѡ҆скверни́сѧ, слꙋчи́сѧ въ то́й же де́нь ѡ҆чище́нїю бы́ти хра́ма, два́десѧть пѧ́тагѡ днѐ мцⷭ҇а, и҆́же є҆́сть хасле́ѵъ.
On the day when the temple had been polluted by foreigners, etc.
This feast, which is read as being celebrated on the twenty-fifth day of the month Casleu, which among the Latins is called December, is likewise mentioned in a similar way in the previous book; moreover, when it relates that they had previously kept the Feast of Tabernacles in the mountains and in caves, and for that reason carried before him who granted that his place be cleansed the thyrsi, and green branches, and palms, it shows that in the present life, where there is a place of tribulation and sorrow, we ought to recognize ourselves as pilgrims; and that there we should strive to offer to God the flowers of virtues and the ever-green branches of good works for the attainment of eternal life and as the reward of payment to the heavenly King. For the thyrsus in general is the middle stalk of all herbs or vegetables, so called because it rises up from the earth; so also from our earthly matter a useful shoot ought to ascend, so that to the cultivator of our heart, who through the gift of His Spirit cultivates us, we may always render acceptable fruit.
Commentary on 2 Maccabees