1st Maccabees Chapter 11

Ptolemy VI supports Demetrius but dies as does Alexander Balas

11:1 And the king of Egypt gathered together a great army, like the sand that lies on the sea shore, and many ships, and went about through deceit to get Alexander’s kingdom, and merge it with his own.
11:2 On which he took his journey to Spain in peaceable manner, so as they of the cities opened to him, and met him: for king Alexander had commanded them so to do, because he was his brother in law.
11:3 Now as PtolemyΠτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ
Ptolemy IV Philopator romanized: Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr; “Ptolemy, lover of his Father”; May/June 244 – July/August 204 BC) was the fourth pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 221 to 204 BC. For more info click here entered into the cities, he stationed in each one of them a garrison of soldiers to guard it.
11:4 And when he came near to Azotus, they showed him the temple of Dagonדָּגוֹן
Dāgōn) was a god worshiped in ancient Syria across the middle of the Euphrates where it was the god of prosperity and Syrian father of gods, represented as a fish-tailed man. that was burnt, and Azotus and the suburbs of it that were destroyed, and the bodies that were slung everywhere and those that he had burnt in the battle; for they had made piles of them by the road so he could pass.
11:5 Also they told the king what all Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here had done, with the goal he might blame him: but the king held his peace.
11:6 Then Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here met the king with great spectacle at Joppa, where they saluted one another, and lodged.
11:7 Afterward Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus, returned again to Jerusalem.
11:8 King PtolemyΠτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ
Ptolemy IV Philopator romanized: Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr; “Ptolemy, lover of his Father”; May/June 244 – July/August 204 BC) was the fourth pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 221 to 204 BC. For more info click here For that reason, having gotten the reign of the cities by the sea to Seleucia on the sea coast, envisioned wicked suggestions against Alexander.
11:9 On which he sent ambassadors to king Demetrius, saying, Come, let us make a partnership between us, and I will give you my daughter who Alexander has, and you shall reign in your father’s kingdom:
11:10 For I am sorry that I gave my daughter to him, for he sought to kill me.
11:11 So he slander him, because he was anxious for his kingdom.
11:12 For that reason he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and abandoned Alexander, so that their contempt was openly known.
11:13 Then PtolemyΠτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ
Ptolemy IV Philopator romanized: Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr; “Ptolemy, lover of his Father”; May/June 244 – July/August 204 BC) was the fourth pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 221 to 204 BC. For more info click here entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia, and of Egypt.
11:14 Meanwhile king Alexander was in Cilicia, because those that lived in those sides had rebelled against him.
11:15 But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him: on which king PtolemyΠτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ
Ptolemy IV Philopator romanized: Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr; “Ptolemy, lover of his Father”; May/June 244 – July/August 204 BC) was the fourth pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 221 to 204 BC. For more info click here brought out his army, and met him with a mighty force, and put him to running.
11:16 So Alexander escaped into Arabia there to be defended; but king PtolemyΠτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ
Ptolemy IV Philopator romanized: Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr; “Ptolemy, lover of his Father”; May/June 244 – July/August 204 BC) was the fourth pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 221 to 204 BC. For more info click here was honored:
11:17 Because Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander’s head, and sent it to PtolemyΠτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ
Ptolemy IV Philopator romanized: Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr; “Ptolemy, lover of his Father”; May/June 244 – July/August 204 BC) was the fourth pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 221 to 204 BC. For more info click here.
11:18 King PtolemyΠτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ
Ptolemy IV Philopator romanized: Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr; “Ptolemy, lover of his Father”; May/June 244 – July/August 204 BC) was the fourth pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 221 to 204 BC. For more info click here died the third day after that, and the Egyptians that were in the strong holds were killed by the locals.
11:19 For this reason Demetrius reigned in the one hundred sixty seventh year.

Early relations between Demetrius and Jonathan

11:20 At the same time Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here gathered together those that were in Judea to take the tower that was in Jerusalem: and he made many siege-engines of war against it.
11:21 Then came ungodly populace, who hated their own people, went to the king, and told him that Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here had besieged the tower,
11:22 Of which when he heard, he was angry, and immediately left, he went to Ptolemais, and wrote to Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Ptolemais in great hurry.
11:23 Even so Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, when he heard this, ordered the besiege continued: and he chose some of the elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself at risk;
11:24 And took silver and gold, and raiment, and various presents besides, and went to Ptolemais to the king, where he found favor in his sight.
11:25 And though some ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him,
11:26 The king yet treated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends,
11:27 And confirmed him in the high priesthood, with all the honors that he had before, and gave him superiority among his chief friends.
11:28 Then Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here asked the king, if he would make Judea free from tribute, and also the three governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred talents The Biblical weight of a talent is equal to approximately 34 kilograms or 74.96lbs.
11:29 So the king consented, and wrote letters to Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here of all these things like this:

A new charter favoring Jews

11:30 King Demetrius sends greetings to his brother Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, and to the nation of the Jews:
11:31 We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write to our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that y’all might see it.
11:32 King Demetrius sends greetings to his father Lasthenes:
11:33 We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our allies, and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.
11:34 For that reason we have confirmed them in borders of Judea, and the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria, and all things belonging to them, for all who do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received from them yearly in the past out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.
11:35 And as for other things that belong to us, of the tithes and customs pertaining to us, as also the salt pits, and the crown taxes, which are due to us, we release them from them all for their relief.
11:36 And nothing of this shall be revoked from this time forward anywhere.
11:37 Now for that reason see that you make a copy of these things, and delivered to Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, and put on the holy mount in a conspicuous place.

Demetrius II rescued by Jonathan’s troop at Antioch

11:38 After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, each one to his own home, except some bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen: for that reason all the forces of his fathers hated him.
11:39 Then there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander’s side before, who, seeing that all the army murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,
11:40 And urged him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father’s place: for that reason he told him all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war had hostility toward him, and there he remained a long time.
11:41 In the mean time Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here sent to king Demetrius, that he would throw those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: because they fought against Israel.
11:42 So Demetrius sent to Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, saying, I will not only do this for you and your people, but I will greatly honor you and your nation, if opportunity serve.
11:43 Now for that reason you will do well, if you send me reinforcements; because  all my forces are gone.
11:44 On this Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here sent him three thousand strong men to Antioch: and when they came to the king, the king was very glad that they came.
11:45 However those that were of the city gathered themselves together into the middle of the city, to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have killed the king.
11:46 For that reason the king escaped into the court, but those of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.
11:47 Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came to him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city killed that day in the city to the number of one hundred thousand.
11:48 Also they set fire on the city, and took countless plunder that day, and saved the king.
11:49 So when those of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would, their courage was diminished: for that reason they made a petition to the king, and cried, saying,
11:50 Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.
11:51 With that they threw away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honored in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they returned to Jerusalem, having great plunder.
11:52 So king Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.
11:53 However he pretended in all that ever he promised, and estranged himself from Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, not rewarding him consistent to the assists that he had received from him, but troubled him very much.

Jonathan opposes Demetrius II.

11:54 After this Tryphon returned , and with him the young child Antiochus, who was crowned, and reigned.
11:55 Then to him there gathered all the men of war, whom Demetrius had dismissed, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and escaped.
11:56 Then Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.
11:57 At that time young Antiochus wrote to Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, saying, I confirm you into the high priesthood, and appoint you ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king’s friends.
11:58 On this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him the right to drink from gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden badge.
11:59 His brother Simon he also made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyrus to the borders of Egypt.
11:60 Then Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here went out, and went through the cities beyond the water, and all the forces of Syria assembled to him to support him: and when he came to Ascalon, those of the city met him honorably.
11:61 From where he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; for that reason he laid siege to it, and burned the suburbs of it with fire, and plundered them.
11:62 Afterward, when those of Gaza made a appeal to Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here, he made peace with them, and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and made his way through the country to Damascus.
11:63 Now when Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here heard that Demetrius’ princes had come to Cades, which is in Galileeהַגָּלִיל
/ˈɡælɪliː/ romanized: hagGālīl Galilee refers to all of the area north of the Mount Carmel-Mount Gilboa ridge and south of the east–west section of the Litani River. It extends from the Israeli coastal plain and the shores of the Mediterranean Sea with Acre in the west, to the Jordan Rift Valley to the east; and from the Litani in the north plus a piece bordering on the Golan Heights all the way to Dan at the base of Mount Hermon in the northeast, to Mount Carmel and Mount Gilboa in the south. For more info click here, with a great force, purposing to remove him out of the country,
11:64 He went to meet them, and left Simon his brother in the country.

Simon retakes Beth-Zur.

11:65 Then Simon laid siege on Bethsura and fought against for it a long time, and blockading it:
11:66 But they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then drove them out, and took the city, and stationed a garrison in it.
11:67 As for Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here and his army, they camped at the water of Gennesar, from where at dawn they went to the plain of Nasor.
11:68 And the army of strangers met them in the plain, who, having laid men in ambush for him in the mountains, while they came over against him.
11:69 So when those that lay in ambush rose out of their places and joined battle, all that were on Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here‘s side retreated;
11:70 So far as there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Calphi, the captains of the army.
11:71 Then Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here tore his clothes, and threw earth on his head, and prayed.
11:72 Afterwards returning to battle, then he put them to flight, and so they ran away.
11:73 Now when his own men that had escaped saw this, they returned to him, and with him pursued them to Cades, even to their own tents, and there they camped.
11:74 So there were about three thousand men of the heathen killed that day: Then Jonathanיוֹנָתָן‎ אַפְּפוּס‎
Jonathan Apphus Yōnāṯān ʾApfūs; Ancient Greek: Ἰωνάθαν Ἀπφοῦς, Iōnáthan Apphoûs) was one of the sons of Mattathias and the leader of the Hasmonean dynasty of Judea from 161 to 143 BCE. For more info click here returned to Jerusalem.