1st Maccabees Chapter 13

Simon takes command


13:1 Now when Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
heard that Tryphon had gathered together a great army to invade the land of Judea, and destroy it,
13:2 And saw that the people was in great trembling and fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together,
13:3 And gave them a speech, saying, y’all yourselves know what great things my brothers, and my father’s house, and I have done for the laws and the sanctuary, the battles also and troubles which we have seen.
13:4 By reason by which all my brothers were killed for Israel’s sake, and I am left alone.
13:5 Now for that reason far be it from me, that I should spare my own life in any time of trouble: for I am no better than my brothers.
13:6 Without a doubt I will avenge my nation, and the sanctuary, and our wives, and our children: for all the heathen are gathered to destroy us of very maliciousness.
13:7 Now as soon as the people heard these words, their spirit revived.
13:8 And they answered with a loud voice, saying, you shall be our leader instead of Judasיהודה המכבי
romanized: Yehudah HaMakabi Judah Maccabee (or Judas Maccabaeus /mækəˈbiːəs/, also spelled Maccabeus was a Jewish priest (kohen) and a son of the priest Mattathias. He led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire (167–160 BCE). The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (“Dedication”) commemorates the restoration of Jewish worship at the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE, after Judah Maccabee removed all of the statues depicting Greek gods and goddesses and purified it. For more info click here
and 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
your brother.
13:9 Y
ou Fight our battles, and whatever, you order us, we will do.
13:10 So then he gathered together all the men of war, and hurried to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it all around.
13:11 Also he sent Jonathan the son of Absolom, and with him a great force, to Joppa: who kicking out those that were in it; then stayed there in it.

Simon turns back Trypho from Judaea


13:12 So Tryphon left from Ptolemaus with a great force to invade the land of Judea, and 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
was escorted with him.
13:13 But Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
pitched his tents at Adida, over next to the plain.
13:14 Now when Tryphon knew that Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
was risen up instead of 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 meant to join battle with him, he sent messengers to him, saying,
13:15 Because we have 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
your brother is being held, it is for money that he is owing to the king’s treasure, concerning the offices that were entrusted to him.
13:16 For that reason now send an hundred talents The Biblical weight of a talent is equal to approximately 34 kilograms or 74.96lbs of silver, and two of his sons as hostages, that when he is free he may not rebell from us, and we will let him go.
13:17 Hereupon Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
, although he thought that they spoke deceitfully to him yet he sent the money and the children, lest by chance he should reap to himself great hatred of the people:
13:18 Who might have said, Because I didn’t send him the money and the children, for that reason 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
is dead.
13:19 So he sent them the children and the hundred talentsThe Biblical weight of a talent is equal to approximately 34 kilograms or 74.96lbs: However Tryphon bluffed he wouldn’t let 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
go.
13:20 And after this Tryphon came to invade the land, and destroy it, going around by the road that leads to Adora: but Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
and his army marched against him in each place, wherever he went.
13:21 Now they that were in the tower sent messengers to Tryphon, to the end that he should hurry his coming to them by the desert, and send them supplies.
13:22 For that reason Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night: but a very great snow fell there, by reason of which he couldn’t come. So he departed, and came to the country of Gileadגִּלְעָד
or Gilad (/ˈɡɪliəd/; Gilʿāḏ) is the ancient, historic, biblical name of the mountainous northern part of the region of Transjordan. The region is bounded in the west by the Jordan River, in the north by the deep ravine of the river Yarmouk and the region of Bashan, and in the southwest by what were known during antiquity as the “plains of Moab”, with no definite boundary to the east.
.
13:23 And when he came near Bascama he killed 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
, who was buried there.
13:24 Afterward Tryphon returned to his own land.

Jonathan is buried in the sepulchre built by Simon at Modein


13:25 Then Simon sent, and took the bones of 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
his brother, and buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers.
13:26 And all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned him many days.
13:27 Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
also built a monument upon the sepulcher | ˈsepəlkər | (British sepulchre)
noun – a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is laid or buried. — Middle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum ‘burial place’, from sepelire ‘bury’.
of his father and his brothers, and raised it upward to the sight, with hewn stone in back and front.
13:28 Then he set up seven pyramids, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brothers.
13:29 And in these he made cunning devices, about which he set great pillars, and on the pillars he made all their armor for a perpetual memory, and by the armor ships carved, that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea.
13:30 This is the sepulcher | ˈsepəlkər | (British sepulchre)
noun – a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is laid or buried. — Middle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum ‘burial place’, from sepelire ‘bury’.
which he made at Modin, and it stands even today.

The favors of Demetrius II to Simon


13:31 Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with the young king Antiochus, and killed him.
13:32 And he reigned in his place, and crowned himself king of Asia, and brought a great disaster upon the land.
13:33 Then Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
built up the strong holds in Judea, and fenced them about with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars, and stored supplies in it.
13:34 Then Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end he should give the land an immunity, because all that Tryphon did was plunder.
13:35 To whom king Demetrius answered and wrote like this:
13:36 King Demetrius to Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
the high priest, and friend of kings, as also to the elders and nation of the Jews, sends greeting:
13:37 The golden crown, and the scarlet robe, which y’all sent to us, we have received: and we are ready to make a steadfast peaceשָׁלוֹם
Transliteration šālôm Pronunciation shaw-lome’ shalom – completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, be well, prosperity For more info click here
with you, yes, and to write to our officers, to confirm the immunities which we have granted.
13:38 And whatever covenants we have made with you shall stand; and the strong holds, which y’all have built, shall be your own.
13:39 As for any oversight or fault committed to this day, we forgive it, and the crown tax also, which y’all owe us: and if there were any other tribute paid in Jerusalem, it shall be paid no more .
13:40 And look who are meet among you to be in our court, let then be enrolled, and let there be peaceשָׁלוֹם
Transliteration šālôm Pronunciation shaw-lome’ shalom – completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, be well, prosperity For more info click here
between us.
13:41 So the yoke of the heathen was taken away from Israel in the hundred seventieth year.
13:42 Then the people of Israel began to write in their documents and contracts, In the first year of Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
the high priest, the governor and leader of the Jews.

The Capture of Gaza by Simon


13:43 In those days Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
camped against Gaza and besieged surrounded it; he made also a siege-engine of war, and stationed it by the city, and battered a single tower, and took it.
13:44 And they that were in the siege-engine leaped into the city; on that there was a great uproar in the city:
13:45 So far as the people of the city tore their clothes, and climbed upon the walls with their wives and children, and cried with a loud voice, begging Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
to grant them peaceשָׁלוֹם
Transliteration šālôm Pronunciation shaw-lome’ shalom – completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, be well, prosperity For more info click here
.
13:46 And they said, Don’t deal with us according to our wickedness, but according to your mercy.
13:47 So Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
was satisfied toward them, and fought no more against them, but drove them out of the city, and cleansed the houses where the idols were, and so entered into it with songs and thanksgiving.
13:48 Yes, he put all uncleanness out of it, and placed such men there as would keep the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
, and made it stronger than it was before, and built in it a residence for himself.

Simon occupies the tower in Jerusalem


13:49 Those also of the tower in Jerusalem were kept so, that they could neither come out, nor go into the country, nor buy, nor sell: for that reason they were in great distress for want of supplies, and a great number of them died by famine.
13:50 Then cried they to Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
, begging him to be at one with them: which thing he granted them; and when he had removed them from there, he cleansed the tower of pollution:
13:51 And entered into it the twenty third day of the second month in the hundred seventy first year, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and songs: because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel.
13:52 He ordained also that that day should be kept every year with gladness. Then the hill of the temple that was by the tower he made stronger than it was, and there he lived with his company.
13:53 And when Simonשִׁמְעוֹן הַתַּסִּי
Šīməʿōn haTassī; died 135 BC The name “Thassi” has a connotation of “the Wise”, a title which can also mean “the Director”, “the Guide”, “the Man of Counsel”, and “the Zealous”. This Simon is also sometimes distinguished as Simon the Hasmonean, Simon Maccabee, or (from Latin) Simon Maccabeus. For more info click here
saw that John his son was a brave man, he made him captain of all the armies; and he lived in Gaza.

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