2nd Maccabees Chapter 14

VII: The Conflict with Nicanor, General of Demetrius I, The Day of Nicanor

Alcimus the high priest intervenes

14:1 Three years later 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 was informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, had sailed into the harbor of Tripolis with a powerful army and a fleet,
14:2 And hat he had occupied the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his guardian.
14:3 Now there was a man named Alcimus אליקום  ‎
Hebrew Elyaqum, “God will rise” from Ancient Greek: Ἄλκιμος Alkimos, “valiant” also called Jakeimos, Jacimus, or Joachim (Ἰάκειμος), was High Priest of Israel for three years from 162–159 BCE. He was a moderate Hellenizer who favored the ruling government of the Seleucid Empire (Greek Syria) and opposed the Maccabean Revolt which was in progress at the time For more info click here, a former high priest, had willfully defiled himself during the revolt, realizing that there was no way for him to be safe or to have access again to the holyקָדְשׁוֹ‎
Transliteration qōḏeš Pronunciation ko’-desh a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity:—consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (× most) holy (× day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. For more info click here altar,
14:4 he went to see king Demetrius in the one hundred fifty-first year (161 BCE), and presented him a crown of gold and a palm, together with the traditional olive branches from the Temple: but he said nothing about his plans.
14:5 However, later, he got the chance to put his absurd plans into effect when Demetrius, called him to a meeting of the council and questioned him about the attitude and intentions of the Jews, he he replied:
14:6 Those Jews called Hasideans חסידים הראשונים ‎
Hasidim ha-Rishonim, Greek Ἀσιδαῖοι or Asidaioi, also transcribed as Hasidaeans and Assideans) were a Jewish group during the Maccabean Revolt that took place from around 167–142 BCE. The Hasideans (“Hasidim”) are mentioned three times in the books of the Maccabees. For more info click here, who are led by Judas Maccabaeusיהודה 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, are war-mongers and rebels, and will not let the kingdom find peace.
14:7 That is why , after being deprived of my forefathers’ honor, I mean the high priesthood, I have come here now:
14:8 First, because I am genuinely concerned for the king’s interests; and second, because I have regard also for my own countrymen: Because through the foolishness of those whom I have mentioned our entire race is now in terrible suffering.
14:9 When Your Majesty has taken note of all the details of these matters, may it please you to make provision for the welfare of our country and our persecuted nation with the gracious kindness that you show to everyone.
14:10 Because as long as 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 is alive, it is impossible for the State to enjoy peace.
14:11 No sooner than he had said this, the rest of the king’s friends, there were against 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‘ actions, did even more to infuriate Demetrius.
14:12 He immediately chose Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, promoted him as governor over Judeaיהודה‎
(Yəhūda Greek: Ἰουδαία Latin: Iudaea) or Judaea – a mountainous region of the Levant. Traditionally dominated by the city of Jerusalem, it is now part of Palestine and Israel. The name Judea is a Greek and Roman adaptation of the name “Judah”, which originally encompassed the territory of the Israelite tribe of that name and later of the ancient Kingdom of Judah. For more info click here, he sent him out,
14:13 Commanding him to kill 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 to scatter his followers, and to make Alcimusאליקום‎
Hebrew Elyaqum, “God will rise” from Ancient Greek: Ἄλκιμος Alkimos, “valiant” also called Jakeimos, Jacimus, or Joachim (Ἰάκειμος), was High Priest of Israel for three years from 162–159 BCE. He was a moderate Hellenizer who favored the ruling government of the Seleucid Empire (Greek Syria) and opposed the Maccabean Revolt which was in progress at the time For more info click here high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here of the great Temple.
14:14 And the Gentiles throughout Judeaיהודה‎
(Yəhūda Greek: Ἰουδαία Latin: Iudaea) or Judaea – a mountainous region of the Levant. Traditionally dominated by the city of Jerusalem, it is now part of Palestine and Israel. The name Judea is a Greek and Roman adaptation of the name “Judah”, which originally encompassed the territory of the Israelite tribe of that name and later of the ancient Kingdom of Judah. For more info click here that had escaped from 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‘ attacks, now flocked to join forces with Nicanor, thinking that the misfortunes and calamities of the Jews would be to their advantage.

Nicanor makes friends with Judas

14:15 Now when the Jews heard Nicanor was coming, and that the Gentiles in their country were giving him their support, they threw dust on their heads, and prayed to Him that had established his people forever, and had never failed to help them in time of need..
14:16 On their leader’s orders, they marched out immediately and engaged them in battle at a village called Adasa.
14:17 Now 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, 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‘ brother, was fighting with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited because of the sudden silence of his enemies.
14:18 However Nicanor, hearing of the bravery of those that were with 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 the courageousness that they had to fight for their country, he decided not to settle the matter by the sword.
14:19 Instead he sent Posidonius (meaning of Poseidon), and Theodotus (meaning given by God), and Mattathias (Matthew), to make peace.
14:20 After careful deliberation of his terms, and the leader had informed the troops, and since they were clearly of one mind, they agreed to the treaty,
14:21 The leaders set a day on which to meet in private: and when the day came, and Ceremonial chairs were set up for either of them,
14:22 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 posted armed men ready in strategic positions, in case of some betrayal on the part of the enemy. But the two leaders had a friendly meeting.
14:23 Nicanor stayed in Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלַם‎
Transliteration: yᵊrûšālam – Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah’-im – proper locative noun meaning “teaching of peace” or possession of peace – also called the city of David and Zion – the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split For more info click here, and did no harm to the Jews, but sent the people away that had come flocking to him.
14:24 The two men became the best of friends and 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 was constantly with him: he became deeply attached to him.
14:25 Nicanor urged him to marry and start a family: so he married, settled down and led a peaceful life.

Alcimus rekindles hostilities, and Nicanor threatens the Temple

14:26 But Alcimusאליקום‎
Hebrew Elyaqum, “God will rise” from Ancient Greek: Ἄλκιμος Alkimos, “valiant” also called Jakeimos, Jacimus, or Joachim (Ἰάκειμος), was High Priest of Israel for three years from 162–159 BCE. He was a moderate Hellenizer who favored the ruling government of the Seleucid Empire (Greek Syria) and opposed the Maccabean Revolt which was in progress at the time For more info click here, seeing how well they were getting along, and considering the agreements that were made, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor was disloyal to the government; because he had appointed 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, a traitor to his kingdom, to be his successor.
14:27 Then the king flew into a rage, and provoked by the false accusations of that incredibly evil man, wrote to Nicanor, stating that he was dissatisfied with the treaty, and ordering to arrest and send Judas Maccabeusיהודה 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 to Antioch at once.
14:28 When the letter reached Nicanor, he was confused about what to do, knowing that he had to cancel their treaty when the man had done nothing wrong.
14:29 But because it was impossible for him to oppose the king, so he started looking for a way to trap 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.
14:30 However, when Maccabeusיהודה 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 saw that Nicanor was more harsh in his dealings with him and was more abrupt than he had been, he understood that this was a bad sign, so he gathered together a large number of his men, and got away .
14:31 But Nicanor became aware that he had been outsmarted by 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, went into the great and Holyקָדְשׁוֹ‎
Transliteration qōḏeš Pronunciation ko’-desh a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity:—consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (× most) holy (× day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. For more info click here Temple, and ordered the priestsכֹּהֲנִים
kôhêneem, ko-hane’ Kohenim = priests, Plural principal officers or chief rulers For more info click here, that were offering their usual sacrifices, to deliver him 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.
14:32 And when they swore that they didn’t know where he was,
14:33 He stretched out his right hand in the direction of the Temple, and made this oath: If y’all will not deliver 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 to me as a prisoner, I will level Temple of Elohimאֱלֹהִים
romanized: ʾĔlōhīm: [(ʔ)eloˈ(h)im]), the plural of אֱלוֹהַּ‎ (ʾĔlōah), is a Hebrew word meaning “gods”. Although the word is plural, in the Hebrew Bible it most often takes singular verbal or pronominal agreement and refers to a single deity particularly the God of Israel In other verses it refers to the singular gods of other nations or to deities in the plural A name for GOD — God The Creator. For more info click here to the ground, and I will tear down the altar, and build a splendid temple to Dionysus here.
14:34 With those words he left. Then the priests lifted up their hands toward Heaven, and calling on Him that was always a defender of their nation, this was their prayer;
14:35 You, O YAHWEH יְהֹוָה‎
Hebrew Yəhōwā, one vocalization of the Tetragrammaton יהוה‎ (YHWH), the proper name of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. It is considered one of the seven names of God in Judaism and a form of God’s name in Christianity. Covenant making covenant keeping GOD. For more info click here of all things, who needs nothing, yet it has pleased you to place your Temple here among us:
14:36 So now, O Holyקָדוֹשׁ‎
Transliteration qāḏôš Pronunciation kaw-doshe’ sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart For more info click here YAHWEH יְהֹוָה‎
Hebrew Yəhōwā, one vocalization of the Tetragrammaton יהוה‎ (YHWH), the proper name of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. It is considered one of the seven names of God in Judaism and a form of God’s name in Christianity. Covenant making covenant keeping GOD. For more info click here of all holiness, keep this House unpolluted forever, which was recently cleansed.

The Death of Razis

14:37 Now there was a man called Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלַם‎
Transliteration: yᵊrûšālam – Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah’-im – proper locative noun meaning “teaching of peace” or possession of peace – also called the city of David and Zion – the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split For more info click here, was denounced to Nicano, He loved his countrymen, and a highly regarded man, who was called a father of the Jews because of his kindness.
14:38 During the early days of the revolution he had risked life and limb for Judaism, and was brought to trial for the religion of the Jews.
14:39 So Nicanor, by way of demonstrating the hatred that he bore for the Jews, sent over five hundred men of war to arrest him:
14:40 Because he thought by arresting him would be dealing the Jews a severe blow.
14:41 Now when the troops were about to capture the tower, and were forcing the door of the courtyard, and calling for fire to set the doors afire, Razis, found himself completely surrounded, side fell on his sword;
14:42 Choosing rather to die nobly, rather than fall into the hands of the wicked, to be abused and suffer offences unworthy of his noble birth:
14:43 But in the heat of the struggle he didn’t hit exactly, as the troops rushed through the doors, he bravely ran upstairs, and jumped off the wall courageously into the crowd below.
14:44 But as they quickly moved back, a space opened and he fell in the middle of the empty space they left.
14:45 Still breathing, and inflamed with anger, he got up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water, despite his severe wounds, he ran through the middle of the crowd; taking a stand on a steep rock,
14:46 Even though he had completely lost every drop of blood, he tore out his intestines , and taking them in both his hands, and throwing them down on the crowd, calling on YAHWEH יְהֹוָה‎
Hebrew Yəhōwā, one vocalization of the Tetragrammaton יהוה‎ (YHWH), the proper name of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. It is considered one of the seven names of God in Judaism and a form of God’s name in Christianity. Covenant making covenant keeping GOD. For more info click here of life and breathe to give the back to him one day. That was how he died.