2nd Maccabees Chapter 3

III the Story of Helodorus

The arrival of Helodorus

3:1While 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 City was inhabited in all peace שָׁלוֹם ‎
Transliteration šālôm Pronunciation shaw-lome’ shalom – completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, be well, prosperity For more info click here, and the laws were observed as well as possible, because of the godliness of Onias IIIחוֹנִיּוֹ‎
Ḥōnīyyō son of Simon II, was Jewish High Priest during the Second Temple period. He is described in scriptures as a pious man who opposed the Hellenization of Judea. He was succeeded by his brother Jason in 175 BCE The Onias family perpetuates the high priestly line or the Persian period, being descended from Jeshua himself descended from Zadok For more info click here the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here, and his hatred of wickedness,
3:2 It so happened that even the kings themselves honored 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 Place, and glorified the temple with the finest offerings;
3:3 even to the extent that King Seleucus of Asia defrayed from his own revenues all the expenses connected with the service of the sacrifices.
3:4 But a certain Simon of the tribe of Benjaminבִּנְיָמִי
Bīnyāmīn Meaning: “Son of (the) right” or “Son of My right hand” was the last of the two sons of Jacob and Rachel (Jacob’s thirteenth child and twelfth and youngest son) – son of Bilhan, great-grandson of Benjamin – a Benjamite, one of the sons of Harim, in the time of Ezra who had taken a strange wife – the tribe descended from Benjamin, the son of Jacob
For more info click here, who was appointed administrator of the Temple, fell out with the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here about the regulation of the city markets.
3:5 Unable to get the better of Onias IIIחוֹנִיּוֹ‎
Ḥōnīyyō son of Simon II, was Jewish High Priest during the Second Temple period. He is described in scriptures as a pious man who opposed the Hellenization of Judea. He was succeeded by his brother Jason in 175 BCE The Onias family perpetuates the high priestly line or the Persian period, being descended from Jeshua himself descended from Zadok For more info click here, went to Apollonius (meaning destroying) the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia,
3:6 And told him that the treasury 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 was full of untold sums of money, so that the amount of the funds were incalculable, and out of all proportion to the expenditure on the sacrifices, but that it was possible for them to fall under the control of the king.
3:7 When Apollonius met the king, he told him about the wealth that had been informed of, the king chose Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with instructions to effect the removal of the reported wealth.
3:8 So immediately Heliodorus took his journey; seemingly to make a tour of inspection of the cities of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, but in fact to carry out the king’s purpose.
3:9 On his arrival to 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 had been kindly welcomed by the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here of the city, he told about the disclosure that had been made and stated why he had come, and he asked if this really was the situation.
3:10 Then the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here explained that there were funds set aside for the relief of widows and fatherless children:
3:11 And that some of it belonged to Hyrcanus son of Tobias, a man of great dignity, and not as that wicked Simon had misinformed: and that it totaled in all four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold:
3:12 And he said that it was completely impossible that an injustice should be done to those people who had trusted in the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honored over all the world.

Unease In Jerusalem

3:13 But Heliodorus, because of the orders he had from the king, said, That the funds it must be brought into the king’s treasury.
3:14 So he set a day and went in to draw up an inventory of these funds. There was no little distress throughout the whole city..
3:15 The priestsכֹּהֲנִים
kôhêneem, ko-hane’ Kohenim = priests, Plural principal officers or chief rulers For more info click here, prostrated themselves in front of the altar in their priestsכֹּהֲנִים
kôhêneem, ko-hane’ Kohenim = priests, Plural principal officers or chief rulers For more info click here‘ vestments, called to the heavensהַשָּׁמַיִם‎
Pronunciation: hah’-shaw-mah’-yim Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Absolute – the visible heavens, the abode of the stars like the visible universe, the sky, the atmosphere For more info click here to the Author of the law about deposits, that he should keep them safe for those who had deposited them.
3:16 To see the appearance of the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here was enough to pierce the heart: because his expression and the changing of his color declared the anguish of his soul.
3:17 Because terror and bodily trembling had come over the man, which plainly shown to those who looked at him what sorrow he felt in his heart.
3:18 Others ran hurried out of their houses in crowds to make a general prayer because the (holy) place was like to come into contempt.
3:19 And the women, girt with sackcloth under their breasts, abounded in the streets, Some of the young women who were kept indoors ran together to the gates, and some to the walls, while others peered out of the windows.
3:20 And all, holding their hands toward the heavens הַשָּׁמַיִם‎
Pronunciation: hah’-shaw-mah’-yim Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Absolute – the visible heavens, the abode of the stars like the visible universe, the sky, the atmosphere For more info click here , in prayer.
3:21 It was pitiful to see the people crowding together to prostrate themselves, and the unease of the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here being in such an agony.
3:22 They then called on Adonaiהָאָדוֹן
the Lord, Pluralis majestatis taken as singular) is the possessive form of adon (“Lord”), along with the first-person singular pronoun enclitic. As with Elohim, Adonai’s grammatical form is usually explained as a plural of majesty. For more info click here that he would keep what had been entrusted safe and secure for those who had entrusted it.
3:23 However Heliodorus set about his appointed task.

The punishment of Helodorus

3:24 He had already arrived at the treasury with his bodyguard near the treasury, the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority caused so great a manifestation that all who had been so bold as to accompany him were astounded by the power of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here, and were reduced to abject terror.
3:25 Before their eyes appeared a magnificently arrayed horse, with a rider of frightening attitude, rearing violently, and struck at Heliodorus with his front hoofs, and its rider seem to have armor and weapons of gold.
3:26 Two other young men appeared before him, exceptionally strong, gloriously beautiful and splendidly dressed,appeared to him at the same time and  stood by him on either side; and flogged him continually, inflicting many blows on him.
3:27 Suddenly Heliodorus fell to the ground, and was surrounded with thick darkness: his men picked him up, put him on a stretcher,
3:28 this man who had just entered the treasury, like we said above with a great entourage and all his bodyguard but was now unable to help himself. They openly acknowledged the sovereign power of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here.
3:29 While Heliodorus lay prostrate, speechless because of the divine intervention and deprived of any hope of recovery.
3:30 the Jews praised 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, who had miraculously glorified his own place: And the temple; which a little while before was full of fear and disturbance, was filled with joy and gladness at the manifestation of Adonaiהָאָדוֹן
the Lord, Pluralis majestatis taken as singular) is the possessive form of adon (“Lord”), along with the first-person singular pronoun enclitic. As with Elohim, Adonai’s grammatical form is usually explained as a plural of majesty. For more info click here.
3:31 Then rightaway some of Heliodorus’ friends begged Onias IIIחוֹנִיּוֹ‎
Ḥōnīyyō son of Simon II, was Jewish High Priest during the Second Temple period. He is described in scriptures as a pious man who opposed the Hellenization of Judea. He was succeeded by his brother Jason in 175 BCE The Onias family perpetuates the high priestly line or the Persian period, being descended from Jeshua himself descended from Zadok For more info click here, so that he would call on the Most High to grant him his life, as he lay ready to die.
3:32 So the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here, fearing that the king might suspect the Jews of foul play with regard to Heliodorus, offered a sacrifice for the recovery of the man.
3:33 While the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here was making an atonement, the same young men in the same clothing appeared and stood beside Heliodorus, saying, Be very grateful to Onias IIIחוֹנִיּוֹ‎
Ḥōnīyyō son of Simon II, was Jewish High Priest during the Second Temple period. He is described in scriptures as a pious man who opposed the Hellenization of Judea. He was succeeded by his brother Jason in 175 BCE The Onias family perpetuates the high priestly line or the Persian period, being descended from Jeshua. For more info click here the high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here since for his sake 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 has granted you your life.
3:34 As for you have been ravaged by the heavensהַשָּׁמַיִם‎
Pronunciation: hah’-shaw-mah’-yim Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Absolute – the visible heavens, the abode of the stars like the visible universe, the sky, the atmosphere For more info click here, proclaim to all people the majestic power of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here. And when they had spoken these words, they vanished.

The conversion of Helodorus

3:35 So Heliodorus, after he had offered sacrifice to 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, and made very great vows to the Savior of his life, and having bidden Onias IIIחוֹנִיּוֹ‎
Ḥōnīyyō son of Simon II, was Jewish High Priest during the Second Temple period. He is described in scriptures as a pious man who opposed the Hellenization of Judea. He was succeeded by his brother Jason in 175 BCE The Onias family perpetuates the high priestly line or the Persian period, being descended from Jeshua. For more info click here, farewell, he marched his forces back to the king.
3:36 Then testified he to all men the works of the great 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, which he had seen with his eyes.
3:37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, what sort of person would be suitable to send on another mission to 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, he said,
3:38 If you have any enemy or plotter against your government, send him there, because you will get him back thoroughly ravaged, if he escapes at all: because in that place, no doubt; there is an extraordinary power of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here.
3:39 Because he that lives in the heavens הַשָּׁמַיִם‎
Pronunciation: hah’-shaw-mah’-yim Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Absolute – the visible heavens, the abode of the stars like the visible universe, the sky, the atmosphere For more info click here has his eye on that place, and defends it; and he beats and destroys whoever that comes to harm it.
3:40 This was the outcome of the episode of Heliodorus and the protection of the treasury