2nd Maccabees Chapter 4

IV: Hellenistic Propaganda and persecution under Antiochus Ephiphanes

Misdeeds of Simon, Administrator of the Temple

4:1 Simon as previously mentioned, having been a informer of the money, and against his country,  began to slander 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, saying that it was he who had incited Heliodorus and had been the real cause of the misfortune.
4:2 So was he bold to call him conspirator against the government, that had deserved well of the city, and tendered his own nation, and was so zealous of the laws.
4:3 But when their hatred went so far, progressed to such a degree that even murders were actually committed by some of Simon’s approved agents,
4:4 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 at this seeing the danger of this argument, and that Apollonius, the governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, encouraged the malice of Simon,
4:5 Went to the king, not to be the accuser his fellow citizens but having in view the welfare, both public and private, of the entire people at heart
4:6 Because he saw that without the king’s intervention public affairs couldn’t reach a peaceful settlement, and Simon wouldn’t stop his absurdity.

Jason the high priest, introduces Hellenism

4:7 But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, called Epiphanes, took the kingdom, Jason the brother 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 obtained the high-priesthood by corruption,
4:8 He approached the king promising three hundred sixty talents The Biblical weight of a talent is equal to approximately 34 kilograms or 74.96lbs For more info click here of silver, and from another source of revenue eighty talents The Biblical weight of a talent is equal to approximately 34 kilograms or 74.96lbs For more info click here:
4:9 he promised to pay one hundred and fifty more if permission were given to establish by his authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it, and to resister the people 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 as citizens of Antioch.
4:10 When the king agreed, as soon as Jason seized power he immediately imposed the Greek way of life on his own nation.
4:11 He suppressed the liberties that the kings had graciously granted to the Jews secured through John the father of Eupolemus, who went on the mission to establish friendship and alliance with the Romans, and overthrowing lawful institutions, and he destroyed the lawful ways of living and introduced new customs contrary to the Torah תּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; law, teaching, direction, instruction – The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.:
4:12 He gladly built a gymnasium at the very foot of the tower itself, and induced the noblest of the young men to wear the petasos‎ lit. ‘brought … under the petasos’ to introduce to gymnastic training the athletes wore a wide broad brimmed hat ‘petasos’ the conventional head-dress of Hermes, partron of athletes. From the New Jerusalem Bible
For more info on petasos click here.
4:13 There was such an extreme of Hellenization and increase in the adoption of foreign ways because of the surpassing wickedness of Jason, that ungodly wretch, and no high priestכֹּהֵן
kôhên, ko-hane’ Kohen = priest, principal officer or chief ruler For more info click here;
4:14 So that the priestsכֹּהֲנִים
kôhêneem, ko-hane’ Kohenim = priests, Plural principal officers or chief rulers For more info click here had no courage to serve anymore at the altar, but despising the temple, and neglecting the sacrifices, they hurried to take part in the unlawful proceedings in the wrestling arena after the signal for the discus-throwing;
4:15 disdaining the honors prized by their forefathers, putting the highest value on the Greek forms of status.
4:16 for this reason difficult tragedy reached them: the very people whose lives they envied, whose custom they followed so earnestly, proved to be their enemies and executioners.
4:17 Because it’s not a small thing to violate the laws of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here: but the time following shall demonstrate.
4:18 Now when the Panathenaic Games were being held at Tyre and the king was present,
4:19 This vile Jason sent envoys, chosen as being Antiochis from 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, who were Antiochians, to carry three hundred drachms of silver to the sacrifice of Heracles, but even the bearers of the money  didn’t think it would be right to spend on the sacrifice, because that was inappropriate, but to reserve it for another purpose.
4:20 So this money was intended by the sender for the sacrifice to Heracles‘ sacrifice; was in fact applied, at the suggestion of its carriers to the construction of triremes.

Antiochus Epiphanes is praised in Jerusalem

4:21 Now when Apollonius the son of Menestheus was sent to Egypt for the coronation of king Ptolemeus Philometor *‎ president (over the wedding banquet) It was the marriage of Ptolemy VI Philometor to his sister Cleopatra II From the New Jerusalem Bible, Antiochus learned that Philometor had become hostile to his government, provided for his own safety: that’s why he came to Joppa (or Jaffa or Japho), then proceeded 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:
4:22 Where he was honorably welcomed by Jason, and of the city, and escorted a with blaze of torches and with shouts: Then he marched his army into Phoenicia.

Menelaus becomes high priest

4:23 Three years afterward Jason sent Menelaus, the previously mentioned Simon’s brother, to carry the money to the king, and to complete the negotiations of essential business.
4:24 But Menelaus, on being brought to the presence of the king, praised him by his own appearance of authority, and secured the high-priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents The Biblical weight of a talent is equal to approximately 34 kilograms or 74.96lbs For more info click here of silver.
4:25 So he came with the king’s royal mandate, bringing nothing worthy the high priesthood, but having the hot temper of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast.
4:26 Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, was being undermined by another, was compelled to escape into the land of Ammon.
4:27 So Menelaus continued to hold the office: but defaulted totally on the sums promised to the king, , however Sostratis the captain of the stronghold required it:
4:28 Because the collection of the proceeds was his responsibility, kept demanding payment. So they were both called before the king.
4:29 Now Menelaus left his brother Lysimachus in his place in the priesthood; and Sostratus left Crates, who was commander of the Cypriot troops.
4:30 While those things were going on, the people of Tarsus (in Turkey) and Mallos revolted because their cities had been given as a present to Antiochus the king’s concubineˈkäNGkyəˌbīn noun– chiefly historical (in polygamous societies) a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives..
4:31 The king then hurried off to appease matters, leaving Andronicus, one of his dignitaries, to act as his deputy.
4:32 Now Menelaus, thinking he had obtained a suitable opportunity, stole some of the gold vessels of the temple and gave them to Andronicus, and some he sold to Tyre (Lebanon) and the surrounding cities.
4:33 When 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 had clear evidence to this effect, he publicly exposed it, but first withdrew to a place of sanctuary at Daphne, that lies near Antiochia.
4:34 Then Menelaus, taking Andronicus aside, begged, him to kill 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 Andronicus came 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 himself descended from Zadok For more info click here resorting to treachery, offered him sworn pledges and gave him his right hand; and though he was suspected by him, succeeded in persuading him to come out of the sanctuary: then, with no regard for justice, he immediately put him to death.
4:35 For the that reason not only the Jews, but many people of other nations, were grieved and displeased at the unjust murder of the man.
4:36 And when the king had returned from the region Cilicia, not only the Jews but many people of other nationalities were shocked and outraged by the unjust murder 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 who was killed without a reason.
4:37 Antiochus was deeply grieved, and filled with pity, and wept, because of the moderation and good conduct of the dead man.
4:38 Inflamed with anger, he immediately stripped off the purple robe from Andronicus, and tore off his clothes, and leading him through the whole city to that very place, where he had committed impiety against 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, there he killed the cursed murderer. So 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 dealing out to him the punishment he deserved.

Lysimachus killed in an insurrection

4:39 Now Lysimachus with the consent of Menelaus had committed many sacrileges in the city , and when the facts became widely known, the populace gathered against Lysimachus, because many of the gold vessels had already been carried away.
4:40 The outraged mob had become filled with rage, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and the first to begin to offer violence; under the leadership of a certain Auranus, a man advanced in years, and no less in stupidity.
4:41 Recognizing this act of aggression as the work of Lysimachus, some of them snatched up stones, some clubs, others took handfuls of the ashes that were lying around, and threw them in wild confusion at Lysimachus and his men.
4:42 As a result, they wounded many of them, even killing a few, and put all the rest to flight: but as for the temple robber himself, him they killed beside the treasury.

Menelaus buys his acquittal

4:43 Charges were brought against Menelaus about this incident..

4:44 Now when the king came to Tyre, three men that were sent from the senate to plead the cause before him:
4:45 But Menelaus, seeing the case had gone against him, promised  at large sum of money to Ptolemy Macron the son of Dorymenes, if he would influence the king in his favor.
4:46 Ptolemy taking the king aside to a terrace, as it were to get some air, and persuaded him to change his mind:
4:47 The king then dismissed the charges against Menelaus the cause of all the evil: but while he sentenced to death those poor men, who, if they had pleaded their cause, before the Scythians, would have set free.
4:48 No time was lost in carrying out this unjust punishment on those who had spoken for the city and the villages, and for 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 vessels.
4:49 Even those of Tyre, showing their hatred of the crime, provided extravagantly for their funeral.
4:50 But Menelaus because of the greed of those in power, remained in office, growing in wickedness, having become the chief enemy of his fellow-citizens.