2nd Maccabees Chapter 9

The last days of Antiochus Epiphanes

9:1 About that time, it so happened that Antiochus had retreated in chaos from the region of Persia (Iran)
9:2 Because he had entered the city called Persepolis (meaning “the Persian city” or “the city of the Persians”), and attempted to rob the temples and occupy the city; but the population running to defend themselves with their weapons put them to flight; and so it happened, that Antiochus being chased by the inhabitants forced to retreat.
9:3 On his arrival in Ecbatane*‎ Present day Hamadan, 450 miles (724 km) north east of Persepolis. As a matter of fact, Antiochus Epiphanes died at Tabae, half way between these two places – From the New Jerusalem Bible
For more info on petasos click here, he learned what had happened Nicanor and Timotheus (Timothy).
9:4 Filled with rage, he decided to make the Jews pay for the disgrace inflicted on him by those that had whipped him. So ordered he his charioteer to drive without stopping, and to get the journey over, but the judgment of Heaven now followed him. Because in his arrogance he said, When I reach Jerusalem and I will make it a mass grave for the Jews.
9:5 But the all-seeing 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 Shaddaiשַׁדַּי
romanized: Šaddāy; or Shaddai is one of the names of the God of Israel. El Shaddai is conventionally translated into English as Almighty (Deus Omnipotens in Latin, Arabic: الله عزوجل, romanized: ʾAllāh ʿazzawajal), but its original meaning is unclear. One of God’s names Shaddai = Exhaustless Bounty click here, of the Elohim of Israel אֱלֹהֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל
Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct for more info on the word Elohim click here, the words were hardly out of his mouth when he was overtaken with an incurable and invisible pain in his bowels of which there was no relief, and with agonizing internal torture;
9:6 and rightly so: since he had tormented other men’s bowels with so many and barbaric torments.
9:7 However he nothing at all stopped from his bragging, but still was filled with pride, breathing fire in his rage against the Jews, and giving orders to drive even faster: but it so happened that he fell out of his chariot as it was rushing onward; and was dragged along, every joint in his body were jerked out of place.
9:8 So he who only a little while before had thought in his superhuman superiority that he could command the waves of the sea, who imagined he could weigh the high mountains peaks in a balance, was throw on the ground, and now carried in an horse litter, a visible demonstration of all the unmistakable power of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here.
9:9 So that the body godless man swarmed with worms while he was still living in anguish and pain, his flesh rotted away, and the stench of the decay sickened his whole army.
9:10 And the man, that thought just a little while before thought that he could reach to the stars of 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, now no man could stand to carry him because of his unbearable stink.
9:11 Then and there, as a result of being plagued, he began to shed his substantial pride, and to come to his senses under the ravage of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here, as his pain increasing every second.
9:12 And when he himself couldn’t stand his own smell, he said these words, It is right to be subject to Elohimלֵאלֹהִים
to God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here, so that a man that is mortal shouldn’t proudly think of himself as if he were equal to 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.
9:13 This wicked person also vowed 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, who now no longer would have mercy on him, saying this,
9:14 That the holyקָדוֹשׁ‎
Transliteration qāḏôš Pronunciation kaw-doshe’ sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart For more info click here city (to which he was going in hurry to level, and to make it a grave yard,) he was now proclaiming to be free:
9:15 and the Jews, who he hadn’t considered worthy of burying but had planned to throw out with their children for the wild animals and for the birds to eat, he would make them all equals to the citizens of Athens:
9:16 And 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 Temple, which before he had plundered, he would adorn the finest offerings, and restore all 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 many times over, and out of his own pocket any expenses incurred for the sacrifices :
9:17 Yes, and to top it off he would also become a Jew himself, and would visit every inhabited place to proclaim the power of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here.

Antiochus writes to the Jews

9:18 But when his suffering didn’t in any way subside: because of the right judgment of Elohimהָאֱלֹהִים
the God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here he gave up all hope for himself and wrote to the Jews the following letter, containing the form of a prayer, in this way:
9:19 Antiochus, king and commander-in-chief, to the excellent Jews his citizens wishes hearty greetings and good wishes for their health and prosperity:
9:20 If you and your children are well and your affairs are as you would wish, I give very great thanks to Elohimלֵאלֹהִים
to God – Hebrew Noun: Common Masculine Plural Construct root word is Elohim for more info on the word click here, having my hope in Heaven.
9:21 I remember with affection your respect and goodwill. On my way back from the region of Persia (Iran), I fell seriously ill, and thought it necessary to make provision for the common safety of all:
9:22 Not that I despair of my condition, but having great hope in recovering from my illness.
9:23 But considering that even my father, on the occasions when he was making an expedition*‎ “making an expedition” it. “bore arms” estrateusem Greek conj. following the Latin “camped” estratopedeusen Greek – From the New Jerusalem Bible
For more info on petasos click here into the upper territory, appointed his successor,
9:24 To the end that, if anything unexpected happened or any unwelcome news came, those of the land, might know to whom he had left the conduct of affairs, and so remain untroubled:
9:25 Again, I understand how the princes along the borders and the neighbors of my kingdom keep watching for opportunities and waiting to see what will happen. I have appointed my son Antiochus king, whom I often committed and commended to many of you, when I hurried off to the upper territory; to whom I have written as follows:
9:26 I therefore urge and pray you to remember the public and private benefits rendered to you and to maintain your present goodwill, each of you, towards me and my son.
9:27 Because I am confident that he will follow my policy and will treat you with moderation and kindness.
9:28 So the murderer and blasphemer having endured sufferings as terrible as he caused to other men, came to the end of his life by a most pathetic fate, among the mountains far from home.
9:29 And Philip, that was brought up with him, carried away his body, who also fearing the son of Antiochus he withdrew to Ptolemy Philometor in Egypt.