The Holy War: Judas Maccabeus (166–161 B.C.)
Chapter 3
Eulogy of a Hero. 1 Then his son Judas, who was known as Maccabeus, took his place. 2 All his brothers and all who had allied themselves to his father gave him their support, and they enthusiastically continued to fight for Israel.
3 He enhanced the glory of his people,
and like a giant he put on his breastplate.
He girded himself with the armor of warfare,
engaging in battles and protecting the camp by his sword.
4 In his exploits he was like a lion,
like a young lion roaring for prey.
5 He pursued and tracked down the wicked,
and he cast into the flames those who troubled his people.
6 The lawbreakers cowered with terror at his approach;
all evildoers were completely confounded.
Under his leadership deliverance was achieved,
7 as he caused many kings to become embittered,
but Jacob to be gladdened by his deeds;
and his memory is blessed forever.
8 He marched through the towns of Judea,
destroying the apostates who dwelt there.
He turned away wrath from Israel,
9 and his renown spread to the ends of the earth,
as he saved those that were on the brink of perishing.
10 First Battles of Judas. Then Apollonius united the Gentiles with a large army from Samaria to wage war against Israel. 11 On learning this, Judas marched out to confront him, and he defeated and killed him. Many fell wounded, and those who survived took flight. 12 Then their spoils were seized. The sword of Apollonius was taken by Judas, who used it in his battles for the rest of his life.
13 When Seron, the commander of the Assyrian army, learned that Judas had mustered a large force of faithful soldiers prepared for battle, 14 he said, “I will make a name for myself and win great renown in the kingdom if I defeat Judas and his followers who have shown such contempt for the king’s edict.” 15 And once again a large army of unbelievers banded together to help him exact vengeance on the Israelites.
16 When he reached the ascent of Beth-horon, Judas marched out to confront him with a small contingent. 17 However, when they observed the army that was gathered to do battle with them, his soldiers said to Judas, “How can we, as few as we are, fight against so great a multitude? Besides, we are faint with hunger, for we have eaten nothing all day.” 18 But Judas replied, “It is easy for many to be defeated by a few. In the sight of Heaven, there is no distinction between deliverance by many and deliverance by a few. 19 Victory in war does not depend upon the size of the fighting force, but rather upon the strength that comes from Heaven. 20 Our enemies have come against us in a display of insolence and lawlessness to destroy us and our wives and our children, and to plunder us. 21 However, we are fighting in defense of our lives and our laws. 22 He himself will crush them before our eyes; therefore, do not be afraid of them.”
23 When he had finished speaking, he rushed suddenly against Seron and his army, and they were crushed before him. 24 He pursued them down the descent of Beth-horon as far as the plain. About eight hundred of their men fell, and those who survived fled to the country of the Philistines. 25 As a result, Judas and his brothers began to be feared, and terror seized the Gentiles all around them. 26 His fame came to the attention of the king, and all the Gentiles talked about Judas and his battles.
27 Syria Readies the Repression. When King Antiochus learned about these developments, he was infuriated, and he ordered the mobilization of all the forces of his kingdom, a very powerful army. 28 He withdrew from his treasury enough money to provide his soldiers with a year’s pay in advance, and he ordered them to be prepared for action at a moment’s notice. 29 Then he realized that this expenditure had exhausted the reserves in his treasury, and that the revenues from the province had dwindled as a result of the dissension and disaster he had caused for his empire by abolishing the laws that had been in effect from the earliest times. 30 He thus began to fear that, as had happened on more than one occasion, he would not have sufficient funds to cover his normal expenses and the gifts that he had been accustomed to distribute more lavishly than had any of his predecessors on the throne. 31 Greatly concerned, he decided to go to Persia and levy tribute on those provinces and in this manner raise a large sum of money.
32 He therefore left Lysias, a distinguished nobleman of royal lineage, in charge of the king’s affairs from the Euphrates River to the Egyptian frontier, 33 and he also gave him responsibility for the care of his son Antiochus until he returned. 34 He turned over to him half of his army, together with the elephants, and provided him with detailed instructions about all that he wanted done. As for the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem, 35 Lysias was to send an army against them to crush and destroy the power of Israel and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to wipe out the memory of them from the land. 36 Furthermore, he was to settle foreigners throughout the territory and to distribute their land by lot.
37 The king then took the remaining half of his forces and set out from Antioch, his capital, in the year one hundred and forty-seven. He crossed the Euphrates River and advanced through the upper provinces.
38 Lysias chose Ptolemy, the son of Dorymenes, and Nicanor and Gorgias, powerful men among the Friends of the King, 39 and under their command he sent forty thousand infantry and seven thousand cavalry to invade the land of Judah and destroy it in compliance with the king’s orders. 40 Setting out with all their forces, they reached the plain in the region of Emmaus, where they pitched camp. 41 When the local merchants heard the news of this army, they came to the camp with a large amount of silver and gold as well as fetters, seeking to purchase the Israelites for slaves. In addition, forces from Idumea and Philistia joined with them.
42 The Triumph of Judas. Judas and his brothers realized how critical their situation had become, with opposing forces encamped within their territory. They also had learned of the orders that the king had issued for the total destruction of their people. 43 Therefore, they said to one another, “Let us restore the shattered fortunes of our people and fight for our people and our sanctuary.”
44 They then gathered together in a full assembly, both to prepare for battle and to offer prayers and implore mercy and compassion.
45 Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness;
not one of her children entered or came out.
The sanctuary was trodden underfoot,
and foreigners had captured the citadel,
which had become a lodging place for the Gentiles.
Joy had vanished from Jacob;
the flute and the harp were silent.
46 After assembling, they made their way to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because in former times Mizpah had been a place of worship for Israel. 47 That day they fasted, donned sackcloth, sprinkled ashes on their heads, and tore their garments. 48 They unrolled the scroll of the law, seeking therein the guidance for which the Gentiles consulted the images of their gods. 49 They also carried with them the priestly vestments and the firstfruits and the tithes, and they brought forth the Nazirites who had completed the period of their vows. 50 Then they cried aloud to Heaven: “What shall we do with these people, and where shall we take them? 51 Your sanctuary has been trampled underfoot and profaned, and your priests mourn in humiliation. 52 And now the Gentiles have formed an alliance to destroy us. You are well aware of what fate they plan for us. 53 How will we be able to withstand them if you do not come to our aid?” 54 Then they sounded the trumpets and raised a great shout.
55 After this, Judas appointed leaders of the people, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 56 He ordered to return to their homes those who were building houses, those who were just married, those who were planting vineyards, and those who were afraid, in accordance with the provisions of the law. 57 Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emmaus. 58 “Arm yourselves and be brave,” Judas instructed. “In the morning be prepared to fight against these Gentiles who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. 59 It is better that we die in battle than that we witness the misfortunes of our people and our sanctuary. Whatever Heaven wills, so will he do.”
Footnotes
- 1 Maccabees 3:10
- 1 Maccabees 3:16
- 1 Maccabees 3:18
- 1 Maccabees 3:22
- 1 Maccabees 3:24
- 1 Maccabees 3:27
- 1 Maccabees 3:27
- 1 Maccabees 3:33
- 1 Maccabees 3:38
- 1 Maccabees 3:40
- 1 Maccabees 3:42
- 1 Maccabees 3:46
- 1 Maccabees 3:49
