Глава XI

Victory over Lysias (cf. 1 Mac. 4:26–35) ( 2 Mac. 11: 1–12). Conclusion of peace. (2Mac 11:13–15). 4 letters about the conclusion of peace (2 Mac. 11:16-38). 2Mac 11:1 After a very short time Lysias, the king's guardian and relative, the king's viceroy, bearing with great sorrow what had happened, About Lysias - see 1 Mac III: 32. 2Mac.11:2 He gathered up to eighty thousand infantry and all the cavalry and set out against the Jews with the intention of making their city a place of residence for the Greeks, Instead of “80,000 infantry” and all the cavalry, 1 Mac IV: 28 indicates 60,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry. - “Their city...”, i.e. Jerusalem. 2Mac.11:3 The temple should be taxed like other pagan temples, and the hierarchy should be sold annually. “To make the hierarchy corrupt every year...” This achieved not only material, but also political benefits, since the sale of the hierarchy was better combined with the selection of people who were more pliable and acceptable to politics. 2Mac.11:4-5 He did not think at all about the power of God, relying on tens of thousands of infantry, thousands of cavalry and eighty elephants. Entering Judea and approaching Bethsura, a fortified place five furlongs from Jerusalem, he besieged it. About Bethsura – 1 Mac.4:29. The indication of the distance of Bethsura from Jerusalem - 5 stadia - is obviously erroneous, since Bethsura is actually 160 stadia (4 miles) from Jerusalem. The indication of stages varies according to other codes: one of them indicates 500, and the Syriac even 10,005; the Alexandrian Codex uses σχοίνους instead of σταδίους. This is more correct (σχοίνος about 30 stages), although the writer usually measures spaces by stages (cf. XII: 9 et al. 17 and 29); it is possible, therefore, that the error here is in indicating only the number of stages. 2 Maccabees and those with him learned that he was besieging strongholds, with weeping and tears, together with the people, they besought the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel. “Good Angel...”, i.e. the Angel protecting them, helping them. 2 Maccabees 11:7-8 Maccabee, who was the first to take up arms, persuaded others along with him, exposing themselves to danger, to help the brothers; and they immediately willingly set out on a campaign with him. When they were near Jerusalem, their leader immediately appeared as a horseman dressed in white, brandishing a golden weapon. “A horseman in white clothing, shaking a golden weapon...” - this was the Angel, as can be seen from Art. 10. 2Mac.11:9-14 They all gave thanks to the merciful God together and were strengthened in spirit, ready to crush not only people, but also fierce animals and even iron walls. So they came, under the protection of a heavenly supporter, by the mercy of the Lord. Like lions they rushed at the enemies and killed eleven thousand of them on foot and one thousand six hundred on horseback, and put all the rest to flight. Many of them, having been wounded, escaped undressed, and Lysias himself escaped by shameful flight. Being senseless and discussing with himself the defeat that had happened to him, he realized that the Jews are invincible, because Almighty God will overcome them; Therefore, having sent to them, he assured that he agreed to all legal demands and would convince the king to be their friend. 2Mac.11:15-17 Maccabeus, caring for the benefit, agreed to everything that Lysias presented; for the king approved of everything that Maccabeus proposed to Lysias in his letter regarding the Jews. The letter written by Lysias to the Jews was as follows: “Lysias to the people of Judah, rejoice. John and Absalom, sent by you, having handed over the signed answer, interceded for what was indicated in it. “Signed...,” that is, by the elders of the people, is the answer,” that is, with the terms of peace. 2Mac 11:18-21 So, I explained what needed to be reported to the king, and what could be accepted, he agreed to. Therefore, if you maintain a good disposition towards the government, then in the future I will try to contribute to your good. I instructed both yours and my messengers to talk with you about the particulars. Be healthy! One hundred and forty-eighth year, month Dioscorinthia, twenty-fourth day." “148 years” - 166–164 BC - “Month of Dioscorinthus” - Διοσκορινθίου (gen. from Ζεύς κορίνθιος) - it is difficult to determine more precisely which month is meant here. The Syriac translation indicates here the 2nd month of Tishri (Marcheschvan, cf. Josephus in this place), which corresponds to the Macedonian Dius - our November. This seems to be the correct date, and Δίου is the original reading for this month. 2 Mac.11:22-25 The king’s letter had the following content: “King Antiochus to brother Lysias, rejoice. From the time my father went to the gods, our desire is that the subjects of the kingdom remain serene in the conduct of their affairs. When we heard that the Jews do not agree to the innovation of Greek customs undertaken by my father, but prefer their own institutions and therefore ask that they be allowed to observe their laws, then, wanting that this people should not be disturbed, we determine that their church should be restored and that they should live according to the customs of their ancestors. “So that their church may be restored...”, τό ιερόν άποκατασταθήναι ... - here, of course, is not the restoration of the church, but the return or restoration of it in its rights and privileges. - “So that they live according to the custom of their ancestors...”, πολιτευεσθα; κατά τα επί των προγόνων αυτών εθη - here of course the civil life of the petitioners ( πολιτεύεσθαι ). 2Mac 11:26-27 Therefore, you will do well if you send to them and make peace with them, so that, knowing our intentions, they will be complacent and cheerfully go about their business.” The king’s letter to the people was as follows: “King Antiochus, to the elders of Judah and to the rest of the Jews, rejoice. “To the elders of the Jews...”, see 1 Mac XII: 6. 2Mac 11:28-29 If you are healthy, this is what we desire: we also are healthy. Menelaus announced to us that you wish to go to your people who are with us. “Menelaus...”, in all likelihood, is the high priest appointed by Antiochus Epiphanes (IV: 23 et d. 50). 2Mac 11:30 Therefore, for those who come until the thirtieth day of the month Xanthic, a right hand is ready to assure their safety: The month of Xanthik is the 6th Macedonian month (according to Jos. Fl. Arch. I, 3, 3; X, 3) - the Jewish Nissan, our April. 2Mac 11:31-34 The Jews may eat their food and keep their laws as before, and none of them will be in any way troubled by the former omissions. I sent Menelaus to you to calm you down. Be healthy! One hundred and forty-eighth year, fifteenth day of Xanthic." The Romans also sent them a letter with the following content: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, elders of Rome, the Jewish people rejoice. "Romans" through their representatives mentioned below. The names of these representatives are given in the lists with some differences: instead of Μάνλιος there is Μανιος; Syriac text – Quintus Menisthius Manius; Latin – Titius instead of Titus. From other sources, the names of these “Roman elders” are unknown, although this, of course, does not give reason to deny the possibility of a relationship with the Romans, whose legates were scattered throughout the then world, with a decisive influence on all the most important political affairs. And it is not surprising that many of the names of the representatives of Rome are forgotten or lost: Tous fere terrarum orbis a Romanis legatis et civibus erat obsessus (qui populi Romani auctoritate freti omnibus se immiscebant rebus, praesertim quun regum nomini Romano infestorum polestatem possent infringere), quote nomine nobis serrata non putem (Bertlieau, p. 34). 2Mac 11:35 What Lysias, the king's relative, conceded to you, we also confirm. For the relationship between Lysias and the king, see 1 Mac III: 32. – The peace with the Jews mentioned in this chapter probably took place in 150 AD. Sat down. - 162 BC, when Lysias received news of Philip’s advance and was forced to turn his forces against this more serious enemy (1 Mac VI: 42–62). The date of the letters (148) in this case is explained by the fact that Jason of Cyrene or the “descriptor” of his work (author of 2 Mac) corrected the 150th year to the 148th - on the assumption that we are talking about the world after the first, and not the second, war with Lysias. 2Mac.11:36-38 And what he considered necessary to report to the king, having decided immediately, send someone so that we can do what is necessary for you, for we are leaving for Antioch. Therefore, hurry up and send someone so that we too can know what your opinion is. Be healthy! One hundred and forty-eighth year, fifteenth day of Xanthic."