History of the Hasmoneans How is the hero fallen, The saviour of Israel! His unrecord 22 And the rest of the valiant acts of Judas, and his wars and the valiant ed deeds which he did, and his greatness-they have not been recorded, for deeds they were very many.t III Persecution of the followers das THE ATTAINMENT OF POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE UNDER § 190. Jonathan's Contests and Final Treaty with Bacchides, I Mac. 923-73 History of the Hasmoneans I Mac. 9 23 Now after the death of Judas, the apostates showed themselves in all the territory of Israel, and all who practised injustice flourished. 24 About the same time there was a very severe famine, and the whole people of Ju- sided with them. 25Then Bacchides selected the godless men and made them rulers of the country. 26 And they conducted a thorough search for the friends of Judas and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance on them and tortured them cruelly. 27Then great tribulation came upon Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets had ceased to appear among them. Choice athan as leader 28Thereupon all the friends of Judas assembled and said to Jonathan, of Jon- 29Since your brother Judas has died, we have no one like him to go out against our enemies and Bacchides and against those of our own kin who hate us. 30 Now therefore we have chosen you this day to be our prince and leader in his place that you may fight our battles. 31So Jonathan assumed the leadership at that time and took the place of his brother Judas. 32 When Bacchides knew it, he tried to slay him. 33But Jonathan and Simon his brother and all who were with him learned of it, and they fled into the Wilderness of Tekoa and encamped by the water of the Dead Sea. a Pursuit of Jonathan and Simon 922 This closing tribute to Judas is fashioned after the editorial résumés in II Kgs. The Attainment of Political Independence under Jonathan.-With the restoration of the temple service and the attainment of religious freedom, the ambitions of the Hasideans or party of the pious, who had supported Judas in his earlier struggles and who later appear as the Pharisees, were realized. The withdrawal of their active support alone explains why Judas fell, fighting with only a few men against overwhelming odds. The lack of active support and the loss of prestige which resulted from the death of Judas compelled the national party, which still followed the leadership of the Hasmonean family, to seek refuge in concealment, to await the change in public opinion and in the fortunes of their Syrian masters. At their head was Jonathan, bold, energetic, and crafty, a leader who seized and turned to the advantage of the Jews the civil wars which were undermining the Syrian kingdom. Experience in turn also confirmed the position of the national party, for it became more and more evident that the liberty and purity of worship could be maintained only when defended by the sword from its foes within and without. Hence the cause of political independence gained in popularity, until the bids of rival claimants for the Syrian throne and the bold diplomacy of Jonathan made it virtually a reality. At first a hunted outlaw, Jonathan in 153 B.C. was appointed by Demetrius I high-priest, and until his death reigned practically as king of Judea. 933 Lit., the cistern (or pit) Asphal. History of the Hasmoneans 34 And Bacchides heard of it on the sabbath day and came with all his army across the Jordan. 35 And Jonathan sent his brother, as commander of the baggage-train, to obtain permission from his friends the Nabateans to leave with them their baggage which was cumbersome. 36But the Ambriansb came out of Medaba and, seizing John and all that he had, they went their way with it. ven hostile bian 37 Now after these events they brought word to Jonathan and Simon his Their brother that the Ambrians were celebrating a great marriage, and were geance bringing the bride, a daughter of one of the great nobles of Canaan, from upon a Nadabath with a large train. 38Then they remembered John their brother, Araand going up, hid themselves under the cover of the mountain, 39until tribe they saw them coming with great noise and much baggage, and the bridegroom was coming out with his friends and his relatives to meet them with tambourines and minstrels and many weapons. 40Then they started up against them from their ambush and slew them, and many fell mortally wounded, while the survivors fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils. 41Thus the marriage was turned into mourning, 42So they avenged fully the blood of their brother. Then they turned back to the marsh of Jordan. with at the 43 When Bacchides heard it, he came on the sabbath day to the banks of Battle Jordan with a great army. 44And Jonathan said to his company, Up, now the and let us fight for our lives! For it is not to-day as it used to be. 45 For Syrians see, the conflict threatens us behind and before; moreover the water of Jordan the Jordan is on this side and that, and marsh and thicket, and there is no chance to escape. 46 Now therefore cry to Heaven that you may be delivered from the power of your enemies. 47 When the battle began, Jonathan raised his hand to strike Bacchides, but he recoiled from him. 48Then Jonathan and those with him leaped into the Jordan and swam over to the other side, and they did not cross the Jordan against them. 49 And there fell of Bacchides's company that day about a thousand men; 50and he returned to Jerusalem. е lish tresses But they built strong cities in Judea, the fortress that was in Jericho Estaband Emmaus, and Bethhoron, Bethel, Timnath, Pharathon, and Tephon, ment of with high walls and gates and bars. 51And he stationed garrisons in them forto harass Israel. 52He also fortified the city Bethsura and Gazara and by the citadel, and put forces in them and a store of food. 53And he took the des sons of the chief men of the country as hostages, and put them under guard in the citadel in Jerusalem. b 936 Jos., Ant., XIII, 14, Sons of Ambri, an Arabian tribe. 947 Apparently making a desperate assault upon Bacchides or his forces as a whole, Jonathan and his followers availed themselves of the opportunity furnished by the temporary recoil of the enemy to escape. d 950 I.e., the Syrians. 950 For the location of these fortresses, cf. map opp. p. 385. Bacchi Death of Al cimus depart History of the Hasmoneans 54 And in the second month of the hundred and fifty-third year, Alcimus orders to pull down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary, and gave and the so destroyed the works of the prophets. 55They were just beginning to ure of pull them down when Alcimus was stricken, and his works were hindered, Bacchi- and his mouth was stopped, and he was seized with a palsy, so that he could no more speak anything or give orders concerning his house. 56And Alcimus died at that time in great torment. 57 And when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king; and the land of Judah was at peace two years. des His return with an army and at ure Jonathan 58Then all the apostates took counsel, saying, See, Jonathan and his party are dwelling at ease and in security. Now let us, therefore, bring Bacchides that he may capture them all in one night. 59So they went and consulted futile with him. 60 And he set out and came with a great army, and sent letters tempts secretly to all his confederates who were in Judea, bidding them seize Jonto capt- athan and those who were with him. But they could not because their plan became known to them; 61and they seized about fifty of the men of the country and who were ringleaders in the villainy, and he slew them. 62 Then Jonathan Simon and Simon and those who were with him escaped to Bethbasi, which is in the wilderness, and he built up what had been pulled down of it and made it strong. 63 And when Bacchides learned it, he gathered all his multitude, and sent word to those who belonged to Judea, 64and went and laid siege to Bethbasi, and fought against it for some time, having made engines of war. 65 And Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went out into the country, going with a few men. 66 And he slaughtered Odomera and his fellow-countrymen, and the people of Phasiron in their tent, 67and began to attack and advance upon the forces. Then Simon and those who were with him went out of the city and set on fire the engines of war. 68Thus they fought against Bacchides, and he was defeated by them with heavy loss. Because his plan and invasion were without result, 69they were very angry with the apostates who had advised him to come into the country, and they slew many of them. Then he decided to go back to his own country. 70 And Jonathan was informed of it, and sent ambassadors to him in order that they might make peace with him and that he should restore to them the captives. 71And he accepted and did according to his proposal, and des and swore to him that he would not seek to harm him all the days of his life. his 72And he restored to him the captives whom he had taken on former occaful rule sions out of the land of Judah, and returned and departed into his own land, and he came no more into their territory. 73So the sword ceased from Israel. Jonathan then dwelt at Michmash. And Jonathan began to rule the people as judge, and he destroyed the godless out of Israel. Jona than's treaty with Bacchi peace at Mich mash § 191. Concessions by the Syrian Rivals, Demetrius I and Alexander Balas, I Mac. 101-47 History of the Hasmoneans thority upon than I Mac. 10 1Now in the one hundred and sixtieth year, Alexander the Auson of Antiochus Epiphanes went up and took possession of Ptolemais, conand they received him, and he reigned there. 2When King Demetrius heard ferred of it, he gathered very large forces and went out to meet him in battle. Jona3Demetrius also sent letters to Jonathan with words of peace, so as to honor by Dehim greatly. For he said, Let us get the start in making peace with them metrius before he makes a compact with Alexander against us. 5For he will remember all the wrongs that we have done to him, and to his brothers and his nation. And he gave him authority to collect forces and to provide arms and to be his ally. Also he commanded that they should deliver up to him the hostages who were in the citadel. ration and Jeru "Then Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing Restoof all the people, and of those who were in the citadel. And they were of hostgreatly afraid when they heard that the king had given him authority to ages collect an army. 9And the garrison delivered up the hostages to Jonathan, rebuildand he restored them to their parents. 10And Jonathan took up his resi- ing of dence in Jerusalem and began to rebuild and renew the city. 11And he salem commanded those who did the work to build the walls and Mount Sion round about with square stones for defence; and they did so. 12Then the foreigners, who were in the strongholds which Bacchides had built, fled, 13and each man left his place and went into his own land. 14Only some of those who had forsaken the law and the commandments were left at Bethsura, because it was an asylum for them. than's ap 15 And when King Alexander heard all the promises which Demetrius Jonahad made to Jonathan and had been told of the battles which he and his brothers had fought and the valiant deeds that they had done and of the pointhardships which they had endured, 16he said, Shall we find such another man? as highNow therefore let us make him our friend and ally. 17So he wrote letters priest and sent them to him with contents like these: ment by Al exan der 18 King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greeting: 19We have heard of Balas you that you are a valiant man and fit to be our friend. 20 And now we have appointed you to-day to be high priest of your nation and to be called the king's Friend (and he sent to him a purple robe and a crown of gold), and to take our part and to remain on friendly terms with us. 21 And Jonathan put on the holy garments in the seventh month of the His ashundred and sixtieth year at the feast of tabernacles, and he gathered to- f gether forces, and provided arms in abundance. tion of his honors Deme 22 When Demetrius heard these things, he was distressed 23and said, Why have we allowed Alexander to anticipate us in establishing friendship with trius's the Jews to strengthen himself? 241 also will write to them words of offer to remit all taxes i 101 So Syr., and probably the original Heb. Alexander was of low birth, not a son of Antiochus, but was so recognized by Jews and Romans. i 1021 October, 153 B.C. Το surren der the and re Jews History of the Hasmoneans encouragement and regarding honor and gifts, that they may be with me to King Demetrius to the Jewish nation, greeting. 26That you have kept your treaties with us and continued in our friendship and have not allied yourselves with our enemies, we have been delighted to hear. 27 Now continue still to keep faith with us, and we will recompense you with good things in return for your dealings with us, 28and will grant you many immunities and give you gifts. 29 And now I free you and release all the Jews from the tributesk and from the customs of salt and from the crowns. 30 And the tax you have paid instead of the third part of the seed and instead of the half of the fruit of the trees, which it is my right to receive, I remit from now on, so that I will not take it from the land of Judah and from the three districts which are added to it from the country of Samaria and Galilee, and from now on even for all time. 31 And let Jerusalem be holy" and untaxed with her territory; the tithes and the tolls shall also be free from royal tax. 321 yield up also my authority over the citadel at Jerusalem, and give it to the high priest, that he may appoint in it such men as he may choose to citadel garrison it. 33And every Jew without exception who has been carried lease all captive from the land of Judah into any part of my kingdom, I set at liberty without price. And let all remit the tributes, even for their cattle. 34And all their feasts, and the sabbaths, the new moons, and appointed days, and three days before a feast, and three days after a feast, let all be days of immunity and release for all the Jews who are in my kingdom. 35And no man shall have authority to exact from any of them or to trouble them concerning any matter. 36 And let there be enrolled among the king's forces about thirty thousand Jews, and pay shall be given to them as to all the king's troops. 37 And some of them shall be placed in the king's great strongholds and some of them shall be placed over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust, and let their overseers and officers be of their own race, and let them live according to their own customs, even as the king has commanded in the land of Judah. To cede certain districts and 38 And the three districts which have been added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be joined to Judea, that they may be considered to be under one head that they may not obey other authority than the high priest's. the city 39As for Ptolemais, and the land belonging to it, I have presented it as a of Ptol- gift to the sanctuary which is at Jerusalem for the defraying of expenses and to incurred by the sanctuary. 40And I give every year fifteen shekels of silver special from the king's revenues from the proper places. 41And all the surplus grants which the king's ministers did not pay in the former years, they shall give emais make k 1029 I.e., poll-tax. 11029 Golden crowns originally given as voluntary homage, afterward demanded as a regular tax. m 1030 Cf. 1134. The three tetrarchies of Apherema, Lydda, and Ramathaim, probably formed a strip across the south of Samaria, so that when they were added to Judea, the borderline of the latter was shifted a little to the north. 103 I.e., devoted to the god, and so exempt from taxation. |