The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Maccabees 11
1 Now after a very little time, Lysias, the
king’s guardian, kinsman, and chancellor,
being very displeased aboutthe things that
had happened,
2 collected about eighty thousand infantry
and all his cavalry and came against
the Jews, planing to make the city a home
for Greeks,
3and to levy tribute on the temple, as †on
the other sacred places of the nations, and
to put up the high priesthood for sale every
year.
4 He took no account of God’s power, but
was puffed up with his ten thousands of
infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his
eighty elephants.
5 Coming into Judea and approaching
Bethsuron, which was a strong place and
aboutfive stadia‡ away from Jerusalem, he
pressed it hard.
6 When Maccabaeus and his men
learned that he was besieging the
strongholds, they and all the people with
lamentations and tears made supplication
to the Lord to send a good angel to save
Israel.
7 Maccabaeus himself took up weapons
first, and exhorted the others to put
themselves in jeopardy together with
him and help their kindred; and they went out with
him very willingly.
8 As they were there, close to Jerusalem,
a horseman appeared at their head in
white apparel, brandishing§ weapons of
gold.
9 They all together praised the merciful
God, and were yet more strengthened in
heart, being ready to †assail not only men
but the wildest animals and walls of iron,
10 they advanced in array, having him
who is in heaven to fight on their side, for
the Lord had mercy on them.
11 Hurling themselves like lions against
the enemy, they killed eleven thousand
infantry and one thousand six hundred
cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.
12 Most of them escaped wounded and
naked. Lysias himself also escaped by
shameful flight.
13 But as he was a man not void of
understanding, pondering the defeat which
had befallen him, and considering that the
Hebrews could not be overcome because
the Almighty God fought on their side, he
sent again
14 and persuaded them to come to terms
on condition that all their rights were
acknowledged, and ‡ promised that he would
also persuade the king to become their
friend.
15 Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the
conditions which Lysias proposed to him,
being careful of the common good; for
whatever requests Maccabaeus delivered
in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews
the king allowed.
16 The letter written to the Jews from
Lysias was to this effect:
“Lysias to the §people of
the Jews, greetings.
17 John and Absalom, who were sent
from you, having delivered the document
written below, made request concerning
the things written therein.
18 Whatever things therefore needed to
be brought before the king I declared to
him, and what things were possible he
allowed.
19 If then you will all preserve your good
will toward the government, I will also
endeavor in the future to contribute to
your good.
20 Concerning this, I have given order in
detail, both to these men and to those who
are sent from me, to confer with you.
21 Farewell. Written in the one hundred
forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth
day of the month †Dioscorinthius.”
22 And the king’s letter contained these
words: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias,
greetings.
23 Seeing that our father passed to the
gods having the wish that the subjects of
his kingdom ‡should be undisturbed and
give themselves to the care of their own
affairs,
24 we, having heard that the Jews do
not consent to our father’s purpose to turn
them to the customs of the Greeks, but
choose rather their own way of living, and
make request that the customs of their law
be allowed to them
25 choosing therefore that this nation
also should be free from disturbance, we
determine that their temple is to be
restored to them, and that they live
according to the customs that were
in the days of their ancestors.
26 You will therefore do wellto send
messengers to them and give them the right
hand of friendship, that they, knowing our
mind, may be of good heart, and gladly
occupy themselves with the conduct of their
own affairs.”
27 And to the nation, the king’s letter was
as follows: “King Antiochus to the senate ofthe Jews
and to the other Jews, greetings.
28 If you are all well, itis as we desire. We
ourselves also are in good health.
29 Menelaus informed us that your desire
was to return home and follow your
own business.
30 They therefore who depart home up
to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have
our §friendship, with full permission
31 that the Jews use their own foods and
observe their own laws, even as formerly.
None of them shall be in any way molested
for the things that have been done in ignorance.
32 Moreover I have sent Menelaus also,
that he may encourage you.
33 Farewell. Written in the one hundred
forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of
Xanthicus.”
34 The Romans also sent to them a letter
in these words: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius,
ambassadors of the Romans, to the people
of the Jews, greetings.
35 In regard to the things which Lysias
the king’s kinsman granted you, we also
give consent.
36 But as for the things which he judged
should be referred to the king, send someone
promptly, after you have considered
them, that we may publish such decrees as
are appropriate for your case; for we are
on our way to Antioch.
37 Therefore send someone with speed,
that we also may learn what is your mind.
38 †Farewell. Written in the one hundred
forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of
Xanthicus.