The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Maccabees 03
1 On discovering this, so incensed was
the wickedking,thatheno longer confined
his rage to the Jews in Alexandria. Laying
his hand more heavily upon those who
lived in the country, he gave orders that
they should be quickly collected into one
place, and most cruelly deprived of their lives.
2 While this was going on, a hostile rumor was
uttered abroad by men who had
banded together to injure the Jewish race.
The pretext of their charge was that the
Jews kept them away from the ordinances of the law.
3 Now the Jews always maintained a
feeling of unwavering loyalty toward the
kings,
4 yet, as they worshiped God and observed
his law, they made certain distinctions,
and avoided certain things. Hence
they appeared hateful to some people,
5 although, as they adorned their conversation
with works of righteousness, they
had established themselves in the good
opinion of the world.
6 What all the rest of mankind said was,
however, disregarded by the foreigners,
7 who said much of the exclusiveness
of the Jews with regard to their worship
and meats. They alleged that they were
unsociable men, hostile to the king’s
interests, refusing to associate with him or
his troops. By this way of speaking, they
brought much hatred on them.
8 This unexpected uproar and sudden
gathering of people was observed by the
Greeks who lived in the city, concerning
men who had never harmed them. Yet to
aid them was not in their power, since all
was oppression around, but they encouraged
them in their troubles, and expected
a favorable turn of affairs.
9 He who knows all things will not, they
said, disregard so great a people.
10 Some of the neighbors, friends, and
business associates of the Jews even called
them secretly to an interview, pledged
them their assistance, and promised to do
their very utmost for them.
11 Now the king, elated with his prosperous
fortune, and not regarding the superior
power of God, but thinking to persevere
in his present purpose, wrote the following
letter to the prejudice of the Jews:
12 “King Ptolemy Philopater, to the
commanders and soldiers in Egypt, and in all
places, health and happiness!
13 I am doing well, and so, too,
are my affairs.
14 Since our Asiatic campaign, the particulars
of which you know, and which
by the aid of the gods, not lightly given,
and by our own vigor, has been brought
to a successful conclusion according to our
expectation,
15 we resolved, not with strength of
spear, but with gentleness and much humanity,
as it were to nurse the inhabitants
of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, and to be
their willing benefactors.
16 So, having bestowed considerable
sums of money upon the temples of the
several cities, we proceeded even as far as
Jerusalem, and went up to honor the temple
of these wretched beings who never
cease from their folly.
17 To outward appearance they received
us willingly, but belied that appearance by
their deeds. When we were eager to enter
their temple, and to honor it with the most
beautiful and exquisite gifts,
18 they were so carried away by their
old arrogance as to forbid us the entrance,
while we, out of our forbearance toward
all men, refrained from exercising our
power upon them.
19 Thus, exhibiting their enmity against
us, they alone among the nations lift up
their heads against kings and benefactors,
as men unwilling to submit to any reasonable thing.
20 We then, having endeavored to make
allowance for the madness ofthese people,
and on our victorious return treating all
people in Egypt courteously, acted in a
manner which was befitting.
21 Accordingly, bearing no ill will against
their kinsmen, but rather remembering
our connection with them, and the numerous
matters with sincere heart from
a remote period entrusted to them, we
wished to venture a total alterationoftheir
state, by giving them the rights of citizens
of Alexandria, and to admit them to the
everlasting rites of our solemnities.
22 All this, however, they have taken in
a very different spirit. With their innate
malignity, they have spurned the fair offer,
and constantly inclining to evil,
23 have rejected the inestimable rights.
Not only so, but by using speech, and by
refraining fromspeech,they abhor the few
among them who are heartily disposed toward
us, ever deeming thattheir infamous
way oflife willforceus to do away withour
reform.
24 Having then received certain proofs
thatthese Jews bear us every sort ofill will,
we must look forward to the possibility of
some sudden tumult among ourselves
when these impious men may turn traitors
and barbarous enemies.
25 Therefore, as soon as the contents of
this letter become known to you, in that
same hour we order those Jews who dwell
among you, with wives and children, to be
sent to us, vilified and abused, in chains
of iron, to undergo a cruel and shameful
death, suitable to enemies.
26 For by the punishment of them in one
body we perceive that we have found the
only means of establishing our affairs for
the future on a firm and satisfactory basis.
27 Whoever protects a Jew, whether it be
old man, child, or nursing baby, shall with
his whole house be tortured to death.
28 Whoever informs againstthe Jews, besides
receiving the property of the person
charged, shall be presented with two
thousand drachmas† from the royal treasury,
shall be made free, and shall be crowned.
29 Whatever place shelters a Jew shall
be made unapproachable and shall be put
under the ban of fire, and be forever
rendered useless to every living being for all
time to come.”
30 The king’s letter was written in the
above form.