Cousin. He was of the blood royal and governor, (ver. 22., and 1 Machabees xi. 18.) having supplanted Philip. (Calmet) --- Lysias had been vanquished already, 1 Machabees iv. 28. (Worthington) (Calmet)

Verse 3

Temple, as of a farm, by selling offices and requiring money of those who offered victims, 1 Machabees x. 42. (Calmet)

Verse 5

Narrow. Greek, "secure." Protestants, "strong town." --- Furlongs. Greek, "schœnus," (Haydock) 625 paces. Yet Eusebius and St. Jerome say it was twenty miles distant, towards Hebron, (Josue xv. 58.) which seems more accurate. (Calmet) --- Some figure may easily have been changed. (Haydock)

Verse 6

Angel. Knowing that the patriarchs and Moses had often received such aid, the Machabees prayed that their good cause might be espoused by the angels; and their request was granted, though they were forced to co-operate. Sometimes God gave victory without the interference of men, Exodus xiv., and 4 Kings xix. (Worthington)

Verse 8

Horseman, in appearance, but really (Haydock) an angel, as five came before, chap. x. 29.

Verse 17

Delivering; (Syriac) but Greek has, "seeing the oracle subscribed, (or underwritten) made a petition concerning the things declared in it." (Haydock) --- Kings' decrees were often styled oracles; and this might contain leave for Lysias to treat with the Jews, (Grotius) or the last injunction of Epiphanes, (chap. ix. 19.) or the resolution of Judas. (Calmet)

Verse 21

In the year one hundred and forty-eight; viz., according to the computation of the Greeks, which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the writer of the first book of Machabees. However by this date, as well as by other circumstances, it appears that the expedition of Lysias, mentioned in this chapter, is different from that recorded [in] 1 Machabees vi. 16. (Challoner) --- Dioscorus. Syriac, "the last of Tisri." Greek, "Jupiter of Corinth," which is more unintelligible. There was no month called Dioscorus among the Greeks. (Calmet) --- It might be put for Dius, (Grotius) or Distrus, (Serarius; Tirinus) or it was an intercalary month, between March and April, (Salien) or the Macedonians had two names for some months. (Haydock)

Verse 22

Brother. So he is styled for honour, ver. 35. (Menochius)

Verse 23

Gods. This impious custom began in the East, and was abolished by Christianity. (Calmet) --- Epiphanes had affected to be a god, but at last saw his folly, chap. ix. (Haydock)

Verse 25

Restored. It was already occupied by the Jews, but they were much disturbed by the garrison. Now their rights are admitted.

Verse 27

Senate. The constitution was aristocratical.

Verse 29

Menelaus. He was at Antioch, and was reputed high priest, being established by the king. But the Jews would not receive him, having chosen Judas. (Calmet)

Verse 30

Day, or for fifteen days, ver. 33. (Menochius)

Verse 31

Ignorance. He excuses them, and grants an amnesty, 1 Machabees xiii. 39. (Calmet)

Verse 34

Romans. Others were sent soon after to burn the ships and maim the elephants, which Eupator had more than had been agreed upon. (Usher, the year [of the world] 3841.) --- They undertake to promote the welfare of their allies. Yet the peace was of short duration, and perhaps never ratified.

Verse 36