Commentaria in II Machabaeorum
Chapter 3. Synopsis of the Chapter
The prosperous state of Jerusalem under the high priest Onias is recounted, which the ambition and treachery of Simon, the provost, disturbed: for he betrayed the treasures of the temple to king Seleucus, who sent Heliodorus to plunder them; but he, sharply scourged by angels, and restored to himself by the prayers of Onias, began to celebrate everywhere the power of God and the holiness of the temple.
1. Therefore when the holy city was inhabited in all peace, and the laws were very well observed, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and his soul that hated evil, 2. It came to pass that the kings themselves and princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and honoured the temple with very great gifts: 3. So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices. 4. But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made overseer of the temple, strove, the high priest opposing him, to bring about some unjust thing in the city. 5. And when he could not overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria and Phenicia: 6. And told him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of immense sums of money, and the common store was incalculable, which did not belong to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring all into the king’s hands. 7. Now when Apollonius had given the king an account of the money that was told him, the king called for Heliodorus, who had the charge over his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring the aforesaid money. 8. And forthwith Heliodorus began his journey, under a pretence of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to fulfil the king’s purpose. 9. And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received by the high priest of the city, he told him what information had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause for which he was come: and asked if these things were so indeed. 10. Then the high priest showed him that these sums were deposited, and the provisions for the widows and the fatherless: 11. And that some part belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great eminence, and not as the impious Simon had misrepresented: the whole being four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold: 12. And that it was altogether impossible that they should be wronged who had trusted to the holiness of the place and temple, and to the majesty of that temple, which is honoured throughout the whole world. 13. But he, because of the orders he had from the king, said, that by all means the money must be carried to the king. 14. So on the day he had appointed he entered in to order this matter: but there was no small terror over all the city. 15. And the priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their priestly robes, and called upon him from heaven, who made the law concerning things given to be kept, that he would preserve them safe for them that had deposited them. 16. Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in heart: for his face, and the change of his colour, declared the inward sorrow of his mind. 17. For the man was so compassed with sadness and a horror of the body, that it was manifest to all that beheld him, what sorrow he had in his heart. 18. Others also came flocking out of their houses to a common supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt. 19. And the women, girded with sackcloth under their breasts, came together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up, ran some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows. 20. And all holding up their hands towards heaven made supplication. 21. It would have moved any one to pity to see the multitude of divers sorts, and the expectation of the high priest being in such an agony. 22. These indeed called upon almighty God, to preserve the things that had been committed to them, safe and sure for those that had committed them. 23. But Heliodorus went on with that which he had determined, himself being present in the same place with his guards about the treasury. 24. But the spirit of the almighty God gave a great evidence of his presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him, falling down by the power of God, were struck with fainting and dread. 25. For there appeared to them a horse, with a terrible rider upon him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran fiercely and struck Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have armour of gold. 26. Moreover there appeared two other young men, beautiful and strong, bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by him, and scourged him on either side, without ceasing, with many stripes. 27. And Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and they took him up, covered with great darkness, and having put him into a litter they carried him out. 28. So he that came with many servants, and all his guard into the aforesaid treasury, was carried out, no one being able to help him, the manifest power of God being known. 29. And he indeed, by the power of God, lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery. 30. But they praised the Lord, because he had glorified his place: and the temple, which a little before was full of fear and trouble, when the almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness. 31. Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith asked Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who was ready to give up the ghost. 32. And the high priest, considering that the king might perhaps suspect that some treachery had been practised upon Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice of health for the recovery of the man. 33. And when the high priest was praying, the same young men in the same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: Give thanks to Onias the priest, because for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life. 34. And thou having been scourged by God, declare unto all men the great works and power of God. And having said this they appeared no more. 35. So Heliodorus, after he had offered a sacrifice to God, and made great vows to him that had granted him life, and given thanks to Onias, taking his troops with him, returned to the king. 36. And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes. 37. And when the king asked Heliodorus who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said: 38. If thou hast any enemy or traitor to thy kingdom, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him scourged, if he escape at all: for there is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God. 39. For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens is the visitor, and protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that come to do evil to it. 40. And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out in this manner.
In order of time, this chapter and the beginning of the following one, as far as verse 7, ought to be placed in Book I of Maccabees, chapter 1, before verse 12, as will be clear from verse 3.—HE ALLOWED ALL THE CHARGES BELONGING TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SACRIFICES.
1. THEREFORE WHEN THE HOLY CITY (Jerusalem, in which the holy worship of God flourished, daily practised in the holy temple by holy high priests, priests and faithful) WAS INHABITED IN ALL PEACE, etc., BECAUSE OF THE GODLINESS OF ONIAS THE HIGH PRIEST.—This Onias was the third of that name, surnamed the Holy, who held the pontificate immediately before Mathathias, father of Judas Maccabeus: whose son, likewise called Onias, erected a temple at Heliopolis in Egypt, king Ptolemy Philometor permitting, and made himself its high priest. Moreover this Onias the Holy was deprived of the pontificate by his brother Jesus, or Jason the Apostate: for Jason bought it with money from Antiochus Epiphanes, and so was a false high priest, as will be clear from chapter 4, verse 7; but by the just judgment of God, in a quite similar manner Jason was thrust out of the pontificate by Menelaus, and Menelaus by Lysimachus; and he by Alcimus, after Mathathias, father of Judas Maccabeus, elected by the people, lawfully took the pontificate and principality.
3. SO THAT SELEUCUS KING OF ASIA ALLOWED OUT OF HIS REVENUES ALL THE CHARGES BELONGING TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SACRIFICES.—This Seleucus, surnamed Philopator, was the elder brother of Antiochus Epiphanes; for both were sons of Antiochus the Great, who, overcome by Scipio Asiaticus, made peace with the Romans. Seleucus then, at the beginning of his reign, supplied the expenses of the temple, but afterwards, hearing that there were immense treasures in it, overcome by avarice, sent Heliodorus to plunder them; whence by the just judgment of God, slain by the same Heliodorus, he left the kingdom to his younger brother Antiochus Epiphanes. So Appian, Justin, Josephus and others. In like manner Cyrus, Darius, Artaxerxes, kings of the Persians, were inclined and munificent to the temple of the Jews, as is clear from Esdras chapters 1 and 6 and Nehemias 2. Antiochus the Great did the same, as Josephus testifies, Book XII, chapter 3.
4. BUT ONE SIMON OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, WAS MADE OVERSEER OF THE TEMPLE, STROVE, THE HIGH PRIEST (Onias the holy high priest, as follows) OPPOSING HIM, TO BRING ABOUT SOME UNJUST THING IN THE CITY.—This Simon was not of the tribe of Levi, and therefore was not a priest; but only priests presided over sacred things in the temple. This Simon, therefore, of the tribe of Benjamin, was appointed overseer of the temple in political affairs, for example to preside over the estates, fields, revenues of the temple, or the soldiers deputed for its guard, 1 Maccabees chapter 4, last verse.
SOME UNJUST THING.—This Simon seems to have aspired to the principality or the pontificate at Jerusalem, as afterwards his brother Menelaus aspired, of whom I shall speak below.
5. HE WENT TO APOLLONIUS, etc., WHO AT THAT TIME WAS GOVERNOR OF CELESYRIA AND PHENICIA:—Governor, that is, president and prefect appointed by Seleucus king of Asia and Syria. Simon, therefore, through Apollonius announced and betrayed to king Seleucus the treasures of the temple, who forthwith sent Heliodorus to carry them off. This is the Apollonius who afterwards, fighting with Jonathan, was overcome by him, 1 Maccabees 10:69 and following.
10. THEN THE HIGH PRIEST (Onias the holy) SHOWED HIM THAT THESE SUMS WERE DEPOSITED.—For not only among the Jews and Christians, but also among the heathens, precious things, and especially the dowries of widows and orphans, were wont to be deposited and kept in the temple, as in an inviolable asylum, and therefore certain and secure, as Josephus testifies, Antiquities XIV, 8; Suetonius in the Life of Julius Caesar, where he speaks of his will; Cicero, Book II De legibus, near the middle, whom hear: “Let there be a penalty for the sacrilegious, not only for him who has taken away what is sacred, but also for him who has taken what was committed to the sacred. Which even now is done in many shrines. Alexander in Cilicia is said to have deposited money with the sun in a shrine, and the Athenian Clisthenes, an eminent citizen, fearing for his goods, entrusted the dowries of his daughters to Juno of Samos.” The same is enacted by Canon law, chapter Gravis, extra de deposito. So St. Ambrose, Book II De Officiis, chapter 29, writes that he persuaded the church of Pavia to keep the deposit of a widow against the rescript of the Emperor, and threatens the Emperor with the scourging of Heliodorus and divine vengeance.
Hence Pompey, Jerusalem being taken, found in the temple two thousand talents laid up; and yet took nothing, as Josephus testifies in the place cited; otherwise did Marcus Crassus, who, as Josephus says, chapter 12, took a golden beam from the temple.
11. AND THAT SOME PART BELONGED TO HIRCANUS SON OF TOBIAS, A MAN OF GREAT EMINENCE both in rank and sanctity. For this Tobias had taken to wife the sister of Simon the second (who was the father of Onias the Holy), the high priest, as Josephus says, Book XII, chapter 4; who adds that the sons of this Tobias went over to Antiochus Epiphanes, who succeeded his brother Seleucus.
THE WHOLE BEING FOUR HUNDRED TALENTS OF SILVER,—which, if they were Attic talents, make two hundred thousand golden pieces; if Hebrew, 400 thousand golden pieces.
AND TWO HUNDRED OF GOLD,—which, if they were Attic, make a million and moreover two hundred thousand golden pieces; if Hebrew, two million and 400 thousand golden pieces.
12. AND THAT IT WAS ALTOGETHER IMPOSSIBLE THAT THEY SHOULD BE WRONGED (in Greek adikethenai, that is to be injured, defrauded, despoiled) WHO HAD TRUSTED TO THE HOLINESS OF THE PLACE AND TEMPLE, WHICH IS HONOURED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD, FOR ITS MAJESTY AND HOLINESS, —as if to say: altogether unlawful, unworthy and sacrilegious, and therefore morally impossible, that we should hand over and betray to the king what widows, orphans and others have deposited in the temple, believing that there, because of the veneration and holiness of the sacred place, it would be safe and secure: for so they would be deceived, and defrauded of their moneys against all right and against all divine and human laws: for by this robbery a grave injury would be done to the temple, and injustice to the depositors, and contempt to me the pontiff and to the priests, because we had not kept the faith given to the depositors, but against it had violated the sanctity of the temple, the right of asylum, and betrayed the fortunes of widows and orphans to a robber. Wherefore it is morally impossible that this be done.
19. AND THE VIRGINS ALSO THAT WERE SHUT UP, RAN TO ONIAS.—Some virgins were shut up in the temple, among whom the Blessed Virgin, presented in the temple, lived angelically until she married Joseph; others were shut up at home by their parents for the sake of modesty and chastity, as still at Rome and elsewhere is done by honourable men. I with Serarius understand both here: for both, on account of so sacrilegious and public a profanation of the temple, ran to Onias the pontiff to ask counsel and help of him, especially because many of them had their dowry, on which they lived, deposited in the temple, which if Heliodorus carried off with the rest, he would take from them food and life.
25. FOR THERE APPEARED TO THEM A HORSE, WITH A TERRIBLE
(of fierce and threatening look and bearing) RIDER UPON HIM. (This was an angel who assumed the appearance of a horse and horseman, to oppose himself to Heliodorus the horseman, and as in a duel to lay him low;) AND HE RAN FIERCELY AND STRUCK HELIODORUS WITH HIS FORE FEET,—that is, dashed, drove against; for horses fight by kicking. In Greek: And rushing with violence he struck Heliodorus with his fore hoofs; for the fore hoofs are to horses in place of armed hands: these therefore this horse drove against Heliodorus; and so prostrated him, afflicted him, and almost killed him. So angels fighting appeared to Zacharias, chapter 1, in the form of horses and horsemen, and to St. John, Apocalypse chapter 6, verse 2. See what is said there. In like manner Livy, Decade 1, writes that Castor and Pollux on white horses fought for the Romans, concerning whom the Gentiles feigned many things.
Moreover this was not an imaginary vision appearing to Heliodorus alone, but a real action, prostration and scourging of Heliodorus before the whole people. For it says “there appeared” (in Greek ophthe, that is, was seen) “to them,” namely to all present. Whence follows:
26. MOREOVER THERE APPEARED TWO OTHER YOUNG MEN, BEAUTIFUL AND STRONG (because they bore the beauty of virtues and a heavenly nature: for they were angels) WHO STOOD BY HIM (Heliodorus), AND SCOURGED HIM ON EITHER SIDE (having whips or scourges in their hands, says Gorionides), WITHOUT CEASING, WITH MANY STRIPES.—The first angel, the horseman, was as it were the praetor; but these two angels were as it were his officers, and executors of the sentence, who therefore most sharply scourged the sacrilegious Heliodorus. Hence it is clear that God chastises sins and sinners not always through demons, but sometimes also through good angels. Joseph son of Gorion adds, Book III, chapter 11, and says: “Heliodorus having entered with all his guards, and walking in the midst of the sanctuary, and entering the Holy of Holies, the Lord made him and those he had with him hear voices of noise, and of most violent commotion which even broke the mountains and split the rocks; so that all his guards began to flee, and hid in whatever places they could, and Heliodorus was left alone; who, when he lifted up his eyes, saw a man of very dreadful aspect clothed in a golden garment, whence precious gems shone, advancing and hindering, leaping and running against Heliodorus, etc.” If God thus chastised Heliodorus, who only tried to carry deposits out of the temple, how will he chastise those who plunder the property of temples, monasteries and pious places, and convert it to profane and lay uses? Let them consider how God chastised Antiochus Epiphanes plundering the temple; let them read his horrible death related in chapter 9. Let them remember also the vengeance inflicted by God on the sacrilegious Alcimus, Book I, chapter 9, verse 5. Lastly all histories are full of like examples. Moreover this scourging of the angels, as of most powerful beings, most sharply avenging the injuries of their God and temple, was far sharper and more dreadful than any scourging of men; especially because they wished to set in Heliodorus an example of sharp divine vengeance against the sacrilegious, by which others might be deterred from a like plundering of the temple; whence he himself, asked by king Seleucus, said: “If thou hast any enemy, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him scourged.”
32. HE OFFERED A SACRIFICE OF HEALTH FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE MAN (Heliodorus),—that is, a peace offering, which by the law was offered for the peace and health of anyone, according to the law of Leviticus 3.
35. AND GIVEN THANKS TO ONIAS;—for the angels themselves had commanded it, verse 33. Gorionides adds that Heliodorus, at the angels’ admonition, fell at the feet of Onias, and so humbly gave thanks. For the health received through Onias and the life given urged him to this: for Heliodorus owed his life to Onias.
36. AND HE TESTIFIED TO ALL MEN.—Hence Heliodorus seems to have acknowledged the true God of Israel, and, having left the idols, to have worshipped him alone. And not only he, but all his soldiers and followers did so, says Gorionides, who asserts that they were Macedonians. Hence he himself offered victims to God, and made great promises and vows to God, as has been said. Moreover this Heliodorus, afterwards aspiring to the kingdom, slew king Seleucus by treachery, and made himself king. But Antiochus Epiphanes, the younger brother of Seleucus, helped by Attalus and Eumenes, neighbouring kings, drove him out, and claimed the kingdom for himself. So Appian, Justin, Josephus and others: and hence he was called Epiphanes, that is illustrious and noble, “because, while strangers usurped the kingdom, he, arising as the vindicator of his ancestral dominion, shone upon his own people,” says Appian in the Syriaca.