THE FIRST BOOK OF MACCABEES 7

1 Maccabees 7

1 Demetrius reigned, after he had killed Antiochus and Lysias. 5 He troubles the children of Israel through the counsel of certain wicked persons. 37 The prayer of the Priests against Nicanor. 41 Judas kills Nicanor, after he had made his prayer.

IN the hundredth and one and fifty year, departed Demetrius the son of Selecucus from Rome, and came up with a few men unto a city of the sea coast, and reigned there.

And when he came into the possession of his father’s kingdom, his soldiers took Antiochus and Lysias, and brought them unto him.

But when it was told him, he said, Show me not their faces.

So they put them to death. Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne of his kingdom,

There came unto him all the wicked and ungodly men of Israel, whose captain was Alcimus, that would have been the high Priest.

These men accused the people unto the King, saying, Judas and his brethren have slain all thy friends, and driven us out of our own land.

Wherefore send now some man, whom thou trust, that he may go and see all the destruction, which he hath done unto us, and to the King’s land, and let him punish them with all their partakers.

Then the King chose Bacchides a friend of his, which was a great man in the realm, and ruled beyond the flood, and was faithful unto the King, and sent him,

And that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high Priest, and commanded him to be avenged of the children of Israel.

So they departed, and came with a great host into the land of Juda, and sent messengers to Judas and his brethren, deceitfully with peaceable words.

But they believed not their saying: for they saw that they were come with a great host.

Then a company of the governors assembled unto Alcimus and Bacchides to entreat of reasonable points.

And the Asideans were the first that required peace among the children of Israel.

For said they, He that is a Priest of the seed of Aaron, is come with this army: therefore he will not hurt us.

Then he spake unto them peaceably, and swore unto them, and said, We will do you no harm, neither your friends:

And they believed him: but he took of them threescore men, and slew them in one day according to the words that were written.

They have cast he bodies of thy Saints, and their blood round about Jerusalem, and there was no man that would bury them.

So there came a fear and trembling among all the people: for they said, There is neither truth nor righteousness in them: for they have broken the appointment and oath that they made.

Then Bacchides removed from Jerusalem, and pitched his tent at Beth-zecha, where he sent forth and took many of the men that had forsaken him, and certain of the people whom he slew and cast into the great pit.

Then committed he the country unto Alcimus, an dleft men of war with him to help him: so Bacchides went unto the King.

Thus Alcimus strove for the priesthood.

And all such as troubled the people resorted unto him: insomuch, that they obtained the land of Juda, and did much hurt in Israel.

Now when Judas saw all the mischief, that Alcimus and his company had done among the Israelites more than the heathen,

He went forth round about all the borders of Judea, and punished those, that were fallen away, so that they came no more abroad in the country.

But when Alcimus saw that Judas and his people had gotten the upper hand, and knew that he was not able to abide them, he went again to the King, and accused them of wicked things.

Then the King sent Nicanor one of his chief princes, which hated Israel deadly, and commanded him, that he should destroy the people.

So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great host, and sent unto Judas, and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying,

Let there be no war between me, and you: I will come with few men, to see how ye do, friendly.

So he came unto Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably: but the enemies were prepared to take away Judas.

Nevertheless, it was told Judas, that he came unto him under deceit: therefore he feared him, and would not see his face no more.

When Nicanor perceived that his counsel was bewrayed [reveal, expose, betray]*, he went out to fight against Judas, beside Carphasalama.

Where there were slain of Nicanors host about five thousand men: so they fled unto the city of David.

After this came Nicanor up unto mount Sion, and some of the Priests with the Elders of the people went forth of the Sanctuary to salute him peaceably, and to show him the burnt offering that was offered for the King.

But he laughed at them, and mocked them and counted them prophane, and spake proudly,

And swore in his wrath, saying, If Judas and his host be not delivered now into mine hands, if ever I came again in safety, I will burn up this house. With that, went he out in great anger.

Then the Priests came in, and stood before the altar in the Temple, weeping, and saying,

For so much as thou, o Lord, hast chosen this House, that thy Name might be called upon therein, and that it should be an house of prayer, and petition for thy people,

Be avenged of this man and his host, and let them be slain by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continue.

When Nicanor was gone from Jerusalem, he pitched his tent at Beth-horon, and there an host met him out of Syria.

And Judas pitched in Adasa with three thousand men where Judas prayed, saying,

O Lord, because the messengers of King Sennacherib blasphemed thee, thine Angel went forth, and slew an hundred, four score, and five thousand of them.

So destroyed thou this host before unto day, that all other may know that he hath spoken wickedly against thy Sanctuary, and punish him according to his malice.

So the armies joined together in battle, the thirteenth day of the month AdarL byt Nicanors host was discomfited, and he himself was first slain in the battle.

Now when his army saw that Nicanor was slain, they cast away their weapons and fled.

But they pursued after them a days journey from Adasa unto Gasera, blowing an alarm with the trumpets after them.

So they came forth of all the towns of Judea round about, and rushed upon them, and threw them from one to another, so that they all fell by the sword, and there was not one of them left.

Then they took the spoils, and the prey and smote off Nicanor’s head, and his right hand, which he held up so proudly, and brought it with them, and hanged them up afore Jerusalem.

So the people rejoiced greatly, and kept that day as a day of great gladness.

And they ordained, to keep yearly that day on the thirteenth day of the month Adar.

Thus the land of Juda was in rest a little while.