Judæa Under the Persian and Greek Empires.
The Old Testament history ends with the reformation by Nehemiah, about 442 B.C. (Neh. 13:6-316But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: 7And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. 8And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. 10And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 13And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. 14Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. 15In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. 23In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 24And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. 25And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. 27Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? 28And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. 29Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. 30Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; 31And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. (Nehemiah 13:6‑31)) Malachi gives the moral condition of the people who had returned from captivity. His prophecy shows their gross indifference as to the service of God: also their offenses against Jehovah. The priests had fallen as well as the people, and obeyed not God. But Jehovah (Jesus) was coming.
God has not left us entirely ignorant of what would happen in the meantime; for in the prophet Daniel we find certain indications as to the nations that would follow the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar. This king had been taken up by God as His instrument to carry out His purposes. Daniel said to him, "Thou, O king, art a king of kings; for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power and strength and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all." (Dan. 2:37,3837Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. (Daniel 2:37‑38).)
Daniel has told us what kingdoms would follow until the Lord Himself would become man to redeem His people, though his prophecies also go far beyond this into the future. In looking at these succeeding nations we shall also see somewhat of the history of the Jews until the time of Herod, when the New Testament again takes up their history.
The Old Testament history ends while this Medo-Persian kingdom was in power. After Artaxerxes Longimanus (who had commissioned Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem), Xerxes II, and then Sogdianus reigned for a short time each, and these were succeeded by Darius (II.) Nothus (B.C. 424), who was Darius the Persian of Nehemiah 12:2222The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian. (Nehemiah 12:22)
Artaxerxes (II.) Mnemon succeeded (B.C. 405), and Judaea appears to have been made a province of Syria about this time. About B.C. 366 the high priest Johanan (or Jonathan, or John) fearing that Bagoses, the Persian governor, was intending to make his brother Jeshua (or Joshua, or Jesus) high priest, slew him in the inner court of the temple. Bagoses came to Jerusalem to inquire into the matter, and desired to see the place where Jeshua had been slain. But this was opposed as sacrilege, when he exclaimed, "What! am I not more pure than the dead carcass of him whom ye have slain in the temple?" And then he entered. In punishment for the murder he inflicted a fine of 50 shekels on every lamb offered in sacrifice.
About B.C. 350 Johanan, high priest, died, after holding the office thirty-two years. He was succeeded by his son Jaddua, who officiated twenty years.
The kingdom of Persia was approaching its end. Alexander the Great ascended the throne of Macedon (B.C. 336), and was appointed general of the Greek forces in war against the Persians. In B.C. 334 Alexander passed the Hellespont into Asia with the small army of thirty thousand foot and five thousand horse. He defeated the army of Darius at the river Granicus, and became master of the whole of Asia Minor.
Preparations were made for the next year. Darius, with 600,000 men, advanced to meet Alexander, but was totally defeated, and had to flee for his life. All Syria and Phenicia became subject to Alexander. Tire stood out long, but was at length subdued, and two thousand of the inhabitants were crucified.
While the siege of Tire lasted, Alexander demanded the surrender of Jerusalem; but Jaddua refused, saying he was subject to the Persians. After taking Gaza, Alexander marched against Jerusalem. Jaddua, the high priest, offered sacrifices and prayers for divine protection. In a dream or vision it was communicated to him that he should adorn the city with garlands, open the gates, and go out to meet the conqueror. He obeyed the intimation, and in his priestly robes, with the other priests, and a numerous body of the people dressed in white, he went out of the city and marched in procession to a place named Sapha. As soon as Alexander approached the high priest, he was struck with awe at the sight, and saluted him with veneration, to the great surprise of his officers. One Parmenio asked the reason of it. He replied that he did not pay adoration to the priests, but to the God of the priests. And then related that when in Macedonia he had seen the very person and dress of the priest in a dream, and had been directed to pass boldly into Asia, and that God would be his guide.
He embraced Jaddua, entered Jerusalem, and offered sacrifices. The high priest then showed him the prophecies of Daniel which had foretold that a king of Grecia should conquer Persia. Alexander was the he-goat of Dan. 8:2121And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. (Daniel 8:21). See also Dan. 11:33And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. (Daniel 11:3). He granted them freedom as to their laws and religion, and an exemption every Sabbatical year from tribute.
In B.C. 331 Darius had succeeded in raising another immense army, but was again totally defeated by Alexander, and was obliged to flee for his life. He was after-wards assassinated by Bessus, one of his own governors. Thus was the Persian kingdom brought to an end by the death of their last king.
Alexander carried on his conquests from the Euphrates to the Indus, and from the Caspian Sea to the Arabian Sea.
In B.C. 324 he retired to Babylon, and spent much time in repose and luxury. He then desired to rebuild the temple of Belus, which Xerxes had destroyed; and the work was begun, but its progress being slow, he commanded ten thousand of his soldiers to help in the work. Among his soldiers were many Jews, and these could not be induced to build an idolatrous temple. Many were severely punished, but they would not yield, and at length Alexander commended them for their constancy and dismissed them to their homes.
Excessive drinking was one of Alexander's besetting sins: he had on some occasions, when intoxicated, ordered the death of some of his friends, which when sober he had deeply lamented. Still he did not relinquish his propensity, and at length drank himself into a fever, and died, B.C. 323.
Thus perished this great conqueror—great in his victories, and great in his sins and his cruelties, his idolatrous pride, and his shame.
The Successors of Alexander the Great.
According to the prophecy of Dan. 8:8,8Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. (Daniel 8:8) when the great horn was broken there arose "four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven." See also Dan. 11:44And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. (Daniel 11:4). The various countries were under governors, but four of Alexander's generals eventually divided the kingdom between them, after many changes: Cassander, in Macedonia and Greece; Lysimachus, in Thrace, Bithynia, &c.; Seleucus Nicator in Syria, Armenia, and other eastern countries; and Ptolemy, son of Lagus, in Egypt, Cyrene, &c.; but many changes followed.
Palestine, Phenicia, &c., were allotted to Laomedon, one of Alexander's generals, hut Ptolemy wrested them out of his hands. The Jews, however, under Onias, high priest, refused to own Ptolemy because of their oath to Laomedon. Ptolemy in invading Palestine (B.C. 320) took Jerusalem, and carried captive 100,000 Jews to Egypt; he used them kindly, and placed some in offices of trust, because of their faithfulness to their former master. The era of the Ptolemies began B.C. 320.
The generals were always plotting one against another. Antigonus became master of all Asia. This raised the jealousy of the others, and war being inevitable, Antigonus entered Palestine, B.C. 314; but he could not retain possession: it was again taken by Ptolemy in B.C. 312, but not long after became again subject to Antigonus.
Because of the successes of Antigonus, Seleucus had fled to Egypt, and by an army supplied by Ptolemy he conquered Babylon. Here he recovered his children, &c., whom Antigonus had shut up in prison. This was B.C. 312, and at this date the Era of the Seleucidæ began. This date of reckoning was much used by Christians, Jews, and Mahometans. The Jews called it the "Era of Contracts," because they were obliged to use it for all their contracts; and they got so used to it that they continued to reckon from that date till some thousand years into the Christian era. Afterward they dated from the creation of the world, as they did not own Christ as Lord.
Palestine was held by Antigonus until his defeat and death by the united forces of Ptolemy, Cassander, Lysimachus, and Seleucus, B.C. 301. It was now assigned to Ptolemy, along with Egypt, Libya, and Arabia.
In B C. 300 Onias the high priest died, and was succeeded by his son Simon, who for his integrity was called the Pious. He is said to have completed the canon of the Old Testament by adding the books written after Ezra had collected the sacred books.
After the defeat of Antigonus, Seleucus seized upper Syria, and built there the city of Antioch, which became the seat of the government for the Syrian kings, and where afterward resided the Roman governors. It became a noted place in church history. It was named Antioch after his father Antiochus.
Seleucus also built other cities, and gave them the same name; one of which is called in scripture Antioch of Pisidia.
He built also Seleucia on the Tigris, about forty miles north-east of Babylon. He gave this city many privileges, and on this account, and because the country of Babylon was often under water (caused by the banks of the Euphrates having been broken down) people flocked to the new city, and Babylon became quite deserted, and the city itself a desolation. It retained its walls for centuries, and wild animals for the chase were confined there by the kings of Persia. In the twelfth century, Benjamin, a Jew, said people were afraid to go near the place because of the many serpents and scorpions. This recalls the prophecy of Isaiah, "And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged." (Isa. 13:19-2219And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. 21But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. 22And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. (Isaiah 13:19‑22).)
Later writers, in speaking of Babylon, says Prideaux, often refer, not to old Babylon, but to Seleucia, which (to distinguish it from other places of the same name) was called Seleucia Babylonia, and eventually Babylonia or Babylon. This city also afterward became a desolation, and long after (A.D. 762) Bagdad was built on or near its site.
Ptolemy (II.) Philadelphus succeeded his father in Egypt (B.C. 285). In his reign the Old Testament was translated into Greek. There was a famous library in Egypt, and this translation is supposed to have been made for the king to add to his library. It is commonly called the Septuagint, because an account given by Aristeas says that the high priest of Jerusalem sent six learned men from each of the twelve tribes into Egypt to translate it, making really seventy-two. But little credit is now given to the story of Aristeas.
It is certain that the Hebrew Old Testament was translated into Greek before the time of our Lord, for He quoted it, and the writers of the New Testament also. There were many Jews living in Alexandria, who understood the Greek language, so that, apart from the king desiring a copy of it for his library, it is not surprising that they should have made the translation.
It was used and valued by the Jews for a long time, but when the Christians appealed to it when proving that Jesus was the true Messiah, they abandoned it for the Hebrew.
In B.C. 280 Antiochus (I.) Soter succeeded Seleucus in Syria, and reigned nineteen years. In B.C. 261 Antiochus (II.) Theos succeeded. He came from a bad stock, for Antiochus Soter had married his father's wife while his father was living; and this Antiochus II. was their son: and was called Theos, that is, divine! Berosus, the Babylonian historian, lived about this time.
Ptolemy and Antiochus were at war, but peace was restored on the conditions that Antiochus should put away his wife Laodice (his sister by the same father) and should marry Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus.
This was foretold in Dan. 11:6,6And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. (Daniel 11:6) which refers to Ptolemy king of the south, and Antiochus king of the north. The four kingdoms which succeeded that of Alexander the Great had now merged into two: the north and the south. Ptolemy had Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Arabia, Palestine, Cœlesyria, most of the maritime provinces of Asia Minor, &c. Antiochus had all the countries east from Mount Taurus to the River Indus, and several of the provinces of Asia Minor, also from Mount Taurus to the Ægean Sea.
In B.C. 247 Ptolemy Philadelphus died, and his son Ptolemy (III.) Euergetes succeeded him.
When Antiochus heard of the death of Ptolemy, he put away Berenice, and took again Laodice and her children. But that woman, knowing the fickleness of the king, and fearing that he would again alter his mind, and remove her and her children, caused him to be poisoned, but kept his death a secret, declaring he was sick. She then forged letters appointing her eldest son as king. When the death of the king was known, her son Seleucus (II.) Callinicus was acknowledged king.
Laodice concluded that to make the possession sure, Berenice and her son also must be put to death. Berenice being aware of this fled to Daphne, and concealed herself and her son in an asylum. But Laodice had accomplices there, and both were murdered. This also was foretold by Daniel, " She [Berenice] shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times." (Dan. 11:66And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. (Daniel 11:6).)
Ptolemy Euergetes had hastened to save Berenice, but did not arrive in time. He made war against Seleucus, was victorious, and carried to Egypt great spoil and many of the Egyptian gods that had been carried away, which greatly endeared him to the Egyptians. His victorious enterprise is also named in Dan. 11:7-97But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: 8And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. 9So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land. (Daniel 11:7‑9). He is there described as one "out of the branch of her roots." Ptolemy Euergetes was brother to Berenice.
In B.C. 222 Ptolemy Euergetes died, and was succeeded by his son Ptolemy (IV.) Philopator, a profligate young prince. According to Dan. 11 There were constant wars between the king of the north and the king of the south, with varied success.
In B.C. 217 Ptolemy marched into Syria with a large army to meet Antiochus the Great (who had succeeded Seleucus (III.) Ceraunus) who also had a great army. The latter was defeated. Ptolemy visited Palestine and Jerusalem, and offered sacrifices to the God of Israel. He had a great desire to enter the holy of holies, but Simon, son of the second Onias, high priest, opposed him, telling him that only the high priest could enter that sacred place, and he only once a year. The king still persisting in his desire, there was a great commotion in the city; but on his pressing his way towards the holy place he was seized with such fear and terror that he was carried out half dead. He left the city in anger, and on reaching Alexandria he persecuted the Jews in that city They also suffered much from the frequent wars between the kings of the north and the kings of the south, at times not knowing whom to obey. The Samaritans also greatly annoyed them, even capturing some and selling them as slaves, for which no redress could be obtained.
In B.C. 205 Ptolemy died, mainly through his intemperance and debauchery: his son Ptolemy (V.) Epiphanes succeeded him at the age of five years. Antiochus seized the opportunity of the minority of the king to regain CœleSyria and Palestine. He also joined with Philip of Macedonia to seize other parts of the dominions of Ptolemy. But the Roman Empire was now growing in power; and the rulers of Egypt appealed to Rome for protection, offering the guardianship of the infant king.
Rome, seeing that this would enlarge its sphere of action, accepted the offer, and sent embassies to Antiochus and to Philip informing them that Egypt was now under the protection of Rome, and that war would be proclaimed against them if they attacked the dominions of Ptolemy.
During the absence of Antiochus in Lesser Asia, an army was sent from Egypt under Scopas, and Palestine again passed into the hands of the king of Egypt, and a garrison was placed in Jerusalem. But on the return of Antiochus he once more became master of Palestine. Thus Jerusalem often changed its masters.
Scopas had oppressed the Jews, and seized whatever he could, so they were glad of the coming of Antiochus, went out in procession to meet him, and entertained him and his officers.
Antiochus having found that the Jews in Babylonia and Mesopotamia supported his dominion, he removed many of them at his own expense into Asia Minor, where he was desirous of gaining a firmer footing. This has been supposed to have been the reason why so many Jews were found in those parts in the time of our Lord and His apostles.
While Antiochus was thus desirous of extending his kingdom in the west, he was anxious that during his absence Palestine should not be again seized by the armies of Egypt, and proposed that the young king Ptolemy should marry his daughter Cleopatra as soon as they were of suitable age. This arrangement was accepted by Ptolemy.
This is no doubt referred to in the prophecy of Dan. 11:17: "And he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither he for him." Antiochus in going to the west, soon came into collision with the Romans, who having conquered Philip of Macedon, were not willing that Antiochus should extend his kingdom in that direction.
Antiochus took many maritime towns according to Dan. 11:1818After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. (Daniel 11:18); but after many encounters, he sued for peace, and it was agreed that he should quit all Asia on that side of Mount Taurus, give up his elephants and ships of war, and pay 15,000 Euboic talents, three thousand on the ratification of the treaty, and a thousand per year for twelve years. The "prince for his own behalf" (Dan. 11:1818After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. (Daniel 11:18)) may be the Roman consul L. Scipio Asiaticus, who would perhaps be crowned if he were victorious.
Antiochus had great difficulty in raising the sums he had agreed to pay to the Romans. He left his son as governor and traveled into the east. Hearing that in the temple at Elymais there were great treasures, he seized it by night and stripped it. But this so roused the people of the place that they killed Antiochus and his followers. Scripture says: " He shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found." (Dan. 11:1919Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found. (Daniel 11:19).)
Seleucus (IV.) Philopator succeeded his father Antiochus (B.C. 187). His chief work was to raise the money due to Rome. He is called in Dan. 11:2020Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. (Daniel 11:20) "a raiser of taxes."Internal disputes arose in Jerusalem, and some who fled to the king told that great treasures were laid up in the temple. ft is said that the king sent Heliodorus to seize them, and the whole city was in great distress; but as Heliodorus pressed into the temple a horse with a terrible rider appeared and struck him with its feet. Two men also, it is added, appeared and smote the intruder with great violence. He fell down half dead and was carried away. This same Heliodorus afterward poisoned the king (B.C. 175), hoping to be his successor. The king was thus "destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle," as prophesied by Daniel (Dan. 11:2020Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. (Daniel 11:20)).
In B.C. 181 Ptolemy, knowing how Rome had impoverished Seleucus, projected a war with him. His generals asked where the expenses were to come from, when he said his friends were his riches. They thought that he was about to rob them to pay for the war, so they poisoned him. His son, Ptolemy (VI.) Philometor, only six years of age, succeeded, under the guardianship of Cleopatra, his mother.
Antiochus Epiphanes.
On the death of Seleucus, Heliodorus had seized the crown but he was expelled by Antiochus (IV.) Epiphanes. He was brother to Seleucus, and not the rightful heir (the sons of Seleucus being in Rome); but by flattery and promises he obtained the help of Eumenes, king of Pergamus, and Attalus his brother, and thus succeeded in establishing himself. He called himself Epiphanes, that is Illustrious; but scripture says of him that in the estate of Seleucus "shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom; but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries." (Dan. 11:2121And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. (Daniel 11:21).) As we shall see, he became a great scourge to the Jews.
He was emphatically a "vile person, " for he mixed with all sorts of people, and behaved so unseemly that he was judged by some to be either insane or an idiot, and was styled Epimanes (madman).
Jason, the brother of Onias, applied to Antiochus to appoint him high priest, promising him three hundred and sixty talents. Antiochus had found the national treasures empty, because of the tribute to Rome, and he gladly accepted Jason's offer.
Jason however knew that Onias was, because of his piety and integrity, beloved of the people, and that he would not be safe at Jerusalem unless Onias was removed; he therefore asked for him to be sent to Antioch. Jason also offered more money if he might erect in Jerusalem a gymnasium and an academy for the training of youths after the custom of the Greeks, and also to have the power to grant the freedom of the city of Antioch to any he thought fit. He hoped by these means to ingratiate himself with the inhabitants of Jerusalem. All these things were granted by an unworthy king to an unworthy high priest. The plot was only too successful, for the games and amusements of the gymnasium absorbed the attention of the priests and people, so that gradually the temple worship was despised and the sacrifices neglected.
On the death of Cleopatra in B.C. 173, who had governed Egypt for her son, Palestine became a bone of contention It was now demanded from Antiochus as the property of Egypt.
In B.C. 172 Jason sent Menelaus his brother to Antioch with the yearly tribute from Jerusalem; but as Jason had formerly acted, so now did Menelaus: he offered more money for the high priesthood than Jason was paying, and, as the king was still poor, the offer was accepted, and Menelaus was made high priest. This was not his original name, but he had taken this Greek name in preference to the Jewish one (Onias), given him by his pious father. He really apostatized from the Jewish worship, and adopted the religion of the Greeks, and drew many away with him, proving that he merely wanted the position of high priest because it combined with it that of governor, hoping to gain riches and honors thereby. All this shows how ripe Jerusalem was getting for judgment.
Menelaus, when the time came for paying the tribute, found himself unable to meet the demands, but he did not scruple to take some of the sacred vessels from the temple and sell them in order to raise the amount. His eldest brother (also named Onias) who was living at Antioch, upbraided him for this sacrilege, when he went there to pay the tribute; but Menelaus so resented the reproof that he caused him to be put to death.
While Menelaus was absent from Jerusalem he left his brother Lysimachus in his place; but when the abstraction of the sacred vessels became known it caused a great uproar, and on Lysimachus endeavoring to put it down by force, he was slain within the temple.
Antiochus, having made his preparations for war, went to Egypt, and there obtained a victory over Ptolemy, but was content with this, and strengthening the places on the frontier. We again notice the growing power of Rome, for Antiochus was careful to send an ambassador to Rome to explain his right to Palestine, against the demands of Egypt.
Three delegates from the Sanhedrim came to Antiochus at Tire to complain of the sacrilege of Menelaus, and also of the violence of Lysimachus in his absence. Menelaus, seeing that sentence was about to be given against him bribed one of the king's counselors with a large sum of money, who thereupon called the king on one side and induced him, not only to absolve Menelaus, but to put the three delegates to death as false accusers. This was so manifestly unjust that the Tyrians gave them an honorable burial.
Antiochus again attacked Egypt both by sea and by land, and now obtained a complete victory over Ptolemy, his nephew. This king had been brought up in the most effeminate manner by a eunuch who was prime minister, and he tamely let Antiochus plunder the country. Both monarchs indeed ate at the same table, and Antiochus pretended that he would protect his nephew; hut it was as scripture says, " Both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table." Antiochus carried away all he could lay hands on: "great riches," as scripture expresses it. (Dan. 11:27, 2827And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. 28Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. (Daniel 11:27‑28))
While Antiochus was in Egypt a report was raised in Palestine that he was dead. Jason thought that now was the time to be revenged on his brother Menelaus and recover the high priesthood. He therefore gathered a thousand men, and, with his friends at Jerusalem, succeeded in causing Menelaus to seek shelter in the castle; he then put to death whom he pleased in the city.
Antiochus hearing of this, and supposing that the whole Jewish nation had revolted, hastened to Palestine to quench the rebellion. He was told that there had been great rejoicing at Jerusalem on the rumor of his death, which greatly enraged him.
Jerusalem was soon taken, and in three days' time some forty thousand of the inhabitants were put to the sword. He also forced himself into the temple, and even into the holy of holies, the apostate Menelaus being his guide. In order to give a greater insult to the God of the Jews, he caused a great sow to he sacrificed on the altar of burnt offerings; then a broth to be made of some of the flesh and this to be sprinkled all over the temple. He seized also the altar of incense, the shewbread table, the candlestick, which were all of gold, with other golden vessels, the gifts of former kings. The city was also plundered of its riches. And thus with immense wealth gathered from Egypt and Jerusalem he returned to Antioch.
Antiochus made another attack upon Egypt, and was again successful; and before he left he tried to set Ptolemy Philopator and his brother (though his nephews) at variance, that they might thus become less able to resist him. But they wisely united, and agreed to share the kingdom between them. They also appealed to Rome for protection. On hearing of the union of the two brothers, Antiochus again invaded Egypt and was victorious over the country, and then proceeded to Alexandria. But before he reached this city, ambassadors from Rome met him, Popilius being one of them: Antiochus was intimate with him, and at once attempted to embrace him, but the proud Roman drew back: he must first know whether Antiochus was a friend of Rome, private friendship must give way to national duty. The decrees of the senate were produced: he must desist from war, and retire from Egypt? Would he agree? Antiochus said he would consult his friends. But this was not allowed. Popilius demanded an immediate answer, and with his staff he drew a circle round Antiochus, and said an answer must he given before he stepped out of the circle.
Antiochus returned to Palestine in great wrath and determined to vent it on Jerusalem. He despatched from his army twenty-two thousand men under the command of Apollonius. On arriving he remained passive until the next sabbath. Then his soldiers made the attack with the command to slay all the men, and take the women and children to sell for slaves. This was to a great extent ruthlessly carried out. Then the place was despoiled of its remaining riches. The walls were thrown down and the city set on fire in several places. With the materials of the desolated city a strong fortress was built over against the temple. This was stored with all sorts of munitions of war, and a strong garrison placed there. Thus was unhappy Jerusalem once more destroyed.
Antiochus did not stop at the destruction of the city, but he issued a decree that all people in his dominions should leave their former rites and worship, and should conform to the religion of the king, and worship the same gods. To insure this being carried out, he sent overseers into all the provinces to instruct the people.
The Samaritans, who had formerly claimed to be Jews, now declared that they were not Jews, and petitioned that their temple might be dedicated to the Grecian Jupiter, under the name of Protector of strangers. This was done, and they were not further molested.
In Jerusalem itself, the few people that were still there were made to cease the Jewish rites, and their worship of Jehovah, the sabbath also was profaned. An image of Jupiter Olympus was erected in the temple, and an altar on which sacrifices were offered to this god. This was in B.C. 168, on the fifteenth day of the Jewish month Chisleu; and the first sacrifice was offered on the twenty-fifth of the same month. We read in Daniel, "They shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate." (Dan. 11:31; 8:9-1431And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Daniel 11:31)
9And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 10And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 11Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. 13Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. (Daniel 8:9‑14))
The Jews were not allowed to circumcise their children; two women were found to have disobeyed this order. Their children were hung round their necks and they were thus led through the city, and then cast headlong down from the wall where there was the deepest fall. Indeed, all the laws were carried out with the greatest severity.
Judas Maccabæus.
But a change was about to take place upon this unhappy people. One brave man, whose trust was in God, was the means of bringing it about.
At a place called Modin there dwelt a priest named Mattathias with his five sons. A commissioner, named Apelles, came to this place from the king to enforce his decrees. He addressed Mattathias, hoping that if he submitted, many others would follow without raising any obstacle. Mattathias answered with a loud voice that he could not on any consideration forsake the law of his God: he and his sons would still obey the ordinances of their religion. He confirmed this by rushing upon a Jew who he saw was about to offer on a heathen altar and killed him. Then with the aid of his sons he slew the king's messenger and those with him.
He then rallied all who agreed with this action, and he soon had many followers. About a thousand of such took refuge in a cave near Jerusalem. The governor went forth to oppose them, and offered them forgiveness if they would submit. But they refused; they would not accept deliverance. (Heb. 11:3535Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (Hebrews 11:35).) The governor waited till the next sabbath, when he knew they would not resist, and slew them all.
On Mattathias hearing of this, he consulted with as many priests and elders as he could, and they all agreed that in such a case it would be right to defend themselves on the sabbath day; and this new rule was made known.
They took refuge in the mountains, and as opportunity occurred they visited the towns, threw down the pagan altars, and punished the apostate Jews; circumcised the children, and recovering the copies of the law where they could, they reestablished worship in the synagogues.
Mattathias was however too old to continue such fatiguing operations: he handed over the command to the most warlike of his sons, JUDAS MACCABÆUS, and soon went to his rest.
Antiochus was of course anxious to crush this opposition to his edicts. Apollonius, the governor of Samaria, was the first to attack Judas, but he was defeated and slain. Judas used the sword of Apollonius in his subsequent wars.
Seron, the deputy governor of Cœle-Syria, next attempted to revenge the death of Apollonius, but he was also conquered and slain.
Antiochus, finding his money exhausted, went into his eastern dominions to collect by force the dues not paid, but left a large army with Lysias, a noble of the royal blood, whom he made lieutenant, to subdue the Jews; indeed, his orders were to extirpate the whole Jewish nation. Under Nicanor and Gorgias a part of the army, 20,000 strong, entered Palestine, while the general, Ptolemy Macron, with another 20,000 foot and 7000 horse followed. A number of slave dealers also accompanied the army with funds to purchase all who were fit for slaves.
Judas had but 6000 men, and saw that if victory was to be on his side it must be by the help of God: they fasted and prayed. Then the proclamation according to the law was made that if any had lately married wives, built houses, planted vineyards, or if they were afraid, they were to return home. This reduced the army of Judas to 3000. He advanced to Emmaus. Here he learned that Gorgias, with 5000 chosen foot soldiers and 1000 horse, had left the main army to find and surprise him by night. Judas resolved to attack the camp at once before Gorgias returned. He was victorious: after a slight resistance the Syrians fled. Judas restrained his men from plundering the camp till Gorgias should return. On his return, wearied with looking for him on the mountains, he was attacked by Judas and suffered a complete defeat with immense slaughter. The Jews with just retribution seized some of the slave dealers and sold them for slaves. Immense booty was found in the camp. The next day being the sabbath, rest and thanksgiving were their portion.
Judas, hearing that a large force was collecting beyond the Jordan, crossed the river and attacked them, and was again victorious, and gathered a large quantity of arms. Two chief opposers of the Jews here met their death -Philarches and Calisthenes: one was slain in the war, and the other burnt to death in a house in which he had taken shelter.
The next year (B.C. 165) Lysias determined to come himself and attack Judas. He gathered 60,000 foot soldiers and 5000 horse, and now resolved to carry out the wishes of Antiochus and exterminate the entire nation. Vain resolve! Judas had but 10,000 men; but his trust was in God. He attacked the army of Lysias, slew 5000 of his troops, and the rest fled.
Judas being free from war for a season bethought himself of Jerusalem, and resolved to recover the temple that worship might be restored there. He found the city in ruins, the sanctuary desolated, the altar profaned, the gates of the temple destroyed, and shrubs growing in its courts. Great were the lamentations when these things were seen, and an earnest desire was expressed that all should be set in order.
Priests were sought of unblamable reputation, and these set to work to cleanse the temple: the idolatrous altar was thrown down and a new one erected of unhewn stones. A new table for shewbread was made and covered with gold, a new candlestick, and altar of incense, with all other necessary vessels and utensils. The spoils taken in war enabled all this to be accomplished.
When all was restored, a new dedication was carried out with due solemnity. It was on the 25th day of the month Chisleu: this was the very same day of the year on which the temple had been profaned three years before, and three years and a half after the city and temple had been desolated by Apollonius. The feast of dedication was continued for eight days, with great joy and thanksgiving for the wondrous deliverance God had wrought for them. The anniversary of this dedication was ever after kept by the Jews as a feast.
It is this dedication that is referred to in John 10:22: for though there had been other dedications, the one spoken of in John is said to be in the "winter," which agrees with the above, and answers to our December. The other dedications had not been made into an annual feast.
Jerusalem, however, was not yet free from its enemies, for a strong fortress near the temple was still in the hands of their foes, and from thence they from time to time cut off the worshippers as they entered the temple. Judas strongly fortified that side of the temple which was next to the fortress.
The re-establishment of the Jews was looked upon with envy by the surrounding nations, and the Jews were molested and murdered where their enemies had the power. A great force from Tire, Sidon and Ptolemais laid waste the country. Gilead was attacked with great slaughter. Judas divided his army into three parts: 8000 under his command proceeded to Gilead; 3000, under his brother Simon, went to Galilee; the rest were left to defend the restored provinces, with orders not to attack any, but to stand on the defense.
Judas and Simon were everywhere victorious: city after city was captured, and those Jews who were much exposed to attack were removed to places better protected. The part of the army left behind foolishly attacked Jamnia, a seaport, and were defeated with great loss.
During the above events, Antiochus Epiphanes, the great enemy of the Jews, came to his earthly end. We left him traveling to the east to gather his tribute. He made an unsuccessful attempt to plunder a rich temple in Persia, which greatly irritated him; and when messenger after messenger came to tell how his troops had been overcome by Judas, and how the temple had been cleansed at Jerusalem, and the worship of God established, his wrath knew no bounds: he would hasten to the land and make Jerusalem a tomb for the whole nation: he would destroy them to a man!
Vain boast! God laid His hands upon the proud persecutor, and smote him with a dire disease accompanied with great pain in his bowels. He would not, however, give way, but bade his charioteer drive with greater speed. This being done, the chariot was overturned and the king much hurt. He tried a litter, but could not bear the pain; so he was forced to lay by in a town named Tabæ in the mountains of Parætacene, on the confines of Persia and Babylonia. Here in bed he suffered from an incurable ulcer that bred worms, and sent forth such a stench that none could bear to be near him. His mind was troubled as much as his body. He saw specters and apparitions of evil spirits which he imagined were ever about him. He acknowledged that the angry God of the Jews was punishing him for what he had done against His temple and His people at Jerusalem; and he vowed should he recover that he would undo the evil he had done. It was too late!
God's hand was upon him: he fairly rotted away! a signal example of what it is even in this world to fall into the hands of the living God!
Lysias, governor of Syria, set up the son of Antiochus as king under the name of Antiochus (V.) Eupator (B.C. 164); Demetrius, son of Seleucus, the rightful heir, was a hostage at Rome.
Lysias' great ambition was to subdue Palestine: after several efforts he gathered an immense army: 100,000 foot soldiers, 20,000 horse, and 32 elephants, and attacked Bethsura. Judas hastened to its relief, and was in a measure successful, but was obliged to retreat before such a host. Eleazar, his brother, fought his way to one of the elephants, and stabbed it in the belly, but was crushed to death by its fall. Bethsura pressed by famine was obliged to capitulate, but on honorable terms.
Jerusalem was then attacked, but successfully resisted. As Lysias was needed at Antioch, and his army running short of provisions, a treaty was concluded. Antiochus was admitted into the city, but he threw down the walls, &c., in violation of the treaty.
In the meantime Demetrius, the rightful heir, had escaped from Rome, and attacking Antiochus and Lysias he killed them both and became master of the kingdom. His policy with the Jews was more subtle: he endeavored to set Jews against Jews. With Judas there were many of the strict sect of the Chasidim, answering, in a measure, to the Pharisees of later date. Many others wanted to live more easy lives, and thus dissensions arose among them.
Demetrius re-appointed to the high priest's office one Alcimus who had come to Judxa supported by Bacchides, an able general. None attempted to oppose the high priest; but no sooner was he settled in his office than he put to death sixty of the leaders. Bacchides also committed severities in other parts; but as soon as he had withdrawn with his troops Judas took up arms, and Alcimus was obliged to flee to Antioch.
Demetrius then sent Nicanor with an army to reinstate Alcimus, which was done; but a battle was fought at Capharsalama, in which Judas was victorious and slew 5000 of the Syrians. Nicanor revenged himself on the friends of Judas in Jerusalem. He tried to influence the troops with Judas to deliver him up, but this proving ineffectual, another battle was fought: Nicanor was slain and his army totally defeated.
Judas now took a more decided step to secure the independence of Palestine. He entered into an alliance with Rome, which was ever ready to have useful allies, and to weaken great monarchies. He did not, however, live to reap any personal advantage from this; for Demetrius collected the whole force of his kingdom against Judas. Judas was, on the other hand, deserted by his followers except eight hundred. He could not, however, be induced to retreat, and fell in battle.
Judas, in appealing to Rome, departed from the line of faith and dependence on God, against whose revealed will he clearly acted in seeking alliance with a Gentile power. From that moment it seems as though the power of God left him. The deliverance granted of God by his instrumentality resembles the wonders He wrought by the judges. By faith he was out of weakness made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (Heb. 11:3434Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (Hebrews 11:34).)
Jonathan and Simon Maccabæus.
Alcimus now again became master in Jerusalem, and Bacchides put to death the supporters of Judas. Jonathan the brother of Judas assembled a small force, but could do little more than harass the army of Bacchides, while another brother, Simon, defended the strong post of Bethbasi.
Bacchides became weary of such guerrilla warfare, and, as is supposed, being warned of the danger of oppressing an ally of Rome, concluded an honorable peace with Jonathan.
Jonathan was now nominally master of Judaea, but Jerusalem and other places would not respect his authority, being held by Syrian troops and opposing Jews. A revolution in Syria strengthened his hands. An adventurer, Alexander Balas, declared himself to be the son of Antiochus Epiphanes, and claimed the crown. The Romans favored Alexander, and Jonathan's support was now solicited by both claimants, Demetrius and Alexander.
Demetrius gave him power to levy an army, and yielded up the hostages which were in his hands. Jonathan seized the opportunity and gained possession of Jerusalem except the fortress. Alexander, however, outbid Demetrius, and offered Jonathan the high priesthood, exemption from all tribute, from customs of salt, and from crown taxes, the third part of the seed, and half of the fruit of the trees; full protection also in his religion, and the town of Ptolemais, and promised him gifts towards the expenses of the temple, and for repairing the city.
Jonathan accepted the terms offered, assumed the priestly robes, and became THE FIRST OF THE ASMONEAN PRINCES. Alexander was successful: Demetrius was defeated and slain. Alexander on ascending the throne of Syria married Cleopatra, the daughter of the king of Egypt. Jonathan was present at the marriage, and was received with marked honors. He afterward fought for Alexander, being general as well as high priest.
A priest named Onias, the son of Onias, being disappointed of the priesthood went into Egypt, and there so ingratiated himself with Ptolemy Philometor and his wife Cleopatra that he was promoted to great honors, both in the army and at court. He used his influence with the king to obtain permission to build a Jewish temple in Egypt. He represented that it would be to the king's advantage, by the Jews not having to resort to Jerusalem, which was in another kingdom. But a difficulty arose with the Jews themselves, for they held that Jerusalem was their only right place of worship. To satisfy them he produced the prophecy in Isa. 19:18,19: " In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts: one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar unto the Lord, in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof unto the Lord.'
Having gained the king, and satisfied his own people, he built the temple within the prefecture of Heliopolis, twenty-four miles from Memphis. It is supposed that he chose this spot for the temple because " the city of destruction " mentioned in the prophecy was thought to refer to the " city of the sun," which is Heliopolis. He built it after the pattern of the temple at Jerusalem, though not so large, lofty, or splendid. A wall was built round the temple, and priests and Levites carried on the daily sacrifices as at Jerusalem.
Fresh troubles were arising for Judaea. Demetrius, the son of Demetrius, seeing that Alexander had given himself up entirely to pleasure, and that Ammonius, to whom he had committed the chief government of Syria, was ruling with oppression, thought it a good opportunity to claim his right to the throne. He therefore raised an army to enforce his claim. Apollonius, who governed another part of Syria, sided with Demetrius, and collecting an army challenged Jonathan to battle, for Jonathan still supported Alexander. Jonathan left Jerusalem with ten thousand men, took Joppa, and then defeated Apollonius, and pursued his troops to Azotus, and set fire to the town. He destroyed also the temple of Dagon and those who had taken shelter therein.
Alexander, fearing Demetrius, begged his father-in-law, Ptolemy, to come to his assistance. He came with a large army. As he passed through the various towns he left garrisons therein. Jonathan met him at Joppa and marched on with him to Ptolemais. On arriving here it was discovered that plots were being laid to take the life of Ptolemy. Ammonius, who managed for Alexander, alarmed by the large army Ptolemy had brought, and fearing that he had come to seize the country for himself, thought it best to cut him off. Ptolemy proceeded to Alexander and demanded that he should give up the traitor; but Alexander refused. This convinced Ptolemy that his son-in-law was a party to the attempt to take his life. He therefore took his daughter away and gave her to Demetrius, and made a league with him to restore him to his father's kingdom. The people, finding that Ammonius was now without protection, rose in tumult against him, and as he was about to escape in woman's clothes he was put to death. A battle was fought, but Alexander was defeated, and fled to Zabdiel, an Arabian; hut was there put to death.
Ptolemy had received a wound in the battle of which he died a few days after.
Another claimant to the Syrian throne soon appeared. Tryphon, an officer, craftily put forth Antiochus Theos, son of Alexander, as king. Demetrius fled and left the field for Antiochus. Jonathan was received by the new king with great honors, and Simon his brother made captain general. Jonathan gained two signal victories for the young king. Tryphon really wanted the throne for himself, but knowing that Jonathan would not help on such a scheme, he enticed him into Ptolemais, under the plea of surrendering the town to him; but then made him a prisoner.
The Jews were astounded; but Simon at once took command. Tryphon agreed to deliver up Jonathan for 100 talents of silver: and two of his sons as hostages. These were sent, but Tryphon would not give up Jonathan. A heavy fall of snow compelled Tryphon to retreat, but he put Jonathan to death. Antiochus was also put to death by the same traitor.
Simon openly espoused the cause of Demetrius against Tryphon, and set to work to strengthen his position. He compelled those in the fortress to surrender by stopping all supplies. He then demolished the place, and with great labor leveled the hill on which it stood. Peace and prosperity reigned; but, alas! soon to be disturbed.
Demetrius had been taken prisoner in an expedition against the Parthians, and Antiochus Sidetes, his brother, raised an army to dispossess the tyrant Tryphon; but first sent to Simon for tribute and indemnification for Gazara and Joppa. Simon refused tribute, but offered a price for Joppa. On this refusal Antiochus sent an army under Cendebeus to invade the country. Simon being now too old to conduct the war, sent an army with his sons Judas and John Hyrcanus. They were victorious and took Azotus.
In B.C. 135 Simon made a tour through the cities of Judma to see that all were tranquil and safe, and came with some of his sons to Jericho. Ptolemy, the son of Abubus, was governor, and he invited Simon and his sons to an entertainment. He had married the daughter of Simon, and the invitation was readily accepted. But Ptolemy had plotted with Antiochus Sidetes to get rid of Simon, that he might himself get the government of Judaea; and he ordered Simon to be put to death. Messengers were also sent to Gazara to kill John. But John had already been informed of the treachery; and put to death the messengers. He then hastened to Jerusalem, and was hailed as high priest and prince of the Jews. He then marched to Jericho to revenge the death of his father; but Ptolemy had in his power the mother and brethren of John. He exposed them on a wall and scourged them and threatened to put them to death. The mother, notwithstanding this, exhorted her son to revenge the death of his father.
The rapid movements of John had thwarted the plans of Ptolemy, and he fled to Philadelphia, and is heard of no more. But the Syrian army under Antiochus ravaged the whole country, and then besieged John in Jerusalem. He cut a ditch all round the city so that none could escape. On the feast of tabernacles arriving, John asked for a truce for a week. This was granted, and even beasts were sent in for the sacrifices. John then sued for peace, for Jerusalem was threatened by famine, and he was met with much easier terms than he could have expected. The country was to belong to the kings of Syria, tribute paid for Joppa and other towns, and Jerusalem to be dismantled.
Four years after, John Hyrcanus was summoned to attend his lord, Antiochus, on an expedition to Parthia under the pretense of delivering his brother, Demetrius Nicator, a captive there. Hyrcanus met him, but managed to return before Antiochus lost his army, his throne, and his life.
Demetrius escaped and recovered the throne of Syria. Hyrcanus took the opportunity of this change to throw off his allegiance to Syria, and strengthened his position every time an opportunity occurred. What especially endeared him to his nation was his capture of Sychem, and the total demolition of the Samaritan temple, which for two hundred years had been an eyesore to the pilgrims to Jerusalem. He left not a trace of the building.
He next attacked the Idumeans, and forced them either to be circumcised and to adopt the religion of the Jews, or to be banished from the country. Many were circumcised and became incorporated nominally with the Jews.
He next determined to subdue the Samaritans, and sent an army under his sons Aristobulus and Antigonus. The Samaritans called in the king of Damascus to help them; but his army suffered a total defeat. Then 6000 Egyptian allies came to their relief, but they were also defeated. After a whole year Samaria fell, and Hyrcanus became master of Samaria and Galilee. The hated city of Samaria was entirely destroyed; trenches were dug and the place turned into a pool of water.
Though Hyrcanus was thus successful outside Jerusalem, there was but little peace inside because of the contentions between the various parties of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Karaites.
Hyrcanus had favored the Pharisees until his course was nearly run, when he joined the Sadducees. The cause of this change is thus related. At a banquet to which he had invited the chief men of the Pharisees, he foolishly asked their judgment on his administration and general conduct. All but one were unanimous in declaring his actions to have been praiseworthy. Eleazar objected, saying, " If you are a just man, abandon the high priesthood, for which you are disqualified by the illegality of your birth." It was said that his mother had been a captive, and was thus, being exposed to the pollution of a heathen master, unsuitable for the wife of a priest.
Hyrcanus demanded the trial of Eleazar for defamation; but the other Pharisees shielded him, and declared him only worthy of scourging and imprisonment instead of death.
Hyrcanus was much irritated at the opposition and was persuaded by Jonathan, a Sadducee, that Eleazar was only the mouthpiece of all the Pharisees; was not this proved, he said, by their shielding him from due punishment? Hyrcanus therefore abandoned the councils of the Pharisees, and joined himself more to the Sadducean party.
Hyrcanus reigned twenty-nine years with great ability. He built the castle of Baris on a rock within the fortifications that surrounded the temple on its north-west corner. It was the Antonia of Herod.
Aristobulus I., his son, succeeded (B.C. 106). His reign was short and disastrous. His mother claimed the sovereignty according to the will of her husband; but Aristobulus shut her up in a dungeon and starved her to death. Strange that any ruler of the Jews should expect the blessing of God on such a crime. Three of his brothers were also imprisoned. He made a successful assault upon Iturea at the foot of Anti-Libanus, afterward called Auranitis, but returned suffering from a dangerous disease. His brother Antigonus soon after, having completed the conquest, hastened with his troops, armed as he was, into the temple to return thanks.
This was construed by the queen and the harem as an act of treachery. His brother summoned him to come to him unarmed. His enemies, however, told him to come in some splendid armor which his brother wished to see. Guards were in waiting, and as he appeared in arms he was murdered in a subterranean passage that led from the temple to the palace of Baris. Aristobulus, however, was seized with horror at the deed, and vomited blood. The slave who carried away the vessel slipped and the blood was spilled on the very spot where Antigonus had been slain, and thus the blood of the two brothers was mingled together. A cry of horror ran through the gallery and was heard in the palace. On demand he was told the cause of the outcry, when he was seized with such an agony of remorse that he expired. Thus his crimes met with speedy punishment.
Alexander Jannæus, his brother, succeeded (B.C. 105). A younger brother attempted to gain the throne, but was put to death. At this time Egypt was governed by Cleopatra, widow of Ptolemy Physcon; Cyprus, by her son Ptolemy Lathyrus, her deadly enemy. The Syrian dominions were shared by Antiochus Grypus and Antiochus Cyzicenus.
Alexander was not content with his dominions but sought to gain Ptolemais. The inhabitants sent for aid to Ptolemy Lathyrus, and he raised an army of 30,000 men. Alexander then asked Cleopatra for troops to expel Ptolemy. Ptolemy did not wait for this, but met Alexander and defeated him with the loss of 30,000 men. The kingdom would have been lost to Alexander had not Cleopatra sent an army under the command of two Jews, Chelcias and Ananias. Lathyrus thought to invade Egypt, hut being repelled he fled to Gaza. Ptolemais was taken, and Alexander went to congratulate Cleopatra on the victory of her army. She was advised to seize him and invade Judaea for herself; but Ananias dissuaded her from such treachery.
Alexander might have reigned in peace, but his restlessness led him to foolish attempts in which he had sore reverses, and but little success.
In Jerusalem all was in disorder because of the various factions. As the king was officiating as priest at the Feast of Tabernacles, he was pelted with citrons, and reproached with the baseness of his descent. He raised a wooden partition between the court of the priests and of the people, to prevent such insults in future; and in order to overawe the people, he raised a bodyguard of foreign mercenaries, chiefly Pisidians and Cilicians.
The king again went out to battle but suffered defeat. The malcontent Jews rose in rebellion, and for six years the country suffered from a civil war. It seemed as if God had given them up to judgment. On gaining power, the king re-entered Jerusalem and there mercilessly crucified Boo men, having slain their wives and children before their faces. Eight thousand of the insurgents left the city. At length the king was seized with a deadly disease, and knowing that his end was approaching he advised his wife, Alexandra, on his death, to throw herself into the arms of the Pharisees as the most powerful of the factions.
After a turbulent reign of twenty-seven years Alexander Jannæus died. His wife acted on his advice. The king was interred with honors, and his eldest son, Hyrcanus II., was made high priest, and the widow accredited as ruler. B.C. 78.
The Pharisees now in power demanded justice to be executed on those who had aided in the crucifixion of the 800; but Aristobulus, a second son, joined the opposite party, and petitioned the queen not to suffer the punishment of her husband's friends. A compromise was adopted. They were allowed to leave the city and be enrolled in the garrisons of other cities.
To employ the restless Aristobulus he was sent to try and seize Damascus. He was successful, and also won the esteem of the army. On the death of Alexandra in B.C. 70, Aristobulus raised an army to seize the throne. The Pharisees with Hyrcanus raised troops to oppose him. They met at Jericho, but many of the troops of Hyrcanus went over to Aristobulus, and he entered Jerusalem. Hyrcanus took shelter in the palace of Baris, but consented to abdicate. This seemed fatal to the hopes of the Pharisees; but some of the friends of Hyrcanus were more courageous than he was, and persuaded him to flee to Aretas, King of Arabia. Aretas came with 50,000 men. Aristobulus was defeated and shut himself up in the temple with the priests.
An old man, whose prayers were thought to be powerful, was brought out and asked to pray for the defeat of Aristobulus. He said, " O God, the King of the universe, since on one side are the people, and on the other Thy priests, I beseech Thee hear not the prayers of either to the detriment of the other." The good old man was stoned to death! The Passover drew nigh, and the priests asked to buy lambs for the sacrifice. Baskets were let down with the money, but were sent up empty, or, as others declare, with swine instead of lambs! To this had Jerusalem fallen, and this because the people had turned away from their God, and thus were their own enemies.
Judæa Under Rome.
A great change was on the eve of approaching. If they could not agree among themselves, none of them should be really masters; but be made servants to a greater power. In the prophecy of Daniel there were four great beasts. The last of these was Rome. It is thus described by the prophet: " Dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns." (Dan. 7:77After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. (Daniel 7:7).)
It does not speak here of the rapidity of its conquests as was said of Greece; and, as we have seen, it gradually increased its power, and now, in our history, it is about to take possession of Palestine. Before this Judaea was treated more as an ally of Rome, but now it was to become its vassal.
Scaurus, the Roman lieutenant of Pompey, had taken possession of Damascus, and both Hyrcanus and Aristobulus hastened to seek his protection: each offered 400 talents. Scaurus ordered Aretas to raise the siege, and he complied.
In a little while Pompey himself came to Damascus, and the kings all around hastened to pay him homage, with splendid gifts. Aristobulus sent a golden vine worth 400 talents.
After some months' delay Pompey sat to judge between the claimants to the throne of Judaea. There appeared a deputation from the people who complained of both of the brothers. Hyrcanus by his ambassador pleaded that he was the elder, with accusations against his brother. For Aristobulus it was urged that Hyrcanus was incompetent, &c.
Pompey for the present dismissed them with soft words. He wanted first to conquer Arabia, with Petra and its trade.
Having accomplished this, he brought his army into Judaea. Aristobulus had been busy fortifying a strong citadel on a rock called Alexandrion. But Pompey demanded that he should sign a surrender of all his fortresses. Aristobulus would gladly have refused, but was too weak to resist. He hastened to Jerusalem in order to oppose Pompey, but finding the inhabitants too much divided, he met Pompey with an offer to surrender the city. Gabinius was sent to take possession; but in the meantime a stronger party prevailed, shut the gates, and manned the walls for defense.
Pompey, indignant at this treatment, put Aristobulus in chains, and advanced to the city; but now Hyrcanus was in power, he opened the gates and received the proud Roman gladly. The forces of Aristobulus, with the priests, took refuge in the temple, cut off the communication with the town, and prepared for defense. The hill on which the temple stood was approachable only on the north: here Pompey brought his engines. On the Sabbath those within would do nothing in defense, so that the engines on that day were moved forward. In three months one of the battering rams knocked down the largest tower. The troops rushed in, and, after great loss of life, the temple was taken. The priests, all the time of the siege, had gone on with their daily sacrifices as if nothing was happening. Many of them were slain at the altar.
Pompey profaned the temple by his presence, and was astonished to find no visible God therein. He found large treasures, but did not take them. The temple was cleansed, and Hyrcanus confirmed in the priesthood, but without any royalty. Pompey settled the amount of tribute to be paid to Rome, demolished the walls of the city, and took Aristobulus, with his two sons and two daughters, as prisoners to Rome. Alexander, the elder of the sons, escaped; but Aristobulus and his other son had to take part in the triumph of Pompey at Rome. From this time (B.C. 63) Jerusalem and Judaea became subject to Rome.
JULIUS CESAR was now at war with Pompey, and the Jews witnessed with pleasure the declining power of Pompey, and attributed it to his violating the sanctity of their temple. They declared for Caesar. Alexander collected troops and garrisoned some of the fortresses; but Hyrcanus called on the Romans for assistance. Gabinius came to his assistance and Alexander was defeated.
Aristobulus and his other son, having escaped from Rome, also raised the standard of revolt, but he could not stand before the arms of Rome: severely wounded, he was sent back to Rome in chains. Gabinius re-organized the government of the country, and established five independent Sanhedrims: they sat at Jerusalem, Jericho, Gadara, Amanthus, and Sepphoris. This lasted until Julius Caesar reestablished Hyrcanus with supreme dignity.
Gabinius, with Mark Antony, proceeded to the conquest of Egypt, but Alexander at once raised troops, drove the remaining Romans into Mount Gerizim, and there besieged them. Gabinius hastened back to the rescue. Alexander had now 80,000 troops, but they could not stand before the disciplined Romans. He was defeated and fled.
The Jews believed readily enough that God punished those who did them injury, but were too blind to see their own wickedness: however, Gabinius no sooner returned to Rome than he was stripped of his honors and banished.
In B.C. 55 CRASSUS had Syria appointed to him, and in the following year he came to Jerusalem. A rich present was given him, but he robbed the temple of its treasures, amounting in value to ten thousand talents, estimated at nearly two million of our money. He soon after suffered an ignominious defeat and lost his life.
During the contest between Pompey and Caesar, all was in suspense. Caesar released Aristobulus and sent him with a large force to Palestine to make a diversion against Pompey, but he was poisoned by the partizans of Pompey, and Scipio publicly put his gallant son Alexander to death at Antioch.
Attention must be called to Antipater, son of Antipas, Governor of Idumea. The Idumeans, with their descendants, were about to hold the chief place in the government of the Jews. For many years the government had been in the hands of the Asmoneans, but it was soon to pass from them to the Idumeans, many of these, as we have seen, had become nominally Jews. Antipater was Hyrcanus' chief man. He had been of signal service to the cause of Caesar, and he was, on the death of Pompey, made procurator of the whole of Judaea, and made a Roman citizen, B.C. 48.
His first care was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and, recognizing the incapacity of Hyrcanus, he made his own son, Phasael, Governor of Jerusalem, and his son Herod, Governor of Galilee. This is the introduction into power of the man who was to become HEROD THE GREAT-great in power, and great in wickedness.
Herod soon began to show his energy. He seized a noted captain of banditti, and put him and most of his band to death. The Jews, jealous of the increasing power of the Idumeans, persuaded Hyrcanus to summon Herod to answer for putting the robbers to death without a trial. He came to Jerusalem well armed, and the timid Sanhedrim were afraid to raise a voice against him, except Same as, a man of high integrity, who told Herod that he should not have appeared before the court in purple and with armed attendants. Hyrcanus adjourned the Sanhedrim and secretly advised Herod to escape.
On the death of Caesar (B.C. 44), Cassius became Proconsul of Syria, and such was his rapacity that the inhabitants of some towns had to be sold as slaves to meet his demands. Antipater's two sons and Malichus, an influential Jew, collected the taxes, but Hyrcanus had to give a large sum from his private resources to make up the deficiency of the collection and to insure the life of Malichus. Herod cleverly managed to ingratiate himself with Cassius by speedily obtaining his portion of the taxes.
Malichus now fearing the power of the Idumeans treacherously caused Antipater to be poisoned; in revenge for which Herod, by intrigue, got Malichus into his power and caused him to be put to death.
On Cassius leaving Syria, the opposing faction rallied and were supported by Felix the Roman general in Jerusalem; but Phasael was able to overcome them.
A new enemy appeared in the person of Antigonus, the surviving son of Aristobulus. He advanced into Galilee, but was defeated by Herod.
Rome was at this time at war with itself; but a decisive battle at Philippi increased the power of Mark Antony. Herod soon made him his friend by large presents of money; and from thence Herod's enemies could get no redress. Herod and Phasael were made tetrarchs.
But Palestine was not to be long at peace, for the Parthians, under Pacorus the king's son, overran Syria and Asia Minor. Antigonus again took the opportunity of claiming Judaea. under Parthian protection: he offered the strange bribe of 1,000 talents and 500 Jewesses! Antigonus fought his way to Jerusalem, which was still in internal disorder, and there was mutual slaughter. The friends of the new corner held the temple; Hyrcanus, the palace: there were daily conflicts.
It was at length proposed that the dispute should be remitted for decision to Barzapharnes, the commander-in-chief of the Parthians. Phasael foolishly agreed to this, and Hyrcanus went with him. Herod remained at Jerusalem, but suspecting their treachery, he stole out of the city by night with all his family, and went to Massada, a strong fortress on the Dead Sea. He left the women there well protected, and went himself to Egypt and thence to Rome.
In the meantime Phasael and Hyrcanus were imprisoned. Antigonus, not wishing to put the high priest to death, cut off his ears to prevent him ever after being high priest. The unhappy Phasael beat his own brains out in his dungeon rather than fall into the hands of his enemies.
Antigonus assumed the sovereignty, but the Parthians pillaged Jerusalem and devastated the country. Herod was more than successful at Rome. He asked the kingdom for Aristobulus, brother to the beautiful Mariamne to whom he was betrothed. But Augustus and Antony conferred the power on Herod himself instead of on Aristobulus (B.C. 40**).
Herod was not a man to refuse the honor thus put upon him. He hastily finished his business at Rome and sailed for Palestine. His first care was for Massada where his bride was shut up. Antigonus had nearly succeeded in taking the place: they would soon have had to surrender because of the drought, had not a timely rain filled their water tanks. Herod soon raised some troops and relieved the place.
(**Josephus (Wars i. 33, 8) says that Herod in B.C. 4 had reigned 37 years.)
The Parthians had retired on the approach of a Roman army, and Antigonus was now thrown on his own resources. Silo, with some Roman troops, should have helped Herod; but seeking to enrich himself, played fast and loose.
Herod, unable of himself to secure the country, fixed his quarters at Samaria, and attacked Galilee, then infested by robbers. He drove many beyond the Jordan, and attacked some in their dens. Boxes, with men, were let down from the cliffs above, and those in the dens were speared and the caves fired.
The next year (B.C. 38) help was sent from Rome under Machæras., and revenged himself on the Jews with Herod. Herod went to pay his respects to Antony and to lodge his complaints, leaving his brother Joseph in command, who, while Herod was away, attacked the troops of Antigonus at Jericho and was killed.
The following year Herod, after consummating his marriage with Mariamne, carried on a regular siege of Jerusalem with the aid of Roman troops under Sosius. The resistance was so obstinate, that on the city being taken Sosius gave it up to the fury of the troops, until Herod expostulated with him: he feared that he would be left king, not of a noble city, but of a heap of ruins. Sosius was paid to spare the city. Antigonus surrendered to Sosius, and begged for his life; but he was sent to Antony, and, on the solicitation of Herod, he was put to death. This was the last of the Asmonean kings. They had, commencing with Judas Maccabeus, governed for a hundred and twenty-nine years, and now began the reign of Herod as king.
Herod the Great.
Herod had cleverly attained to the kingdom of Judaea, skillfully avoiding traps laid for his destruction, bravely acting with energy when opposed, and adroitly insinuating himself into favor with the Romans in power. As we have said, he was great in ability, he was, alas! great in cruelty also, as his further history shows.
His position in Jerusalem was not a bed of roses. The different factions were not to be overlooked. He must act with energy, he had not the wisdom to temper this with mercy. There were many who were still attached to the Asmonean family. He at once put to death forty-five of their chief men, and confiscated their possessions. Then the Sanhedrim felt his vengeance. All but Sameas and Pollio (who had advocated the surrender of the city) were slain. The others had raised the cry of, " The temple of the Lord! the temple of the Lord! " and had incited the people against Herod.
A great difficulty at once arose as to who should be high priest. Hyrcanus returned to the city, and was received joyfully, but, alas 1 he had been mutilated by Antigonus, and, according to the law, was disqualified. Herod sought out a man named Ananel from Babylon, an obscure person, but a descendant from the priests, whom he installed in the office.
This gave great offense. Alexandra, the mother of Mariamne, had a son for whom she desired the priesthood, but he was only seventeen years old. She sent pictures of this son and a daughter, both of great beauty, to Antony to excite his sympathy, if not his vile passions. Herod saw the danger to himself of this intrigue, and discovered also that Alexandra was communicating with Cleopatra, and had formed a plan to carry her son to Egypt. This he prevented, and made the son high priest instead of Ananel.
A new danger now presented itself to Herod's fears. At the Feast of Tabernacles, when this young man appeared in his priestly robes, it was evident to Herod that, while the people admired him as their priest, they would have preferred him as their king also. Herod's jealousy was so great that, though he pretended to admire him, he contrived to remove him to Jericho, and there had him drowned while bathing. Herod assumed great grief, but no one was deceived as to who was the real murderer.
News of this was sent to Cleopatra, who had, at this time, Antony in her amorous entanglements. Herod saw he was in danger, and hastened to Antony with immense bribes to insure his safety. He left his uncle Joseph as deputy, and also his beloved Mariamne in his care; but with orders that if he should not return alive, Mariamne was to be put to death: he could not bear the thought that she should ever be another man's wife. Joseph unwisely revealed this secret to Mariamne, which naturally roused her indignation. Rumors came that Herod had been put to death, and Alexandra and Mariamne at once took measures for securing the kingdom; but the report was false, and all commotion subsided.
On the return of Herod his sister Salome, wounded by the haughtiness of the queen and her mother, tried to poison his mind with thoughts of the infidelity of the queen with his uncle Joseph. Her beauty however banished such suspicions; but when she asked, if he really loved her, why had he ordered her death? he thought the suspicions suggested by Salome were correct, and he was full of wrath. He had almost killed Mariamne on the spot, but her beauty again disarmed him, and his vengeance fell on Joseph, who was put to death, and on Alexandra, who was imprisoned with every insult.
Cleopatra, in her companionship with Antony, had begged Judæa for herself, but failed to obtain it. On her return from the Euphrates, whither she had gone with her paramour, she visited Jerusalem. Herod kept himself from her snares, and even contemplated putting her to death as a dangerous neighbor, and to deliver Antony from her enchantments; but was advised to leave her alone. To please Antony, Herod attacked Arabia in order to enforce Cleopatra's demand of tribute; after a first repulse he smote great numbers of the Arabs. A great earthquake in this year destroyed many cities, and 30,000 of the inhabitants lost their lives.
Another crime now stained the hands of Herod. There was war between Antony and Octavius, and Herod thought it probable that Octavius would be the victor, and it was needful for him, in order to retain the kingdom, to secure the patronage of whoever was master at Rome. But there was still one of the Asmonean family living, the aged Hyrcanus: he was past his eightieth year; but the envious Herod, fearing that Octavius, should he be victor, might re-instate this aged prince, pretended that he had been treasonably corresponding with the King of Arabia, and the poor old man was put to death.
Herod then sent off his mother, sister, and children to Massada; and his wife and her mother to the fortress of Alexandrion in charge of a partizan, Soemus, but again with the order to put the queen to death in case of his losing his life.
When he reached Octavius at Rhodes, he appeared before him without a diadem, and made a grand speech. He owned that he had been a friend of Antony; that he had advised Antony to put Cleopatra to death, but that Antony had pursued his own disastrous course: if Octavius would bind him to himself he would be as faithful to him as he had been to Antony. He was successful. Octavius bade him resume the diadem; and when he passed through Syria, Herod gave him Boo talents, and entertained him royally. Afterward Octavius, on the conquest of Egypt, gave him Gadara, Samaria, and the maritime towns of Joppa and Gaza.
Such was the great success of Herod in his kingdom; but when he returned home, trouble again awaited him in his family. Mariamne had discovered that Herod had again ordered her execution if he had been cut off, and she shewed her resentment to such treatment, and upbraided him also with his cruelty to her family. Salome, his sister, lost no opportunity to inflame his passions, and even got his cup-bearer to swear that Mariamne had bribed him to poison him. Herod knew that Mariamne revealed all her secrets to a favorite eunuch: he caused him to be tortured; he declared he knew nothing of the poison, but stated that the dislike of the queen was owing to Soemus. This was taken as a proof of her infidelity. Soemus was at once put to death, and Mariamne was put on her trial. The judges, afraid of Herod, declared her guilty. Herod hesitated to put his beautiful wife to death, but urged by his mother and his sister, he gave the order. As she was led to execution, her own mother reproached her for her infidelity to so affectionate a husband, doubtless with the simple object of saving her own life!
No sooner had Mariamne fallen than Herod was filled with the direst remorse. He seemed haunted by the spirit of his wife. He would call, " Mariamne, Mariamne," but found no relief; banquets and revels were all of no use to his disordered mind. Under the pretense of hunting he sought the deepest solitude, and was laid up for some time at Samaria with pains in his body added to the anguish of his mind. Alexandra began plotting against the king; but on his being informed of it he ordered her death.
On the partial recovery of the king, he resumed his regal duties, hut it was soon found that he was in no way softened by his sufferings. Salome had divorced her husband, and now sought his death. It was easy to hatch up a pretended conspiracy, and he and others were sacrificed.
Herod, though assuming the greatest respect for the Jewish religion, did what he could to conform the people to foreign usages. He built a theater in the city, and a large amphitheater outside, encouraged gymnastic contests, chariot races, and even fights of wild beasts and gladiators.
The zealous Jews looked on with dismay; but when Herod adorned the theater with what appeared to be images clad in armor in representation of Roman victories, there was an open tumult. Herod had one of the trophies pulled to pieces in the presence of the people, and when they saw merely a peg of wood on which to hang the armor, their anger was turned to laughter. But this did not satisfy those who were zealots for the law. Ten men bound themselves to assassinate the king. They concealed daggers under their cloaks. The spies of the king discovering the plot, he was saved, and the men were put to death with great tortures The informer, however, was torn to pieces by the people, and this showed the king that his life was unsafe: the people really had no love or respect for him.
The fears of Herod caused him to rebuild, as a fortress, the tower of Baris. He called it Antonia. He also built a palace for himself on the hill of Sion. As places of security he built fortresses at Gaba in Galilee, and Heshbon in Peræa. He also built Samaria on a larger scale, and peopled it with the old Samaritans and his own soldiers. He called the city Sebaste, in honor of Augustus.
In B.C. 25, a long drought led to great scarcity, with an accompanying pestilence. Herod opened his treasures, and purchased grain in abundance, and fed the people, as well as supplying them with seed for their land. This he did not only for the Jews, but for the neighboring inhabitants. This liberality in a great measure restored him to their confidence.
After marrying a second Mariamne, daughter of Simon, an obscure descendant from the priests, whom he had made high priest, he built yet another palace, about seven miles from Jerusalem, on the spot where he had defeated Antigonus, who had forced him to flee from Jerusalem. Water was brought to it by aqueducts from a long distance.
Herod also founded and built Caesarea as a safe harbor and a magnificent city. A temple, dedicated to Cæsar, stood in the center, with two statues, one of Rome and the other of César. It was twelve years in building.
Herod's two sons by the first Mariamne were sent to Rome for their education. Augustus received them to his palace. Herod's attention to the masters at Rome secured to him the friendship of both Augustus and Agrippa.
But the higher he rose in favor with Rome, the less he was esteemed by his people. To be a good Roman was different from being a good Jew. His gifts and remission of taxes could not prevent their discontent. To know all that passed Herod had his secret police, and many a disaffected one was hurried off to the Hyrcania, which has been called Herod's Bastile.
Herod thought to gain the hearts of his people by rebuilding the temple, but the people feared he meant to destroy it. To allay their fears he gathered quantities of materials before he touched the building. At length they were gratified to see the work progressing in a magnificent style, with masses of white marble and pinnacles of gold. This only the more strongly brought out the strange character of the man. He could build a temple for the worship of Jehovah for the Jews, and yet preside at the Olympic heathen games.
Herod's domestic cup of crime was not yet full. His two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, returned from Rome, and were beloved of the people; but the more they were esteemed the more Herod was envious of them. He married Alexander to Glaphyra the daughter of Archelaus, King of Cappadocia; and Aristobulus to Berenice, daughter of Salome. But Salome and her brother Pheroras were ill at ease: they could not forget that they had been the means of the death of the princes' mother, and they imagined what their fate would be if the young princes should come to the throne. The young men may have been unwise in their remarks, or others may have made remarks for them, which only added to the fears of Salome.
It was easy for her to insinuate that they were plotting against the king, and for three years Herod heard of these rumors, but he was proud of his sons. While absent with Agrippa near the Bosphorus (where he obtained privileges for the Jews in Asia Minor, which the Greeks had endeavored to wrest from them) these rumors grew louder, and on his return, he thought it advisable to humble his sons. He sent for his son Antipater, whom he had by Doris his first wife, whom he divorced for Mariamne. This Antipater was unscrupulous, and was just the one to enter into all the intrigues of Salome and Pheroras. Herod foolishly advanced this son by sending him to Rome with his friend Agrippa; and Antipater, while there, lost no opportunity of poisoning, by letters, his father's mind, as to his two other sons. Salome was at Jerusalem to fan the flame.
Herod at length accused his sons before Augustus. The charge was an " unnatural obstinacy and disobedience, and of entering into criminal practices against his life." The young men did not like to openly accuse their father, but made a modest defense. Augustus, remarkable for his moderation, succeeded in reconciling father and sons. They returned together. Still Herod named Antipater as his successor.
Herod finished the city of Cæsarea, and also built Antipatris, Cypros, and Phasaelis. Antipater had returned and was again teasing Herod against his two brothers; and the king's brother Pheroras added to his fears. Day and night he was warned of the dangers he ran. The place was filled with spies, and every one was in danger of plots and suspicions. At length Herod put all the confidential slaves of Alexander to torture, and, thinking he had something to act upon from their extorted confessions, the young prince was sent to prison in chains.
Alexander adopted a dangerous plan. He sent letters to his father, confessing extravagant plots of treason, which involved Salome, Pheroras, and the principal of Herod's faithful ministers. He, perhaps, thought his own fate was sealed, and hoped by this means to ruin also his accusers. Herod was beside himself. Some were seized and tortured; others put to death.
Alexander's father-in-law appeared at court. He wisely sympathized with Herod, and entered into all his suspicions. And then, by reasoning with him as to the improbability of the accusations, he succeeded in reconciling father and son. Alexander was restored to favor.
Peace did not last long. Salome, Pheroras, and Antipater so wrought upon the king, that he wrote to Rome accusing his two sons. Augustus again tried to soothe his mind, but afterward consented to their trial at Berytus. Herod enforced his charges in person, and with great energy. The only fact really proved against them was of a design of fleeing beyond the power of Herod. They were at length condemned by a majority of the council.
Still Herod hesitated to put them to death. All sympathized with them, particularly the army. One named Teron, a gallant soldier, expressed his generous feeling in presence of the king. This led to his own death, and to that of Alexander and Aristobulus. They were strangled at Sebaste.
Vengeance was not long delayed. Pheroras had married a slave, to whom he was much attached. She had connected herself with the Pharisaic faction. On 7,000 of them being fined for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to Herod and Augustus, she paid the whole of it. Rumors of prophecies were spread about that the government was about to pass from Herod to Pheroras. These were supposed to have been set on foot by the wife of Pheroras, and he was ordered to divorce her; but he refused, and thence lost the favor of the king.
But on Pheroras falling very ill, Herod visited him and renewed his friendship. He died, and then two of his freedmen openly accused his wife of poisoning him. Herod ordered a searching investigation, when, alas, another thing was clearly proved, that Antipater had plotted with Pheroras to poison the king to hasten Antipater's accession. The wife of Pheroras acknowledged the whole plot; and declared that by the visit of the king to her husband's death-bed he had relented, and bid her throw the poison into the fire. Herod's own wife, Mariamne, was also involved in the plot. She was immediately divorced. Her father was removed from the priesthood, and Mattathias appointed.
Imagine the reflections of the unhappy Herod! It was by the plots of this Antipater that he had killed his two sons for little or no crime, and now to find that their accuser was really seeking his life! Antipater was in Rome at the time. He had purchased favor in Rome, and returned to what he expected to be an early accession to the throne. He landed at Caesarea, but there were none to receive him or pay him honor. Had the plot been revealed? He had come too far to fly, so he hid his fears and came to Jerusalem. He was summoned before Herod's court, who sat with Varus the Roman Governor of Syria. The crime was clearly proved, and he was condemned, and committed to prison.
Herod made a new will, leaving the kingdom to Antipas, son of a fourth wife Malthace, a Samaritan. He left splendid gifts to Caesar, and to Caesar's wife and children.
Herod's condition was sad in the extreme. He was suffering with a painful and loathsome disease; distracted in mind, and perhaps smitten in his conscience. It was rumored that he was dead, and at once some bold youths tore down a golden eagle that Herod had placed over the great gate of the temple, and which had long been a great eyesore to both priests and people. The actual offenders were burnt alive, and Mattathias was displaced from the priesthood.
Herod's bodily disorders sensibly increased. He suffered from internal ulcers, which gave him great pain and prevented him gratifying an inordinate appetite. The ulcers bred worms which preyed on his body: dropsy and spasms added to his tortures. He tried the warm bituminous baths of Callirhoe, but returned to Jericho unimproved. But instead of any repentance for his many crimes, he even thought of a greater one than ever. He commanded that some of all the chief families in Judaea should be shut up in the Hippodrome, and strictly charged his sister Salome that on his death they should all be massacred, with a fiendish sort of satisfaction that if the nation did not grieve at his death they would do so at that of their relatives!
To add to Herod's troubles the news was brought that some magi had come from the East, having seen the star of one born KING OF THE JEWS—they were come in search of the King that they might pay Him homage. Herod craftily bade the magi inform him when they had found the object of their search. His evil designs being thwarted by these wise men, would only increase his suspicions, and Herod ordered all the young children in Bethlehem to be put to death. He would cut off this king, whoever He might be!
His end now drew near. The ratification from Rome of the sentence on Antipater arrived. Herod was in such agony that he attempted to take his own life, and rumors were spread abroad that he was dead. Whereupon Antipater tried to bribe his keeper to release him: this was reported to Herod, and he had just strength enough to order his execution, and also to remodel his will before he expired.
Thus passed away Herod called the Great. He did indeed carry out many great works in the country and rebuild the temple; but his terrible cruelty and bloodshed stamped his character as one great in crime How sad to think that God's highly-favored people should have had such a king-an Idumean, too! people upon whom God's curse was to fall. (Isa. 34:55For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. (Isaiah 34:5).) But God had for a time written upon His people, Lo-Ammi, " not my people," and they had been drinking of that cup which their own sins and rebellion had prepared for them, and which only led to one unspeakably greater sin in the putting to death of their heaven-sent Messiah and King.
This has brought us to the times of the New Testament and closes the connecting history between the Old Testament and the New.