upon them: and they filled the temple with cries 17 and tears. And they which were left in the city were troubled, and came running, as thinking the affair to be something new and wholly unexpected. 18 The virgins also, who were shut up in private chambers, together with their mothers, rushed out; and sprinkling ashes and dust upon their heads, filled 19 the streets with groans and lamentations. And those who lately were adorned in wedding garments, leaving their marriage-chambers", and that decent modesty which belonged to them, ran 20 about the city together in disorder. And as for the young children, both their mothers and nurses who had charge of them, left these, one in one place, one in another; some in their houses, others in the streets, without any regard and went in 21 troops together to the most high temple. And

various was the prayer of the whole company on 22 account of this his unhallowed attempt. Together with these were the bolder citizens, who would not bear his persevering in the business, and his 23 resolution to effect his purpose. And crying out, that they must arm themselves for this onset, and courageously die for the Law of their fathers, they occasioned no small stir in the place: and having with difficulty been dissuaded by the seniors and elders, at last these also retired to the same station of prayer.

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As for the multitude, they continued as before, 25 in the same manner, praying. While the elders

t Gr. κατάκλειστοι, called by Philo, πάρθενοι θαλαμενόμεναι. Compare 2 Macc. iii. 19.

u Gr. τοὺς πρὸς ἀπάντησιν διατεταγμένους παστούς.

x Or, confusion. Gr.

τρα

χύτητα: as in Homer, τετρήχει δ' αγορή. 11. Β. 95.

y Gr. ynpauoi; whom Grotius conceives to be the members of the council or Sanhedrim.

who were about the king tried in many ways to divert his proud mind from his intended purpose. But he, in a haughty manner, and disdaining all 26 their persuasions, began now to make an advance; as thinking to accomplish his declared design. Which, when his attendants perceived, even they 27 turned to join with our people in calling upon Him who has all power, to give help in the present distress, and not to overlook this lawless and proud behaviour.

Now from the reiterated and vehement cry of 28 the multitude united together there was an inconceivable sort of noise a: for one might suppose 29 that not the men alone, but the very walls and the ground echoed again; as if the whole multitude at that time chose to die rather than that place should be profaned.

CHAPTER II.

The prayer of Simon. Ptolemy is baffled. His cruel edicts.

bTHEREUPON the high priest Simon, bow- 1 B. C. ing his knees before the holy place, and spreading out his hands in reverent form,

211.

2 made the following prayer: "O Lord, Lord, king "of heaven, and ruler of all creation, Holy in the

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holies, the only Governor, the Almighty;

give ear unto us who are afflicted by this wicked "and profane man, puffed up with insolence and 3" strength. For thou, who hast created all things, "and rulest all things, thou art the righteous Go"vernor, and judgest those who do any thing in 4" insolence and pride. Thou didst destroy them "who in former times worked wickedness, among "whom were the giants, trusting in their strength and courage, by bringing upon them 5" an immense mass of water. Thou didst burn 66 up with fire and brimstone the Sodomites, work"ers of wickedness, who were infamous for their iniquities; and madest them an example to 6" those who should come afterward. Thou shew"edst thy dominion by trying the vaunting bold Pharaoh, (who had enslaved thy people the holy

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Israel,) with many and various kinds of punish"ment, whereby thou madest known thy great 7" strength. And when he pursued them with his "chariots and the multitude of his troops, thou

didst drown him in the depth of the sea: and "didst carry through unhurt those who trusted 8" on thee, the Lord of the whole creation. Who also, after they had experienced the works of 9" thy hands, praised thee, the Almighty. Thou,

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ceeded to the high priesthood in the year B. C. 211.

He

is thought to have been the person of whom that eulogy is pronounced in the book of Ecclesiasticus, chap. 1.

d Gr. "Αγιε ἐν ἁγίοις.

e So in the book of Wis

dom, xiv. 6, "the proud giants" are mentioned, in allusion to Genesis vi. 4. See also Ecclesiasticus, xvi. 7.

f Compare 2 Peter ii. 6; and Jude, ver. 7.

See the fine song of Moses, on the deliverance of the Is

"O King, when thou hadst created the boundless "and immeasurable earth, didst chuse this city, "and sanctify this place for thy names, who "standest in need of nothingh: and hast glorified "it by thy magnificent presence, and compacted "it for the glory of thy great and honourable And out of love to the house of Israel, 10 "thou promisedsti truly that if we should fall off "from thee, and distress i should overtake us, and "we should come to this place and pray; thou "wouldest hear our supplication. And indeed 11 "thou art faithful and true.

"name.

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"And since, when our fathers were often in 12 affliction, thou hast afforded them assistance in "their low estate, and hast delivered them out of

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great dangers-Lo now, O holy King, we are 13 "afflicted on account of our many and great sins:

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we are also become subject to our enemies, and "are fainting in our infirmities. Now in our 14 calamityk this insolent and profane man endea"yours to dishonour this holy place, which has "been set apart upon earth for thy glorious Thy habitation indeed is the heaven of 15 heaven', unapproachable by men. But because 16 "thou hast been pleased to place thy glory

"name.

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m

among thy people Israel, thou hast sanctified

raelites, at Exodus xv. 1—19. g See 1 Kings xiv. 21; 2 Chron. vii. 15. xii. 13; Ezra vi. 12; Nehemiah i. 9, &c.

h τῷ τῶν ἁπάντων ἀπροσδεεῖ. So at 3 Macc. xiv. 35, God is said to be rŵv oλwv áñpoodeýs. Compare Acts xvii. 25.

i See 1 Kings viii. and ix. and 2 Chron. vi. and vii.

j See Deuteron. iv. 30. k Literally, "our fall," (or prostration,) Gr. Katantwσel. 1 See 1 Kings viii. 27; 2 Chron. ii. 6 ; vi. 18.

m So at 1 Tim. vi. 16, Christ is said to dwell "in the light "which no man can approach "unto."

17"

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"this place. Do not thou take vengeance" on us by the pollution of these men: neither do thou 18" punish us by their profanation: that the transgressors may not glory in their fury, nor rejoice in the pride of their tongue; saying, 'We "have trodden down P the house of sanctification, "as the houses of abominations are trodden "down.' Blot out our sins, and disperse our errors, and send the light of thy mercy upon 20 us at this hour. Let thy mercies prevent us quickly and put praises into the mouth of us "who are fallen down and become contrite in our "souls, by giving us peace.”

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Here the all-seeing God, who is before all things, Holy in the holies, heard our righteous supplication; and chastised him who was greatly 22 exalted with insolence and boldness: shaking him this way and that way, as a reed is shaken by the wind; so that he lay upon the floor without the powers of exertion, and paralysed in his limbs, and not even able to speak, being overtaken with 23 a just judgment. Whereupon his friends and body-guards, when they saw that speedy and sharp punishment which had overtaken him, being afraid lest he should even die; struck with overwhelming fear they quickly drew him out of the place.

n See the same sentiment expressed at 3 Macc. x. 4; and also below, chap. vi. 10, of this book.

o See Psalm xxv. 2. P Compare Isaiah lxiii. 18; Daniel viii. 13.

4 Literally" stumbling"blocks," Gr. πроσоxiσμáτшv,

a word of frequent occurrence in the Septuagint version, denoting idols.

r See precisely the same words at Psalm lxxix. 8.

s Gr. апрактоν, a word frequently used by Polybius in this sense.