Alexander the Great. He had previously become king of Greece. When the earth became quiet before him, he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up. Antiochus Epiphanes and Renegade Jews. He began to reign in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil. Antiochus in Egypt. Persecution of the Jews. He shed much blood,. The Occupation of Jerusalem. These strengthened their position; 35they stored up arms and food, and collecting the spoils of Jerusalem they stored them there, and became a great menace,. Installation of Gentile Cults. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane, 49so that they would forget the law and change all the ordinances.
He appointed inspectors over all the people and commanded the towns of Judah to offer sacrifice, town by town. They also built altars in the surrounding towns of Judah, 55and offered incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. Mattathias and His Sons. Why was I born to see this,. Her infants have been killed in her streets,. Pagan Worship Refused. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the Friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.
He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him on the altar. Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live. The Last Words of Mattathias. And all Israel mourned for him with great lamentation. The Early Victories of Judas. Like a giant he put on his breastplate;. Many were wounded and fell, and the rest fled.
I will make war on Judas and his companions, who scorn the king's command. And we are faint, for we have eaten nothing today.
