Homepage
Login
Profile
BookClubs
dmBox
Read Ebook: The Bible Douay-Rheims Book 46: 2 Machabees The Challoner Revision by
Font size:
Background color:
Text color:
Add to tbrJar First Page Next Page Prev Page
Ebook has 61 lines and 20138 words, and 2 pages
With godliness... Judas hoped that these men who died fighting for the cause of God and religion, might find mercy: either because they might be excused from mortal sin by ignorance; or might have repented of their sin, at least at their death.
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead... Here is an evident and undeniable proof of the practice of praying for the dead under the old law, which was then strictly observed by the Jews, and consequently could not be introduced at that time by Judas, their chief and high priest, if it had not been always their custom.
Antiochus and Lysias again invade Judea. Menelaus is put to death. The king's great army is worsted twice. The peace is renewed.
A hundred and ten thousand, etc... The difference between the numbers here set down, and those recorded, 1 Mac. 4, is easily accounted for; if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time more numerous than at another; either by sending away large detachments, or being diminished by sickness; or increased by receiving fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or occurrences.
Demetrius challenges the kingdom. Alcimus applies to him to be made high priest: Nicanor is sent into Judea: his dealings with Judas: his threats. The history of Razias.
Now Alcimus, who had been chief priest... This Alcimus was of the stock of Aaron, but for his apostasy here mentioned was incapable of the high priesthood, but king Antiochus Eupator appointed him in place of the high priest, as Menelaus had been before him, set up by Antiochus, yet neither of them were truly high priests; for the true high priesthood was amongst the Machabees, who were also of the stock of Aaron, and had strictly held their religion, and were ordained according to the rites commanded in the law of Moses.-Ibid. Mingling... with the heathens; that is, in their idolatrous worship.
He struck himself, etc... St. Augustine, discussing this fact of Razias, says, that the holy scripture relates it, but doth not praise it, as to be admired or imitated, and that either it was not well done by him, or at least not proper in this time of grace.
He came upon the midst of the neck... Venit per mediam cervicem. In the Greek it is keneona, which signifies a void place, where there is no building.
Judas encouraged by a vision gains a glorious victory over Nicanor. The conclusion.
If not so perfectly, etc... This is not said with regard to the truth of the narration; but with regard to the style and manner of writing: which in the sacred penmen is not always the most accurate. See St. Paul, 2 Cor. 11.6.
Here is the briefest record of our progress :
Add to tbrJar First Page Next Page Prev Page