2 Maccabees 11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Lysias Besieges Beth-zur
11 Very soon after this, Lysias, the king’s guardian and kinsman, who was in charge of the government, being vexed at what had happened,(A) 2 gathered about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came against the Jews. He intended to make the city a home for Greeks(B) 3 and to levy tribute on the temple as he did on the sacred places of the other nations and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.(C) 4 He took no account whatever of the power of God but was elated with his ten thousands of infantry and his thousands of cavalry and his eighty elephants. 5 Invading Judea, he approached Beth-zur, which was a fortified place about five schoinoi[a] from Jerusalem, and pressed it hard.(D)
6 When Maccabeus and his men got word that Lysias[b] was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people, with lamentations and tears, prayed the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.(E) 7 Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to risk their lives with him to aid their kindred. Then they eagerly rushed off together. 8 And there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold.(F) 9 And together they all praised the merciful God and were strengthened in heart, ready to assail not only humans but the wildest animals or walls of iron.(G) 10 They advanced in battle order, having their heavenly ally, for the Lord had mercy on them. 11 They hurled themselves like lions against the enemy and laid low eleven thousand of them and sixteen hundred cavalry and forced all the rest to flee.(H) 12 Most of them got away wounded and stripped, and Lysias himself escaped by disgraceful flight.
Lysias Makes Peace with the Jews
13 As he was not without intelligence, he pondered over the defeat that had befallen him and realized that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God fought on their side. So he sent to them(I) 14 and persuaded them to settle everything on just terms, promising that he would persuade the king, constraining him to be their friend.[c](J) 15 Maccabeus, having regard for the common good, agreed to all that Lysias urged. For the king granted every request in behalf of the Jews that Maccabeus delivered to Lysias in writing.(K)
16 The letter written to the Jews by Lysias was to this effect:
“Lysias to the people of the Jews, greetings. 17 John and Absalom, who were sent by you, have delivered your signed communication and have asked about the matters indicated in it.(L) 18 I have informed the king of everything that needed to be brought before him, and I have agreed to what was possible. 19 If you will maintain your goodwill toward the government, I will endeavor in the future to help promote your welfare. 20 And concerning such matters and their details, I have ordered these men and my representatives to confer with you. 21 Farewell. The one hundred forty-eighth year, Dioscorinthius twenty-fourth.”(M)
22 The king’s letter ran thus:
“King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.(N) 23 Now that our father has gone on to the gods, we desire that the subjects of the kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs. 24 We have heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s change to Greek customs but prefer their own way of living and ask that their own customs be allowed them.(O) 25 Accordingly, since we choose that this nation also should be free from disturbance, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they shall live according to the customs of their ancestors.(P) 26 You will do well, therefore, to send word to them and give them pledges of friendship, so that they may know our policy and be of good cheer and go on happily in the conduct of their own affairs.”(Q)
27 To the nation the king’s letter was as follows:
“King Antiochus to the council of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.(R) 28 If you are well, it is as we desire. We also are in good health. 29 Menelaus has informed us that you wish to return home and look after your own affairs.(S) 30 Therefore those who go home by the thirtieth of Xanthicus will have our pledge of friendship and full permission 31 for the Jews to enjoy their own customs[d] and laws, just as formerly, and none of them shall be molested in any way for what may have been done in ignorance. 32 And I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you.(T) 33 Farewell. The one hundred forty-eighth year, Xanthicus fifteenth.”(U)
34 The Romans also sent them a letter, which read thus:
“Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, envoys of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.(V) 35 With regard to what Lysias the kinsman of the king has granted you, we also give consent.(W) 36 But as to the matters that he decided are to be referred to the king, as soon as you have considered them, send someone promptly so that we may make proposals appropriate for you, for we are on our way to Antioch.(X) 37 Therefore make haste and send messengers so that we may have your judgment. 38 Farewell. The one hundred forty-eighth year, Xanthicus fifteenth.”(Y)
2 Maccabees 11
Common English Bible
Lysias and the Jews
11 Lysias, the guardian and relative of the king, was in charge of the government. After a very short time he became extremely displeased at what happened. 2 He led eighty thousand troops and all his cavalry against the Jews. He intended to make the city a Greek territory, 3 to make the temple subject to tribute like the sacred sites of other nations, and to put the high priesthood on sale every year. 4 He gave no thought whatsoever to the power of God but was inflated by his tens of thousands of foot soldiers, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants. 5 He entered Judea, drew near to Beth-zur (a strongly fortified town about a half mile[a] from Jerusalem), and attacked it. 6 When the Maccabee’s followers received information that Lysias was surrounding the fortresses, they and all the people begged the Lord with laments and tears to send a good angel to save Israel. 7 The Maccabee was himself the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to run risks as he did and to come to the aid of their brothers. They dashed out at once, ready for action. 8 While they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman in white garments and wearing full body armor made of gold appeared to them and led them. 9 All together they praised the merciful God, and their souls were strengthened. They prepared themselves to attack not only men but also the most fierce animals and even the iron walls. 10 They proceeded in battle order, having a heavenly ally thanks to the Lord’s mercy toward them. 11 Charging like lions against their enemies, they took down eleven thousand foot soldiers and sixteen hundred horses, and they put all the rest to flight. 12 Most of them escaped wounded and naked, while Lysias himself escaped by disgracefully running away. 13 Showing intelligence, Lysias pondered the reality of this defeat and realized that the Hebrews, assisted by God’s power, couldn’t be defeated. So he sent a messenger 14 and persuaded them to come to a just settlement in all issues concerning civil rights. He also persuaded[b] them that he would convince the king to become their friend. 15 The Maccabee consented to Lysias’ proposals, thinking it was best for all involved. Whatever the Maccabee presented in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews, the king granted.
16 This is what Lysias’ letter[c] to the Jews said:
17 Lysias to the Jewish community. Greetings!
John and Absalom, the men you sent, gave me the administrative document copied below and made a request concerning its contents. 18 Whatever needed to be presented in person to the king, I stated plainly; and whatever was feasible, he has granted. 19 If then you will preserve goodwill toward the government, in the future I will attempt to promote your well-being. 20 But concerning the details, I commanded these men to confer with you, along with my representatives. 21 Farewell!
Year 148, the twenty-fourth day of the month of Dios Korinthos.[d]
22 This is what the king’s letter said:
23 King Antiochus to his brother Lysias. Greetings!
After our father joined the gods, it was my desire that those who want calm be left alone to tend to their own business. 24 We heard that the Jews haven’t agreed to change to the Greek way of life, as our father wanted, but preferred their own way of life and asked to be permitted to have their own law. 25 Since we would choose for this nation to be free from unrest, we have decided to restore to them their temple and to let them conduct their life according to the customs of their ancestors. 26 You would do well, then, to send a message to them and assure them of friendship, so that they might know our policy and be at ease and live cheerfully, achieving their own goals.
27 This is what the king’s letter to the nation said:
King Antiochus to the Jewish council of elders and to all other Jews. Greetings!
28 If you are well, it is what we wish. We are also in good health. 29 Menelaus has informed us that you want to return home to take care of your own affairs. 30 Those who return by the thirtieth of Xanthicus[e] will have our pledge of friendship with no need for fear. 31 We will allow the Jews to follow their own dietary laws and other laws just as they used to do, and not let anyone bother them concerning any crime committed in ignorance. 32 I have also sent Menelaus to comfort you. 33 Be well!
Year 148, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.
34 Also the Romans sent a letter to the Jews that said:
Quintus Memmius, Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews. Greetings!
35 Lysias the king’s relative has handed rights over to you, and we agree. 36 But give consideration immediately to whatever he decided to bring to the attention of the king; you should consider and then send someone immediately concerning your views, so that we might make suggestions to you, as is appropriate. We are approaching Antioch, 37 so hurry and send someone so that we might also know of your opinion. 38 Be in good health!
Year 148, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.
Footnotes
- 2 Maccabees 11:5 Or five stades or 3,021 feet; a stadion is a linear measure of approximately 607 feet.
- 2 Maccabees 11:14 Correction; Gk uncertain
- 2 Maccabees 11:16 Or letters
- 2 Maccabees 11:21 December, 164 BCE
- 2 Maccabees 11:30 March–April; also in 11:33, 38
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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