is little band were overcome by sheer weight of numbers. ‘Judas fell, and the rest fled’ (1 Mac 918), His body was carried off by his brothers and laid in the sepulchre of his fathers at Modin (161).
In the long roll of Israelitish worthies we meet with no more striking personality than that of Judas Maccabeus. His piety was manifest to all ; his motives were pure and unselfish; he fought for God’s glory and his country’s good. His un- selfish devotion was equalled by his military genius. For seven years, with an enthusiasm that never flagged, and a generalship which has never been surpassed, he led the Jews to victory, and died only when even the noblest heroism could not conquer.
(ii.) The leadership and high-priesthood of Jonathan (161-143).—The friends of Judas, now openly persecuted by the Hellenizers, chose as their leader his brother Jonathan, surnamed Apphus (ατ.᾿Απφοῦς,᾿Αφφοῦς, Σαπφοῦς, Σαφφοῦς; Syr. ταρραν =?cunning), who filled the post with much shrewd- ness and success. Wishing as yet to avoid Bac- chides, Jonathan withdrew to the wilderness of Tekoah, and sent his eldest brother John to de-
osit the baggage with the friendly Nabathwans. Bat his plans miscarried, and John fell a prey to a robber clan at Medaba. Jonathan crossed the Jordan and avenged his brother’s death, but mean- while Bacchides seized the fords and lay in wait for him. The Jews thus found themselves in 8 situation of extreme peril; they saved their lives, however, by swimming across the river. The
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return of Bacchides to Antioch on the death of Alcimus (160) so strengthened the Maccabsean party, that within two years their opponents had once more to call in his aid. Although they had given Bacchides the assurance that Jonathan should be made his prisoner, the vigilance of the Maccabees made them cognizant of the plot, and, after slaying about fifty of the conspirators, Jona- than and his followers entrenched themselves at LBethbasi. This stronghold Bacchides could not reduce ; he was repulsed with loss by Simon, while Jonathan at the head of a detached squadron over- ran the adjacent territory. Stung by these re- verses, Bacchides slew many of the Hanan: accepted Jonathan’s proposals for peace, and de-
arted into Syria vowing that nevermore would he interfere in Judea (c. 156). ‘And the sword ceased from Israel’ (1 Mac 9%). For four years Jonathan dwelt at Michmash, ‘judging’ the people and restraining the Hellenizers.
Unbroken peace prevailed until Alexander Balas entered upon a contest with Demetrius I. for the Syrian crown (153). Happily for Jonathan, who coveted the power and prestige belonging to the high-priesthood, the office was vacant, and this dispute over the succession to the throne of Syria paved the way for his appointment. The rival claimants looked upon him as a valuable ally, and he knew how to exploit them. While availing himself of certain privileges granted in a letter from Demetrius, he unhesitatingly threw in his lot with Alexander Balas, who appointed him high
riest, invested him with the order of ‘ King’s friend,’ and sent him a purple robe and a diadem, the emblems of royalty. The same year, at the Feast of Tabernacles, Jonathan assumed the sacred vestments, and showed himself zealous in support of the pretender Balas. Demetrius now, in turn, offered the most tempting inducements (including the abolition of taxes, the cession of Acra, the release of Jewish prisoners, the enlargement of Judean territory, the payment of Jewish soldiers, and liberal allowances for the temple and the building of the city walls) by way of outbidding his rival; but Jonathan, sceptical as to the sin- cerity of Demetrius, and aware that the claims of Balas were favoured at Rome, wisely adhered to his former choice. In a pitched battle which ensued, Demetrius was defeated and slain. By the distinguished reception given to Jonathan at Ptolemais, where in B.c. 150 Alexander Balas married the Egyptian princess Cleopatra, and the rebuff given to certain apostates from Mosaism who would fain have impeached him in the royal presence, the triumphant Balas showed his grati- tude to his Jewish ally. He also ‘wrote him among his Chief Friends, and made him a captain and governor of a province’ (1 Mac 10%). Subject to the suzerainty of Syria, this gave him both the civil and military command in addition to his spiritual supremacy as high priest. When, three years later, Demetrius Π. came from Crete as the avenger of his father, his cause was espoused Ὁ Apollonius, governor of Ceele-Syria. But thoug Balas had proved a worthless king, and had for- feited the esteem of his subjects, S enthani stood loyally by him. Taking the field against Apol- lonius, he captured Joppa, won a battle at Ashdod (where he destroyed the temple of Dagon), and received the submission of Ascalon. In gratitude for these services Alexander presented Jonathan with the gold buckle worn by princes of the blood, and with the city of Ekron. But no effort on the part of Jonathan could save Balas from ruin after his father-in-law Ptolemy Philometor turned against him. In a pitched battle Balas suffered defeat, and fled into Arabia; but a sheikh of that country ‘took off Alexander’s head and sent it to
Ptolemy’ (1 Mac 117). Within three days there- after the latter died of wounds received in the battle, and Demetrius I. became king (145).