King Alexander conquering many countries, erecteth a new Monarchy. 6. who dying, his chief followers succeed in several kingdoms of the same Monarchy. 11. King Antiochus approveth that a profane school be set up in Jerusalem, 17. subdueth Egypt; 21. invadeth Judea; entreth by force into Jerusalem; spoileth the temple, 25. and killeth many. 30. Two years after sendeth another spoiler; who killing many, robbeth and burneth Jerusalem: 35. fortifieth the tower of David; 38. profaneth all holy things: 41. commandeth all to commit idolatry; 47. and to forsake the rites of God's law, 52. upon pain of death. 57. He setteth up an abominable idol in the Temple, 60. persecuteth, and murdereth those that conform not themselves to these innovations.King Alexander conquering manie countries, erecteth a new Monarchie. 6. who dying, his chief folowers succede in seueral kingdomes of the same Monarchie. 11. King Antiochus approueth that a prophane schole be set vp in Ierusalem, 17. subdueth Ægypt; 21. inuadeth Iudea; entreth by force into Ierusalem; spoyleth the temple, 25. and killeth manie. 30. Two yeares after sendeth an other spoyler; who killing manie, robbeth and burneth Ierusalem: 35. fortifieth the towre of Dauid; 38. prophaneth al holie thinges: 41. commandeth al to committe idolatrie; 47. and to forsake the rites of Gods law, 52. vpon paine of death. 57. He setteth vp an abominable idol in the Temple, 60. persecuteth, and murdereth those that conforme not themselues to these innouations.✦

The first part of the history. The persecution of the Church by Antiochus.The first part of the historie. The persecution of the Church by Antiochus.

And it came to pass, after that Alexander Philip's son the Macedonian, that first reigned in Greece, being gone out of the land of Cethim, Darius king of the Persians and the Medes:AND it came to passe, after that Alexander Philips sonne the Macedonian, that first reigned in Greece, being gone out of the land of Cethim, stroke Darius king of the Persians and the Medes:✦Et factum est, postquam percussit Alexander Philippi Macedo, qui primus regnavit in Græcia, egressus de terra Cethim, Darium regem Persarum et Medorum :

2he made many battles, and obtained the of all, and slew the kings of the earth:he made manie battels, and obteyned the munition of al, and slewe the kinges of the earth:constituit prælia multa, et obtinuit omnium munitiones, et interfecit reges terræ,

3and he passed through even to the ends of the earth: and took the spoils of the multitude of the Gentiles; and the earth was silent in his sight.and he passed through euen to the ends of the earth: and tooke the spoiles of the multitude of the Gentils; and the earth was silent in his sight.✦et pertransiit usque ad fines terræ : et accepit spolia multitudinis gentium, et siluit terra in conspectu ejus.

4And he gathered , and an army exceeding strong: and his heart was exalted and elevated:And he gathered powre, and an armie exceeding strong: and his hart was exalted and eleuated:✦Et congregavit virtutem, et exercitum fortem nimis : et exaltatum est, et elevatum cor ejus :

5and he obtained the regions of the Gentiles, and the : and they were made tributaries to him.and he obtayned the regions of the Gentils, and the tyrantes: and they were made tributaries to him.et obtinuit regiones gentium, et tyrannos : et facti sunt illi in tributum.

6And after these things, he fell down in his bed, and he knew that he should die.And after these thinges, he fel downe in his bed, and he knew that he should dye.✦Et post hæc decidit in lectum, et cognovit quia moreretur.

7And he called his servants the Nobles, that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom to them, when he yet lived.And he called his seruants the Nobles, that were brought vp with him from his youth: & he diuided his kingdom to them, when he yet liued.✦Et vocavit pueros suos nobiles, qui secum erant nutriti a juventute : et divisit illis regnum suum, cum adhuc viveret.

8And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died.And Alexander reigned twelue yeares, and he died.✦Et regnavit Alexander annis duodecim, et mortuus est.

9And his servants possessed the kingdom, every one in his place:And his seruants possessed the kingdom, euerie one in his place:Et obtinuerunt pueri ejus regnum, unusquisque in loco suo :

10and they did all put crowns on them after his death, and their sons after them many years, and evils were multiplied in the earth.and they did al put crownes on them after his death, & their sonnes after them manie yeares, & euils were multiplied in the earth *.et imposuerunt omnes sibi diademata post mortem ejus, et filii eorum post eos annis multis, et multiplicata sunt mala in terra.

11And there came forth of them a sinful Antiochus , the son of king Antiochus, that had been at Rome an hostage: and he reigned in the hundredth and seven and thirtieth year of the kingdom of the Greeks.And there came forth of them a sinful roote Antiochus Illustre, the sonne of king Antiochus, that had bene at Rome an hostage: and he reigned in the hundreth and seuen and thirtieth yeare of the kingdom of the Greekes.✦Et exiit ex eis radix peccatrix, Antiochus illustris, filius Antiochi regis, qui fuerat Romæ obses : et regnavit in anno centesimo trigesimo septimo regni Græcorum.

12In those days there went forth of Israel wicked children; and persuaded many, saying: Let us go, and make a covenant with the Gentiles, that are about us: because since we departed from them, many evils have found us.In those dayes there went forth of Israel wicked children; & perswaded manie, saying: Let vs goe, and make a couenant with the Gentils, that are about vs: because since we departed from them, manie euils haue found vs.✦In diebus illis, exierunt ex Israël filii iniqui, et suaserunt multis, dicentes : Eamus, et disponamus testamentum cum gentibus, quæ circa nos sunt : quia ex quo recessimus ab eis, invenerunt nos multa mala.

13And the talk seemed good in their eyes.And the talke semed good in their eyes.Et bonus visus est sermo in oculis eorum.

14And some of the people determined, and went to the king: and he gave them leave to do the justice of the Gentiles.And some of the people determined, and went to the king: and he gaue them leaue to doe the iustice of the Gentils.✦Et destinaverunt aliqui de populo, et abierunt ad regem : et dedit illis potestatem ut facerent justitiam gentium.

15And they built a school in Jerusalem, according to the laws of the Nations:And they built a schoole in Ierusalem, according to the lawes of the Nations:Et ædificaverunt gymnasium in Jerosolymis secundum leges nationum :

16and they made to themselves , and revolted from the holy , and were joined to the Nations, and were sold to do evil.and they made to them selues prepuces, and reuolted from the holie testament, and were ioyned to the Nations, and were solde to doe euil. *✦et fecerunt sibi præputia, et recesserunt a testamento sancto, et juncti sunt nationibus, et venundati sunt ut facerent malum.

17And the kingdom was prepared in the sight of Antiochus, and he began to reign in the land of Egypt, that he might reign over two kingdoms.And the kingdom was prepared in the sight of Antiochus, & he begane to reigne in the land of Egypt, that he might reigne ouer two kingdoms.✦Et paratum est regnum in conspectu Antiochi, et cœpit regnare in terra Ægypti ut regnaret super duo regna.

18And he entered into Egypt with great multitude, with chariots and elephants, and horsemen, and a copious multitude of ships:And he entered into Ægypt with great multitude, with chariots and elephants, and horsemen, and a copious multitude of shippes:Et intravit in Ægyptum in multitudine gravi, in curribus, et elephantis, et equitibus, et copiosa navium multitudine :

19And he made war against Ptolemee the king of Egypt, and Ptolemee was afraid at his presence, and fled, and many fell wounded.And he made warre agaynst Ptolomee the king of Egypt, and Ptolomee was afrayd at his presence, and fled, and manie fel wounded.et constituit bellum adversus Ptolemæum regem Ægypti, et veritus est Ptolemæus a facie ejus, et fugit, et ceciderunt vulnerati multi.

20And he took the cities in the land of Egypt: and he took the spoils of the land of Egypt.And he tooke the fensed cities in the land of Ægypt: and he tooke the spoiles of the land of Ægypt. *Et comprehendit civitates munitas in terra Ægypti, et accepit spolia terræ Ægypti.

21And Antiochus turned, after he struck Egypt in the hundredth and three and fortieth year: and he went up to Israel,And Antiochus turned, after he strooke Ægypt in the hundreth and three and fourtith yeare: and he went vp to Israel,Et convertit Antiochus, postquam percussit Ægyptum in centesimo et quadragesimo tertio anno : et ascendit ad Israël,

22and went up to Jerusalem with a great multitude.and went vp to Ierusalem with a great multitude.et ascendit Jerosolymam in multitudine gravi.

23And he entered into the with pride, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of , and the , and the phials, and the little of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornament, that was in the face of the temple: and he brake all into pieces.And he entered into the sanctification with pride, & tooke the golden altar, and the candlesticke of light, and al the vessels therof, and the table of proposition, and the libatories, and the phials, and the litle morters of gold, and the vele, and the crownes, and the golden ornament, that was in the face of the temple: and he brake al into pieces.✦Et intravit in sanctificationem cum superbia, et accepit altare aureum, et candelabrum luminis, et universa vasa ejus, et mensam propositionis, et libatoria, et phialas, et mortariola aurea, et velum, et coronas, et ornamentum aureum, quod in facie templi erat : et comminuit omnia.

24And he took the silver and gold, and the vessels: and he took the hidden treasures which he found: and carrying away he departed into his own land.And he tooke the siluer and gold, and the desiderable vessels: and he tooke the hidden treasures which he found: and carying away he departed into his owne land.Et accepit argentum, et aurum, et vasa concupiscibilia : et accepit thesauros occultos, quos invenit : et sublatis omnibus, abiit in terram suam.

25And he made a slaughter of men, and spake in great pride.And he made a slaughter of men, and spake in great pride.✦Et fecit cædem hominum, et locutus est in superbia magna.

26And great lamentation was made in Israel, and in every place of theirs:And great lamentation was made in Israel, and in euerie place of theirs:Et factus est planctus magnus in Israël, et in omni loco eorum :

27and the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the young men, and the virgins were weakened, and the beautifulness of the women was changed.and the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the youngmen, and the virgins were weakned, and the beautifulnes of the wemen was changed.✦et ingemuerunt principes et seniores ; virgines et juvenes infirmati sunt : et speciositas mulierum immutata est.

28Every husband took lamentation: and the women that sat in the marriage bed, mourned:Euerie husband tooke lamentation: and the wemen that sate in the mariage bed, mourned:Omnis maritus sumpsit lamentum, et quæ sedebant in thoro maritali, lugebant :

29and the land was moved upon the inhabitants therein, and all the house of Jacob did put on .and the land was moued vpon the inhabitants therein, & al the house of Iacob did put on confusion.✦et commota est terra super habitantes in ea, et universa domus Jacob induit confusionem.

30And after two years of days the king sent a of tributes into the cities of Juda, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude.And after two yeares of dayes the king sent a prince of tributes into the cities of Iuda, & he came to Ierusalem with a great multitude.Et post duos annos dierum, misit rex principem tributorum in civitates Juda, et venit Jerusalem cum turba magna.

31And he spake unto them peaceable words in : and they believed him.And he spake vnto them peaceable wordes in guile: and they beleued him.Et locutus est ad eos verba pacifica in dolo : et crediderunt ei.

32And he fell upon the city suddenly, and stroke it with a great plague, and destroyed much people in Israel.And he fel vpon the citie sodenly, and stroke it with a great plague, and destroyed much people in Israel.Et irruit super civitatem repente, et percussit eam plaga magna, et perdidit populum multum ex Israël.

33And he took the spoils of the city, and burnt it with fire, and destroyed the houses thereof, and the walls thereof round about:And he tooke the spoiles of the citie, and burnt it with fyre, and destroyed the houses therof, and the walles therof round about:Et accepit spolia civitatis : et succendit eam igni, et destruxit domos ejus, et muros ejus in circuitu :

34and they led the women captive, and the children, and the cattle they possessed.and they led the wemen captiue, and the children, and the cattel they possessed.et captivas duxerunt mulieres, et natos et pecora possederunt.

35And they built the city of David with a great wall, and a strong, and with firm towers, and it was made a castle for them:And they built the citie of Dauid with a great wal, and a strong, and with firme towers, and it was made a castel for them:Et ædificaverunt civitatem David muro magno et firmo, et turribus firmis, et facta est illis in arcem :

36and they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they waxed strong therein: And they laid armour, and victuals, and gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem:and they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they waxed strong therein: And they layd armour, and victuals, and gathered together the spoiles of Ierusalem:et posuerunt illic gentem peccatricem viros iniquos, et convaluerunt in ea : et posuerunt arma, et escas, et congregaverunt spolia Jerusalem :

37and laid them up there: and they became a great snare.and layd them vp there: and they became a great snare.et reposuerunt illic : et facti sunt in laqueum magnum.

38And this was made for an of the sanctification, and to be an ill devil in Israel.And this was made for an embushment of the sanctification, and to be an il deuil in Israel.Et factum est hoc ad insidias sanctificationi, et in diabolum malum in Israël :

39And they shed innocent blood round about the sanctification, and contaminated the sanctification.And they shed innocent bloud round about the sanctification, and contaminated the sanctification.et effuderunt sanguinem innocentem per circuitum sanctificationis, et contaminaverunt sanctificationem.

40And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled by reason of them, and it became the habitation of strangers, and she became stranger to her own seed, and her children forsook her.And the inhabitants of Ierusalem fled by reason of them, and it became the habitation of strangers, and she became stranger to her owne seede, and her children forsooke her.Et fugerunt habitatores Jerusalem propter eos, et facta est habitatio exterorum, et facta est extera semini suo, et nati ejus reliquerunt eam.

41Her sanctification was desolate as a wilderness, her festival days were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach, her honours into naught.Her sanctification was desolate as a wildernes, her festiual dayes were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproche, her honours into naught.Sanctificatio ejus desolata est sicut solitudo ; dies festi ejus conversi sunt in luctum, sabbata ejus in opprobrium, honores ejus in nihilum.

42According to her glory was her ignominy multiplied, and her highness was turned into mourning.According to her glorie was her ignominie multiplied, and her highnes was turned into mourning.Secundum gloriam ejus multiplicata est ignominia ejus, et sublimitas ejus conversa est in luctum.

43And king Antiochus wrote to all his kingdom, that all the people should be one: and every one should leave his own law.And king Antiochus wrote to al his kingdom, that al the people should be one: and euerie one should leaue his owne law.✦Et scripsit rex Antiochus omni regno suo ut esset omnis populus unus : et relinqueret unusquisque legem suam.

44And all Nations consented according to the word of king Antiochus.And al Nations consented according to the word of king Antiochus.Et consenserunt omnes gentes secundum verbum regis Antiochi :

45and many of Israel consented to his service, and they sacrificed to idols, and defiled the sabbath.and manie of Israel consented to his seruice, and they sacrificed to idols, and defiled the sabbath.✦et multi ex Israël consenserunt servituti ejus, et sacrificaverunt idolis, et coinquinaverunt sabbatum.

46And the king sent books by the hands of messengers into Jerusalem, and into all the cities of Juda: that they should follow the law of the Nations of the earth,And the king sent bookes by the handes of messengers into Ierusalem, & into al the cities of Iuda: that they should folow the law of the Nations of the earth,Et misit rex libros per manus nuntiorum in Jerusalem, et in omnes civitates Juda, ut sequerentur leges gentium terræ,

47and should prohibit and sacrifices, and to be made in the temple of God,and should prohibite holocausts and sacrifices, & placations to be made in the temple of God,et prohiberent holocausta et sacrificia, et placationes fieri in templo Dei,

48and should prohibit the sabbath to be celebrated, and the solemn days.and should prohibite the sabbath to be celebrated, and the solemne dayes.et prohiberent celebrari sabbatum, et dies solemnes :

49And he commanded the holy places to be defiled, and the holy people of Israel.And he commanded the holie places to be defiled, and the holie people of Israel.et jussit coinquinari sancta, et sanctum populum Israël.

50And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swine's flesh to be , and beasts,And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swines flesh to be immolated, and common beasts,Et jussit ædificari aras, et templa, et idola, et immolari carnes suillas, et pecora communia,

51and to leave their children uncircumcised, and their souls to be contaminated in all uncleannesses, and abominations, so that they should forget the law, and should change all the of God:and to leaue their children vncircumcised, and their soules to be contaminated in al vncleannesses, and abominations, so that they should forget the law, and should change al the iustifications of God:✦et relinquere filios suos incircumcisos, et coinquinari animas eorum in omnibus immundis, et abominationibus, ita ut obliviscerentur legem, et immutarent omnes justificationes Dei :

52And whosoever had not done according to the word of king Antiochus, they should die.And whosoeuer had not done acording to the word of king Antiochus, they should dye.et quicumque non fecissent secundum verbum regis Antiochi, morerentur.

53According to all these words wrote he to all his kingdom: and he appointed princes over the people, that should force these things to be done.According to al these words wrote he to al his kingdom: and he appoynted princes ouer the people, that should force these thinges to be done.Secundum omnia verba hæc scripsit omni regno suo : et præposuit principes populo, qui hæc fieri cogerent.

54And they commanded the cities of Juda to sacrifice.And they commanded the cities of Iuda to sacrifice.Et jusserunt civitatibus Juda sacrificare.

55And many of the people were gathered to them, they that had forsaken the law of our Lord: and they did evils upon the land:And manie of the people were gathered to them, they that had forsaken the law of our Lord: and they did euils vpon the land:Et congregati sunt multi de populo ad eos qui dereliquerant legem Domini, et fecerunt mala super terram :

56and they chased forth the people of Israel in hidden corners, and in the secret places of fugitives.and they chased forth the people of Israel in hidden corners, and in the secret places of fugitiues.et effugaverunt populum Israël in abditis, et in absconditis fugitivorum locis.

57The fifteenth day of the month Casleu, the hundredth five and fortieth year king Antiochus built the abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and throughout all the cities of Juda round about they builded altars:The fifteenth day of the moneth Casleu, the hundreth fiue and fourtith yeare king Antiochus built the abominable idol of desolation vpon the altar of God, and through out al the cities of Iuda round about they builded altars:Die quintadecima mensis Casleu, quinto et quadragesimo et centesimo anno, ædificavit rex Antiochus abominandum idolum desolationis super altare Dei, et per universas civitates Juda in circuitu ædificaverunt aras :

58and before the gates of houses, and in the streets they burnt frankincense, and sacrificed.and before the gates of houses, and in the stretes they burnt frankincense, & sacrificed.et ante januas domorum et in plateis incendebant thura, et sacrificabant :

59and the books of the law of God they burnt with fire, cutting them:and the bookes of the law of God they burnt with fyre, cutting them:et libros legis Dei combusserunt igni, scindentes eos :

60and with whomsoever were found the books of the testament of our Lord, and whosoever observed the law of our Lord, they murdered him, according to the edict of the king.and with whomsoeuer were found the bookes of the testament of our Lord, and whosoeuer obserued the law of our Lord, they murdered him, according to the edict of the king.et apud quemcumque inveniebantur libri testamenti Domini, et quicumque observabat legem Domini, secundum edictum regis trucidabant eum.

61In their power did they these things to the people of Israel, that was found in every month and month in the cities:In their powre did they these thinges to the people of Israel, that was found in euerie moneth and moneth in the cities:In virtute sua faciebant hæc populo Israël, qui inveniebatur in omni mense et mense in civitatibus.

62And the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed upon the altar that was against the altar.And the fiue and twentith day of the moneth they sacrificed vpon the altar that was agaynst the altar.✦Et quinta et vigesima die mensis sacrificabant super aram, quæ erat contra altare.

63And the women that circumcised their children, were murdered according to the commandment of king Antiochus,And the wemen that circumcided their children, were murdered according to the commandment of king Antiochus,Et mulieres, quæ circumcidebant filios suos, trucidabantur secundum jussum regis Antiochi,

64and they hang up the children by the neck throughout all their houses, and those that had circumcised them, they murdered.and they hang vp the children by the neck through out al their houses, and those that had circumcided them, they murdered.et suspendebant pueros a cervicibus per universas domos eorum : et eos, qui circumciderant illos, trucidabant.

65And many of the people of Israel determined with themselves, that they would not eat the unclean things: and they chose rather to die, than to be defiled with unclean :And manie of the people of Israel determined with themselues, that they would not eate the vncleane thinges: & they chose rather to dye, then to be defiled with vncleane meates:Et multi de populo Israël definierunt apud se, ut non manducarent immunda : et elegerunt magis mori, quam cibis coinquinari immundis :

66and they would not break the holy law of God, and they were murdered,& they would not breake the holie law of God, & they were murdered,et noluerunt infringere legem Dei sanctam, et trucidati sunt :

67and there was made great wrath upon the people exceedingly.and there was made great wrath vpon the people exceedingly *.et facta est ira magna super populum valde.

The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.

Cornelius a Lapide’s commentary on 1 Machabees 1 — verse-by-verse exposition→

Chapter 1 of 16