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2 Machabees

15 chapters

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Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

  1. 1The Jews in Jerusalem write to the Jews in Egypt, 7. signifying that they had writ before of many afflictions past: 9. and now write again, rendering thanks to God for their deliverance from Antiochus: 18. exhorting their brethren to keep the feast of Scenopegia: reciting the miracle of water returning into fire: 24. when Nehemias prayed: 33. and that the king built a temple in memory thereof.
  2. 2Holy fire, and the book of the law were conserved by Jeremie the prophet, in the transmigration into Babylon. 4. Likewise the Tabernacle of Moyses the Ark, and Altar of incense in a secret place. 8. As Moyses had dedicated the Tabernacle, and Salomon the Temple: 14. so Judas Machabeus cleansing the Temple, and making a new Altar, instituted a feast of the Dedication thereof. 20. The Preface of the Author abridging the history of the Machabees written by Jason in five books.
  3. 3When Jerusalem was in peace, and good order, by the care of Onias high priest, and king Seleucus favoured pious works, 4. Simon a wicked churchwarden, betrayeth the treasure of the Sanctuary: 7. Whereupon Heliodorus sent by the king, and after courteous entertainment, declaring that he must carry all the money to the king, is resisted by Onias with others, devoutly commending the cause to God. 23. He nevertheless attempting the sacrilege, is terrified by a vision, sore beaten, and in desperate misery, 31. by Onias sacrifice and prayers, is restored to health: 35. and returning home confesseth the power of God.
  4. 4Onias defamed and molested by Simon, repaireth to the king to procure peace. 7. Seleucus dying, and Antiochus reigning, Jason by promising money to the king, getteth the office of high priest from his brother Onias: 10. and perverteth religion: 12. setteth up a wicked school, whereby many are corrupted: 8. sendeth money for sacrifice to be offered to Hercules, which is employed in making galleys. 21. Antiochus is received with great pomp into Jerusalem. 23. Menelaus by promise of more money getteth the high priesthood from Jason. 29. He also is deposed, and his brother Lisimachus put in the place. 32. Andronicus traitorously murdereth Onias. 36. and for the same is slain by the king's commandment: 39. and Lysimachus by the people. 43. Menelaus justly accused escapeth by bribing, and the innocent are slain.
  5. 5Visions of armies fighting in the air appear in Jerusalem forty days. 5. Jason with a thousand men surpriseth the city, killeth many citizens, but is expulsed and dieth miserably. 11. Antiochus persecuteth the Jews, 15. spoileth the temple, and profaneth holy things. 27. Judas with others flee into the desert.
  6. 6The law of God is abolished, the temple profaned, and named of Jupiter Olympius. 7. The feast of Bacchus is kept. 10. women with their circumcised children are slain. 11. others for celebrating the sabbath (12. an admonition to the reader) 18. old Eleazarus constantly observing the law suffereth glorious death.
  7. 7The noble Martyrdom of seven brethren, refusing to eat swine's flesh: and boldly admonishing king Antiochus of his damnable state. 41. Lastly the mother (having encouraged her sons) likewise dieth gloriously.
  8. 8Judas Machabeus with six thousand men, commending their cause to God, 6. prospereth in battle. 8. Philip soliciting for more help, Nicanor and Gorgias are sent with twenty thousand men against Judas. 12. whose men beginning to fear, and some flying he encourageth the rest, 19. reciting many examples of God's assistance: 22. disposeth his army, and prevaileth. 30. killing many of Timothee's and Bacchides' men. 34. The principal hardly escaping by flight, acknowledge that God protecteth the Jews.
  9. 9Antiochus repulsed from Persepolis, 3. and hearing that his army is overthrown in Jewry: 9. worms issuing from his body, intolerably stinking: 11. acknowledgeth his wicked deserts: 14. promiseth amendment, 18. writeth to the Jews, praying them to obey him, and his son, 28. and dieth miserably.
  10. 10Judas Machabeus cleanseth the temple, and instituteth the feast of dedication. 10. Young Antiochus Eupator reigning, Ptolomeus of disgust killeth himself with poison. 14. Judas resisteth great forces of Gorgias, taketh certain holds from the Idumeans, punisheth traitors, and killeth many enemies. 24. In his battle against Timothee is miraculously assisted from heaven: 37. and finally killeth him.
  11. 11Lysias supposing with his army of fourscore thousand footmen, and a great band of horsemen to subdue Jerusalem: 6. Judas with his few praying God, and going to fight, an Angel, in form of an horseman, goeth before them: 10. so they setting upon the enemies kill many, and the rest flee. 13. Lysias perceiving God's power, offereth to procure peace. 22. Whereto the king agreeth, writing to him, 27. and to the Jews. 34. The Romans also write to the Jews.
  12. 12Whiles the Jews have peace with the king, others still persecute them. 5. which Judas revengeth. 13. and in Casphin maketh great slaughter, and reposeth in Characa. 19. Ten thousand of Timothee's men are slain. 20. whom Judas pursuing killeth many in Carnion: 34. taketh him, but releaseth him again: 27. the like in Ephron. 32. Some Jews are slain in battle against Gorgias. 38. Judas and his men are purified, and gathering the dead bodies, find that some had taken unlawful spoils. 42. For whose souls he prayeth, and causeth sacrifice to be offered.
  13. 13Menelaus a fugitive Jew is put to death. 9. Antiochus with his great army is defeated twice, with loss of many men. 23. Philip rebelling, peace is renewed. 24. And Judas is made Lord of Ptolemais.
  14. 14Demetrius having taken certain holds from Antiochus, 3. Alcimus lately deposed from the office of high priest, 6. accuseth good men of disloyalty, 11. others also incense Demetrius. 12. Whereupon Nicanor being sent into Jewry, maketh Alcimus again highpriest: 18. hath peace with Judas, conversing with him most familiarly. 26. But by Alcimus suggestion, seeketh to deliver him into the kings hands: 30. otherwise threatneth to profane the temple. 34. The priests pray God to protect them. 37. Razias being accused, and pursued, 41. in extreme distress killeth himself with marvelous courage of spirit.
  15. 15Nicanor intending to assault Judas on the sabbath day, 5. blasphemeth most proudly. 7. Judas with all confidence in God encourageth his men. 11. confirming them with the relation of a vision in sleep. 21. So he with fervent prayer, the enemy trusting his own strength, joineth battle. 27. and killeth thirty five thousand, and Nicanor amongst the rest. Whose head, and hand cut off with the shoulder are hanged up in Jerusalem: 33. his tongue given to the birds, and a festival day observed. 38. And herewith the Author (of this second book) concludeth the whole history.