Book of Daniel and James Ussher’s History of Persian/Greek/Rome Empires

   

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Daniel 9 – The 70 Weeks

 

24.  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

 

 25.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

 26.  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

 27.  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

 

3550c AM, 4260 JP, 454 BC

 

1228. In the same twentieth year of the king, in the month of Nisan, Nehemiah's turn came to serve as cupbearer to the king. [L196] Both the king and queen (whom I suppose to be she whom Ctesias called Damaspia) noticed his sorrowful appearance. He presented his request to them and obtained permission from the king to be the governor of Judah and to rebuild Jerusalem. {#Ne 2:1-6} This event marks the start of Daniel's seventy weeks. {#Da 9:24,25}

 

3531a AM, 4240 JP, 474 BC

 

1177. Artaxerxes was made viceroy with his father Xerxes in the twelfth year of Xerxes' reign. This time marks the first year of Artaxerxes reign. Ptolemy's Canon does not record viceroy relationships hence starts Artazerxes reign nine years later when his father died.

 

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4036b AM, 4746 JP, 33 AD

 

6480. When the sixth hour (noon) had come, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (three pm). In the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eli Eli, or, Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani. Some who stood nearby said that he had called for Elijah. After this, when Jesus knew that all things had been accomplished so that the scripture might be fulfilled, he said he was thirsty. {#Ps 69:21} Beside the cross there was a vessel full of vinegar. They filled a sponge with vinegar and put it upon hyssop, or a reed. They put it to his mouth and said with the rest that they would wait and see if Elijah would come and take him down from the cross. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said that it was finished. Once again he cried out with a loud voice and commended his spirit to his Father. Then Jesus bowed his head and gave up the ghost. When the centurion saw that he had cried out in this way and died, he glorified God and testified that this was most certainly an innocent man and the Son of God. {#Lu 23:26-46 Mr 15:38-43 Mt 27:32-50}

 

6481. The veil of the temple was ripped in two, from the top to the bottom, and there was an earthquake and the rocks were split. The graves were opened and many of the saints, who had died, arose and came out of the graves after his resurrection and went into Jerusalem and appeared to many.

 

Matthew 27

 

 50.  Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

 

 51.  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

 52.  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

 53.  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

 

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4040b AM, 4750 JP, 37 AD

 

6575. Gaius Caligula freed Agrippa, the grandson of Herod, from bonds which Tiberius had put on him, and gave him his grandfather's principality. {*Dio, l. 59. (8) 7:283} Philo stated that he was honoured with the office of governor by the Roman Senate, and that Gaius gave him the kingdom and the third part of the old dominion that his uncle Philip had possessed. {*Philo, Flaccus, l. 1. c. 5. (25,26) 9:317}

 

4044b AM, 4754 JP, 41 AD

 

6646. Caligula reigned three years, ten months and eight days. {*Suetonius, Caligula, l. 4. c. 59. s. 1. 1:505} {*Clement, Stromateis, l. 1. c. 21. 2:333} Dio stated it was three years, nine months and twenty-eight days. {*Dio, l. 59. (30) 7:362} His uncle, Claudius Caesar, the son of Drusius, was declared emperor by the praetorian guard.

 

6656. Through his letters, Claudius commended Agrippa to all the governors of the provinces. He sent King Agrippa into his own kingdom to take care of it. Agrippa made a very large expedition and came to Jerusalem, where he paid his vows. He omitted nothing prescribed by the law. He ordered many Nazarites to be shaven. In the holy temple over the treasury, he hung up a gold chain which he had received from Gaius, as a memorial of his many miseries and happy deliverances by God. When he had duly performed his vows to God, he removed Theophilus, the son of Ananus, from the high priesthood and appointed Simon, surnamed Cantheras, in his place. [E867] Simon was the son of Boethus, whose daughter Herod the Great had married. Agrippa gained the goodwill and gratitude of the people at Jerusalem, by remitting a tribute to them which was paid annually by household. [K643] He made Silas, who was his constant companion in all his difficulties and plans, master over all the army. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 19. c. 6. s. 1-3. (292-299) 9:353-357

 

6657. A little after this, under the pretence of religion, certain rash young men from Dora erected a statue to Caesar in the temple at Jerusalem. Agrippa, the king of the Jews, was very angry and immediately went into Syria to Petronius to complain about their impudent boldness. Petronius was equally offended by this impious action, especially since it went directly against the laws of the empire. He wrote very sharply to the magistrates of the city of Dora, ordering them to bind and send to him those men, whoever they were, who had dared do such actions that were so contrary to the emperor’s edicts. He ordered them never to let this happen again. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 19. c. 6. s. 3,4. (299-316) 9:356-363}

 

   4047 AM, 4757 JP, 44 AD

 

6674. The famine foretold by Agabus increased, and the Christians of Antioch collected a gift for their friends living in Judea. They sent it by Barnabas and Saul, after these two had preached the word of the Lord to the people of Antioch for a whole year. {#Ac 11:26,29,30}

 

6675. About this time, King Herod Agrippa (as the Syriac paraphrase correctly called him) apprehended those who belonged to the church, {#Ac 12:1} because they opposed the institutions and rites of their country, of which Agrippa was a most religious observer. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 19. c. 6. s. 3. (300) 9:357}

 

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4073b AM, 4783 JP, 70 AD

 

6978. Jerusalem was destroyed on a Saturday. {*Dio, l. 65. (7) 8:271} This was the day the Jews observe most religiously and that year the 8th of the month of Gorpiaios (Niese: Wednesday, September 26th, Capellus: Saturday, September 8th) fell on a Saturday. The city was taken and destroyed. Titus commanded all the city and temple to be razed to its foundations and flattened, as well as being ploughed according to the custom. He spared only the west part of the wall and the three towers, Hippicus, Phasael and Mariamme. Because of their great beauty and strength, he left these to posterity, as a monument to the magnificence of that city. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 7. c. 1. s. 1. (1-4) 4:307}

 

4076c AM, 4786 JP, 73 AD 

 

6995. Here Josephus ended the history of the destruction of Judea. After being captured in this war, he was made a freedman by Flavius Vespasian, the emperor, and assumed the name of Flavius from his patron. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 7. c. 11. s. 5. (454,455) 4:435}

 

 

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Stir up Greece - Daniel 11:1-3

 

Daniel 11:1.  Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. 2. And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. 3. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

 

3519c AM, 4229 JP, 485 BC

 

1100. When Darius had declared Xerxes to be the next king, he was now ready to take his journey. According to Diodorus {*Diod. Sic., l. 11. c. 2. s. 2. 4:123} he was on his way into Greece in the year following the revolt of the Egyptians. Toward the latter half of that year he died, having reigned for a full thirty-six years. {*Herodotus, l. 7. c. 4. 3:305} [E121]

 

1101. After him came Xerxes, the fourth king of Persia after Cyrus. He trusted in his riches, (which were indeed exceedingly great) and stirred up his own subjects, together with all his allies and friends, to make war on the Greeks, as had been prophesied by Daniel. {#Da 11:2} This was not originally his intention but he was put up to it by Mardonius, his first cousin, and by the Aleuadae who were the princes of Thessaly, as well as by the family of Peisistratus and by Onomacritus, a sorcerer of Athens. {*Herodotus, l. 7. c. 5,6. 3:305,307}

 

3674d AM, 4384 JP, 330 BC

 

1948. Darius was no sooner dead, than Alexander rode on his horse to the place where he lay. When he saw his dead body, Alexander wept to see so unworthy a death happen to so noble a person. He took his own coat and placed it over him and immediately sent his body to his mother to be buried in a royal manner with the kings of Persia. He also took Darius’ brother Oxathres into the circle of his friends and nobles, bestowing upon him every honour belonging to his high place and parentage.

 

3681c AM, 4391 JP, 323 BC

 

2366. The dead body of Alexander had lain on his throne for seven days, according to Justin. (Aelian said thirty days. {*Aelian, Historical Miscellany, l. 12. c. 64. 1:405}) All the while, men’s thoughts were taken up with the settling of the present state, and so they did not give Alexander a proper burial.

 

Four Winds of Heaven – Dan 11:4

 

Daniel 11: 4.  And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

 

3681c AM, 4391 JP, 323 BC

 

2382. When this division had been made, every man had his share as if it had been allotted to him from heaven. They used the opportunity to increase their power and their pleasure, for not long after, they behaved more like kings than governors. They added to their kingdom, and left it to their posterity. {Justin, Trogus, l. 13. c. 4.} Immediately upon the death of Alexander, that vast empire bearing the name of the Macedonians was divided into several kingdoms. {*Livy, l. 45. c. 9. s. 7. 13:273} However, no man assumed the title of a king as long as any of Alexander's children were alive, because of the great respect they had for him. Although they had the power of a king, they willingly refrained from using the title while ever Alexander had a lawful biological heir alive to succeed him. {Justin, Trogus, l. 15. c. 2.} All of this was foretold long before by the Holy Spirit. {#Da 11:4}.

 

3703 AM, 4413 JP, 301 BC

 

2659. When they could not agree on how to divide the spoil, they split into two sides. Seleucus allied himself with Demetrius, and Ptolemy joined with Lysimachus. {Justin, Trogus, l. 15. c. 4.} Seleucus and Ptolemy were the two strongest of the whole group. Consequently, the dispute between them was continued by their posterities under the names of the Seleucians, or kings of the north, and the kings of Ptolemy, or the kings of the south. This was foretold in Daniel. {#Da 11:5-20}

 

Philadelphus (son of Ptolemy) S - Dan 11:5

 

Daniel 11:5.  And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.

 

3721a AM, 4430 JP, 284 BC

 

2730. Josephus said that Ptolemy Philadelphus reigned for thirty-nine years. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 2. s. 1. (11) 7:7,9} [L472] It seems he counted from the time that he first reigned jointly with his father, for Clement of Alexandria said he reigned only thirty-seven years after his father's death. Claudius Ptolemy said it was thirty-eight years {Ptolemy, Canon of Kings} and so did Porphyry, Eusebius and others. Whereas, according to my account, he reigned thirty-seven years and almost eight months after his father's death, but one month short of thirty-nine years in all. Although the length of his reign is uncertain, it is known for sure that he put to death his younger brother Argaeus because the latter had been guilty of plotting his death. He executed another brother of his, born of Eurydice, because he was found to be instigating a revolt in the isle of Cyprus. {*Pausanias, Attica, l. 1. c. 7. s. 1. 1:35} [E342] Going by those actions, he little deserved that generous name of Philadelphus, that is, a lover of his brethren. Theocritus said that he had 33,339 cities in his dominions and was said to have been so great a power that he exceeded his father, Ptolemy I. {Theocritus, Idyll. 17.} Jerome confirmed this from his histories in commenting on Daniel, {#Da 11} and so did Appian from the records of the kings of Egypt, in his preface to his history of the Romans. {*Appian, l. 1. c. 0. s. 10. 1:15,17} To support this further we could add what Athenaeus said about his fleets and the incredible size of his ships. {*Athenaeus, l. 5. (203-206) 2:421-433}

 

3727 AM, 4437 JP, 277 BC

 

2775. Ptolemy Philadelphus was a great patron of learning and all liberal arts and sciences. He built a very famous library at Alexandria, in that quarter of the city known as Brachium. He committed the task of getting books of every kind and from every country to Demetrius of Phalerum, upon whose advice he also sent to have the holy writings of the Jews translated from Hebrew into Greek, a task undertaken by seventy-two translators in the seventh year of his reign. [E349] This translation was called the Septuagint, {Epiphanius, De Mensuris et Ponderibus} and Tertullian wrote concerning it: {*Tertullian, Apology, l. 1. c. 18. 3:32}

 

The Allies (Ptolemy Philadelphus S and Antiochus Theos N) - Dan 11:6

 

Daniel 11:6.  And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.

 

3743 AM, 4453 JP, 261 BC

 

2827. Antiochus gave the Jews living in Ionia equal rights and privileges with the Gentiles, and allowed them to live according to their own religion and the customs of their country. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 3. s. 3. (132-134) 7:67} At various times, he made war on Ptolemy Philadelphus and fought against him with all the forces he could raise from Babylon and all the east. Ptolemy wanted to end this bloody war and gave him his daughter Berenice for a wife, while Antiochus' former wife Laodice was still living. Laodice had borne him two sons, Seleucus Callinicus and Antiochus Hierax, that is, Hawk. Ptolemy accompanied his daughter as far as Pelusium and there, with her, gave Antiochus an enormous quantity of gold and silver for a dowry. Hence Ptolemy was called the dowry giver. {Jerome, #Da 11} At great expense, he supplied her with water from the Nile River, which was to be carried to her, so that wherever she was, she would only drink that water. {*Athenaeus, l. 2. (45c) 1:197} Appian was incorrect in saying that Berenice and Laodice were both daughters of this Ptolemy. {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 11. (65) 2:231} [E356]

 

Ptolemy Euergeres S And Seleucus Callinicus N - Dan 11:7-9

 

Daniel 11:7.  But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: 8. And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.  9.  So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.

 

3758 AM, 4468 JP, 246 BC

 

2840. All the cities of Asia which had revolted from Seleucus sent their ships and joined with Ptolemy. They were either going to defend Berenice if she were still alive or to avenge her murder, if she were dead. {Justin, Trogus, l. 27. c. 1.} When Ptolemy came, he killed Laodice and entered Syria, marching as far as Babylon. {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 11. (65) 2:231} He took over Coelosyria from Seleucia. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 58. s. 11. 3:145} Syria, Cilicia, the upper provinces beyond the Euphrates and almost the whole of Asia became his. {Jerome, #Da 11} Even from the Taurus Mountains to India, he took everything without fighting a battle. That is, if we can believe Polyaenus' account, given in the record cited above, with which we may also compare what we find on the monument of Euergetes, called Monumentum Adulitanum, published at Rome in the year 1631 by Leo Allatrus. It said: "After his father died, Ptolemy became king of Egypt, Libya, Syrian Phoenicia, Cyprus, Lycia, Caria, and the Cycladian Isles. He gathered an army of foot soldiers and cavalry with a fleet of ships and elephants from Troglodyte and Ethiopia. [E358] He had some elephants from his father and he brought the rest from there into Egypt. He trained these forces in the art of war and they were well equipped. [L493] With these forces he sailed into Asia and conquered all the land on this side of the Euphrates River, Cilicia, Pamphylia, Ionia, the Hellespont and Thrace, together with all their forces and other elephants from India and all the kings of these countries. He crossed over the Euphrates River and conquered Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Susia, Persia, Media and all the countries as far as Bactria."

 

2841. When Euergetes had conquered all Syria, he came down to Jerusalem and offered many sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. He dedicated to him gifts worthy of such a great victory. {*Josephus, Apion, l. 2. c. 5. (48) 1:311,313}

 

3759 AM, 4469 JP, 245 BC

 

2842. Euergetes was called back by a rebellion of his own people in Egypt. {Justin, Trogus, l. 27. c. 1.} While he himself held Syria, he entrusted Cilicia to his friend Antiochus and put Xanthippus in control of the provinces beyond the Euphrates. He wasted all the kingdoms of Seleucus and carried off forty thousand talents of silver and all the rich vessels that were there, as well as taking twenty-five hundred images of their gods. Among these images were the images which Cambyses had previously taken from Egypt to Persia. On account of this action, the Egyptians surnamed him Euergetes, when they saw their gods come home. {Jerome, #Da 11} In that monument mentioned earlier, called Monumentum Adulitanum, we find written concerning him: "Ptolemy had returned those gods which the Persians had previously taken and carried from Egypt, along with other treasures stored there. He sent his army to let in the water in ditches recently dug for that purpose."

 

Seleucus Ceranus N & Antiochus The Great N - Dan 11:10

 

Daniel 11:10.  But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.

 

3778 AM, 4488 JP, 226 BC

 

2865. At about the same time, Seleucus Callinicus, the older brother of Antiochus, fell off his horse, broke his neck and died, {Justin, Trogus, l. 17. c. 3.} leaving two sons. The older one was Seleucus Ceraunus, who was physically weak and poor, and could not keep order in his army. The younger was called Antiochus and was later surnamed the Great. After the death of his father, he went into upper Asia. {*Polybius, l. 4. c. 48. s. 5,6. 2:417} {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 40. s. 4-7. 3:99} {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 11. (66) 2:231} [E361] Seleucus Ceraunus reigned only three years. {Porphyry, Scaliger's Greek Eusebius} {*Eusebius, Chronicles, l. 1. 1:215} {*Sulpicius Severus, Sacred History, l. 2. c. 19. 11:107}

 

3781b AM, 4491 JP, 223 BC

 

2867. In Phrygia, Seleucus was poisoned by his two friends, Apatarias and Nicanor. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 40. s. 5-7. 3:99} {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 11. (66) 2:231} {Jerome, #Da 11} {Justin, Trogus, l. 29. c. 1.} [L497] In his army was Achaeus, the son of Andronicus, who was the brother of Laodice, Seleucus' wife. She was at that time in exile with Ptolemy in Egypt. Achaeus, as a kinsman to Seleucus, avenged his death and killed the two men who had murdered Seleucus. He managed all matters in the army with extraordinary skill, wisdom and magnanimity. Even though he could now crown himself king and all men wanted him to do so, he would not, choosing instead to reserve the role for Antiochus, the young son of Seleucus Callinicus. Achaeus marched with the army from place to place throughout Asia and recovered all that his father had lost on the western side of the Taurus Mountains. {*Polybius, l. 4. c. 48. s. 8-20. 2:419}

 

Antiochus The Great N / Ptolemy Philopator S - Dan 11:11

 

Daniel 11:11.  And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.

 

3787c AM, 4497 JP, 217 BC

 

2923. Polybius stated that as well as that great battle at Trasimene, another battle was fought in the east between Antiochus and Philopator, over Coelosyria. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 105. s. 3. 3:253} This was fought toward the latter end of the third year of the 140th Olympiad, at a place called Raphia. He described it thus: {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 80. s. 3-6. 3:197}

 

“In the beginning of this spring, Antiochus and Ptolemy had made final preparations for war. The fate of Coelosyria was to be decided in the next battle. Therefore, Ptolemy left Alexandria with seventy thousand foot soldiers, five thousand cavalry and seventy-three elephants. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 79. s. 1-3. 3:197} First, he camped at Pelusium, where he stayed until the rest of his army came to him. When he had given every man his allowance of grain, he marched on through a desert country near the Casius Mountains and Barathra and came to Gaza. After a five day march, he came to his planned destination and camped within six miles of Raphia. This is the first city of Coelosyria, except for Rhinocolura, which a man would meet when he leaves Egypt for Coelosyria.”

 

2924. At the same time, Antiochus arrived there with his army of sixty-two thousand foot soldiers, six thousand cavalry and a hundred and two elephants. Passing the walls of Raphia, he camped on the first night about two thousand yards from Ptolemy’s camp, while the next day he came within a thousand yards of it. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 80. s. 4-7. 3:197,199}

 

2925. At that time, Theodotus, the Aetolian, who had previously been well-known in Ptolemy’s court and knew his daily routine well, tried to kill Ptolemy. [L508] About the break of day, he and two others came inside his trenches. The next night they got into the king’s pavilion, hoping to kill him while he was alone. However, Dositheus, who was a Jew by birth but no longer observed the Jewish religion, had moved the king to another tent. He had common men occupy the king’s bed that night. When Theodotus broke into the king’s tent that night, he wounded two of the guards and killed Andreas, the king’s chief physician. So the king returned untouched to his own tent again. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 81. 3:199} {#/ RApc 3Ma 1:2,3}

 

2926. After the armies had camped there for five days, the battle started. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 82. s. 1,2. 3:199,201} When Antiochus appeared to be winning, Arsinoe, Ptolemy’s sister, went among the soldiers with her hair hanging about her ears and cried to them that they should fight bravely and defend their own wives and children. She promised them that if they won, they would each be given two minas in gold. This revitalised the army and they killed many of the enemy and took many prisoners. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 83. 3:203,205} {#/ RApc 3Ma 1:4,5}

 

2927. In that battle, Antiochus lost almost ten thousand foot soldiers and more than three hundred cavalry, while more than four thousand were taken prisoner. Three elephants were killed in the battle and two died later from their wounds. Ptolemy lost fifteen hundred foot soldiers and seven hundred cavalry. Sixteen of his elephants were killed and the rest were captured. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 86. s. 4-6. 3:211}

 

2928. When Antiochus had buried his dead, he returned home with the rest of his army. Ptolemy went back again to Raphia and the rest of the places that had been taken from him. They voluntarily surrendered to him and vied with each other to be the first to recognise his kingship. This was particularly true of the Coelosyrians, because they had always been inclined to serve the Ptolemys. On this occasion, they exceeded all others in honouring him with crowns, sacrifices, altars and other expressions of their affection. {*Polybius, l. 5. c. 86. s. 7-11. 3:211,213} Ptolemy visited the nearby cities and bestowed gifts on their temples, thereby encouraging the people to remain loyal to him. {#/ RApc 3Ma 1:6,7} [E370]

 

Ptolemy Philopator S - Dan 11:12

 

Daniel 11: 12.  And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.

 

3788 AM, 4498 JP, 216 BC

 

2934. When Ptolemy returned to Egypt, he resumed his old lifestyle and wallowed in all manner of gluttony and luxury. {*Polybius, l. 14. c. 12. s. 3. 4:461} He grew increasingly mad because of this way of living, in which he indulged himself with uncleanness and lechery. He also vexed the Jews of Alexandria with infamous and false reports spread against them. He tried by every means to turn them away from the true worship of the living God, and commanded that those who refused be killed. He expelled them from all offices of dignity, and with hot irons branded them in the face with the sign of an ivy leaf, which was the sign of Bacchus. He allowed those that abandoned their religion, to enjoy equal rights and privileges with the native Macedonians in Alexandria. {#/ RApc 3Ma 2:25-30}

 

Ptolemy Epiphanes S / Antiochus The Great N (and Rome) - Dan 11:13-14

 

Daniel 11:13.  For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. 14.  And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.

 

3794 AM, 4504 JP, 210 BC

 

2945. Marcus Atilius and Manius Acilius were sent as envoys from Rome to Ptolemy and Cleopatra at Alexandria in Egypt, to remind them of the league and to renew it. They gave him a purple toga and tunic, and a throne made entirely of ivory, while she received an embroidered palla and a purple cloak. {*Livy, l. 27. c. 4. s. 10. 7:215} {Justin, Trogus, l. 30. c. 1,4.} {OED-palla: A loose outer garment or wrap worn out of doors by women (sometimes by men); an outer robe, mantle.}

 

3800 AM, 4510 JP, 204 BC

 

2958. The Romans made a peace with Philip, king of Macedonia. The parties to the league were Philip, Prusias, king of Bithynia, the Romans, the state of Illium and Attalus, king of Pergamum. {*Polybius, l. 11. c. 6. s. 9,10. 4:243}

 

2959. Philopator died at Alexandria. Ptolemy, surnamed Epiphanes, that is The noble succeeded him. Appian surnamed him Philopator also, after his father's surname. {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 1. (1) 2:105} He assumed the throne when he was four years old, according to Jerome. {Jerome, #Da 11}. Justin said he was five years old at the time. He reigned twenty-four years. {Ptolemy, Canon of Kings} {*Clement, Stromateis, l. 1. c. 21. 2:329} {Porphyry} {Jerome} {*Eusebius, Chronicles, l. 1. 1:217}

 

2962. When Antiochus, the king of Syria, and Philip, the king of Macedonia, heard of the death of Philopator, they plotted how to get his kingdom and divide it between them. They encouraged one another and planned to murder the young king. {*Polybius, l. 15. c. 20. s. 1-2. 4:509} {*Livy, l. 31. c. 14. s. 5. 9:43} {Justin, Trogus, l. 30. c. 3.} Polybius stated: {*Polybius, l. 3. c. 2. s. 8. 2:7} [E375] “When King Ptolemy had died, Antiochus and Philip agreed together to divide the estate of the young king between them. Philip started this wicked deed by capturing Egypt and Caria and Antiochus took over Coelosyria and Phoenicia.”

 

2963. Jerome, on Daniel, {#Da 11} said: “Philip, king of Macedonia, and Antiochus the Great conspired together and made war on Agathocles, (he should have said, Aristomenes) and the young king, Ptolemy Epiphanes. The condition was that each would take those of his dominions which bordered his own kingdom.”

 

2967. However, after Antiochus’ defeat at Raphia, we do not find anywhere that he made war on Philopator again. The league which was made after that battle, was first broken by Antiochus in the very first year of Epiphanes. Scopas was not in charge of that war, as appeared later. This is shown by Jerome, where he said: {Jerome, #Da 11}

 

“When Ptolemy Philopator was dead, Antiochus broke the league he made with him. He led an army against Ptolemy’s son, who was then only four years old and was surnamed Epiphanes.”

 

Ptolemy Epiphanes S / Antiochus The Great N - Dan 11:15-16

 

Daniel 11:15. So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. 16.  But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.

 

3806a AM, 4515 JP, 199 BC

 

2995. Ptolemy Epiphanes sent a large army into Coelosyria under the command of Scopas. With the use of force, he recovered many cities for Ptolemy, including Jerusalem. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 3. s. 3. (131-137) 7:67-71} Polybius added: {*Polybius, l. 16. c. 39. 5:81,83}

 

3806d AM, 4516 JP, 198 BC

 

3000. That summer, Antiochus took in all the cities of Coelosyria which Ptolemy controlled. {*Livy, l. 33. c. 19. s. 8,9. 9:331} When Antiochus defeated Scopas in a battle, he recovered all the cities of Syria and grew friendly and well disposed toward the Jews. {*Eusebius, Chronicles, l. 1. 1:218}

 

3001. Antiochus met Scopas at the head of the Jordan River, where the city of Panium was later built, and there defeated him. When he had recovered the cities which Scopas had taken from him, along with Samaria, the Jews voluntarily submitted to him. [L521] They received his whole army, with his elephants, into their city, and supported and helped them in the siege of the citadel where Scopas had put a garrison. Josephus confirmed this from a letter which Antiochus had written to Ptolemy, the captain of the garrison. He stated, from Polybius, that Antiochus took in Batanea, Samaria, Abila and Gadara after the defeat of Scopas. The Jews who lived at Jerusalem, where the famous temple was, surrendered to him. Antiochus took and destroyed Gaza, which had withstood him and had sided with Ptolemy. All this was also written in the same book by Polybius. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 3. s. 3. (132-136) 7:67,69} {*Polybius, l. 16. c. 39. 5:81,83}

 

3810 AM, 4520 JP, 194 BC

 

3035. Antiochus was aware of the loyalty of the Jews for him. He conferred more great favours on them and he highly commended them in his letters. {*Eusebius, Chronicles, l. 1. 1:218} Josephus preserved these letters in his works. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 3. s. 3. (129-153) 7:65-79} In an address to Ptolemy's government, he mentioned many gifts of his and immunities granted, both to the city of Jerusalem and also to the temple there. In another letter to Zeuxis, he ordered that two thousand Jewish families living in the provinces of Babylonia and Mesopotamia be settled in Phrygia and Lydia. He hoped their presence would keep order there.

 

Ptolemy Epiphanes S / Antiochus The Great N - Dan 11:17-19

 

Daniel 11: 17.  He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. 18.  After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. 19.  Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.

 

3812a AM, 4521 JP, 193 BC

 

3039. Antiochus gave his daughter to Ptolemy in marriage at Raphia in Phoenicia, or rather in Palestine, and returned to Antioch. {*Livy, l. 35. c. 13. s. 4,5. 10:39} He was now fully resolved to make war against the Romans and thought it best to league himself by marriages and alliances with as many kings and princes in the area as he could. Therefore he sent his daughter Cleopatra, surnamed Syra, to Egypt, to marry Ptolemy. He gave Ptolemy a dowry for her, consisting of all Coelosyria, which he had previously taken from Ptolemy. This he did to pacify Ptolemy and to keep him from joining with the Romans in this war. {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 1. (5) 2:111,113}

 

3812b AM, 4522 JP, 192 BC

 

3041. Antiochus crossed the Taurus Mountains and marched through Cilicia, reaching Ephesus at the very end of winter. {*Livy, l. 35. c. 13. s. 4. 10:39}

 

3042. From there, at the beginning of spring, he sent his son, Antiochus, back into Syria to take care of matters both there and in the remote parts of his eastern dominions, while he himself was busy in the west. Antiochus and his whole army went to invade the Pisidians who lived around Sida. {*Livy, l. 35. c. 13. s. 5. 10:39} [L529]

 

3043. At that time, envoys from Rome arrived at Elaea to see Antiochus. They came under the pretence of an embassy, but were there to see first-hand what preparations he had made. They spent much time in speaking with Hannibal to try to cool his anger toward them. In case that failed, they hoped to make Antiochus jealous of Hannibal because he frequently spoke with the Romans.

 

3813c AM, 4523 JP, 191 BC

 

3056. Antiochus was defeated at Thermopylae in a battle against the consul Marcus Acilius, and Cato, a general in that army. {*Livy, l. 36. c. 15-19. 10:201-219} {*Plutarch, Cato Major, l. 1. c. 13,15. 2:337-343} {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 4. (17-20) 2:133-141} {*Frontinus, Stratagems, l. 2. c. 4. s. 4. 1:127} [E387] [L531] He was forced to flee back to Asia and came to Ephesus with his new wife. {*Livy, l. 36. c. 21. s. 1. 10:221} {Justin, Trogus} {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 4. (20) 2:139} {*Polybius, l. 20. c. 8. 5:223} {*Athenaeus, l. 10. (439ef) 4:491,493}

 

3815a AM, 4524 JP, 190 BC

 

3099. This battle was fought near Magnesia at the foot of the Sipylus Hill. Hannibal was not there, since he was still bottled up in Pamphylia with the fleet which he had brought from Syria. Publius Scipio Africanus was not there either, because he was sick and in the city of Elaea. The day of the battle was misty. Antiochus, with so large an army, could not see both wings of his army at once. The dampness ruined the strings of the bows and thongs with which they shot their arrows.

 

3100. Antiochus escaped with a few in his company.

 

3102. After this victory, envoys from all parts flocked to Scipio. They first came from Thyatira and Magnesia. {*Livy, l. 37. c. 44. s. 5. 10:419} Then they came from Sardis, Tralles, Ephesus and that Magnesia which was on the Meander River. They all surrendered themselves to him, after which all the cities of Asia did likewise. They submitted themselves wholly to his mercy and the sovereignty of the people of Rome. {*Livy, l. 37. c. 45. s. 1-3. 10:421

 

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Seleucus Philopater N / The Tax Collector - Dan 11:20

 

Daniel 11:20.  Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

 

3828b AM, 4538 JP, 176 BC

 

3199. Simon was a man of the tribe of Benjamin and the head keeper of the temple. He had a disagreement with Onias III, who was the high priest. [L554] When he could not get his way, he went to Apollonius, the governor of Coelosyria and Phoenicia, and told him that there was an enormous amount of money in the treasury of the temple, of which the priests made no use. Therefore, it would be better in the king's coffers. When Apollonius told Seleucus this, he sent his treasurer Heliodorus to Jerusalem to get the money from there. When he arrived, Onias, the high priest, told him that it was true that there was some money in the temple, but that it was the money of widows and orphans, who had deposited it there for safe-keeping. [E405] Some of the money belonged to Hyrcanus, the nephew of Tobias, who was a most honourable person. {See note on 3822 AM. <<3173>>} He said that what was there amounted to less than four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold. Such was the holiness of the place and of the matter itself that no man should take the money. When Heliodorus disregarded the words of Onias, resulting in a tumult of the people who lamented the profaning of their temple, he was struck down by the angel of God in that very spot. He was carried half-dead to his lodging by his own servants who were close by. After he was restored to health through the intercession and prayers to God made by Onias, the high priest, he returned to Seleucus. He magnified the holiness of the temple and the power of the God who lived there. This story is recorded in the Apocrypha {#/ Apc 2Ma 3} and by Josephus in his book, psyi autocratorov logiomou. Josephus wrote Apollonius for Heliodorus. (So also did the Fasti Siculi.)

 

This showed that this event happened a little before the death of Seleucus otherwise Heliodorus would have returned after the death of Seleucus.

 

 Antiochus Epiphenes N / Onias III (Prince Of The Covenant) - Dan 11:21-23

 

Daniel 11:21.  And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22.  And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. 23.  And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

 

3829 AM, 4539 JP, 175 BC

 

3203. Antiochus, son of Antiochus the Great, returned from Rome (where he had been held hostage) and came to Athens. His brother Seleucus had been murdered through the treachery of Heliodorus. But Eumenes and Attalus expelled Heliodorus, who had intended to take over the kingdom of Syria. They gave Antiochus that kingdom, hoping by this good turn to obligate him to be their friend. They began to grow jealous of the Romans because of some small injustice they received. {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 8. (45) 2:191,193}

 

3207. At first, Antiochus was not acknowledged as king by those who favoured Ptolemy Philometor, but some time later he obtained the title under the pretence of clemency. {Jerome, #Da 11} He made an alliance with Eumenes and powerfully ruled over Syria and the neighbouring countries. The government of Babylon was committed to Timarchus, but the custody of the treasury to Heraclides' brother. Heraclides and his brother had previously been his favourites in immorality. {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 8. (45) 2:193}

 

3833b AM, 4543 JP, 171 BC

 

3244. Antiochus defeated Ptolemy's commanders between Pelusium and Mount Casius. He spared the king because of his youth and pretended to be his friend. He went up to Memphis and took over the kingdom, claiming that he would be careful about the affairs of the land. Therefore with a small company of people, he subdued all of Egypt. {Porphyry, Callinicus Sutorius} {Jerome, #Da 11} Ptolemy Macron, the son of Dorymenes, to whom Philometor had committed the government of Cyprus, seems to have defected to Antiochus at this time and surrendered the island to him, {#/ Apc 2Ma 10:13} [K10] whereupon the care of Cyprus was committed to Crates. {#/ Apc 2Ma 4:29} Antiochus made Ptolemy the governor of Coelosyria and Phoenicia, {#/ Apc 2Ma 8:8} and admitted him into his inner circle of friends. {#/ Apc 1Ma 3:38}

 

3834a AM, 4543 JP, 171 BC

 

3245. Jubilee 26.

 

3249. Menelaus took advantage of the king's absence. With the help of Lysimachus, the king's deputy, he stole some gold vessels from the temple at Jerusalem. Some he gave to Andronicus and some he sold in Tyre and the surrounding cities. When Onias III, the legal high priest, knew of this, he impeached Menelaus for this sacrilege. Onias hid himself in a sanctuary at Daphne, which was near Antioch. {#/ Apc 2Ma 4:32,33} This sanctuary was in the middle of a grove and was dedicated to Apollo and Artemis. {*Strabo, l. 16. c. 2. s. 6. 7:245} It was a spacious facility and had been built by Antiochus. {*Ammianus Marcellinus, l. 22. c. 13. s. 1. 2:269}

 

3250. At the request of Menelaus, Andronicus had Onias leave the sanctuary and promised him his safety, but then had him murdered. {#/ Apc 2Ma 4:34,35}

 

3251. When Antiochus returned to Antioch from Cilicia, the Jews of that city and those in many other countries complained to him of the unjust murder of that most holy old man. Antiochus was deeply moved, to the point of tears, and commanded that Andronicus be stripped of his royal attire and led around the city. He was killed in the same place where he had murdered Onias. ({#/ Apc 2Ma 4:35-38})

 

Antiochus Epiphenes N / Ptolemaeus Philometor S - Dan 11:24-25

 

Daniel 11:24.  He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. 25.  And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

 

3834b AM, 4544 JP, 170 BC

 

3254. About that time, Antiochus prepared his second expedition into Egypt. It happened that for forty days strange visions were seen at Jerusalem of armed horsemen and of foot soldiers in battle in the air, portending their future problems. {#/ Apc 2Ma 5:1-4}

 

3255. Antiochus planned to add the kingdom of Egypt to his own. He entered Egypt with a vast company, with chariots, elephants, horsemen and a large navy. He made war against Ptolemy, king of Egypt, who turned and fled away, and many were killed. Afterward, the victors seized the fortified cities in the land and Antiochus took the spoils of Egypt. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:16-19}

 

Antiochus Epiphenes N / Jerusalem / Ptolemaeus Philometor S - Dan 11:26-28

 

Daniel 11:26.  Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. 27.  And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. 28.  Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

 

3834b AM, 4544 JP, 170 BC

 

3257. Antiochus, in Egypt, heard that the rumour of his death had made the people of Jerusalem very glad. Because he suspected from the rebellion of Jason that Judea would revolt, he was very angry. {#/ Apc 2Ma 5:11} {Josephus, Maccabean War} After having subdued Egypt in the 143rd year of the Greeks, or Seleucus, he went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a large army. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:20,21}

 

3259. When the city had been captured, the soldiers were ordered to kill anyone they met. Cruelly, they killed everyone, regardless of age or sex. In three days, eighty thousand men were missing, forty thousand of whom had been killed and the rest sold into slavery. {#/ Apc 2Ma 5:11-14}

 

3260. Antiochus was not content with this and went into the temple, with Menelaus, who had betrayed their laws and country, as his guide. He wickedly seized the holy vessels and anything else that had been dedicated by other kings to the glory and honour of the place. {#/ Apc 2Ma 5:15,16} He took the golden altar, the lampstand with all its vessels, the table of the showbread, the pouring vessels, the vials, the censers of gold and the veil. He removed the crowns and the golden ornaments that were fastened to the temple doors. He pulled off the gold from everything that was covered with gold, and stole all the silver, the lovely vessels and all the hidden treasures that he found. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:23,24}

 

3263. When Antiochus had captured the city, he sacrificed swine on the altar and with the broth of its flesh he sprinkled the temple. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 13. c. 8. s. 2. (243) 7:349}

 

3835b AM, 4545 JP, 169 BC

 

3276. After Egypt had been subdued by Antiochus, Comanus and Cineas discussed with king Ptolemy what was to be done. It was decided that a council be created, composed of the chief captains who would be in charge of settling matters. The council decided that any Greeks whom they might be able to find there should go as envoys to Antiochus, to negotiate with him about a peace. {*Polybius, l. 28. c. 19. s. 1,2. 6:39}

 

3280. Antiochus took the crown from Philometor after he had reigned eleven years. The Alexandrians committed the management of affairs to Euergetes, his younger brother.

 

3288. Leaving the older Ptolemy at Memphis, Antiochus pretended to fight for Ptolemy’s kingdom and gave him the rest of Egypt. After that, he left a strong garrison at Pelusium and withdrew his army into Syria, considering it prudent to allow the civil war in Egypt to continue. He could always use it as a pretence to re-enter Egypt with his army to help the older brother. {*Livy, l. 45. c. 11. s. 2. 13:277}

 

Antiochus Epiphenes N - Invasion Of Egypt; Turned Away By Ships Of ‘Western Coastlands’; Against The Holy Covenant - Dan 11:29-31

 

Daniel 11:29.  At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. 30.  For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. 31.  And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

 

3836c AM, 4546 JP, 168 BC

 

3315. In the beginning of the spring, Antiochus set out for Egypt with his army and came into Coelosyria near Rhinocolura. He met the envoys of Ptolemy Philometor, who thanked Antiochus for restoring him to his kingdom. He asked that Antiochus should not undo his act of kindness, but say what he wanted done, rather than turn from an ally into an enemy by taking military action. Antiochus replied that he would recall his fleet and reduce his army under no other terms than that Ptolemy would surrender all of Cyprus to him, as well as Pelusium and the land that was adjacent to that mouth of the Nile River. He named a day by which he had to receive an answer. {*Livy, l. 45. c. 11. s. 9-11. 13:279,281}

 

3836d AM, 4546 JP, 168 BC

 

3323. The next day, Perseus was defeated and the kingdom of the Macedonians came to an end. {#/ Apc 1Ma 8:5} [K25] From the time of Caranus, it had stood for six hundred and twenty-six years. However, while the Roman empire was rising, the remains of the Macedonian empire survived in the Seleucids of Syria and the Ptolemys of Egypt. {*Livy, l. 45. c. 9. 13:271,273} {Justin, Trogus, l. 33. c. 2.} {Eusebius, Chronicles, Col. 242.} {*Eusebius, Chronicles, l. 1. 1:222}

 

3325. When news of the Roman victory had reached Asia, Antenor, who was waiting at Phanae with a fleet of ships, sailed from there to Cassandria. {*Livy, l. 45. c. 10. s. 1. 13:273}

 

3326. Gaius Popilius was anchored at Delos to safeguard ships bound for Macedonia. After he had heard of the Roman victory in Macedonia and the departure of the enemy’s ships from that area, he dismissed the ships of Attalus. He set sail for Egypt to take the embassy there whom he had with him. He wanted to meet with Antiochus before he captured Alexandria.

 

3333. Antiochus came to take over Pelusium. When he had crossed over the Leusines River, which was four miles from Alexandria, he met the Roman envoys. As they approached, he greeted them and put out his right hand to Popilius. He gave Antiochus the documents which he held in his hands, containing that decree of the Senate which said he was to end the war against Ptolemy at once. Popilius urged him to read it before he did anything else. When he had read the documents, he said that he would consult with his friends as to what he ought to do. With a vine twig that he had in his hand, Popilius drew a circle around the king and demanded his answer before he left the circle. The king was astonished at this unusual and imperious action. After he had thought a while, he said: [E429] [K28]

 

“I will do what the Romans command.”

 

3334. Thereupon, Popilius put out his right hand to the king as to a confederate and friend. Antiochus felt secretly that he had been humiliated but withdrew his forces from Egypt into Syria on the appointed day. (For instead of agrian in Polybius, we assume that surian ought to be substituted from Livy.) He thought it expedient to yield for the present. {*Polybius, l. 29. c. 27. 6:89-93} {*Livy, l. 45. c. 12. s. 1-8. 13:281,283} {*Cicero, Philippics, l. 8. c. 8. 15:385} {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 1. c. 10. s. 1,2. 1:25} {*Valerius Maximus, l. 6. c. 4. s. 3. 2:47} {Justin, Trogus, l. 34. c. 3.} {*Appian, Syrian Wars, l. 11. c. 11. (66) 2:231,233} {*Plutarch, Sayings of Romans, (202f) 3:203,205}

 

3837 AM, 4547 JP, 167 BC

 

3342. By a public edict, Antiochus ordered all the countries that were subject to him to observe the same way of divine worship and set aside their peculiar customs. They were all to adopt the same religion as the Greeks under the punishment of death to those who refused. Over every country he appointed overseers who were to compel them to do this. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:43-52,63}

 

3346. The other countries obeyed the instructions of the king. Many Israelites agreed to his religion, sacrificed to idols and profaned the Sabbath. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:44 2:18} For many of the people who forsook the law joined them and drove the Israelites into hiding in dens and every place of refuge they had. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:51-53} Others were forced by bitter compulsion to eat of the sacrifices on the monthly celebration of the king's birthday. When the feast of Bacchus was held, they were compelled to be in a procession to Bacchus, carrying ivy. {#/ Apc 2Ma 6:7}

 

3347. The temple was filled with riot and revelling by the Gentiles who riotously spent their lives with harlots and defiled themselves with women in the holy precinct of the temple. They brought in things that were not lawful and the altar, too, was filled with profane things which the law forbade. {#/ Apc 2Ma 6:4,5}

 

3348. On the 15th day of the month of Chisleu, (which is part of our November and part of December) in the 145th year of the kingdom of the Greeks, they erected the abomination of desolation, the detestable idol of Zeus Olympus, on the altar. They built altars for idols throughout the cities of Judah and burned incense at the doors of their houses and in the streets. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:54-56} [E431]

 

3349. When they had cut to pieces any books of the law which they found, they burned them in the fire. By the king's command, they executed anyone they found with a book of the testament or who approved of the law. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:56,57} In referring to books of the law, we do not mean just the Mosaic Pentateuch. With the later Hebrews, who from hence derive the origin of that Petaroth or ordinary lecture after which the people were dismissed (according to Elias Levita, in his Tischbi, on the word rjp), the whole scripture of the Old Testament is meant. {#Joh 10:34 15:25 1Co 14:21} Josephus said of the same events: {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 5. s. 4. (256) 7:133} "Wherever any holy book was found, both the copy of the law and those in whose possession it was found, perished miserably."

 

3350. Sulpicius Severus wrote: {*Sulpicius Severus, Sacred History, l. 2. c. 19. 11:107} "The holy volumes of the law and the prophets were consumed in our fires."

 

3351. On the 25th day of the month of Chisleu, sacrifices were offered on the idol altar which had been erected on the altar of God. {#/ Apc 1Ma 1:54,59} This was the 145th year of the reign of the Seleucids in the 153rd Olympiad. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 5. s. 4. (248) 7:127} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 7. s. 6. (321) 7:167}

 

 

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Maccabees - Strong And Great Exploits - Dan 11:32-35

 

Daniel 11: 32.  And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33.  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34.  Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35.  And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

 

3837b AM, 4547 JP, 167 BC

 

3359. The king’s officers, who were forcing men in Judea to this apostasy, came to the city called Modin, with the intention of compelling the Israelites to sacrifice to idols. {#/ Apc 1Ma 2:15} Modin was a city near Diospolis, as Eusebius related in his book. Mattathias, the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Simeon, lived there at that time. He was a priest of Jerusalem of the family of Jehoiarib, who was the first among the twenty-four courses of priests. {#1Ch 24:7} He had five sons, John called Caddis or Gaddis, Simon called Thassi, Judas called Maccabeus, Eleazar called Abaron or Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus. {#/ Apc 1Ma 2:1-5} Those seven martyrs who died at Antioch, were called Maccabean Brethren after their older brother Maccabeus. [E432] [K32] So the custom prevailed that all of Mattathias’ five sons, from Judas Maccabeus, to the rest were called by this surname, as Josephus thought. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 2. s. 3. (37) 2:21} Because of the record of the prowess and glory they achieved, {#/ Apc 1Ma 2:66 3:4,9 4:25} they all became known by the common name of Maccabees. But their father Mattathias, or Matthias, was called the son of Asamonaeus by Josephus, Eusebius and the lesser Seder Olam of the Hebrews. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 1. s. 3. (36) 2:21} {*Eusebius, Chronicles, l. 1. 1:223} {Seder Olam} Josephus also called him the son of John, the son of Simeon, the son of Asamonaeas. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 6. s. 1. (265) 7:137} The ordinary Hebrews thought Mattathias was called Asamonaeus and that from him that surname had descended to his posterity. R. David Kimchi thought this was based on the Psalms {#Ps 68:5-32} where he renders the word Mynmvx as princes.

 

3360. Antiochus’ officers earnestly exhorted Mattathias, when he was brought to them, to set an example by yielding obedience to the king because he was a prince and an illustrious person, and a great man in the city of Modin. He was strengthened by the presence of his sons and brethren. Mattathias refused to do as he was asked and killed a certain Jew whom he saw sacrificing on the heathen altar, at the same time also killing Apelles, the king’s commissioner, who was forcing men to sacrifice there. He threw down the altar and after that exhorted all who were zealous of the law to follow him. He fled with his sons into the mountains, leaving all their goods behind in the city. {#/ Apc 1Ma 2:16-28} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 6. s. 2. (268-272) 7:139,141}

 

3361. Then many who desired justice went down into secret places and together with their children and wives and cattle, lived in caves. When this was made known to Philip, (the Phrygian whom Antiochus had left as governor at Jerusalem, {#/ Apc 2Ma 5:22}) the king’s commanders pursued them with the garrison of the citadel of Jerusalem. When they could not persuade them to obey the king’s commandment, they threw fire into the cave on the Sabbath day. They killed about a thousand people, including their wives and children with their cattle. Those who were trapped there, offered no resistance and honoured the Sabbath day. {#/ Apc 1Ma 2:29-38 2Ma 6:11} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 6. s. 2. (272-276) 7:141,143}

 

3362. When Mattathias and his friends were told of this, they grieved for them. They decided that from then on they would attack the enemy and drive them out. {#/ Apc 1Ma 2:39-41} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 6. s. 2. (276-278) 7:143}

 

3363. The company of the Assideans joined them. These were religious men who voluntarily offered themselves to defend the law with arms, along with all those who had been compelled to flee from the wicked. After setting up an army, they killed some of the impious men and forced others to flee to other countries. Meanwhile, Mattathias and his friends marched up and down the country and threw down altars. They circumcised all the uncircumcised children they found in the land of Israel. They chased the enemy and had good success. {#/ Apc 1Ma 2:42-48}

 

3838b AM, 4548 JP, 166 BC

 

3387. Mattathias exhorted his sons to the study of piety and to defend the law of God. He commended Simon to them as a counsellor and father, but Judas Maccabeus as the commander of their wars, because from his youth he had been very brave. After this, he blessed them and died, in the 146th year of the kingdom of the Greeks. For one year he had governed their miserable and banished troops. His sons buried him in the sepulchres of their fathers at Modin and all the Israelites bewailed him with great lamentation. {#/ Apc 1Ma 2:49-70} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 6. s. 3,4. (279-284) 7:143-147}

 

3388. Judas Maccabeus’ brothers, and all who had followed his father, helped him as he took his father’s place. {#/ Apc 1Ma 3:1,2} He went secretly into the villages and exhorted his countrymen and gathered them together with those who had remained loyal to the Jewish religion. [K39] They assembled six thousand men and called on the Lord to take pity on his profaned temple and the ruined city, and to hear the blood that cried to him and remember the unjust death of the innocent infants and the blasphemies that were being committed against his name. They asked that he would demonstrate his hatred against the wicked. {#/ Apc 2Ma 8:1-4}

 

3395. While Antiochus was at leisure in the games at Daphne, Judas Maccabeus was busy in Judea. Greatly helped by his brothers, he drove out the enemy, killed his apostate countrymen and purged the land of its uncleanness. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 12. c. 6. s. 4. (286) 7:147} He made surprise attacks on cities and villages and burned them. He controlled the most strategic places and routed large numbers of his enemies. [K41] He usually attacked by night to avail himself of the element of surprise. The fame of his valour spread everywhere. {#/ Apc 1Ma 3:8,9 2Ma 8:6,7}

 

3840a AM, 4549 JP, 165 BC

 

3419. Judas assigned the priests, who knew the law, to cleanse the sanctuary and move the defiled stones into an unclean place. They pulled down the altar of burnt offerings, which had been profaned by the Gentiles. Its stones were stored in the mount of the temple until the time when a prophet should come who might tell them what ought to be done with them. They built another of whole stones on which no iron tool had been used, according to the law. {#De 27:5,6} They repaired the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. They hallowed the courts and made new holy vessels. They brought the lampstand, the altar of incense and the table into the temple. They burned incense on the altar and lit the lamps on the lampstand. They placed the showbread on the table, hung the curtains and saw through to its conclusion everything they had started. {#/ Apc 1Ma 4:42-51 2Ma 10:3}

 

3840b AM, 4550 JP, 164 BC

 

3424. When the surrounding countries heard of the building of the altar and the dedication of the sanctuary, they were very displeased. So they plotted how they could destroy all the Jews, and began to massacre all the Jews who lived in any of their quarters. {#/ Apc 1Ma 5:1,2}

 

3840c AM, 4550 JP, 164 BC

 

3428. In the 149th year of the kingdom of the Greeks, which began from the beginning of the spring, Antiochus Epiphanes gave up any hope of recovering. He called his friends to him and publicly acknowledged that all these miseries had happened to him because of the harm he had done to the Jews. Now, to his great grief, he had to die in a strange land. {#/ Apc 1Ma 6:10-13,16} When he could no longer endure his own smell, he said:

 

“It is appropriate to be subject to God and a man who is mortal should not proudly think of himself as if he were God.”

 

3429. In this prayer to God, he vowed that he would allow the people of Jerusalem and all other Jews everywhere the free use of their own constitutions, and that in future they should enjoy the freedom of being able to live by their own laws and customs. He promised he would beautify the temple with the rarest of gifts and restore all the holy vessels. The costs of the sacrifices would be defrayed from his own treasury and he himself would also become a Jew. He promised to go through all the inhabited world and declare the power of God. When he saw no lessening of his pains, he wrote very courteous letters to the Jews and earnestly entreated them to remain loyal to him and to his son. While Antiochus was still alive, he had already, as was the normal custom, appointed his son to be the next king. {#/ Apc 2Ma 9:11-27}

 

…… 

King Herod - Time Of The End (The Appointed Time) - Dan 11:36-39

 

    Daniel 11:36.  And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37.  Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38.  But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39.  Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

 

3932b AM, 4642 JP, 72 BC

 

4156. Antipas or Antipater, the Idumean, was the foremost citizen of their country with regard to birth and wealth. He was the son of the other Antipas or Antipater, who they say was the son of Alexander, the king of the Jews, and his wife Alexandra. Antipater was made governor of all Idumea and was married to Cyprus, who was born at a famous place among the Arabians. He had a son called Herod, who later became the king of Judea. Herod was twenty-five years old when his father placed him over Galilee.

 

3958b AM, 4668 JP, 46 BC

 

5062. After Sextus Caesar had been bribed by Herod, he made Herod the governor of Coelosyria.

 

3966b AM, 4676 JP, 38 BC

 

5469. In the beginning of the third year after Herod had been declared king at Rome, he came with an army to Jerusalem and camped near the city. [E723] He soon moved closer to the place where he first planned to assault the walls. Placing his tents before the temple, he intended to assail the walls where Pompey had done in the past. To that end, he surrounded the place with three bulwarks and erected his batteries with the help of many workmen.

 

3967a AM, 4676 JP, 38 BC

 

5474. For five months they held out in the siege in spite of the large army besieging them. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 18. s. 1. (351) 2:165} Finally, twenty of Herod's best soldiers got on the wall and were followed by the centurions of Sossius. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 16. s. 2. (476) 7:695}

 

5479. After the city was captured, it was filled with the bodies of the murdered. The Romans were incensed that they had been forced to continue the siege for so long and the Herodian Jews tried to eliminate the opposing faction, so there were continual slaughters through the porches and houses. The reverence of the temple did not save the suppliants. They spared no one, regardless of age or gender, not even children. Although Herod begged and entreated them to stop, no one obeyed him, but they all continued as if mad and showed their cruelty without respect of age. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 16. s. 2. (479,480) 7:697} {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 18. s. 2. (351,352) 2:165}

 

3968b AM, 4678 JP, 36 BC

 

5502. Herod saw to it that none of the nobility would be appointed high priest. He sent to Babylon for a priest of lowly parentage, with whom he was well-acquainted. He was of the family of the priests, but descended from those Jews who had been transported beyond the Euphrates River. This man's name was Ananel (or Hananeel) and Herod gave him the high priesthood. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 2. s. 4. (22) 8:13} [E727]

 

5594. As soon as the feast was over, he was entertained at a banquet by his mother Alexandra. King Herod courteously enticed the young man into a convenient place and pretended to jest with him in the style of young men. Because that place was too hot and they were quickly weary, they left their games and went to the swimming pools that were near the court, to take in the fresh air at noon. At first, they watched some of their friends and servants as they were swimming. At length, the young man, at Herod's insistence, also went in to join them. Toward evening, those who had been given this charge, dunked him as he was swimming, as if in sport and jest. They held him underwater and did not stop until he drowned. [K456] This was the end of Aristobulus, in the eighteenth year of his life and the first year of his high priesthood. The high priesthood immediately reverted back to Ananel. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 3. s. 3. (53-56) 8:29}

 

5595. When this accident was reported to the women, they were all in an uproar and did nothing but weep and wail over the dead body of the young man. Sorrow seized the whole city as soon as the rumour had spread abroad. Every house bewailed the calamity, as if it had been their own. Herod attempted by every means to make people believe that this accident had happened without his knowledge. He pretended to be sorrowful and tearful. In order to give the women more comfort, he buried the body with a most magnificent funeral. He was extremely generous in adorning his monument and in providing perfumes and other precious things. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 3. s. 4. (57-61) 8:29,31}

 

3974b AM, 4684 JP, 30 BC

 

"He (Herod) surpassed his ancestors to such a degree, especially in friendship with the Romans, that he was declared king, first by Antony and later, when Caesar granted him the same authority."

 

3976a AM, 4685 JP, 29 BC

 

5825. For a whole year after Herod returned from Caesar, his suspicions of his wife Mariamme daily increased, as did the tensions between them. ...When they thought that she should not be executed hurriedly, but detained in one of the king's citadels, Salome urged the king insistently to have her killed at once, because she feared that there could be a revolt among the people if she were alive and in prison and so Mariamme was executed. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 7. s. 4. (218-231) 8:105-111}

 

3978 AM, 4688 JP, 26 BC

 

5845. Herod became more secure and departed more and more from his country's customs, which he violated with new institutions. First of all, he instituted wrestling every fifth year, in honour of Caesar. To hold this, he began to build a theatre in Jerusalem and an amphitheatre in the plain. Both were of sumptuous workmanship, but in direct violation of Jewish customs. [E769]

 

3979 AM, 4689 JP, 25 BC

 

5852. So that he would be more secure from the seditions of the tumultuous people, Herod began to fortify Samaria in the thirteenth year of his reign ...

 

5853. Herod also built another citadel, previously called Straton's Tower, to control the country. He named it Caesarea. He also built a citadel in the large plain and selected men from his cavalry by lot, to guard it. He built Gaba in Galilee and Hesebonitis in Peraea. All these citadels were strategically located in the country, so as to permit him quickly to put down any rebellion of the people. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 8. s. 5. (293,294) 8:139,141}

 

3980b AM, 4690 JP, 24 BC

 

5879. Herod built a palace in Zion which contained two very large and stately houses, and with which the temple itself could in no way compare. He called one of them Caesarea, after Caesar, and the other Agrippium, after Agrippa. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 21. s. 1. (402) 2:189,191} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 9. s. 3. (318) 8:153}

 

3981b AM, 4691 JP, 23 BC

 

5881. Herod removed Jesus, the son of Phabes, from the priesthood and replaced him with Simon, a priest of Jerusalem, who was the son of Boethus of Alexandra and whose daughter, Mariamme, Herod married. She was the most beautiful woman of that time. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 9. s. 3. (320-322) 8:153,155} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 18. c. 5. s. 4. (136) 9:93} [E773]

 

5882. After the marriage was over, Herod began to build a new palace, and next to it he made a town, called Herodion, after himself. This place was about seven and a half miles from Jerusalem toward Arabia, and was the spot where he had defeated the Jews when he was thrust out by the armies of Antigonus.

 

3982b AM, 4692 JP, 22 BC

 

5899. After Herod had built Sebaste, he began to build another very magnificent city in a place by the seaside, where Straton's Tower stood. [K508] He called it Caesarea and constructed a harbour of admirable work, equal in size to the harbour of Piraeus at Athens. He finished all this in twelve years, sparing neither labour nor cost. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 21. s. 5. (408-410) 2:193} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 9. s. 6. (331,332) 8:159} Eutropius described it like this: {Eutropius, l. 7.}

 

"The name of Caesar was so beloved by the barbarians that kings who were friends of the people of Rome built cities in honour of him and called them Caesarea. King Juba built a city in Mauritania, and in Palestine there was another most famous city by the same name."

 

King Of The North (Rome - Caesar Augustus)

King Of The South (Egypt - Antony/Cleopatra) - Dan 11:40-43

 

Daniel 11:40.  And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.41.  He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42.  He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43.  But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.

 

3972b AM, 4682 JP, 32 BC

 

5635. When Caesar heard of Antony's rapid and extensive preparations, he was very astonished and feared he would be forced to fight that summer. Caesar was very short of funds and vexed the people of Italy with his extractions of money. Antony's most serious mistake was that he delayed the battle, as this gave Caesar time to prepare and to settle the uproar over his extractions. {*Plutarch, Antony, l. 1. c. 58. s. 1. 9:269}

 

5636. After King Herod had settled the troubles of Judea and had taken Hyrcanium, (a town which the sister of Antigonus had retained,) the war started at Actium in the 187th Olympiad, which was this summer. Herod made great preparations to help Antony but Antony relieved him of this obligation by saying he did not require help. When Antony heard from Cleopatra and others of the wrongdoings of the Arabians, who refused to pay the tribute Antony had imposed, he ordered Herod to make war on them. Cleopatra also persuaded Antony that it would be to her advantage. She hoped that if Herod were to defeat the Arabians, she would be the mistress of Arabia, and conversely, if the Arabians defeated Herod, she would be the mistress of Judea. As a result, Herod returned home on Antony's orders and kept his army there. He soon invaded Arabia, with a good army of foot soldiers and cavalry. He went to Diospolis, where the Arabians met him, and after a fierce battle, the Jews won. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 19. s. 1,2. (364-366) 2:171} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 5. s. 1. (108-111) 8:53,55}

 

3973b AM, 4683 JP, 31 BC

 

5661. Marcus Agrippa had been sent ahead by Caesar and captured many cargo ships loaded with grain and arms, as they were coming from Egypt, Syria and Asia to help Antony. He crossed over the bay of Peloponnesus and conquered Methone, which had been fortified by Antony with a strong garrison. {Orosius, l. 6. c. 19.} He killed Bogud there. He also determined the best places for the cargo ships to arrive. From there, he went into various places in Greece, troubling Antony greatly. {*Dio, l. 50. (11) 5:459}

 

5662. Caesar was encouraged by these results and set out from Brundisium with all his forces and two hundred and thirty ships with armed prows.

 

5669. This defeat, as well as the defeat of his cavalry by Caesar's guard, changed Antony's mind about having his camp opposite the enemies' camp. Therefore, he left it by night and went to the other side of the narrows where his larger forces were camped. Since he was being blockaded from getting provisions, he held a council to decide whether they should go to battle now, or leave that location and fight the war later. {*Dio, l. 50. (14) 5:467}

  

5693. As soon as it was day, Caesar completed his victory. Twelve thousand of the conquered had been killed and six or seven thousand wounded, of whom a thousand died of their wounds. {Orosius, l. 6. c. 19.} Plutarch stated that not more than five thousand died and three hundred ships were captured. The remains of this large armada was carried up and down over the whole sea in its wreckage, for the seas were cleared by the wind and daily washed up gold and purple on the shores, from the spoils of the Arabians, the Sabeans and a thousand other peoples of Asia. {*Plutarch, Antony, l. 1. c. 68. s. 1. 9:293} {*Florus, l. 2. c. 21. s. 7. 1:327}

 

5703. Caesar demanded money from the cities and took away their power over the citizens, which they had usurped in the councils of the people. From the kings and governors, with the exception of Amyntas and Archelaus, he took all the towns they had received from Antony. He deposed from their thrones: Philopator, the son of Tarcondimotus (the prince of Cilicia), Lycomedes, who had obtained the kingdom of Pontus in a part of Cappadocia, and Alexander, the brother of Jamblichus, who had received a kingdom in Arabia. Alexander had received his kingdom for accusing Caesar. He gave the country of Lycomedes to Medeius, who had instigated the revolt of the Mysians of Asia from Antony. He granted freedom to the people of Cydonia and Lampe (in Crete), because they had helped him, and rebuilt the city of the Lampeans, which had been destroyed. The senators and equestrians and other noblemen who had in any way helped Antony, were either fined, put to death, or pardoned. {*Dio, l. 51. (2) 6:6}

 

The Empire of the Roman Caesars

 

3975a AM, 4684 JP, 30 BC

 

5808. After Caesar had settled affairs in Egypt as he thought best, he went into Syria with his land forces. {*Dio, l. 51. (18) 6:49,51} {Orosius, l. 6. c. 19.} Herod escorted him as far as Antioch. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 7. s. 4. (218) 8:105}

 

5810. Caesar departed from Syria. Messala Corvinus deceived the Cyzicenian gladiators, who had been allowed to live in Daphne, a suburb of Antioch. They were sent to various places on the pretext of being enlisted in the legions and then killed, as opportunities presented themselves. {*Dio, l. 51. (7,8) 6:23}

 

5813. Caesar went into the province of Asia, where he organised his winter quarters and settled all the affairs of his subjects. {*Dio, l. 51. (18) 6:49,51} {Orosius, l. 6. c. 19.}

 

3977 AM, 4687 JP, 27 BC

 

5839. When Caesar had settled everything and organised the provinces into a certain form, he was surnamed Augustus. {*Livy, l. 134. 14:163} [K498] This name was given to him in his seventh consulship and at the request of Plancus, with the consent of the whole Senate and the people of Rome. {*Dio, l. 53. (16) 6:235} {*Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 91. s. 1. 1:243} Suetonius wrote: {*Suetonius, Augustus, l. 2. c. 7. s. 2. 1:159}

 

3984b AM, 4694 JP, 20 BC

 

5917. Augustus gave the tetrarchy of Zenodorus to Herod. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 10. s. 3. (360) 8:175} {*Dio, l. 54. (9) 6:303} [K510] This was a large tract of land located between Galilee and Trachonitis, containing Ulatha and Paneas and the neighbouring countries. He also made him one of the governors of Syria and ordered the governors of that province to do nothing without Herod’s advice. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 20. s. 4. (400) 2:189} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 10. s. 4. (360) 8:175}

 

Bad News From East And North (For Herod) - Dan 11:44-45

 

Daniel 11: 44.  But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to make away many. 45.  And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

 

3980b AM, 4690 JP, 24 BC

 

5879. Herod built a palace in Zion which contained two very large and stately houses, and with which the temple itself could in no way compare. He called one of them Caesarea, after Caesar, and the other Agrippium, after Agrippa. {*Josephus, Jewish War, l. 1. c. 21. s. 1. (402) 2:189,191} {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 15. c. 9. s. 3. (318) 8:153}

 

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\webwork\daniel11_files\image006.jpg

 

4000a AM, 4709 JP, 5 BC

 

The Seventh Age of the World

 

6059. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of the most blessed virgin Mary at Bethlehem in the fulness of time. {#Mt 1:25 2:1,5 Ga 4:4} Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. {#Lu 2:7}

 

6062. The wise men from the east were guided by a star and came to Herod at Jerusalem. [K532] When they were told that the birthplace of Christ was in Bethlehem of Judea, they went there and entered the house which was shown to them by the star that stood over it. They found the little child with his mother, Mary. They fell down and worshipped him and gave him their treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, and so they departed into their own country by another way. {#Mt 2:1-12}

 

6067. Herod thought the young child was still at Bethlehem. He killed all the children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding area, who were two years old or less. This was in accordance with the time when the star was first seen in the east and when the wise men enquired about the child. {#Mt 2:16}

 

6077. Augustus heard of the edict of Herod, by which all the children who were two years old or under were ordered to be killed. When he heard that one of Herod's own sons was also killed because of this same edict, he said that: {Macrobius, Saturnalia, l. 2. c. 4.}  "It was better to be Herod's sow, than his son.”

 

4001a AM, 4710 JP, 4 BC

 

6078. By an edict, Herod convened to Jericho the most noble of the Jews from every place and locked them up in a place called the hippodrome. He told his sister Salome and her husband Alexas that, as soon as he was dead, they were to order the soldiers to kill all those who were confined in the hippodrome, so that the people would have cause for sorrow. Otherwise, they would rejoice at the death of their king, whom they hated so much. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 6. s. 5. (173,174) 8:451,453}

 

6084. Before the king’s death became known, Salome and Alexas sent home all those who had been locked up in the hippodrome. They said that Herod had so ordered, that they should leave for their homes and go about their own business. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 8. s. 2. (193,194) 8:461}

 

6082. After Herod had ordered these things, he died on the fifth day after he had executed Antipater. [E795] He had held the kingdom for thirty-four years after having killed Antigonus, but thirty-seven years from the time that he was declared king by the Romans. {*Josephus, Antiq., l. 17. c. 8. s. 1. (191) 8:459} He died about the 25th of November, that is, the 7th of the month of Chisleu, which was therefore accounted a joyful and a festival day, because on that day: "Herod died, who hated all wise men.”

 

Daniel 12:1. 

 

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

 2.  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

 3.  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

 4.  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

 

Matthew 27

 

 50.  Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

 

 51.  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

 52.  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

 53.  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

 

4036b AM, 4746 JP, 33 AD

 

6481. The veil of the temple was ripped in two, from the top to the bottom, and there was an earthquake and the rocks were split. The graves were opened and many of the saints, who had died, arose and came out of the graves after his resurrection and went into Jerusalem and appeared to many. [K606] When the centurion and those who were standing around Jesus witnessed the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and testified that this was certainly the Son of God. Then all the people who had come to watch the crucifixion beat their chests and returned home. His acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood afar off and saw these things. Among them were Salome, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James the Less, and Joses. When Jesus had been in Galilee, these had followed him and ministered to him, along with many other women who had come up to Jerusalem with him. {#Lu 23:47-49 Mt 27:51-56} [E843]

 

6507. When they were assembled together, the Lord commanded them that they should not leave Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. {#Ac 1:4,5 11:16} The apostles asked the Lord if it was at this time that he would restore the kingdom to Israel. He replied that it was not for them to know the times that the Father had put in his own power. However, they would receive the Holy Spirit and would bear witness to him, not only in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, but to the uttermost parts of the earth. After he had spoken these things, and while they were watching, he was taken up and a cloud received him from their sight. [E848] They were also instructed by two angels in white clothes, who suddenly appeared and told them that he would come again in the very same way as they had now seen him go up into heaven. {#Ac 1:6-11}

 

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