Synopsis of Jewish History

chus the Greek, Seleucus, and Ant

ecutions at the hands of the Ptolemys, surrendered to the power of Antiochus the Great, King of Syria; and when he ca

their brethren who had settled themselves in Babylon and Mesopotamia. He had at all times expressed hims

led that part of the country. At the death of Antiochus, his son, Seleucus Philopater, succeeded him. In his day, Simon, a Benjamite, was made Governor of the Temple. He had some difference with Onias, the high priest, who was a very good man. Simon, howe

God, imploring his divine assistance in their present distress. The scene which thus presented itself to him at that moment so powerfully affected him, that he fell prost

rive Onias of the priesthood and to banish him to Antioch; at the same time Jason wished to have the priesthood conferred on him; not, as it is supposed, that he wished to have it as a religious of

ms and usages of their forefathers, and to conform in many things to the customs and ceremonies of the heathens. Some few years after Jason had been in office, he commissioned his brother Mene

nstructions to his secretary to make out a fresh commission in favor of Menelaus, who returned trium

left of her religion and her freedom. He then visited Antioch, where he met his brother Onias, who rebuked him for his misconduct both towards him and the people in general. Menelaus, chagrined at his brother's rebuke, adopted means by which Onias was put to death. During this time, Lysimachus, who had been appointed

esolute and desperate men; repaired to Jerusalem which he assaulted; succeeded in putting to flight his brother Menelaus with his party, and committed great havoc among those

nd to kill young and old without any reserve. The soldiers obeyed their cruel master in so unmerciful a manner, that in less than three

f all the sacred vessels still remaining-the altar of

ow on the altar of burnt offerings, and scattered its fragments over every part of the Temple. The tyrant then departed, leaving the city of Jerusalem overwhelmed in sorrow and in mourning. The streets were strewed wit

were subject, and at the same time commanded him at the head of a thousand men, to attack the city of

together with numbers of the private citizens; led the women and children into captivity; destroyed all their houses; built

rofane the sabbath, and cruelly persecuted all such who did not strictly conform to his wishes; rendering the position of the poor Jews pitiable in the extreme, and probably unequalled by any other nation in the annals of the world. Antiochus then ordered all the books of the law, and other books used for worship, to be destroyed; and to effectually carry out his cruel edict, officers were appointed to search every house, and every person was examined on oath as to the possession of any Hebrew books or tablets. By this means not a copy of the law was to be seen among the poor Jews. Notwithstanding all t

aliantly and bravely resented the injuries inflicted on their countrymen, and zealously fought the battles of the Lord; the success