On

vengeance upon him for his lawless conduct. hearing of this, Hyrcanus fell on his sword, and killed himself.

287. Before his death, however, he had contrived to gain over Onias the high priest, who undertook the safe-keeping of his treasure, and laid it up for him in the temple, which was probably the first occasion of the quarrel between Onias, and Simon the governor of the temple, who is believed to have been the brother of Hyrcanus.

288. It seems, that Joseph had been appointed governor of the temple. He was, perhaps, the first who held that office; for before this time, the high priest seems to have had the sole authority in Jerusalem. But the kings who ruled over Palestine, no doubt found it convenient, to have an officer of their own selection stationed in that important city; and Joseph being greatly in favor with the Ptolemies, as he was ever faithful to their interests, was probably clothed with authority to act for them in Jerusalem. However this may be, we find Simon a Benjamite, holding this office, in the year 176 B. C., who is believed to have been the son of Joseph, as before hinted.

289. Between this man and Onias the high priest, a difference arosé; and when Simon could not prevail, be and his associates, who are called the sons of Tobias, fled from Jerusalem, and went to Apollonius, governor of Colo-Syria, informing him, that great treasures were concealed in the temple of Jerusalem; in consequence of which intelligence, the king sent his treasurer, Heliodorus, to bring them away.

290. An account of what befell Heliodorus, in consequence of this Sacrilegious attempt to rifle the temple

of Jehovah, is related at large, in the third chapter of the second book of Maccabees.

The substance of this account is, that Heliodorus, on Coming to Jerusalem, notwithstanding the determined opposition of Onias the high priest, the solemn and importunate entreaties of the other priests and Levites, and the mournings and supplications of all ranks and sexes, would not be diverted from his purpose. But when, with his guard, he had penetrated to the treasury, he was met with a fearful apparition; for "there appeared unto him a horse with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering; and he ran fiercely and smote at Heliodorus with his forefeet; and it seems that he that sat upon the horse had complete harness of gold. Moreover, two other young men appeared before him, notable in strength, excellent in beauty, and comely in apparel, who stood by him on the other side, and scourged him continually and gave him many sore stripes. And Heliodorus fell suddenly upon the ground, and was compassed with great darkness; but they that were about him took him up and put him in a litter." And he was restored only through the prayers of the high priest. See the account in full, 2 Mac. ii. 3.

CHAPTER XIII.

JUDEA FALLS UNDER THE POWER OF ANTIOCHUS -PREDICTIONS RESPECTING SELEUCUS--GOOD CHARACTER OF ONIAS THE HIGH PRIEST— JASON'S WICKED CONDUCT-AND THE MORE WICKED OF MENELAUS-DEATH OF ONIASROBBERY OF THE TEMPLE BY LYSIMACHUS STRANGE SIGHTS SEEN AT JERUSALEM-TEMPLE DESCERATED

BY ANTIOCHUS-WRETCHED END OF MENELAUS-ANTIOCHUS INVADES EGYPT, BUT IS MET BY AN EMBASSY FROM ROME-DREADFUL PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS BY

EPIPHANES.

ANTIOCHUS

291. After the battle of Paneas, before mentioned, Judea and all the neighboring provinces came under the power of Antiochus the Great. But when he made peace with Ptolemy, and gave his daughter Cleopatra in marriage to him, these provinces it was agreed, should go with her, as a part of her dowry. There is, however, reason to believe, that this treaty was never executed, so far as relates to these intermediate countries: for in the reign of Seleucus, the successor of Antiochus, we find them still under the Syrian government; yet if the story of Josephus, related above, respecting Hyrcanus, is worthy of credit, they must have belonged to Egypt at the birth of Ptolemy Philometor. There seems to be, therefore, a chasm in the history of Judea, about this period. It is certain, however, from the

testimony, both of Josephus and the author of the second book of Maccabees, that they were in the possession of Seleucus king of Syria, at the time of his decease.

292. The prophet Daniel, who was so particular in predicting the fortunes of Antiochus the Great, has not passed over his successor Seleucus, without notice. He is spoken of as his successor, in the words following: "There should stand upon his estate a raiser of taxes." And it is a fact, that Seleucus was occupied during his whole reign in collecting money from all quarters to pay what had been laid upon his father, by the Romans. The whole sum was fifteen thousand Eubæan talents, which they agreed should be paid by instalments of a thousand talants annually, and the last of the years of this tribute, was the last of his life; so he did little else than gather taxes. But the prophecy goes on to say, that, "Within a few years he should be destroyed, and that neither in anger, nor in battle.” And so it turned out, for he was neither slain in foreign war, nor sediton at home, but fell by the treachery of one of his own friends.

293. Seleucus died in the year 175 B. C.; and Heliodorus, who was the treacherous author of his death, used every effort to place himself on the throne. Antiochus the brother of Seleucus, hearing of his death at Athens, and of the treasonable designs of Heliodorus who had secured a powerful party in his favor, applied to Eumenes the king of Pergamus, and to Attalus his brother, to assist him in getting possession of the throne, to which he was the legitimate heir; which, through policy, they did. Fearing a war with the Romans, they knew that the friendship of the king of Syria would be important. Antiochus, when seated on his

throne, took the name of Epiphanes, which signifies illustrious, the very opposite of his true character. The unerring pen of the prophet gives an exact description of this prince, when he is called, "a vile person," (Dan. xi. 21.) The original, however, would be more correctly rendered, a despicable person. But the truth of this character is also confirmed by the most unexceptionable testimony of profane writers.

Polybius, Philarchus, Livy, and Diodorus Siculus, the two first of whom were contemporary with him, all concur in describing him as a king of corrupt manners, of which they give many pertinent examples. Indeed, his conduct was so extravagant and so unbecoming his royal station, that he appeared to many to be a fool or insane; and for shameless impudence and beastly lust and intemperance, no one could be more debased.

294. Onias, who was now high priest, was held in great esteem by all the people for his piety and justice; but he had a brother named Jason, of a very opposite character. The ambition of this man led him to the impious attempt to supplant his brother. And knowing the high esteem in which Onias was held, he prevailed upon Antiochus, to call bim to Antioch, that he might be out of his way. To induce Antiochus, who was in great need of money, to comply with his wishes, he offered him a large sum. In addition to what Jason gave the king for the priesthood, he offered a hundred and fifty talents more for the liberty of erecting a gymnasium, and an ephibeum, according to the manner of the Greeks, in the city of Jerusalem. He also bargained with the king to have as many of the Jews, as he wished, made freemen of Antioch. This introduction of Grecian customs, and Grecian