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The Scripture History ends

The Apocryphal History continues to about 135 B.C.

Judea continued subject to Persia 200 years, the high-priest holding the chief authority under the governor of Syria.

B. C.

410

Alexander the Great went against Jerusa- 332 lem, but changed his intentions, in consequence of Jaddua the high-priest's dress, &c. corresponding with a dream he had. He worshipped the God of the Jews, and shewed them great favour, invited many to Alexandria, after he had built it, and granted them many immunities.

The Jews began to hellenize about this period, i. e. to adopt the Grecian manners and tongue.

Alexander died

The kingdom of Judea was left by him to Laomedon, who soon had it taken from him by Ptolemy Soter; he entered Jerusalem on the Sabbath, and as on that day the Jews durst not fight, he took it without resistance. He carried many thousands captive to Egypt, but he treated them kindly, and under his succes

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sor, Ptolemy Philadelphus, who is said to have given 120,000 Jews their liberty,

B. C.

The Septuagint Version was made. After 270 being subject to Egypt for about 100 years, Jerusalem fell under the power of the kings of Syria: they divided the land, which now began to be called Palestine, into five provinces, three on the west of Jordan, viz. Galilee, Samaria, and Judea; two on the east, Trachonitis and Peræa; but permitted them to be governed by their own laws, under the highpriest, and council of the nation. The Jews began to neglect the worship of God (though they did not fall into idolatry,) and adopted a great many Grecian customs, as gymnastic exercises, &c.; in consequence, by permission of God,

Antiochus Epiphanes plundered the city and Temple

in revenge for not being permitted to enter the Holy of Holies. He exercised great cruelty; burnt all the copies of the Scriptures that could be found, and compelled many, by torture, to sacrifice to idols. For three years and a half the daily sacrifice was taken away, according to Daniel's prediction.

170

B. C.

Mattathias undertook to deliver them; he 167

was a priest, eminent for piety, and by his zeal raised an army of 6000 men; but being old, he did not live to complete his purpose, and

Judas Maccabæus succeeded to the command, on his father Mattathias' death; he defeated the Syrians in several engagements; and at last established the independence of Judea, in conjunction with his four brothers: in consequence the Feast of Dedication was instituted. Judas Maccabæus was afterwards slain in battle, and his brother Jonathan succeeded him. He was made high-priest, which office from that time remained in his family. The Maccabeans recovered the possessions of the twelve tribes, and by them the temple of the Samaritans, on Mount Gerizim, was destroyed.

Aristobulus, first Maccabean king................. About forty-two years afterwards, in consequence of a dispute about the succession, both parties, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, applied to the Romans for assistance. The Roman general, Scaurus, suffered himself to be bribed by Aristobulus. Two years afterwards both brothers again applied to Pompey, who took advantage of their quarrel, and

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B. C.

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63

Judea was made subject to the Romans He allowed Hyrcanus to be high-priest, but not king. Afterwards

Crassus plundered the Temple of every thing valuable. Julius Cæsar confirmed Hyrcanus in the priesthood, and granted some privileges to the Jews. Four years after his death Antigonus revolted ....

He was the son of Aristobulus, and deposed his uncle Hyrcanus, assuming the title of king.

Herod set out for Rome

He, as well as his father Antipater, was an Idumæan (a branch of the Edomites) who were converted to the Jewish religion 120 years before Christ. They both had held offices under Hyrcanus. He prevailed upon Antony to make him king of Judea. He then

Returned, and took Jerusalem, putting an end to the Maccabæan government, which had continued 130 years. Antigonus was put to death at Rome.

Herod married Mariamne, who lived to be the last representative of the Asmonean family: he soon afterwards put her to death from jealousy. Herod enlarged Judea, but greatly depressed the civil power of the high-priest

54

41

40

37

B. C.

hood; changed it from being hereditary and for life, to an office held at the pleasure of the monarch, and frequently sold it to the best bidder. He repaired the Temple, and added greatly to its magnificence. As divine worship was not interrupted during the 46 years that these works were going on, it is evident that a considerable portion of the Temple must have remained standing. At this time, when the Jews were confidently expecting their Messiah, and a general idea prevailed amongst the heathens, that some extraordinary person was about to appear,

CHRIST WAS BORN at Bethlehem, in the 36th year of Herod, during the time Augustus was emperor of Rome. Bethlehem was originally the mother city of the tribe of Judah, five miles south-west of Jerusalem.

Herod died (one year and a half after Christ's birth.) His dominions were divided among his three sons and sister:-1st. Archelaus, Judea Propria, Samaria, and Idumea. 2nd. Herod Antipas, Galilee and Peræa. (This Herod

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* The Christian era does not commence till four years after Christ's birth.

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