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1 Maccabees 10:1-2
New Catholic Bible
1 Maccabees 10:1-2
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 10
Jonathan Is Named High Priest.[a] 1 In the year one hundred and sixty, Alexander Epiphanes,[b] the son of Antiochus, arrived by sea and occupied Ptolemais. The people there welcomed him, and he began to reign. 2 When King Demetrius heard of this, he assembled a very large army and marched out to engage him in battle.
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- 1 Maccabees 10:1 Jonathan belongs to the priestly families that the biblical genealogies trace to Aaron, and our author considers his nomination on the part of the occupying prince to be normal. However, others will be more perplexed. Thus, the movement of the Asmodians will judge this fact as arbitrary and irregular, and the Essenes regard it as a true usurpation of the high priesthood and separate themselves from official Judaism. On the other hand, a descendant of the high priest Onias (see 2 Mac 3), Onias IV, will construct a Jewish temple at Leontopolis in Egypt. In any case, the new high priest has his mind above all on things of war and politics.
- 1 Maccabees 10:1 Alexander I Epiphanes came from Ephesus and claimed to be the son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes although his given name was Balas. He claimed the kingship in 150 B.C. and reigned until 145 B.C. The Roman senate recognized him—aided by the urging of Attalus II of Pergamum and by the fact that the Romans had not forgiven Demetrius for becoming king without permission.
