1 Maccabees 9:50-57

Common English Bible

Bacchides builds fortifications

⁵⁰ Then Bacchides returned to Jerusalem and built strong cities in Judea: the fortress in Jericho, Emmaus, Beth-horon, Bethel, Timnath, Pharathon, and Tephon, all with high walls and gates and bars. ⁵¹ He placed soldiers in each of them to harass Israel. ⁵² He also fortified Beth-zur, Gazara, and the elevated fortress. He put soldiers and stores of food in them. ⁵³ He took hostage the sons of the leading citizens and put them under guard in the elevated fortress at Jerusalem.

⁵⁴ In the second month of the year 153,^[a] Alcimus gave orders to tear down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary—to tear down the work of the prophets. But he only initiated the project. ⁵⁵ Right at that moment Alcimus had a stroke, and his work was stalled. He was paralyzed and couldn’t speak or give commands concerning his house. ⁵⁶ Alcimus died a painful death shortly thereafter. ⁵⁷ When Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king. The land of Judah was quiet for two years.