2 Maccabees

Nicanor’s Expedition

Three years later, Judas and his men learned that Demetrius, son of Seleucus, had arrived in Tripoli with a fleet and a large army

and had taken control of the kingdom, killing Antiochus and his tutor Lysias.

A certain Alcimus, who had been high priest before but was disgraced during the rebellion, realized there was no way for him to be restored to the ministry at the sacred altar.

So, he went to King Demetrius in about the year one hundred and fifty-one (year B.C.) and was offered a golden crown, a palm, and even some olive branches from the temple as usual. He did not ask for anything that day.

But he found a suitable opportunity for his evil plans when he was called to the king’s council meeting. When he was asked with what attitude and spirit the Jews should be confronted, he answered:

“There is a group called Hasideans among the Jews, led by Judas Maccabeus, that keeps fighting and rebelling, preventing peace and order from being restored in the land.

Because of them, I have been stripped of the honor my ancestors held, specifically the office of high priest.

I came here, primarily concerned with the king’s interests, but also caring for my fellow citizens, since the fanaticism of these men has brought great suffering to our people.

O King, look upon our land and nation, which are under heavy pressure from all sides, with the same kindness you show to everyone.

As long as Judas is alive, the state cannot find peace.”

When Alcimus spoke, the rest of the king’s friends, who were against Judas, quickly stirred up Demetrius against him.

And the king immediately chose Nicanor, who led the squadron of elephants, and made him military governor of Judea

with orders to kill Judas, scatter his men, and bring Alcimus back as the priest of the great temple.

The pagans who had earlier fled from Judea out of fear of Judas gathered in large numbers to Nicanor, believing that the misfortunes and defeat of the Jews would lead to their victory.

When the men of Judas learned that Nicanor was coming and about the invasion of the pagans, they sprinkled dust upon their heads and called on Him who had established his people forever and had each time protected his people through extraordinary manifestations.

Then, at their leader’s command, they set out to march, and the battle began near Dessau.

Simon, the brother of Judas, had attacked Nicanor, but his men were suddenly confused by the enemy, suffering a slight setback.

However, as Nicanor had heard of Judas and his men’s courage and how bravely they fought for their country, he feared resolving the situation through bloodshed.

So, he sent Posidonius, Theodotus, and Mattathias to arrange for peace.

After carefully considering the conditions, he shared this with his troops, who appeared to agree. The peace treaty was approved.

Then they fixed the date for the leaders’ meeting. A chariot from each side moved forward, and they prepared seats of honor.

Judas arranged armed men strategically in case of sudden treachery by the enemy. But their meeting went well.

Nicanor spent some time in Jerusalem without causing any harm and even dismissed the people who had gathered around him.

He always had Judas with him because he held him in high regard.

He advised him to marry and have children, so Judas got married and lived peacefully.

When Alcimus saw the good understanding between the two, he obtained a copy of the signed agreement. He went to Demetrius, accusing Nicanor of acting against the interests of the state since he had appointed Judas, the enemy of the kingdom, as his minister.

The king was furious and upset by that wicked man’s slanders. He wrote to Nicanor, angry about the treaty, and ordered him to put Maccabeus in chains and send him to Antioch immediately.

Nicanor was dismayed that he was asked to break the treaty with Judas, who had done nothing wrong.

But he could not go against the king’s orders, so he looked for an opportunity to do so through deception.

Maccabeus noticed that Nicanor had become more reserved and more unpleasant during their usual meetings, so he realized this was not a good sign. He started gathering some of his men but did not tell Nicanor about it.

When the latter learned that Judas had escaped without disloyalty, he appeared in the holy temple. At the same time, the priests offered the ritual sacrifices and demanded that they hand Judas over to him.

The priests declared on oath that they did not know where he was to be found.

Then, he stretched out his hand to the Sanctuary and made this oath: “If you don’t hand Judas over to me in chains, I will tear down this place dedicated to God, destroy the altar, and build a magnificent temple to Dionysus right here.”

And after saying this, he left. The priests reached out their hands to heaven and called upon him, who had ceaselessly defended our nation, saying:

“O Lord of the universe, although you do not need anything, it has pleased you to place this temple among us as your dwelling.

So, keep this house, which has been purified, undefiled forever.”

Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, was denounced to Nicanor as a very patriotic man, well known as the “father of the Jews” because of his kindness.

Before the rebellion, he was accused of Judaism, and he enthusiastically dedicated himself to defending Judaism.

Now then, Nicanor, wanting to show his hatred toward the Jews, ordered more than five hundred soldiers to take him prisoner.

He believed that imprisoning him would deliver a heavy blow to the Jews.

When the soldiers were about to capture the tower and were breaking down the courtyard door (they had already ordered fire to burn the door), Razis, surrounded, stabbed his belly with his own sword.

He preferred to die bravely rather than fall into the hands of foreigners and endure insults unworthy of his noble birth.

But when he fell upon his sword, he did not hit exactly; so when he saw the troops rushing in through the gates, he gathered enough strength to climb to the top of the tower, then manfully threw himself down upon the soldiers.

But they quickly pulled back, so he ended up in an empty space.

Still alive and burning with courage, he stood up despite the blood pouring out and his wounds, then ran through the soldiers.

He stood on a steep rock, and there, with his blood almost completely drained from him, he took hold of his intestines with both hands and hurled them at the crowd. Then, calling on the Master of his life and spirit to return them to him again one day, he left this life.