3
to make the temple subject to tribute like the sacred sites of other nations, and to put the high priesthood on sale every year.
4
He gave no thought whatsoever to the power of God but was inflated by his tens of thousands of foot soldiers, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.
5
He entered Judea, drew near to Beth-zur (a strongly fortified town about a half mile from Jerusalem), and attacked it.
6
When the Maccabee's followers received information that Lysias was surrounding the fortresses, they and all the people begged the Lord with laments and tears to send a good angel to save Israel.
7
The Maccabee was himself the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to run risks as he did and to come to the aid of their brothers. They dashed out at once, ready for action.
Footnotes 1
[a].
Or five stades or 3,021 feet; a stadion is a linear measure of approximately 607 feet.