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After Bacchides returned to Jerusalem, the Syrians built fortifications with high walls and barred gates for a number of towns in Judea: Emmaus, Beth Horon, Bethel, Timnath, Pirathon, Tephon, and the fortress in Jericho.
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In all of these he placed troops to harass the Jews.
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He also strengthened the fortifications of the towns of Bethzur and Gezer and of the fort in Jerusalem. He placed army units in them and stored up supplies there.
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Then he took the sons of the leading men of the country as hostages and imprisoned them in the fort.
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In the second month of the year 153, the High Priest Alcimus ordered that the wall of the inner court of the Temple be torn down. This would have destroyed what the prophets had accomplished; but just as the work began,
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he had a stroke, and work was stopped. Paralyzed and unable to open his mouth, he could not speak or even make a will for his family.
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He died in great torment.
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When Bacchides learned that Alcimus was dead, he returned to King Demetrius, and the land of Judea had peace for two years.
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Then all the renegades got together and said, "Look, Jonathan and his men are living in peace and security. If we bring Bacchides here now, he can capture them all in a single night."
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They went to discuss the matter with Bacchides,
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and he set out with a large army. He sent secret letters to all his allies in Judea, asking them to seize Jonathan and his men. But they were not able to do so because the plot was discovered.