3
The Threat against the Jews
Living
around Alexandria
Living
around Alexandria
1 3 Macc 4.12. As soon as the evil King Philopator learned what the Jews were doing to avoid being punished, he became terribly angry with the Jews in Alexandria and even more furious at those living in the countryside. He immediately gave orders to bring them together and brutally put every one of them to death.
2 Es 3.8. While this was being arranged, some people who wanted to see the Jews suffer started a hateful rumor, saying the Jews were constantly trying to stop others from obeying the king's laws.*the Jews … laws: One possible meaning for the difficult Greek text. 3 But in fact, the Jews were always loyal to the king and never caused trouble of any kind. 4 They worshiped their God and obeyed his Law, and they were careful to eat their own food. All this made some people believe the Jews were nothing but troublemakers.
5 Dt 4.5-8; 1 Th 4.12. Most people respected the Jews and thought they were honest people. 6 Yet there were foreigners who ignored all the good things that the Jews did in Egypt and instead believed every rumor about them. 7 Es 3.8; Gk Est 13.3-5. These foreigners gossiped about the Jews and made fun of their worship and their food. They also spread cruel rumors that the Jews opposed the king and disobeyed government leaders.
8 One day, some of the Gentiles who lived in Alexandria saw an angry mob mistreating a group of Jews. These Gentiles were shocked, but because they were ruled by the same cruel leaders, they had no power to do anything except encourage the Jews and tell them things would get better. They knew 9 the Jews did not deserve to be treated so badly. 10 In fact, some business leaders and friends of the Jews secretly began promising that they would help them in every way possible.
Philopator Orders the Arrest
of Every Jew in His Kingdom
of Every Jew in His Kingdom
11 3 Macc 1.9-15. King Philopator was very proud of what he was accomplishing, and he believed nothing was powerful enough to stop him, including God Most High.
Philopator wrote the following letter:
12 Greetings from King Ptolemy Philopator†King Ptolemy Philopator: See the note at 1.1. to my army commanders and soldiers in the surrounding territories. I hope you are well.
13 Our kingdom is strong and secure. 14 In fact, the fighting in Asia was very successful, because the gods were definitely on our side. 15 So we decided to be kind to the people living in the territories of Greater Syria‡Greater Syria: Greek “Coele-Syria and Phoenicia.” and to treat them as friends instead of enemies. 16 We even gave lots of money to honor their places of worship. Our plan was to do the same for the Jerusalem temple, where those wicked and foolish Jews worship. 17 They said they were glad we were there, but when we asked to enter their holy temple and honor it with expensive offerings, they refused 18 to let us in. They were very arrogant, just as they have always been. We should have punished them right then, but since we are so kind to everyone, we did not harm them. 19 3 Macc 1.18. The Jews are the only people who refuse to believe that foreign rulers can be honest and fair. That's why they despise and hate us.
20 When we returned to Egypt after our victories, we treated the Jews very well, just as we treat all foreigners, and we decided to leave them to their own foolish ways. 21 3 Macc 2.31; 5.31; 6.25; 7.7,21. We also told everyone that we would be kind to the Jews, because not only had they signed a treaty with us, but they had often been involved in government matters. We even offered the Jews the opportunity to become full citizens of Alexandria and invited them to participate in our religious ceremonies. 22 But those stubborn Jews were offended by our generous offer, and as always, they chose what is evil 23 and rejected the chance to become Alexandrians. Then they completely cut off their own people who chose to accept our offer of citizenship. They seem to think that we will soon change our policy toward them—all of this shows how ignorant they are.
24 Ex 1.10. We have concluded that many of the Jews are simply opposed to us in every way. And so, rather than letting these wicked people rebel openly against us someday, we have come up with a plan. 25 3 Macc 4.9; 5.5. As soon as you have read this letter, send us every Jewish man, woman, and child living in your territory! Show them no mercy and bind them in chains to keep them from escaping. And when they arrive here, we will be sure they are put to death as worthless criminals and enemies. 26 Once every Jew is dead, our kingdom will once again be peaceful.
27 Anyone, whether old or young, who secretly hides a Jew will be tortured to death, together with every family member. 28 But any person who tells us where a Jew is hiding will be paid 2,000 silver coins§silver coins: Drachmas, which weighed about seven grams. and will be honored as a hero.*honored as a hero: One possible meaning for the difficult Greek text. That person will also receive the property of the criminal who is caught hiding Jews, 29 and the hiding place will be completely burned and closed up forever.
30 Gk Est 16.24. The above letter was copied and sent everywhere in Philopator's kingdom.
3.1 3 Macc 4.12.
3.2 Es 3.8.
*3.2 the Jews … laws: One possible meaning for the difficult Greek text.
3.5 Dt 4.5-8; 1 Th 4.12.
3.7 Es 3.8; Gk Est 13.3-5.
3.11 3 Macc 1.9-15.
†3.12 King Ptolemy Philopator: See the note at 1.1.
‡3.15 Greater Syria: Greek “Coele-Syria and Phoenicia.”
3.19 3 Macc 1.18.
3.21 3 Macc 2.31; 5.31; 6.25; 7.7,21.
3.24 Ex 1.10.
3.25 3 Macc 4.9; 5.5.
§3.28 silver coins: Drachmas, which weighed about seven grams.
*3.28 honored as a hero: One possible meaning for the difficult Greek text.
3.30 Gk Est 16.24.