7
Philopator's Letter
Not only did Philopator agree to let the Jews return to their homes, he also wrote a letter about them and sent it to the army commanders in every city of his kingdom. The letter said:
1 Greetings from King Ptolemy Philopator of Egypt*King Ptolemy Philopator: See the note at 1.1. to my army commanders and the highest-ranking officials of my kingdom. I hope you are in good health. 2 The people are safe and well, because God Most High has been very kind and has made good things happen to our kingdom.
3 Yet some of my officials here in Alexandria encouraged us to do something evil. They asked us to bring together all the Jews in my kingdom and to severely torture and punish them, as if they were rebels. 4 These wicked officials claimed that the Jews were a constant threat to any nation where they lived, and that our own government would never be completely in control until they were wiped out. 5 2 Macc 4.47; 4 Macc 10.7. The Jews were led to the stadium and treated no better than slaves or traitors. Our own officials were terribly mean and cruel,†terribly mean and cruel: Greek “meaner than Scythians,” a people who were known for their cruelty. and they tried their best to put the Jews to death—without asking them a single question!
6 Tb 13.4; Ws 11.10. My other officials and I threatened to punish these rebel officials for what they were doing. And then we rescued the Jews, just as we would rescue any foreigners. We know for certain that the God of heaven defends the Jews and treats them as well as a father treats his own children. 7 3 Macc 3.21. The Jews have always been loyal and friendly to us and our ancestors. So we have forgotten every false charge brought against them, 8 and we told them to go back to their own homes. We ordered everyone to leave the Jews alone and not harm them in any way‡in any way: Greek; some ancient translations “anywhere along their way.” or make fun of them for the awful things that have happened. 9 You know that if we plan to do any evil against the Jews or cause them any trouble at all, we won't have a human ruler as our enemy. God Most High, the ruler over all human powers, will turn against us and avenge them. Goodbye.
The Rebellious Jews
Are Punished
Are Punished
10 Dt 13.6-18; Es 8.8-10; Jn 18.30,31. When the faithful Jews read this letter, they did not leave immediately. Instead, they asked Philopator if they could punish the other Jews in Alexandria who had sinned against God and rejected his Law 11 to avoid starving to death.§Jews in Alexandria … starving to death: This probably refers to the events of 2.25-31. The faithful Jews told Philopator that these rebels would never be truly loyal to him.
12 Philopator agreed and gave the faithful Jews complete authority to wipe out the rebellious Jews who had disobeyed God's commands. 13 The priests and the rest of the Jews clapped and cheered when they heard Philopator's decision, and they shouted praises to God just before they left.
14 As they went through Alexandria, they punished every Jew who had become unacceptable to God by disobeying his commands. These rebels were shamefully put to death where everyone could watch. 15 Three hundred men were killed on that day, and it was remembered as a special day on which many unfaithful Jews were destroyed.
16 Ba 5.6-9. After that, the faithful Jews left Alexandria. They wore sweet-smelling flowers around their heads, and they sang beautiful songs of praise in honor of the God their ancestors had worshiped. And as they left, they thanked God for rescuing them, just as he had always rescued the people of Israel.
The Faithful Jews
Return Home
Return Home
17 Some time later, the Jews arrived at Ptolemais,*Ptolemais: Possibly a town on the Nile River about 20 kilometers north of present-day Cairo. also known as the “City of Roses,” where the boats to take them home were docked. The boats waited seven days, because all the Jews agreed 18 to celebrate their rescue once again. They also honored King Philopator, who had provided the supplies they would need until every one of them returned home.
19 The Jews were very thankful when they were safely off the boats, and they decided to remember their travel days as festival days. 20 Before they left for their homes, they found a stone column and carved on it the command to celebrate these sacred festival days each year. Then they dedicated the place as a sacred place for prayer.
Everyone got home safely, because Philopator made sure they were safe all along the way home, whether on land or water. They were very happy that they were free and were no longer abused prisoners. 21 3 Macc 3.21. In fact, the enemies of the Jews now respected them and promised to treat them like friends. 22 3 Macc 1.9. The people who had taken over the Jews' property were afraid of what God might do, so these people were eager to give it back, according to the government records that told how much the Jews owned.
God Is Praised
God Most High did all the miracles written in this book so that the Jews would be rescued from death. 23 Shout praises forever to the God who saves the people of Israel! Amen.
*7.1 King Ptolemy Philopator: See the note at 1.1.
7.5 2 Macc 4.47; 4 Macc 10.7.
†7.5 terribly mean and cruel: Greek “meaner than Scythians,” a people who were known for their cruelty.
7.6 Tb 13.4; Ws 11.10.
7.7 3 Macc 3.21.
‡7.8 in any way: Greek; some ancient translations “anywhere along their way.”
7.10 Dt 13.6-18; Es 8.8-10; Jn 18.30,31.
§7.11 Jews in Alexandria … starving to death: This probably refers to the events of 2.25-31.
7.16 Ba 5.6-9.
*7.17 Ptolemais: Possibly a town on the Nile River about 20 kilometers north of present-day Cairo.
7.21 3 Macc 3.21.
7.22 3 Macc 1.9.