Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 81:324 (Oct 1924)
Article: Prolegomena To The Maccabees
Author: Hugh G. Bevenot

BSac 81:324 (Oct 1924) p. 480

Prolegomena To The Maccabees

H. G. Bevenot

Studies of the most gratifying character have been made quite recently, or are still being made, in connection with the history of the Maccabees; indeed, they supply materials of first-class scientific value toward what will be the final comprehensive work on those heroic days in the second century before Christ. We refer in the first place to Father F. X. Kugler’s analysis of a goodly series of till now (mostly) unpublished cuneiform inscriptions with names of Seleucid kings then reigning, whence this eminent Assyriologist has been able to determine the year—often even the month—of accession of most rulers of that dynasty. On the other hand, there is the series of articles being published in the Revue Biblique, 1923, pp. 495-521 and 1924, pp. 201-217, by P. Abel, 0. P. (of The Dominican Convent, Jerusalem) on the actual sites of the Maccabean engagements. These leave nothing to be desired in point of lucidity or topographical accuracy.

In order, however, to a full understanding of this critical period in Jewish history the student must beware of too narrow limits as to both time and place. For the storm of that comparatively short struggle had been brewing some fifty years; and as to place, though all the fighting was done in Palestine, the headquarters of the Jews’ enemies were far away north, at Antioch. The traitors Jason and Menelaus knew their way only too well to this great city, and we should be able to follow with the mind’s eye both their stealthy journeys thereto, and the march south of the infantry and cavalry to crush the rebel Jews.

The present essay, therefore, naturally falls into two parts: (1) a topographical sketch of Western Syria, and (2) an attempt to show how already Antiochus III, by his campaigns in and about Palestine and his connections

BSac 81:324 (Oct 1924) p. 481

not only with Greece but with Rome, effectively preluded to the Maccabean drama.

I.

Western Syria has had a history almost as checkered as that of Palestine, and one may add, almost as replete with interest. From the dim ages when Amorites held the land, to the days when Zinjirli was a beauteous center of worship, and on to the close of July, 1920, when General Boyjet rolled the French cannon definitely into Damascus, the country has been through almost incredible vicissitudes. One asset, however, has greatly contributed to tide over the country in its worst days, namely, the productivity of the soil. For the western part of Syria belongs to that unique topographical feature of Asia known as the Fertile Crescent. One end of this crescent rests in Palestine, it curves up through Western Syria, and then turns to fo...