1 Maccabees 9

73 verses • Latin Vulgate (Jerome)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Chapter 9 narrates the darkest hour of the Maccabean revolt: the final battle and death of Judas Maccabeus at Elasa against the army of Bacchides. With most of his soldiers deserting, Judas fights to the death with only eight hundred men against twenty thousand. His brothers Jonathan and Simon retrieve his body and bury him at Modein. The chapter then follows the rise of Jonathan as Judas's successor, his guerrilla campaigns, and his establishment as leader during a period of severe Seleucid pressure.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

Judas's death scene (vv. 14-18) is one of the most poignant in biblical literature. Refusing to retreat despite overwhelming odds and mass desertion, he charges into the enemy's right wing, drives them to Mount Azotus, but is outflanked and killed. The author's eulogy — 'How is the mighty one fallen, the savior of Israel!' (v. 21) — consciously echoes David's lament for Jonathan and Saul (2 Samuel 1:19, 25, 27).

Translation Friction

The mass desertion before the battle (v. 6) — from three thousand down to eight hundred — reveals that the Maccabean cause depended heavily on Judas's personal charisma and military success. When the odds looked impossible, most fighters abandoned the cause.

Connections

The eulogy for Judas (v. 21) directly quotes David's lament from 2 Samuel 1:19. Jonathan's wilderness period (vv. 33ff) parallels David's time as a fugitive from Saul. The murder of John by the sons of Jambri (vv. 36-42) and Jonathan's ambush revenge follows the pattern of blood feuds in Judges.

1 Maccabees 9:1

et audivit Demetrius quoniam cecidit Nicanor et exercitus eius in proelio et adposuit Bacchidem et Alcimum rursum mittere in Iudaeam et dextrum cornu cum illis

When Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army had fallen in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea again, with the right wing of his army.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

dextrum cornu

"right wing"

The elite fighting wing of a Hellenistic army — indicating Demetrius sent his best troops this time

1 Maccabees 9:2

et abierunt viam quae ducit in Galgala et castra posuerunt in Masaloth quae est in Arbella et occupaverunt eam et peremerunt animas hominum multas

They marched along the road to Gilgal and encamped against Mesaloth in Arbela. They captured it and killed many people.

1 Maccabees 9:3

in mense primo anni centesimi quinquagesimi secundi adplicuerunt exercitum ad Hierusalem

In the first month of the one hundred and fifty-second year, they brought the army to Jerusalem.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Year 152 = 160 BCE.

1 Maccabees 9:4

et surrexerunt et abierunt in Berream cum viginti milibus virorum et duobus milibus equitum

They set out and marched to Berea with twenty thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry.

1 Maccabees 9:5

et Iudas castra posuerat in Laisa et tria milia viri electi cum eo

Judas had encamped at Elasa with three thousand chosen men.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

Laisa

"Elasa"

Site of Judas's last battle; precise location uncertain but probably near Beth-horon

1 Maccabees 9:6

et viderunt multitudinem exercitus quia multi sunt et timuerunt valde et subtraxerunt se multi de castris et non remanserunt ex eis nisi octingenti viri

When they saw how vast the enemy army was, they were terrified. Many slipped away from the camp until only eight hundred men remained.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

From three thousand to eight hundred — a devastating desertion that leaves Judas hopelessly outnumbered.

1 Maccabees 9:7

et vidit Iudas quod defluxit exercitus suus et bellum perurgebat eum et confractus est corde quia non habebat tempus congregandi eos et dissolutus est

Judas saw that his army had melted away and the battle was pressing upon him. His heart sank, for there was no time to gather them again, and he was overwhelmed.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

confractus est corde

"his heart sank"

Literally 'crushed in heart'; the only moment of despair in Judas's career — facing death with most of his army gone

Translator Notes

'Confractus est corde' — his heart was broken/crushed — the first and only time in the narrative that Judas experiences despair.

1 Maccabees 9:8

et dixit residuis surgamus et eamus ad adversarios nostros si poterimus pugnare adversus eos

He said to those who remained: 'Let us rise and go against our enemies — if we can still fight them.'

1 Maccabees 9:9

et avertebant eum dicentes non poterimus sed liberemus nunc animas nostras et revertamur ad fratres nostros et tunc pugnabimus adversus eos nos autem pauci sumus

They tried to dissuade him: 'We cannot! Let us save our own lives now and return to our brothers, and then we will fight them. We are too few.'

1 Maccabees 9:10

et ait Iudas absit istam rem facere ut fugiamus ab eis et si adpropinquavit tempus nostrum moriamur in virtute propter fratres nostros et non inferamus crimen gloriae nostrae

But Judas said: 'Far be it from us to do this thing — to flee from them! If our time has come, let us die bravely for our brothers, and let us not leave a stain upon our honor.'

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

moriamur in virtute

"let us die bravely"

The Maccabean warrior ethic: an honorable death is preferable to survival through cowardice

Translator Notes

Judas's final words combine Maccabean military honor with the theme of self-sacrifice for the people. He chooses death over dishonor.

1 Maccabees 9:11

et movit exercitus de castris et steterunt illis obviam et divisi sunt equites in duas partes et fundibularii et sagittarii praeibant exercitum et primi certaminis omnes potentes

The enemy army moved out of its camp and took position against them. The cavalry was divided into two wings; slingers and archers went ahead of the army, and all the mighty warriors were in the front rank.

1 Maccabees 9:12

Bacchides autem erat in dextro cornu et proximavit legio ex duabus partibus et clamabant tubis

Bacchides was on the right wing. The legion advanced from both flanks, and they sounded the trumpets.

1 Maccabees 9:13

et exclamaverunt et hii qui erant ex parte Iudae etiam ipsi et commota est terra a voce exercituum et commissum est proelium a mane usque ad vesperam

Those on Judas's side also sounded their trumpets, and the earth shook with the noise of the armies. The battle raged from morning until evening.

1 Maccabees 9:14

et vidit Iudas quod firmior est pars exercitus Bacchidis in dextris et convenerunt cum ipso omnes constantes corde

Judas saw that the stronger part of Bacchides' army was on the right, and all the stoutest-hearted men rallied to him.

1 Maccabees 9:15

et contrita est pars dextera ab eis et persecutus est eos usque ad montem Azoti

They crushed the right wing and pursued them as far as Mount Azotus.

1 Maccabees 9:16

et qui in sinistro cornu erant viderunt quod contritum est dextrum cornu et secuti sunt post Iudam et post eos qui cum illo erant a tergo

But when those on the left wing saw that the right wing had been crushed, they wheeled around and followed after Judas and his men from behind.

1 Maccabees 9:17

et ingravatum est proelium et ceciderunt vulnerati multi ex his et ex illis

The battle grew desperate, and many on both sides fell wounded.

1 Maccabees 9:18

et Iudas cecidit et ceteri fugerunt

Judas fell, and the rest fled.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Six words in Latin — the most devastating sentence in the book. The hero of the revolt, the hammer of God's enemies, falls in battle.

1 Maccabees 9:19

et Ionathas et Simon tulerunt Iudam fratrem suum et sepelierunt eum in sepulchro patrum suorum in civitate Modin

Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas and buried him in the tomb of his fathers in the city of Modein.

1 Maccabees 9:20

et fleverunt eum omnis populus Israhel planctu magno et lugebant dies multos et dixerunt

All the people of Israel mourned him with great lamentation, and they wept for many days, saying:

1 Maccabees 9:21

quomodo cecidit potens qui salvum faciebat populum Israhel

'How is the mighty one fallen, who saved the people of Israel!'

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

quomodo cecidit potens

"How is the mighty one fallen"

Direct quotation of David's lament (2 Samuel 1:19); the author places Judas among Israel's greatest heroes

Translator Notes

Directly echoing David's lament: 'How are the mighty fallen!' (2 Samuel 1:19, 25, 27). Judas is mourned in the same language as Saul and Jonathan — the highest possible tribute.

1 Maccabees 9:22

et cetera verba bellorum Iudae et virtutum quas fecit et magnitudinis eius non sunt descripta multa enim erant valde

The rest of the deeds of Judas — his battles, his brave exploits, and his greatness — have not been recorded, for they were very many.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The standard biblical formula for incomplete records (cf. 1 Kings 11:41) — applied here to Judas, giving him the same literary treatment as the kings of Israel.

1 Maccabees 9:23

et factum est post obitum Iudae emerserunt iniqui in omnibus finibus Israhel et exorti sunt omnes qui operabantur iniquitatem

After the death of Judas, the lawless emerged throughout all the territory of Israel, and all the workers of iniquity surfaced again.

1 Maccabees 9:24

in diebus illis facta est fames magna valde et tradidit se Bacchidi omnis regio eorum cum ipsis

In those days there was a very severe famine, and the whole region surrendered to Bacchides along with them.

1 Maccabees 9:25

et elegit Bacchides viros impios et constituit eos dominos regionis

Bacchides chose ungodly men and appointed them lords of the region.

1 Maccabees 9:26

et exquirebant et perscrutabantur amicos Iudae et adducebant eos ad Bacchidem et vindicabat in illos et inludebat eis

They hunted out and searched for the friends of Judas and brought them to Bacchides, who took vengeance on them and mocked them.

1 Maccabees 9:27

et facta est tribulatio magna in Israhel quanta non fuit ex die qua non est visus propheta in Israhel

Great tribulation came upon Israel — worse than any since the day the prophets ceased to appear among them.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

ex die qua non est visus propheta

"since the day the prophets ceased to appear"

Explicit acknowledgment that the prophetic age has ended — a key text for understanding Second Temple Judaism's self-awareness

Translator Notes

This verse explicitly acknowledges the cessation of prophecy as a historical reality, and uses it as a benchmark for measuring catastrophe.

1 Maccabees 9:28

et congregati sunt omnes amici Iudae et dixerunt Ionathae

Then all the friends of Judas gathered and said to Jonathan:

1 Maccabees 9:29

ex quo frater tuus Iudas defunctus est vir similis ei non est qui exeat contra inimicos nostros Bacchidem et eos qui inimici sunt gentis nostrae

'Since your brother Judas died, there is no one like him to go out against our enemies — Bacchides and those hostile to our nation.'

1 Maccabees 9:30

nunc itaque te hodie elegimus esse nobis pro eo in principem et ducem ad bellandum bellum nostrum

'Now therefore, we have chosen you today to be our ruler and leader in his place, to fight our war.'

1 Maccabees 9:31

et suscepit Ionathas tempore illo principatum et surrexit loco Iudae fratris sui

Jonathan accepted the leadership at that time and rose up in the place of his brother Judas.

1 Maccabees 9:32

et cognovit Bacchides et quaerebat eum occidere

Bacchides learned of it and sought to kill him.

1 Maccabees 9:33

et cognovit Ionathas et Simon frater eius et omnes qui cum eo erant et fugerunt in desertum Thecuae et consederunt ad aquam lacus Asphaltiti

But Jonathan, his brother Simon, and all who were with him learned of it and fled into the wilderness of Tekoa. They camped by the waters of the pool of Asphar.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

desertum Thecuae

"wilderness of Tekoa"

The Judean wilderness south of Bethlehem; David's hiding grounds now shelter the Maccabees

Translator Notes

The wilderness of Tekoa — the same region where Amos prophesied and David hid from Saul. The flight to the Dead Sea area begins Jonathan's 'wilderness period.'

1 Maccabees 9:34

et cognovit Bacchides et die sabbatorum venit ipse et omnis exercitus eius trans Iordanem

Bacchides learned of this and came with his entire army across the Jordan on the Sabbath day.

1 Maccabees 9:35

et Ionathas misit fratrem suum ducem populi et rogavit Nabutheos amicos suos ut commodarent illis adparatum suum qui erat copiosus

Jonathan sent his brother John, the leader of the people, to ask the Nabateans, their friends, for permission to store their baggage with them, as they had a great quantity.

1 Maccabees 9:36

et exierunt filii Iambri ex Madaba et conprehenderunt Iohannem et omnia quae habebat et abierunt habentes ea

But the sons of Jambri from Medeba came out and seized John along with everything he had, and went off with it.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

filii Iambri

"sons of Jambri"

A hostile Arab tribe from Medeba (in modern Jordan) who ambushed and killed John, Judas's eldest brother

1 Maccabees 9:37

post haec verba renuntiatum est Ionathae et Simoni fratri eius quia filii Iambri faciunt nuptias magnas et ducunt sponsam ex Madaba filiam unius de magnis principibus Chanaan cum ambitione magna

After these events, word was brought to Jonathan and his brother Simon that the sons of Jambri were celebrating a great wedding and bringing the bride — the daughter of one of the great princes of Canaan — from Medeba with a large escort.

1 Maccabees 9:38

et recordati sunt sanguinis Iohannis fratris sui et ascenderunt et absconderunt se sub tegumento montis

They remembered the blood of their brother John. They went up and hid under the cover of the mountain.

1 Maccabees 9:39

et levaverunt oculos suos et viderunt et ecce tumultus et apparatus multus et sponsus processit et amici eius et fratres eius obviam illis cum tympanis et musicis et armis multis

They raised their eyes and looked — and there was a tumult and a great procession. The bridegroom came out with his friends and brothers to meet them, with drums and music and many weapons.

1 Maccabees 9:40

et surrexerunt ad eos ex insidiis qui cum Ionatha et occiderunt eos et ceciderunt vulnerati multi et residui fugerunt in montes et acceperunt omnia spolia eorum

Jonathan's men rose up from ambush against them and killed them. Many fell wounded, and the survivors fled to the mountains. They took all their spoils.

1 Maccabees 9:41

et conversae sunt nuptiae in luctum et vox musicorum ipsorum in lamentum

The wedding was turned to mourning, and the sound of their musicians to lamentation.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

An inversion formula — joy turned to grief — that echoes prophetic language (cf. Amos 8:10).

1 Maccabees 9:42

et vindicaverunt vindictam sanguinis fratris sui et reversi sunt ad ripam Iordanis

They avenged the blood of their brother and returned to the banks of the Jordan.

1 Maccabees 9:43

et audivit Bacchides et venit die sabbatorum usque ad oram Iordanis in virtute multa

Bacchides heard of this and came on the Sabbath day to the banks of the Jordan with a large force.

1 Maccabees 9:44

et dixit Ionathas suis surgamus et pugnemus pro animabus nostris non enim est hodie sicut heri et nudius tertius

Jonathan said to his men: 'Let us rise and fight for our lives, for today is not like yesterday or the day before.'

1 Maccabees 9:45

ecce enim bellum ex adverso et ex post nos aqua autem Iordanis hinc et inde et ripae et paludes et saltus et non est locus divertendi

'The battle is before us and behind us; the water of the Jordan is on this side and on that, with banks and marsh and thicket. There is no room for retreat.'

1 Maccabees 9:46

nunc ergo clamate in caelum ut liberemini de manu inimicorum vestrorum et commissum est bellum

'Now then, cry out to heaven that you may be delivered from the hand of your enemies!' And the battle was joined.

1 Maccabees 9:47

et extendit Ionathas manum suam percutere Bacchidem et divertit ab eo retro

Jonathan stretched out his hand to strike Bacchides, but he drew back from him.

1 Maccabees 9:48

et desilivit Ionathas et qui cum eo erant in Iordanem et transnataverunt ad eos Iordanem

Jonathan and those with him leaped into the Jordan and swam across to the other side.

1 Maccabees 9:49

et ceciderunt de parte Bacchidis die illa mille viri et reversi sunt in Hierusalem

A thousand of Bacchides' men fell that day, and they returned to Jerusalem.

1 Maccabees 9:50

et aedificaverunt civitates munitas in Iudaea munitionem quae erat in Hiericho et in Ammaum et in Bethoron et in Bethel et Thamnatha et Phara et Thopo muris excelsis et portis et seris

They built fortified cities in Judea: the fortress at Jericho, and at Emmaus, Beth-horon, Bethel, Timnath, Pharathon, and Tephon, with high walls and gates and bars.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Bacchides systematically fortified Judea to control the population — a network of garrisons to prevent another uprising.

1 Maccabees 9:51

et posuit custodiam in eis ut inimicitias exercerent in Israhel

He placed garrisons in them to harass Israel.

1 Maccabees 9:52

et munivit civitatem Bethsuram et Gazaram et arcem et posuit in eis auxilia et adparatum escarum

He fortified the city of Beth-zur, Gezer, and the citadel, and placed troops and food supplies in them.

1 Maccabees 9:53

et accepit filios principum regionis obsides et posuit eos in arce in Hierusalem in custodiam

He took the sons of the leading men of the region as hostages and put them under guard in the citadel in Jerusalem.

1 Maccabees 9:54

et anno centesimo quinquagesimo tertio mense secundo praecepit Alcimus destrui muros domus sanctae interioris et destrui opera prophetarum et coepit destruere

In the one hundred and fifty-third year, in the second month, Alcimus ordered the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary to be torn down — destroying the work of the prophets. He began to demolish it.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

opera prophetarum

"work of the prophets"

The walls were attributed to prophetic authority; destroying them was an attack on the entire prophetic tradition's legacy

Translator Notes

Alcimus orders the destruction of the Temple's inner court wall — the wall separating the Court of Israel from the Court of the Gentiles. This would eliminate the sacred boundary that kept Gentiles from the inner sanctum.

1 Maccabees 9:55

et in tempore illo percussus est Alcimus et impedita sunt opera illius et occlusum est os eius et dissolutus est paralysi nec ultra potuit loqui verbum et mandare de domo sua

At that very time, Alcimus was struck down. His works were halted; his mouth was shut and he was paralyzed, and he could no longer speak a word or give orders concerning his house.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

dissolutus est paralysi

"was paralyzed"

Immediate divine judgment — paralysis and inability to speak at the moment of sacrilege

Translator Notes

Alcimus is struck by a stroke/paralysis at the moment he begins demolishing the Temple wall — the author presents this as immediate divine judgment.

1 Maccabees 9:56

et mortuus est Alcimus in tempore illo cum tormento magno

And Alcimus died at that time in great torment.

1 Maccabees 9:57

et vidit Bacchides quoniam mortuus est Alcimus et reversus est ad regem et siluit terra annis duobus

When Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two years.

1 Maccabees 9:58

et cogitaverunt omnes iniqui dicentes ecce Ionathas et qui cum eo sunt in silentio habitant confidenter nunc ergo adducamus Bacchidem et conprehendet eos omnes una nocte

Then all the lawless men took counsel, saying: 'Jonathan and his companions are living in peace and security. Let us now bring Bacchides back, and he will capture them all in one night.'

1 Maccabees 9:59

et abierunt et consilium ei dederunt

They went and gave him this counsel.

1 Maccabees 9:60

et surrexit ut veniret cum exercitu multo et misit occulte epistulas sociis suis qui erant in Iudaea ut conprehenderent Ionathan et eos qui cum eo erant sed non potuerunt quia innotuit eis consilium eorum

He set out to come with a large army and secretly sent letters to his allies in Judea to seize Jonathan and his companions. But they could not, because their plan became known.

1 Maccabees 9:61

et adprehendit de viris regionis qui principes erant malitiae quinquaginta viros et occidit eos

Jonathan seized fifty of the leading men of the region who were the ringleaders of the plot, and killed them.

1 Maccabees 9:62

et secessit Ionathas et Simon et qui cum eo erant in Bethbessen quae est in deserto et exstruxit diruta eius et firmaverunt eam

Jonathan, Simon, and their men withdrew to Bethbasi in the wilderness. He rebuilt its ruins and fortified it.

1 Maccabees 9:63

et cognovit Bacchides et congregavit universam multitudinem suam et his qui de Iudaea erant denuntiavit

Bacchides learned of this, gathered his entire force, and sent word to those on his side in Judea.

1 Maccabees 9:64

et venit et castra posuit desuper Bethbessen et oppugnavit eam dies multos et fecit machinas

He came and encamped against Bethbasi, besieging it for many days and constructing siege engines.

1 Maccabees 9:65

et reliquit Ionathas Simonem fratrem suum in civitate et exiit in regionem et venit cum numero

Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city and went out into the countryside with a body of men.

1 Maccabees 9:66

et percussit Odarem et fratres eius et filios Phasiron in tabernaculis ipsorum et coepit caedere et crescere in virtutibus

He struck down Odomera and his brothers and the sons of Phasiron in their camp. He began to attack and grow stronger in his forces.

1 Maccabees 9:67

Simon vero et qui cum eo erant exierunt de civitate et succenderunt machinas

Meanwhile, Simon and those with him sallied out of the city and burned the siege engines.

1 Maccabees 9:68

et pugnaverunt contra Bacchidem et contritus est ab eis et valde adflixerunt eum quia consilium eius et congressus eius erat inanis

They fought against Bacchides and he was defeated by them. They afflicted him greatly, for his plan and his expedition had come to nothing.

1 Maccabees 9:69

et iratus contra viros iniquos qui ei consilium dederant ut veniret in regionem ipsorum et multos ex eis occidit ipse autem cogitavit cum reliquis abire in terram suam

He was furious with the ungodly men who had counseled him to come into the region, and he killed many of them. Then he resolved to return to his own land with the rest.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Bacchides turns on his own collaborators in anger — the pro-Seleucid Jews who urged his invasion now become his victims.

1 Maccabees 9:70

et cognovit Ionathas et misit ad eum legatos conponere pacem cum ipso et reddere ei captivos

Jonathan learned of this and sent envoys to him to arrange peace and secure the return of prisoners.

1 Maccabees 9:71

et suscepit et fecit secundum verba eius et iuravit se nihil facturum ei mali omnibus diebus vitae eius

Bacchides accepted and acted according to his terms. He swore an oath never to do him harm for the rest of his life.

1 Maccabees 9:72

et reddidit ei captivos quos prius habuerat de terra Iuda et conversus abiit in terram suam et non adposuit amplius venire in fines eius

He returned to him the captives he had previously taken from the land of Judah, and he turned and went back to his own land and never came into their territory again.

1 Maccabees 9:73

et cessavit gladius ex Israhel et habitavit Ionathas in Machmas et coepit Ionathas ibi iudicare populum et exterminavit impios ex Israhel

The sword ceased from Israel. Jonathan settled in Michmash and began to judge the people there, and he purged the ungodly from Israel.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

iudicare populum

"judge the people"

The role of the biblical judges (Judges 2:16) — governing, administering justice, and delivering from enemies; Jonathan assumes this ancient office

Translator Notes

'Iudicare populum' — judging the people — places Jonathan in the line of the biblical judges. Michmash was the same location from which Saul and Jonathan launched their campaign against the Philistines (1 Samuel 13-14). The chapter ends with peace and Jonathan as a judge-like leader.

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