1:9. And now celebrate ye the days of Scenopegia in the month of Casleu.

Scenopegia... Viz., the Encenia, or feast of the dedication of the
altar, called here Scenopegia, or feast of tabernacles, from being
celebrated with the like solemnity.

1:10. In the year one hundred and eighty-eight, the people that is at
Jerusalem, and in Judea, and the senate, and Judas, to Aristobolus, the
preceptor of king Ptolemee, who is of the stock of the anointed priests,
and to the Jews that are in Egypt, health and welfare.

1:11. Having been delivered by God out of great dangers, we give him
great thanks, forasmuch as we have been in war with such a king.

Such a king... Viz., Antiochus Sidetes, who began to make war upon the
Jews, whilst Simon was yet alive. 1 Mac. 15.39. And afterwards besieged
Jerusalem under John Hircanus. So that the Judas here mentioned, ver.
10, is not Judas Machabeus, who was dead long before the year 188 of the
kingdom of the Greeks, for he died in the year 146 of that epoch, (see
above 1 Mac. chap. 2., ver. 70, also the note on chap. 1, ver. 2,) but
either Judas the eldest son of John Hircanus, or Judas the Essene,
renowned for the gift of prophecy, who flourished about that time.

1:12. For he made numbers of men swarm out of Persia, that have fought
against us, and the holy city.

1:13. For when the leader himself was in Persia, and with him a very
great army, he fell in the temple of Nanea, being deceived by the
counsel of the priests of Nanea.

Nanea... A Persian goddess, which some have taken for Diana, others for
Venus.

1:14. For Antiochus, with his friends, came to the place as though he
would marry her, and that he might receive great sums of money under the
title of a dowry.

1:15. And when the priests of Nanea had set it forth, and he with a
small company had entered into the compass of the temple, they shut the
temple,

1:16. When Antiochus was come in: and opening a secret entrance of the
temple, they cast stones and slew the leader, and them that were with
him, and hewed them in pieces; and cutting off their heads, they threw
them forth.

1:17. Blessed be God in all things, who hath delivered up the wicked.

1:18. Therefore, whereas we purpose to keep the purification of the
temple on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, we thought
it necessary to signify it to you: that you also may keep the day of
Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was given when Nehemia