2 Maccabees 3:1-3
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
III. Heliodorus’ Attempt to Profane the Temple[a]
Chapter 3
Heliodorus’ Arrival in Jerusalem. 1 While the holy city lived in perfect peace and the laws were strictly observed because of the piety of the high priest Onias[b] and his hatred of evil,(A) 2 the kings themselves honored the place and glorified the temple with the most magnificent gifts. 3 Thus Seleucus,[c] king of Asia, defrayed from his own revenues all the expenses necessary for the liturgy of sacrifice.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 3:1–40 This legendary episode about Heliodorus is recounted here for the purpose of stressing the inviolability of the Temple of Jerusalem; its later profanation was interpreted as owing to the sins of the people; cf. 5:17–18.
- 3:1 Onias: Onias III was high priest from 196 to 175 B.C. and died in 171 B.C. He was the son of Simon, whose praises are sung in Sir 50:1–21.
- 3:3 Seleucus: Seleucus IV Philopator, who reigned from 187 to 175 B.C.
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