1 Maccabees 2

How to read these pages: the text itself comes first, verse by verse, in the volume's own translation. Beneath each verse stands its Meaning — a rendering of what the passage's terms name in the inner life, drawn from the correspondences the text itself uses. The text is never altered; the meaning is offered, not imposed.

King James Version

1In those days arose Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin.

In those days arose Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin — Mattathias, a mediating faculty, a priest trained to stand between God and the other faculties, from the center of spiritual consciousness, dwelling now in Modin.

2And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis:

And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis — the five faculties of the priest's house named in order, the genealogy the order of states.

3Simon; called Thassi:

Simon; called Thassi — the second son named, kept exact.

4Judas, who was called Maccabeus:

Judas, who was called Maccabeus — the third son named, kept exact.

5Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.

Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus — the fourth and fifth sons named, the house complete.

6And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem,

And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem — the revilings against the divine order in the praise-state and in the center — grief taking hold of the mediating faculty.

7He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers?

He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers? — the priest-faculty lamenting the center delivered to foreign states.

8Her temple is become as a man without glory.

Her temple is become as a man without glory — the established sanctuary-state emptied of the manifested weight of the Presence.

9Her glorious vessels are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy.

Her glorious vessels are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy — the sanctuary's instruments captive, its youngest states slain, its strengths cut down by the cutting word in the adversary's hand.

10What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils?

What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils? — every outer state sharing the plunder of the fallen center.

11All her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a bondslave.

All her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a bondslave — the free soul-state reduced to bondage under the foreign ruling state.

12And, behold, our sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it.

And, behold, our sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it — the sanctuary-state, the house's beauty and radiance, wasted and defiled by the outer states.

13To what end therefore shall we live any longer?

To what end therefore shall we live any longer? — the lament reaching its depth: life questioned when the center lies waste.

14Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore.

Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore — the outward signs of a grief that tears the old covering and humbles the whole house.

15In the mean while the king’s officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make them sacrifice.

In the mean while the king's officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make them sacrifice — the empire's enforcers arriving to compel the yielding of the faculty to the idol, town by town.

16And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together.

And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together — the house assembling under compulsion, the priest-faculty standing with his sons among them.

17Then answered the king’s officers, and said to Mattathias on this wise, Thou art a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren:

Then answered the king's officers, and said to Mattathias on this wise, Thou art a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren — flattery first: the empire honouring the faculty it would buy.

18Now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king’s commandment, like as all the heathen have done, yea, and the men of Juda also, and such as remain at Jerusalem: so shalt thou and thy house be in the number of the king’s friends, and thou and thy children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards.

Now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king's commandment, like as all the heathen have done, yea, and the men of Juda also, and such as remain at Jerusalem: so shalt thou and thy house be in the number of the king's friends, and thou and thy children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards — the bribe stated plainly: apostasy first, and friendship, silver and gold, and rewards to the house that leads it.

19Then Mattathias answered and spake with a loud voice, Though all the nations that are under the king’s dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments:

Then Mattathias answered and spake with a loud voice, Though all the nations that are under the king's dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments — the refusal spoken aloud before all: universal apostasy conceded as fact, and refused as example.

20Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers.

Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers — the house standing in the covenant, the law of relationship written between God and the soul.

21God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.

God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances — the written order and its articulations held, whatever the cost.

22We will not hearken to the king’s words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the left.

We will not hearken to the king's words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the left — no turning aside in either direction: fidelity as a straight path.

23Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king’s commandment.

Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king's commandment — even as the refusal sounded, an apostate faculty stepped forward to yield itself on the rival altar before every eye.

24Which thing when Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled, neither could he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment: wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar.

Which thing when Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled, neither could he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment: wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar — zeal for the law breaking out in the mediating faculty: the apostate act struck down on the very altar of surrender.

25Also the king’s commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down.

Also the king's commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down — the compeller slain and the rival point of consecration demolished: the revolt begun.

26Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom.

Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom — the act set in the line of Phinees' zeal: the precedent of the fathers invoked for the stroke.

27And Mattathias cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous of the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me.

And Mattathias cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous of the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me — the call sounded through the whole state: zeal for the law and maintenance of the covenant as the rallying word.

28So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city.

So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city — the house withdrawing to the mountains, the exalted states, leaving every possession behind.

29Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there:

Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there — the seekers of rightness withdrawing into the wilderness, the untended waste-state where the house is tested and formed.

30Both they, and their children, and their wives; and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them.

Both they, and their children, and their wives; and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them — whole households, with their young states, their affections, and their tamed affections, driven into the waste-state by mounting affliction.

31Now when it was told the king’s servants, and the host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king’s commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the wilderness,

Now when it was told the king's servants, and the host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king's commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the wilderness — the report carried to the garrison in Love's city: fidelity in hiding named rebellion by the empire.

32They pursued after them a great number, and having overtaken them, they camped against them, and made war against them on the sabbath day.

They pursued after them a great number, and having overtaken them, they camped against them, and made war against them on the sabbath day — the pursuers choosing the Sabbath itself, the rest in God, as their day of attack.

33And they said unto them, Let that which ye have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and ye shall live.

And they said unto them, Let that which ye have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and ye shall live — surrender offered as life: obey the decree, and live on the empire's terms.

34But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the king’s commandment, to profane the sabbath day.

But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the king's commandment, to profane the sabbath day — the hidden faithful refusing: the Sabbath, rest in God, not to be profaned at the price of life.

35So then they gave them the battle with all speed.

So then they gave them the battle with all speed — the empire falling upon the unresisting on the day of rest.

36Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places where they lay hid;

Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places where they lay hid — no resistance offered: the state holding its rest even under attack.

37But said, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put us to death wrongfully.

But said, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put us to death wrongfully — the inner realm and the outer life called as witnesses: innocence dying rather than breaking the order.

38So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people.

So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people — the slaughter counted exact: a thousand, with their affections, their young states, and their tamed affections.

39Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore.

Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore — grief again in the faithful house, now grief with a question inside it.

40And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.

And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth — the reasoning of survival spoken in council: non-resistance become the empire's surest weapon.

41At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the secret places.

At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the secret places — the house's own decree: the Sabbath kept, and life defended on it; war on the day of rest answered, that the remnant not perish unresisting.

42Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law.

Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law — the devoted ones joining: mighty states whose devotion to the written order was freely chosen.

43Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them.

Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them — every fugitive from the persecution becoming strength to the gathered remnant.

44So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour.

So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour — the gathered faithful striking the error-bound states, the rest fleeing to the outer states for shelter.

45Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars:

Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars — the circuit of demolition: every rival point of consecration in the land pulled down.

46And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.

And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly — the covenant's sign restored by courage: the cutting away of sense-excess performed on every child found without it.

47They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.

They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand — pride pursued, and the work of recovery flourishing under the faithful hand.

48So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.

So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph — the written order wrested back from outer states and ruling states alike, and error denied its triumph.

49Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:

Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation — the dying charge begins: the hour named honestly, pride strong and the crisis upon the house.

50Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.

Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers — zeal for the written order, and the life itself given for the covenant: the charge in one sentence.

51Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.

Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name — remembrance as strength: the fathers' acts recalled, honour and an enduring name promised.

52Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness?

Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness? — Abraham, Faith itself, the exalted father-mind that believes the promise against appearances, found faithful in trial, and his faith reckoned as right relation to the divine order.

53Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt.

Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt — Joseph, the Increase faculty, keeping the commandment in distress and raised to rule in Egypt, the material sense-realm it would feed.

54Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.

Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood — zeal rewarded with an enduring mediating office: the precedent of Mattathias' own stroke.

55Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel.

Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel — Joshua, conquering faith, the faculty that leads the house into the promised consciousness, made judge for fulfilling the word. (The KJV name here is Joshua.)

56Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land.

Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land — the witness-bearing faculty receiving its inheritance in the promised consciousness.

57David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.

David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom — David, Love enthroned, the shepherd-heart become king, possessing the seat of ruling authority for ever through mercy.

58Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven.

Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven — Elijah, prophetic zeal, the fire-faculty that confronts idolatry, taken up into the inner realm for his fervour for the law.

59Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame.

Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame — the three faithful states saved out of the fire by believing: fidelity unburned in Babylon's furnace.

60Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions.

Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions — Daniel delivered from the devouring animal natures for his innocence: the yielded faculty unharmed among the beasts.

61And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome.

And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome — the roll of the fathers summed in one law of the inner life: trust in the Source is never finally overcome.

62Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms.

Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms — the error-bound man's radiance weighed and found refuse: no fear owed to it.

63To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing.

To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing — the persecutor's exaltation measured in a day: returned to dust, his counsel dissolved.

64Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory.

Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory — courage commanded for the written order's sake, glory promised through it.

65And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you.

And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you — Simon appointed the house's counsellor and father: the hearing faculty set to guide the brethren.

66As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people.

As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people — Judas appointed captain: the war of the true idea against the opposing states placed in his hand.

67Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people.

Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people — the company defined by observance of the order, and the wrong of the house to be answered.

68Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law.

Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law — full recompense to the outer states, and unbroken heed to the commandments, the articulations of the law.

69So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers.

So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers — the blessing, divine increase, spoken over the sons, and the priest-faculty gathered to the fathers' states.

70And he died in the hundred forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him.

And he died in the hundred forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him — the year kept exact, the burial at Modin, and the whole spiritual house lamenting its deliverer-faculty.

Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.