1 Maccabees 3

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

1Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead.

Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead — the captain-faculty rising into the father's place: the war for the law passing to the appointed hand.

2And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel.

And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel — the whole house united in the conflict of the true idea with the states that oppose it, fought with cheerfulness.

3So he gat his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword.

So he gat his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword — the sword, the cutting word of truth, wielded in defence of the whole host of faculties.

4In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for his prey.

In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion's whelp roaring for his prey — the captain-faculty in the lion's strength: the untamed courage of the house aroused for its deliverance.

5For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people.

For he pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people — the states twisted away from the order hunted down, and the vexing states consumed.

6Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand.

Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand — error contracting before fidelity, deliverance flourishing in the captain's hand.

7He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever.

He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever — ruling states grieved, Jacob, the striving intellect, made glad, and the captain's memorial held in blessing, divine increase, for ever.

8Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel:

Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel — the praise-state's cities cleansed of godless states, and the crisis turned away from the house.

9So that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish.

So that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish — renown to the outermost reaches of the outer life, and the perishing gathered in to safety.

10Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel.

Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel — the outer states marshalled again: a great host drawn even from Samaria against the spiritual house.

11Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him: many also fell down slain, but the rest fled.

Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him: many also fell down slain, but the rest fled — the captain meeting the host head-on: its leader slain, many fallen, the rest in flight.

12Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius’ sword also, and therewith he fought all his life long.

Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius' sword also, and therewith he fought all his life long — the adversary's own cutting word taken up: truth's sword won in battle and wielded for a lifetime.

13Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war;

Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war — a new commander hearing of the faithful company gathered for the conflict.

14He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the king’s commandment.

He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the king's commandment — ambition speaking: a name and honour sought by crushing the house that refuses the decree.

15So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel.

So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel — the godless host ascending, revenge its errand against the children of the spiritual house.

16And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small company:

And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small company — the ascent contested by a few: numbers set against fidelity at the pass.

17Who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas, How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this day?

Who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas, How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this day? — the few voicing the sense-account: multitude and strength against fasting weakness.

18Unto whom Judas answered, It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company:

Unto whom Judas answered, It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company — the captain's answer: with the Source of the inner realm, deliverance is not numbered; many and few are one to Him.

19For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from heaven.

For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from heaven — the law of the inner war stated: victory is not in numbers; strength descends from the inner realm.

20They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us:

They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us — the enemy's errand named: pride and disorder come to destroy the house, its affections and its young states, and to plunder it.

21But we fight for our lives and our laws.

But we fight for our lives and our laws — the faithful errand set against it: the conflict is for life itself and for the written order.

22Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of them.

Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of them — the indwelling LORD Himself the overthrower: fear dismissed before the Presence within.

23Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and so Seron and his host was overthrown before him.

Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and so Seron and his host was overthrown before him — the word becoming the act at once: the ambitious host overthrown before the few.

24And they pursued them from the going down of Bethhoron unto the plain, where were slain about eight hundred men of them; and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines.

And they pursued them from the going down of Bethhoron unto the plain, where were slain about eight hundred men of them; and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines — the count kept exact: about eight hundred slain on the descent to the plain, the sense-consciousness's open level, the residue fleeing to the Philistines' land.

25Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations round about them:

Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations round about them — dread of fidelity falling on every surrounding state: the deliverance itself becoming a defence.

26Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas.

Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas — the report reaching the ruling state itself, every nation rehearsing the conflicts of the faithful few.

27Now when king Antiochus heard these things, he was full of indignation: wherefore he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, even a very strong army.

Now when king Antiochus heard these things, he was full of indignation: wherefore he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, even a very strong army — the persecuting ruling state answering deliverance with the whole strength of its realm.

28He opened also his treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for a year, commanding them to be ready whensoever he should need them.

He opened also his treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for a year, commanding them to be ready whensoever he should need them — the empire's treasure opened: a year's pay binding the host to readiness.

29Nevertheless, when he saw that the money of his treasures failed and that the tributes in the country were small, because of the dissension and plague, which he had brought upon the land in taking away the laws which had been of old time;

Nevertheless, when he saw that the money of his treasures failed and that the tributes in the country were small, because of the dissension and plague, which he had brought upon the land in taking away the laws which had been of old time — the empire's own account exposed: its treasury failing because of the disorder its own decree had made, the ancient laws abolished and the land impoverished by the abolishing.

30He feared that he should not be able to bear the charges any longer, nor to have such gifts to give so liberally as he did before: for he had abounded above the kings that were before him.

He feared that he should not be able to bear the charges any longer, nor to have such gifts to give so liberally as he did before: for he had abounded above the kings that were before him — the persecuting state fearing its own extravagance: liberality beyond its predecessors now beyond its means.

31Wherefore, being greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to go into Persia, there to take the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money.

Wherefore, being greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to go into Persia, there to take the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money — perplexity driving the ruling state eastward to refill its coffers from the subject lands.

32So he left Lysias, a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt:

So he left Lysias, a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates — the great river of life-consciousness bounding the promised state — unto the borders of Egypt, the sense-realm: a deputy of royal blood set over the whole west.

33And to bring up his son Antiochus, until he came again.

And to bring up his son Antiochus, until he came again — the heir's upbringing charged to the deputy, the succession secured while the empire gathers money.

34Moreover he delivered unto him the half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge of all things that he would have done, as also concerning them that dwelt in Juda and Jerusalem:

Moreover he delivered unto him the half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge of all things that he would have done, as also concerning them that dwelt in Juda and Jerusalem — half the empire's might, and the great beasts of war, delivered for the work against the praise-state and the center.

35To wit, that he should send an army against them, to destroy and root out the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away their memorial from that place;

To wit, that he should send an army against them, to destroy and root out the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away their memorial from that place — the charge stated without disguise: the spiritual house and its remnant, the faithful kernel, to be rooted out and their very memorial erased.

36And that he should place strangers in all their quarters, and divide their land by lot.

And that he should place strangers in all their quarters, and divide their land by lot — foreign states planted in every quarter, the promised consciousness parcelled out by chance.

37So the king took the half of the forces that remained, and departed from Antioch, his royal city, the hundred forty and seventh year; and having passed the river Euphrates, he went through the high countries.

So the king took the half of the forces that remained, and departed from Antioch, his royal city, the hundred forty and seventh year; and having passed the river Euphrates, he went through the high countries — the year kept exact: the ruling state departing east across the river of life-consciousness into the high countries.

38Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s friends:

Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king's friends — the deputy choosing his commanders: three mighty men of the empire set over the invasion.

39And with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horsemen, to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded.

And with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horsemen, to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded — the numbers kept exact: forty thousand foot, seven thousand horse, sent to destroy the praise-state's land.

40So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in the plain country.

So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in the plain country — the host encamped on the plain, the open, level state of sense-consciousness, at Emmaus.

41And the merchants of the country, hearing the fame of them, took silver and gold very much, with servants, and came into the camp to buy the children of Israel for slaves: a power also of Syria and of the land of the Philistines joined themselves unto them.

And the merchants of the country, hearing the fame of them, took silver and gold very much, with servants, and came into the camp to buy the children of Israel for slaves: a power also of Syria and of the land of the Philistines joined themselves unto them — traffickers arriving with silver and gold to buy the children of the spiritual house as slaves before the battle was fought: the world's commerce already pricing the captives.

42Now when Judas and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders: for they knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them;

Now when Judas and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders: for they knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them — the brethren seeing clearly: misery multiplied, the host inside the borders, and the decree's aim known, utter abolition.

43They said one to another, Let us restore the decayed estate of our people, and let us fight for our people and the sanctuary.

They said one to another, Let us restore the decayed estate of our people, and let us fight for our people and the sanctuary — the council's resolve: restoration, not mere survival; the conflict taken up for the people and for the sanctuary-state.

44Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion.

Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion — the gathered company preparing two ways at once: readiness for the conflict, and prayer for mercy and compassion.

45Now Jerusalem lay void as a wilderness, there was none of her children that went in or out: the sanctuary also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen had their habitation in that place; and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe with the harp ceased.

Now Jerusalem lay void as a wilderness, there was none of her children that went in or out: the sanctuary also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen had their habitation in that place; and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe with the harp ceased — the center pictured in its desolation: empty as the waste-state, the sanctuary trodden, strangers in the stronghold, and joy gone out of Jacob, the striving intellect, its music silenced.

46Wherefore the Israelites assembled themselves together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel.

Wherefore the Israelites assembled themselves together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel — the assembly gathering at the old place of prayer, over against the captive center.

47Then they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes,

Then they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes — fasting and humbling: the whole company lowering itself before the Source before it lifts a sword.

48And laid open the book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought to paint the likeness of their images.

And laid open the book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought to paint the likeness of their images — the written order opened in the assembly, the very book the outer states had tried to overwrite with their idols' likeness.

49They brought also the priests’ garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes: and the Nazarites they stirred up, who had accomplished their days.

They brought also the priests' garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes: and the Nazarites they stirred up, who had accomplished their days — the mediating faculties' garments, the firstfruits, and the tithe, the first tenth acknowledged to the King-Priest within, brought forth; and the vowed ones who had fulfilled their days stirred up for the hour.

50Then cried they with a loud voice toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them away?

Then cried they with a loud voice toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them away? — the cry rising toward the inner realm: the sacred things themselves become the question.

51For thy sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in heaviness, and brought low.

For thy sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in heaviness, and brought low — the prayer naming the facts: sanctuary profaned, the mediating faculties bowed low.

52And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy us: what things they imagine against us, thou knowest.

And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy us: what things they imagine against us, thou knowest — the assembly of the outer states confessed, and their imaginings laid open before the One who knows.

53How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help?

How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help? — the prayer's ground: standing is impossible apart from the Source's help, and that impossibility confessed aloud.

54Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice.

Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice — the trumpets sounding over the prayer: the assembly's cry becoming the signal of the host.

55And after this Judas ordained captains over the people, even captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.

And after this Judas ordained captains over the people, even captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens — order set within the deliverance: the host marshalled by thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

56But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law.

But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law — the law's own exemptions honoured: the builder, the betrothed, the planter of the cultivated spiritual life, and the fearful sent home, that none fight with a divided heart.

57So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.

So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus — the camp taking its ground south of the enemy's plain.

58And Judas said, arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that ye be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these nations, that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our sanctuary:

And Judas said, arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that ye be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these nations, that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our sanctuary — readiness commanded against the morning, the dawning of the new state: the conflict named as defence of the people and the sanctuary.

59For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the calamities of our people and our sanctuary.

For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the calamities of our people and our sanctuary — the captain's reckoning: death in the conflict preferable to watching the center's calamity unresisted.

60Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do.

Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do — surrender closing the exhortation: the issue left wholly to the will of the Source in the inner realm.

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