1 Maccabees 5

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

1Now when the nations round about heard that the altar was built and the sanctuary renewed as before, it displeased them very much.

Now when the nations round about heard that the altar was built and the sanctuary renewed as before, it displeased them very much — restoration itself provoking the surrounding states: the rebuilt point of consecration and the renewed sanctuary-state heard of with displeasure.

2Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them, and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people.

Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them, and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people — the neighbouring states turning on the Jacob-states in their midst: the striving intellect's generation marked for destruction where it dwelt scattered.

3Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea at Arabattine, because they besieged Israel: and he gave them a great overthrow, and abated their courage, and took their spoils.

Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea at Arabattine, because they besieged Israel: and he gave them a great overthrow, and abated their courage, and took their spoils — Esau, the outer bodily man, appetite and the red life of sense, answered in Idumea for besieging the spiritual house: a great overthrow, their courage abated, their spoils taken.

4Also he remembered the injury of the children of Bean, who had been a snare and an offence unto the people, in that they lay in wait for them in the ways.

Also he remembered the injury of the children of Bean, who had been a snare and an offence unto the people, in that they lay in wait for them in the ways — injury remembered and answered: the ambushing state that had lain in wait along the people's paths.

5He shut them up therefore in the towers, and encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned the towers of that place with fire, and all that were therein.

He shut them up therefore in the towers, and encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned the towers of that place with fire, and all that were therein — the ambushers enclosed in their own towers and destroyed utterly, the strongholds of ambush burned with all within.

6Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain.

Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain — the campaign passing to Ammon: a mighty power and much people found there, with their captain over them.

7So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him; and he smote them.

So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him; and he smote them — battle after battle until the mighty power broke before the captain of the faithful.

8And when he had taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Judea.

And when he had taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Judea — Jazar and its towns taken, and the host returning into Judea, the praise-state's land.

9Then the heathen that were at Galaad assembled themselves together against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to destroy them; but they fled to the fortress of Dathema.

Then the heathen that were at Galaad assembled themselves together against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to destroy them; but they fled to the fortress of Dathema — the crisis in Galaad: the outer states assembling to destroy the scattered Israelites, who fled to the fortress of Dathema.

10And sent letters unto Judas and his brethren, The heathen that are round about us are assembled together against us to destroy us:

And sent letters unto Judas and his brethren, The heathen that are round about us are assembled together against us to destroy us — the besieged writing for deliverance: the letter itself an appeal from the scattered faculties to the center.

11And they are preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we are fled, Timotheus being captain of their host.

And they are preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we are fled, Timotheus being captain of their host — the preparation named and the enemy captain identified: Timotheus leading the host against the refuge.

12Come now therefore, and deliver us from their hands, for many of us are slain:

Come now therefore, and deliver us from their hands, for many of us are slain — the plea at its plainest: come and deliver, for many are already slain.

13Yea, all our brethren that were in the places of Tobie are put to death: their wives and their children also they have carried away captives, and borne away their stuff; and they have destroyed there about a thousand men.

Yea, all our brethren that were in the places of Tobie are put to death: their wives and their children also they have carried away captives, and borne away their stuff; and they have destroyed there about a thousand men — the Tobie losses counted: brethren slain, affections and young states captive, goods borne away, about a thousand men destroyed.

14While these letters were yet reading, behold, there came other messengers from Galilee with their clothes rent, who reported on this wise,

While these letters were yet reading, behold, there came other messengers from Galilee with their clothes rent, who reported on this wise — a second crisis arriving mid-reading: messengers from Galilee with rent clothes, grief's sign on their bodies.

15And said, They of Ptolemais, and of Tyrus, and Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles, are assembled together against us to consume us.

And said, They of Ptolemais, and of Tyrus, and Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles, are assembled together against us to consume us — the western threat named city by city: Ptolemais, Tyrus, Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles assembled to consume the brethren there.

16Now when Judas and the people heard these words, there assembled a great congregation together, to consult what they should do for their brethren, that were in trouble, and assaulted of them.

Now when Judas and the people heard these words, there assembled a great congregation together, to consult what they should do for their brethren, that were in trouble, and assaulted of them — two fronts, one council: the great congregation consulting for brethren assaulted on both sides at once.

17Then said Judas unto Simon his brother, Choose thee out men, and go and deliver thy brethren that are in Galilee, for I and Jonathan my brother will go into the country of Galaad.

Then said Judas unto Simon his brother, Choose thee out men, and go and deliver thy brethren that are in Galilee, for I and Jonathan my brother will go into the country of Galaad — the deliverance divided by the captain's word: Simon, the hearing faculty and the father's appointed counsellor, west to Galilee; Judas and Jonathan east into Galaad.

18So he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the people, with the remnant of the host in Judea to keep it.

So he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the people, with the remnant of the host in Judea to keep it — the home guard appointed: two captains left with the remnant, the faithful kernel, to keep Judea.

19Unto whom he gave commandment, saying, Take ye the charge of this people, and see that ye make not war against the heathen until the time that we come again.

Unto whom he gave commandment, saying, Take ye the charge of this people, and see that ye make not war against the heathen until the time that we come again — the charge explicit: hold the people, and make no war until the captains return; keeping, not adventuring, is the order.

20Now unto Simon were given three thousand men to go into Galilee, and unto Judas eight thousand men for the country of Galaad.

Now unto Simon were given three thousand men to go into Galilee, and unto Judas eight thousand men for the country of Galaad — the forces counted exact: three thousand west with Simon, eight thousand east with Judas.

21Then went Simon into Galilee, where he fought many battles with the heathen, so that the heathen were discomfited by him.

Then went Simon into Galilee, where he fought many battles with the heathen, so that the heathen were discomfited by him — the western deliverance proceeding battle by battle, the outer states discomfited before the hearing faculty.

22And he pursued them unto the gate of Ptolemais; and there were slain of the heathen about three thousand men, whose spoils he took.

And he pursued them unto the gate of Ptolemais; and there were slain of the heathen about three thousand men, whose spoils he took — the pursuit to Ptolemais' gate, and the count kept: about three thousand slain, their spoils taken.

23And those that were in Galilee, and in Arbattis, with their wives and their children, and all that they had, took he away with him, and brought them into Judea with great joy.

And those that were in Galilee, and in Arbattis, with their wives and their children, and all that they had, took he away with him, and brought them into Judea with great joy — the delivered gathered whole: faculties with their affections, their young states, and all they had, brought into Judea with great joy.

24Judas Maccabeus also and his brother Jonathan went over Jordan, and travelled three days’ journey in the wilderness,

Judas Maccabeus also and his brother Jonathan went over Jordan, and travelled three days' journey in the wilderness — the eastern deliverance crossing Jordan, the descending river of life at the border of the promise, and travelling three days through the wilderness, the untended waste-state.

25Where they met with the Nabathites, who came unto them in a peaceable manner, and told them every thing that had happened to their brethren in the land of Galaad:

Where they met with the Nabathites, who came unto them in a peaceable manner, and told them every thing that had happened to their brethren in the land of Galaad — friends found in the waste-state: the Nabathites coming peaceably and reporting all that had befallen the brethren in Galaad.

26And how that many of them were shut up in Bosora, and Bosor, and Alema, Casphor, Maked, and Carnaim; all these cities are strong and great:

And how that many of them were shut up in Bosora, and Bosor, and Alema, Casphor, Maked, and Carnaim; all these cities are strong and great — the shut-up brethren located city by city, the cities named as strong and great.

27And that they were shut up in the rest of the cities of the country of Galaad, and that against to morrow they had appointed to bring their host against the forts, and to take them, and to destroy them all in one day.

And that they were shut up in the rest of the cities of the country of Galaad, and that against to morrow they had appointed to bring their host against the forts, and to take them, and to destroy them all in one day — the enemy's timetable learned: to-morrow appointed for the assault, all the forts to fall and all within destroyed in one day.

28Hereupon Judas and his host turned suddenly by the way of the wilderness unto Bosora; and when he had won the city, he slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire,

Hereupon Judas and his host turned suddenly by the way of the wilderness unto Bosora; and when he had won the city, he slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire — suddenness answering the timetable: Bosora won by the wilderness road, its males slain by the cutting word, its spoils taken, the city burned.

29From whence he removed by night, and went till he came to the fortress.

From whence he removed by night, and went till he came to the fortress — the night march pressed on from the burning city to the threatened fortress.

30And betimes in the morning they looked up, and, behold, there was an innumerable people bearing ladders and other engines of war, to take the fortress: for they assaulted them.

And betimes in the morning they looked up, and, behold, there was an innumerable people bearing ladders and other engines of war, to take the fortress: for they assaulted them — at the dawning the besiegers seen: an innumerable people with ladders and engines already assaulting the fortress.

31When Judas therefore saw that the battle was begun, and that the cry of the city went up to heaven, with trumpets, and a great sound,

When Judas therefore saw that the battle was begun, and that the cry of the city went up to heaven, with trumpets, and a great sound — the battle already joined, the city's cry rising toward the inner realm with trumpets and a great sound.

32He said unto his host, Fight this day for your brethren.

He said unto his host, Fight this day for your brethren — the whole eastern war in five words: this day's conflict is for the brethren.

33So he went forth behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets, and cried with prayer.

So he went forth behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets, and cried with prayer — three companies falling on the besiegers' rear, trumpets sounding and prayer cried aloud together.

34Then the host of Timotheus, knowing that it was Maccabeus, fled from him: wherefore he smote them with a great slaughter; so that there were killed of them that day about eight thousand men.

Then the host of Timotheus, knowing that it was Maccabeus, fled from him: wherefore he smote them with a great slaughter; so that there were killed of them that day about eight thousand men — the besiegers breaking at the captain's very name, and the count kept: about eight thousand killed that day.

35This done, Judas turned aside to Maspha; and after he had assaulted it he took and slew all the males therein, and received the spoils thereof, and burnt it with fire.

This done, Judas turned aside to Maspha; and after he had assaulted it he took and slew all the males therein, and received the spoils thereof, and burnt it with fire — Maspha assaulted and taken, its males slain, its spoils received, the place burned.

36From thence went he, and took Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and the other cities of the country of Galaad.

From thence went he, and took Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and the other cities of the country of Galaad — the deliverance proceeding city by city through Galaad: Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and the rest.

37After these things gathered Timotheus another host and encamped against Raphon beyond the brook.

After these things gathered Timotheus another host and encamped against Raphon beyond the brook — the beaten captain gathering yet another host, encamped against Raphon beyond the brook.

38So Judas sent men to espy the host, who brought him word, saying, All the heathen that be round about us are assembled unto them, even a very great host.

So Judas sent men to espy the host, who brought him word, saying, All the heathen that be round about us are assembled unto them, even a very great host — spies sent and reporting truly: every surrounding outer state assembled, a very great host.

39He hath also hired the Arabians to help them and they have pitched their tents beyond the brook, ready to come and fight against thee. Upon this Judas went to meet them.

He hath also hired the Arabians to help them and they have pitched their tents beyond the brook, ready to come and fight against thee. Upon this Judas went to meet them — hired auxiliaries added and pitched beyond the brook; and upon the report, the captain going to meet them rather than wait.

40Then Timotheus said unto the captains of his host, When Judas and his host come near the brook, if he pass over first unto us, we shall not be able to withstand him; for he will mightily prevail against us:

Then Timotheus said unto the captains of his host, When Judas and his host come near the brook, if he pass over first unto us, we shall not be able to withstand him; for he will mightily prevail against us — the enemy captain's own confession to his captains: if Judas crosses first, we cannot stand.

41But if he be afraid, and camp beyond the river, we shall go over unto him, and prevail against him.

But if he be afraid, and camp beyond the river, we shall go over unto him, and prevail against him — the alternative stated: fear on the faithful side read as the signal of the enemy's prevailing.

42Now when Judas came near the brook, he caused the scribes of the people to remain by the brook: unto whom he gave commandment, saying, Suffer no man to remain in the camp, but let all come to the battle.

Now when Judas came near the brook, he caused the scribes of the people to remain by the brook: unto whom he gave commandment, saying, Suffer no man to remain in the camp, but let all come to the battle — the scribes, the copying faculty, the custodians of the letter, stationed by the brook with one order: no man held back; all come to the conflict.

43So he went first over unto them, and all the people after him: then all the heathen, being discomfited before him, cast away their weapons, and fled unto the temple that was at Carnaim.

So he went first over unto them, and all the people after him: then all the heathen, being discomfited before him, cast away their weapons, and fled unto the temple that was at Carnaim — the captain crossing first, as Timotheus had feared: the host discomfited, weapons cast away, flight to Carnaim's temple, a sanctuary-state of the outer order.

44But they took the city, and burned the temple with all that were therein. Thus was Carnaim subdued, neither could they stand any longer before Judas.

But they took the city, and burned the temple with all that were therein. Thus was Carnaim subdued, neither could they stand any longer before Judas — city taken and its idol-temple burned with those within: Carnaim subdued, the outer states able to stand before the captain no longer.

45Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites that were in the country of Galaad, from the least unto the greatest, even their wives, and their children, and their stuff, a very great host, to the end they might come into the land of Judea.

Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites that were in the country of Galaad, from the least unto the greatest, even their wives, and their children, and their stuff, a very great host, to the end they might come into the land of Judea — the gathering for home: every Israelite state in Galaad, least to greatest, with affections, young states, and goods, one very great host bound for Judea.

46Now when they came unto Ephron, (this was a great city in the way as they should go, very well fortified) they could not turn from it, either on the right hand or the left, but must needs pass through the midst of it.

Now when they came unto Ephron, (this was a great city in the way as they should go, very well fortified) they could not turn from it, either on the right hand or the left, but must needs pass through the midst of it — Ephron barring the road: a great, well-fortified city that cannot be bypassed on right or left; the way home runs through its midst.

47Then they of the city shut them out, and stopped up the gates with stones.

Then they of the city shut them out, and stopped up the gates with stones — the gates shut and blocked with stones against the returning host.

48Whereupon Judas sent unto them in peaceable manner, saying, Let us pass through your land to go into our own country, and none shall do you any hurt; we will only pass through on foot: howbeit they would not open unto him.

Whereupon Judas sent unto them in peaceable manner, saying, Let us pass through your land to go into our own country, and none shall do you any hurt; we will only pass through on foot: howbeit they would not open unto him — passage asked peaceably and refused: a harmless crossing on foot to their own country, and the city would not open.

49Wherefore Judas commanded a proclamation to be made throughout the host, that every man should pitch his tent in the place where he was.

Wherefore Judas commanded a proclamation to be made throughout the host, that every man should pitch his tent in the place where he was — the host encamping where it stood before the shut city: refusal answered with a siege in place.

50So the soldiers pitched, and assaulted the city all that day and all that night, till at the length the city was delivered into his hands:

So the soldiers pitched, and assaulted the city all that day and all that night, till at the length the city was delivered into his hands — the assault sustained day and night until the barring city was delivered into the captain's hands.

51Who then slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and rased the city, and took the spoils thereof, and passed through the city over them that were slain.

Who then slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and rased the city, and took the spoils thereof, and passed through the city over them that were slain — the males slain by the cutting word, the city razed, its spoils taken, and the host passing through over the slain: the way home forced open.

52After this went they over Jordan into the great plain before Bethsan.

After this went they over Jordan into the great plain before Bethsan — Jordan crossed homeward, the host entering the great plain, the open level state, before Bethsan.

53And Judas gathered together those that came behind, and exhorted the people all the way through, till they came into the land of Judea.

And Judas gathered together those that came behind, and exhorted the people all the way through, till they came into the land of Judea — none left straggling: the captain gathering the hindmost and exhorting the whole host the whole way into Judea.

54So they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, where they offered burnt offerings, because not one of them were slain until they had returned in peace.

So they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, where they offered burnt offerings, because not one of them were slain until they had returned in peace — the return ending at Zion, the love-height: the whole state yielded up in burnt offerings, with joy, because not one of the gathered had been slain on the way home in peace.

55Now what time as Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais,

Now what time as Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais — the scene shifting home: while the captains were east and west, events moving in Judea itself.

56Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the garrisons, heard of the valiant acts and warlike deeds which they had done.

Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the garrisons, heard of the valiant acts and warlike deeds which they had done — the home captains hearing of the deliverers' deeds: report breeding ambition in the men who were ordered only to keep.

57Wherefore they said, Let us also get us a name, and go fight against the heathen that are round about us.

Wherefore they said, Let us also get us a name, and go fight against the heathen that are round about us — the fatal resolve spoken: a name for themselves, the very motive Seron had confessed, now in Israelite mouths.

58So when they had given charge unto the garrison that was with them, they went toward Jamnia.

So when they had given charge unto the garrison that was with them, they went toward Jamnia — the charge handed down and the garrison marched out toward Jamnia, beyond its orders.

59Then came Gorgias and his men out of the city to fight against them.

Then came Gorgias and his men out of the city to fight against them — Gorgias coming out to meet the adventurers: the experienced commander against the disobedient.

60And so it was, that Joseph and Azaras were put to flight, and pursued unto the borders of Judea: and there were slain that day of the people of Israel about two thousand men.

And so it was, that Joseph and Azaras were put to flight, and pursued unto the borders of Judea: and there were slain that day of the people of Israel about two thousand men — the rout and the count kept: Joseph and Azaras fled to Judea's borders, about two thousand of Israel slain that day.

61Thus was there a great overthrow among the children of Israel, because they were not obedient unto Judas and his brethren, but thought to do some valiant act.

Thus was there a great overthrow among the children of Israel, because they were not obedient unto Judas and his brethren, but thought to do some valiant act — the overthrow's cause stated by the history itself: disobedience to the appointed order, and valour attempted on ambition's errand.

62Moreover these men came not of the seed of those, by whose hand deliverance was given unto Israel.

Moreover these men came not of the seed of those, by whose hand deliverance was given unto Israel — the deeper word added: deliverance comes by the appointed seed, the states through whom the Source has chosen to give it, not by self-appointed daring.

63Howbeit the man Judas and his brethren were greatly renowned in the sight of all Israel, and of all the heathen, wheresoever their name was heard of;

Howbeit the man Judas and his brethren were greatly renowned in the sight of all Israel, and of all the heathen, wheresoever their name was heard of — renown answering renown: the appointed captains honoured before Israel and the outer states alike, wherever their name was heard.

64Insomuch as the people assembled unto them with joyful acclamations.

Insomuch as the people assembled unto them with joyful acclamations — the people gathering to the deliverers with joyful acclamation: trust flowing to fidelity, not to ambition.

65Afterward went Judas forth with his brethren, and fought against the children of Esau in the land toward the south, where he smote Hebron, and the towns thereof, and pulled down the fortress of it, and burned the towers thereof round about.

Afterward went Judas forth with his brethren, and fought against the children of Esau in the land toward the south, where he smote Hebron, and the towns thereof, and pulled down the fortress of it, and burned the towers thereof round about — the southern campaign: Esau's children, the outer bodily man, fought in the south; Hebron, conscious communion, smitten in its occupied towns, its fortress pulled down and its towers burned.

66From thence he removed to go into the land of the Philistines, and passed through Samaria.

From thence he removed to go into the land of the Philistines, and passed through Samaria — the host removing toward the Philistines' land, passing through Samaria.

67At that time certain priests, desirous to shew their valour, were slain in battle, for that they went out to fight unadvisedly.

At that time certain priests, desiring to shew their valour, were slain in battle, for that they went out to fight unadvisedly — the warning repeated within the priesthood itself: mediating faculties slain for going out to battle unadvisedly, valour without counsel.

68So Judas turned to Azotus in the land of the Philistines, and when he had pulled down their altars, and burned their carved images with fire, and spoiled their cities, he returned into the land of Judea.

So Judas turned to Azotus in the land of the Philistines, and when he had pulled down their altars, and burned their carved images with fire, and spoiled their cities, he returned into the land of Judea — Azotus answered: rival altars pulled down, carved images, formed images of lesser goods, burned, cities spoiled, and the captain returning into Judea.

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