1 Maccabees 7

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 the hundred and one and fiftieth year Demetrius the son of Seleucus departed from Rome, and came up with a few men unto a city of the sea coast, and reigned there.

In the hundred and one and fiftieth year Demetrius the son of Seleucus departed from Rome, and came up with a few men unto a city of the sea coast, and reigned there — the year kept exact: the hundred and one and fiftieth; a new claimant, Demetrius son of Seleucus, coming from Rome with a few men to a sea-coast city and reigning there.

2And as he entered into the palace of his ancestors, so it was, that his forces had taken Antiochus and Lysias, to bring them unto him.

And as he entered into the palace of his ancestors, so it was, that his forces had taken Antiochus and Lysias, to bring them unto him — the ancestral palace entered, and the young king and his deputy already taken by the claimant's forces to be brought before him.

3Wherefore, when he knew it, he said, Let me not see their faces.

Wherefore, when he knew it, he said, Let me not see their faces — the new ruling state's first recorded word: a refusal to look upon the deposed.

4So his host slew them. Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne of his kingdom,

So his host slew them. Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne of his kingdom — the child-king and the deputy slain by the host, and Demetrius seated on the throne, the seat of ruling authority in the empire.

5There came unto him all the wicked and ungodly men of Israel, having Alcimus, who was desirous to be high priest, for their captain:

There came unto him all the wicked and ungodly men of Israel, having Alcimus, who was desirous to be high priest, for their captain — the apostasy finding its new patron: every wicked and godless state of Israel rallying to Demetrius, with Alcimus, desiring the high priesthood, the chief mediating office, as their captain.

6And they accused the people to the king, saying, Judas and his brethren have slain all thy friends, and driven us out of our own land.

And they accused the people to the king, saying, Judas and his brethren have slain all thy friends, and driven us out of our own land — accusation framed for the throne: the deliverers charged with slaying the king's friends and driving the accusers from their land.

7Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go and see what havock he hath made among us, and in the king’s land, and let him punish them with all them that aid them.

Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go and see what havock he hath made among us, and in the king's land, and let him punish them with all them that aid them — a trusted commissioner requested: let him view the havock and punish the deliverers and all who aid them.

8Then the king chose Bacchides, a friend of the king, who ruled beyond the flood, and was a great man in the kingdom, and faithful to the king,

Then the king chose Bacchides, a friend of the king, who ruled beyond the flood, and was a great man in the kingdom, and faithful to the king — Bacchides chosen: the king's friend, ruling beyond the flood, the river, great in the kingdom and faithful to the king.

9And him he sent with that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high priest, and commanded that he should take vengeance of the children of Israel.

And him he sent with that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high priest, and commanded that he should take vengeance of the children of Israel — the commissioner sent with the apostate, Alcimus made high priest by the empire's appointment, and vengeance on the children of Israel the standing command.

10So they departed, and came with a great power into the land of Judea, where they sent messengers to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words deceitfully.

So they departed, and came with a great power into the land of Judea, where they sent messengers to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words deceitfully — a great power entering Judea, the praise-state's land, and peaceable words sent ahead of it deceitfully: the old snare in new hands.

11But they gave no heed to their words; for they saw that they were come with a great power.

But they gave no heed to their words; for they saw that they were come with a great power — the brethren undeceived: words weighed against the army that carried them, and refused.

12Then did there assemble unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of scribes, to require justice.

Then did there assemble unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of scribes, to require justice — a company of scribes, the copying faculty, the custodians of the letter of the law, assembling to the apostate and the commissioner to require justice.

13Now the Assideans were the first among the children of Israel that sought peace of them:

Now the Assideans were the first among the children of Israel that sought peace of them — the Assideans, the devoted ones, first to seek peace: devotion trusting the priestly name it saw coming with the army.

14For said they, One that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come with this army, and he will do us no wrong.

For said they, One that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come with this army, and he will do us no wrong — their reasoning stated: a priest of Aaron's seed, Aaron, the speaking priest-faculty, has come with this army, and will do us no wrong.

15So he spake unto them, peaceably, and sware unto them, saying, we will procure the harm neither of you nor your friends.

So he spake unto them, peaceably, and sware unto them, saying, we will procure the harm neither of you nor your friends — peace spoken and an oath sworn: no harm procured for them or their friends.

16Whereupon they believed him: howbeit he took of them threescore men, and slew them in one day, according to the words which he wrote,

Whereupon they believed him: howbeit he took of them threescore men, and slew them in one day, according to the words which he wrote — belief answered with slaughter: threescore of the trusting slain in one day by the sworn priest, and the history pointing to the written word it fulfils.

17The flesh of thy saints have they cast out, and their blood have they shed round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.

The flesh of thy saints have they cast out, and their blood have they shed round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them — the quoted word: the saints' flesh cast out, their life-stream shed round about Jerusalem, the center of spiritual consciousness, and none to bury them.

18Wherefore the fear and dread of them fell upon all the people, who said, There is neither truth nor righteousness in them; for they have broken the covenant and oath that they made.

Wherefore the fear and dread of them fell upon all the people, who said, There is neither truth nor righteousness in them; for they have broken the covenant and oath that they made — dread falling on all the people, and the verdict spoken by all: neither truth nor right relation to the divine order in men who break covenant and oath.

19After this, removed Bacchides from Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bezeth, where he sent and took many of the men that had forsaken him, and certain of the people also, and when he had slain them, he cast them into the great pit.

After this, removed Bacchides from Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bezeth, where he sent and took many of the men that had forsaken him, and certain of the people also, and when he had slain them, he cast them into the great pit — Bacchides removing to Bezeth and purging even his own deserters and some of the people, the slain cast into the great pit, the empty depth.

20Then committed he the country to Alcimus, and left with him a power to aid him: so Bacchides went to the king.

Then committed he the country to Alcimus, and left with him a power to aid him: so Bacchides went to the king — the country committed to the apostate priest, a power left to aid him, and the commissioner returning to the king.

21But Alcimus contended for the high priesthood.

But Alcimus contended for the high priesthood — the appointed priest still contending for the office he held by the empire's gift: the chief mediating office fought for as a prize of power.

22And unto him resorted all such as troubled the people, who, after they had gotten the land of Juda into their power, did much hurt in Israel.

And unto him resorted all such as troubled the people, who, after they had gotten the land of Juda into their power, did much hurt in Israel — every troubler of the people resorting to Alcimus, and the apostate party, holding Juda's land, doing much hurt in Israel.

23Now when Judas saw all the mischief that Alcimus and his company had done among the Israelites, even above the heathen,

Now when Judas saw all the mischief that Alcimus and his company had done among the Israelites, even above the heathen — the captain surveying the mischief: the apostate company's hurt exceeding even the outer states'.

24He went out into all the coasts of Judea round about, and took vengeance of them that had revolted from him, so that they durst no more go forth into the country.

He went out into all the coasts of Judea round about, and took vengeance of them that had revolted from him, so that they durst no more go forth into the country — the captain ranging every coast of Judea, answering the revolted, until they dared no more go forth into the country.

25On the other side, when Alcimus saw that Judas and his company had gotten the upper hand, and knew that he was not able to abide their force, he went again to the king, and said all the worst of them that he could.

On the other side, when Alcimus saw that Judas and his company had gotten the upper hand, and knew that he was not able to abide their force, he went again to the king, and said all the worst of them that he could — the apostate, unable to abide the faithful force, fleeing to the throne with the worst report he could frame.

26Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honourable princes, a man that bare deadly hate unto Israel, with commandment to destroy the people.

Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honourable princes, a man that bare deadly hate unto Israel, with commandment to destroy the people — Nicanor sent: an honourable prince of the empire bearing deadly hate to the spiritual house, commissioned to destroy the people.

27So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great force; and sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying,

So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great force; and sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying — the great force arriving at the center, and friendly words sent deceitfully before it: the snare laid a third time.

28Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see you in peace.

Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see you in peace — the invitation framed for ambush: no battle, a few men, a peaceful meeting of faces.

29He came therefore to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably. Howbeit the enemies were prepared to take away Judas by violence.

He came therefore to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably. Howbeit the enemies were prepared to take away Judas by violence — salutations exchanged in peace's form, while the enemies stood prepared to seize the captain by violence.

30Which thing after it was known to Judas, to wit, that he came unto him with deceit, he was sore afraid of him, and would see his face no more.

Which thing after it was known to Judas, to wit, that he came unto him with deceit, he was sore afraid of him, and would see his face no more — the deceit discovered, and the captain withdrawing from the snare: no more meetings with a peace that carries seizure behind it.

31Nicanor also, when he saw that his counsel was discovered, went out to fight against Judas beside Capharsalama:

Nicanor also, when he saw that his counsel was discovered, went out to fight against Judas beside Capharsalama — the discovered counsellor dropping the mask and marching out to open battle beside Capharsalama.

32Where there were slain of Nicanor’s side about five thousand men, and the rest fled into the city of David.

Where there were slain of Nicanor's side about five thousand men, and the rest fled into the city of David — the count kept exact: about five thousand of Nicanor's side slain, the rest fleeing into the city of David, Love's city turned citadel.

33After this went Nicanor up to mount Sion, and there came out of the sanctuary certain of the priests and certain of the elders of the people, to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the burnt sacrifice that was offered for the king.

After this went Nicanor up to mount Sion, and there came out of the sanctuary certain of the priests and certain of the elders of the people, to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the burnt sacrifice that was offered for the king — the beaten commander ascending Zion, the love-height, and the mediating faculties and elders coming out to salute him peaceably and shew him the burnt offering, the whole state yielded up, offered for the king.

34But he mocked them, and laughed at them, and abused them shamefully, and spake proudly,

But he mocked them, and laughed at them, and abused them shamefully, and spake proudly — courtesy answered with mockery, laughter, shameful abuse, and proud speech: the empire's hatred shewing itself against the sanctuary's peace.

35And sware in his wrath, saying, Unless Judas and his host be now delivered into my hands, if ever I come again in safety, I will burn up this house: and with that he went out in a great rage.

And sware in his wrath, saying, Unless Judas and his host be now delivered into my hands, if ever I come again in safety, I will burn up this house: and with that he went out in a great rage — the oath of wrath recorded: Judas and his host delivered into his hands, or the house itself burned on his safe return; and he went out in great rage.

36Then the priests entered in, and stood before the altar and the temple, weeping, and saying,

Then the priests entered in, and stood before the altar and the temple, weeping, and saying — the mediating faculties withdrawing within, standing before the altar, the point of consecration, and the temple, weeping and praying.

37Thou, O Lord, didst choose this house to be called by thy name, and to be a house of prayer and petition for thy people:

Thou, O Lord, didst choose this house to be called by thy name, and to be a house of prayer and petition for thy people — the prayer grounding itself in the choice: the indwelling LORD chose this house for His name, a house of prayer and petition for His people.

38Be avenged of this man and his host, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continue any longer.

Be avenged of this man and his host, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continue any longer — vengeance entreated, the fall by the cutting word, the blasphemies remembered, and continuance refused them: the prayer left standing before the altar.

39So Nicanor went out of Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bethhoron, where an host out of Syria met him.

So Nicanor went out of Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bethhoron, where an host out of Syria met him — the threatener withdrawing to Bethhoron, a Syrian host joining him there: rage reinforced.

40But Judas pitched in Adasa with three thousand men, and there he prayed, saying,

But Judas pitched in Adasa with three thousand men, and there he prayed, saying — the captain pitching at Adasa with three thousand, and praying before the battle.

41O Lord, when they that were sent from the king of the Assyrians blasphemed, thine angel went out, and smote an hundred fourscore and five thousand of them.

O Lord, when they that were sent from the king of the Assyrians blasphemed, thine angel went out, and smote an hundred fourscore and five thousand of them — the precedent prayed back to the indwelling LORD: the Assyrian blasphemers, Assyria the dominating reasoning-empire, smitten by His angel, a divine idea ministering between the higher and lower consciousness, a hundred fourscore and five thousand in one night of old.

42Even so destroy thou this host before us this day, that the rest may know that he hath spoken blasphemously against thy sanctuary, and judge thou him according to his wickedness.

Even so destroy thou this host before us this day, that the rest may know that he hath spoken blasphemously against thy sanctuary, and judge thou him according to his wickedness — even so, this day: the host destroyed, the rest taught what blasphemy against the sanctuary-state is, and the blasphemer judged according to his wickedness.

43So the thirteenth day of the month Adar the hosts joined battle: but Nicanor’s host was discomfited, and he himself was first slain in the battle.

So the thirteenth day of the month Adar the hosts joined battle: but Nicanor's host was discomfited, and he himself was first slain in the battle — the date kept exact: the thirteenth of Adar; the hosts joined, Nicanor's discomfited, and the threatener himself first slain in the battle.

44Now when Nicanor’s host saw that he was slain, they cast away their weapons, and fled.

Now when Nicanor's host saw that he was slain, they cast away their weapons, and fled — the host breaking at its captain's fall: weapons cast away and flight, as at Carnaim.

45Then they pursued after them a day’s journey, from Adasa unto Gazera, sounding an alarm after them with their trumpets.

Then they pursued after them a day's journey, from Adasa unto Gazera, sounding an alarm after them with their trumpets — a day's pursuit, Adasa to Gazera, the trumpet-alarm sounding behind the fugitives the whole way.

46Whereupon they came forth out of all the towns of Judea round about, and closed them in; so that they, turning back upon them that pursued them, were all slain with the sword, and not one of them was left.

Whereupon they came forth out of all the towns of Judea round about, and closed them in; so that they, turning back upon them that pursued them, were all slain with the sword, and not one of them was left — the towns of Judea rising and closing the fugitives in: all slain by the cutting word, and not one left.

47Afterwards they took the spoils, and the prey, and smote off Nicanors head, and his right hand, which he stretched out so proudly, and brought them away, and hanged them up toward Jerusalem.

Afterwards they took the spoils, and the prey, and smote off Nicanors head, and his right hand, which he stretched out so proudly, and brought them away, and hanged them up toward Jerusalem — spoils and prey taken, and the threatener's head and proud right hand struck off and hung up toward Jerusalem: the hand that swore against the house displayed before the center it threatened.

48For this cause the people rejoiced greatly, and they kept that day a day of great gladness.

For this cause the people rejoiced greatly, and they kept that day a day of great gladness — the people's great rejoicing, and the day kept as a day of great gladness.

49Moreover they ordained to keep yearly this day, being the thirteenth of Adar.

Moreover they ordained to keep yearly this day, being the thirteenth of Adar — the deliverance made a standing memorial: the thirteenth of Adar ordained to be kept yearly.

50Thus the land of Juda was in rest a little while.

Thus the land of Juda was in rest a little while — the praise-state's land resting a little while: rest granted, and its brevity honestly recorded.

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