Towards the end of the reign of Darius Codamannus, an unhappy event occurred, which threw the Jewish state into great confusion and disorder, and had like to have proved fatal to them. For Manasses, brother of Jaddus * the high-priest, and colleague with him, having married Nicaso the daughter of Sanballat, the old enemy of the Jews, the elders of Jerusalem wisely foreseeing the fatal consequence of such marriages, as knowing them to have been in a great measure the cause of their late captivity, and other judgments sent amongst them, demand of Manasses, either to dismiss his wife, or no more to approach the altar.

In this act his brother Jaddua concurred, and forced him to desist from the office of pontiff. Manasses, upon this, repaired to his father-in-law Sanballat, to whom he declared, that though he passionately loved his daughter, yet he was unwilling, for her sake, to be deprived of the priesthood, which was a native honour, and in the highest esteem among the Jews. Sanballat, to quiet Manasses, told him he should not only be continued in the priesthood, but he would procure the pontificate for him, and make him prince of the whole province of Judea, provided he would continue his affection to his daughter, and return to her as his wife; adding, that he would build a temple on mount Gerizim superior to that in Jerusalem : and all this he engaged to perform by the power and consent of Darius. These promises so elevated the ambition of Manasses; that he tarried with his father-in-law; during which time many of the priests and Israelites, who had engaged in these forbidden marriages, revolted to Manasses; Sanballat furnishing them with houses and lands, to encourage his son-in-law's ambitious hopes; which was the occasion of great mutiny and disorder in the Jewish state.

About this time, Darius, hearing that Alexander, the Great, had passed the Hellespont, and invaded Asia, and

Jaddus. Prideaux as well as Josephus call this high-priest Jaddua.

San

had defeated his army at the river Granicus, resolved at the streights of Cilicia to stop his further progress. ballat, overjoyed at the approach of Darius, assured his son-in-law of the performance of his promise as soon as Darius returned from the victory. But the event disappointed their hopes; for the victorious Macedonian, though greatly inferior in numbers, routed Darius's army, took his mother, wife, and children prisoners, and forces him to fly back into Persia. Alexander upon this marched directly into Syria, took Damascus and Sidon, and laid siege to Tyre. Then sending letters to Jaddua the Highpriest, he demanded subsistence for his army, and the same allegiance and respect usually paid to Darius. Jaddua returned answer, that he had sworn not to take aims against Darius, and that he would keep his oath inviolable as long as he lived. Alexander, enraged at this answer, threatened the pontiff that he would soon be with him, and make him know to whom his allegiance was due; but still carried on the siege of Tyre with all imaginable diligence.

In the mean time Sanballat, taking this opportunity, revolted from Darius, and with eight thousand men of his own province, went over to Alexander, whom he found in his camp before Tyre, carrying on the siege. Sanballat without scruple acknowledges Alexander for his sovereign, and is kindly received by him. This early revolt and favourable reception of Sanballat, gave him opportunity and encouragement to speak what he pleased to Alexander. Taking a fit time, he told him that Manasses his son-in-law was brother to Jaddua the Highpriest; that having in discontent left Jerusalem, and be ing followed by many of the Jews, who were of his party, he was inclined to build a temple in his province. Then, by way of advice, he assured Alexander that it would be of great advantage to his interest; for thus he would divide the strength of the Jews. Alexander approved of what he proposed, and accordingly Sanballat erected a temple, and constituted his son-in-law Manasses priest of it; by which he presumed, that he should leave

a lasting monument of honour to the posterity of his daughter.

After seven months 'spent in the siege of Tyre, and two in that of Gaza, Sanballat died; and Alexander, at the head of his victorious troops, hastened to Jerusalem, to take revenge for the late neglect of his proffered friendship. Jaddua, knowing the city unable to oppose the progress of the victorious monarch, commended the public safety to the protection of God, to whom he offered prayers and sacrifice. The night before Alexander ap proached the city, Jaddua had a vision, in which he was encouraged to go out and meet the conqueror, with assurance of security. Upon this he assembled the priests and people, whom he acquainted with the vision; and according to his direction, the rest of the priests put on their habits, and the people clothed themselves in white, and with Jaddua at their head, went out to meet the conqueror. Alexander was amazed at this unusual and venerable pomp; but that which most surprised him, was to see the high-priest clothed in the same manner as he had seen one in a dream whilst he was in Macedon, who assured him that he should conquer Persia. Upon which Alexander, bowed himself. before Jaddua, worshipped the name of God, which was written on the plate that was on the forehead of the high-priest, and received him graciously. After this they went into the city, and Alexander, by the advice of Jaddua, offered sacrifice in the temple, where they shewed him the prophecy of Daniel, which foretold that a Grecian should subdue the Persians; upon which he expressed great satisfaction, and promised the Jews that he would grant them whatsoever they desired. Jaddua then requested, that they might live according to their own laws, and that he would remit the tribute of the seventh year. These petitions he readily granted, and gave leave likewise at their request, to the Jews that lived in Babylon and Media to do the same. After which several Jews followed Alexander in his other expeditions.

Upon the death of Alexander, the empire was divided among several successors, and Syria falling to the lot of

Seleucus, the Jews ought of course to have been subject to him; but Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, king of Egypt, having possessed himself of Syria by stratagem, took Jerusalem, entering it on the sabbath-day, when the inhabitants durst not defend themselves. He carried away many of the Jews into Egypt, Cyrene, and other parts of Libya. Many also went voluntarily into Egypt, where Ptolemy entertained them in a very friendly manner, making several of them free of the city of Alexandria. Ptolemy Philadelphus, the son and successor of Ptolemy Lagus, caused the law to be translated into Greek by seventy-two interpreters, whom he sent for from Jerusalem; and dismissing several of the captive Jews, he gave many rich presents to the temple at Jerusalem, of an immense value. Nor was Ptolemy Philadelphus the only patron and favourer of the Jews; Seleucus Nicanor made them free of the city of Antioch, and other cities of Syria.

Antiochus the Great, becoming king of Asia, made war on Ptolemy Epiphanes, king of Egypt, and Syria became the seat of the war, by which the Jews suffered greatly; for the fortune of war inclining sometimes to one king, and sometimes to the other, Judea was miserably harassed on both sides. Antiochus in the end being victorious, the Jews submitted to him, received him with his army into their city, and joined with him in the recovery of the citadel of Jerusalem, which was held by a garrison left there by Scopas, Ptolemy's general. Antiochus in return gave them liberty to live and govern according to their own laws, and granted them several privileges. But afterwards king Antiochus, concluding a peace with Ptolemy, gave him his daughter in marriage, assigning for her dowry Colo-Syria, Phænicia, Judea, and Samaria. To this king of Egypt, Onias,* the high-priest refused to pay tribute; upon which king Ptolemy prepared to invade Judea: but by the

• Onias. He was the son of Jaddua, the High-priest, and succeeded him.

prudent management of Josephus,* nephew to Onias, all things were reconciled, and the tribute-money paid.

After the death of Ptolemy Epiphanes, Seleucus Philopater, king of Asia, at first favoured the Jews, and supplied them with all things requisite for the service of the temple, and the sacrifices, at his own expence; but some time after being informed by one Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, that there were great treasures in the temple, he sent Heliodorust to take them away; who going into the temple with that intent, as he was entering the sacred treasury, to his great amazement he was met by angels of fire, who seemed to be on horseback, armed to defend the place against this sacrilegious attempt. The infidel general was struck down, lost his speech and senses, and did not recover till the Highpriest Onias prayed for him. Some time afterwards Heliodorus aspiring to the crown, murdered Seleucus in hopes of succeeding him; but Eumenes and Attalus drove him from thence, and set up Antiochus) Epiphanes, son to Antiochus the Great. This prince was the cause of great affliction to the Jews; for he deposed Onias, and put his brother Jason in his place, who upon that account had promised to pay Antiochus three thousand sixhundred talents of silver yearly. Jason had no sooner

Joseph. His mother was sister to Onias the High-priest. Though he was but young, he was eminent for prudence, justice, and other virtues, which made him very much regarded in the Jewish state. And he taking upon him to chide his uncle Onias for covetousness, and neglect of the public good, did by his good reasons convince him of his error, and persuaded Onias to leave the management of the whole matter to him, which he effected to the satisfaction of king Ptolemy and the Jews, and his own reputation and advantage. See Joseph. 1. xii. c. 4.

Heliodorus. He is by Josephus called Apollonius.

Him. It is to be recollected, that this marvellous story does not rest upon the authority of the inspired volume.

$ Antiochus. This is that wicked Antiochus, mentioned in 1 Macc. ii. v. 11.