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[145]
And these were the contents of this epistle. He also published a
decree through all his kingdom in honor of the temple, which contained
what follows: "It shall be lawful for no foreigner to come within
the limits of the temple round about; which thing is forbidden also to
the Jews, unless to those who, according to their own custom, have purified
themselves. Nor let any flesh of horses, or of mules, or of asses, he brought
into the city, whether they be wild or tame; nor that of leopards, or foxes,
or hares; and, in general, that of any animal which is forbidden for the
Jews to eat. Nor let their skins be brought into it; nor let any such animal
be bred up in the city. Let them only be permitted to use the sacrifices
derived from their forefathers, with which they have been obliged to make
acceptable atonements to God. And he that transgresseth any of these orders,
let him pay to the priests three thousand drachmae of silver." Moreover,
this Antiochus bare testimony to our piety and fidelity, in an epistle
of his, written when he was informed of a sedition in Phrygia and Lydia,
at which time he was in the superior provinces, wherein he commanded Zenxis,
the general of his forces, and his most intimate friend, to send some of
our nation out of Babylon into Phrygia. The epistle was this:
“KING ANTIOCHUS TO ZEUXIS HIS FATHER, SENDETH GREETING.
"If you are in health, it is well. I also am in health. Having
been informed that a sedition is arisen in Lydia and Phrygia, I thought
that matter required great care; and upon advising with my friends what
was fit to be done, it hath been thought proper to remove two thousand
families of Jews, with their effects, out of Mesopotamia and Babylon, unto
the castles and places that lie most convenient; for I am persuaded that
they will be well-disposed guardians of our possessions, because of their
piety towards God, and because I know that my predecessors have borne witness
to them, that they are faithful, and with alacrity do what they are desired
to do. I will, therefore, though it be a laborious work, that thou remove
these Jews, under a promise, that they shall be permitted to use their
own laws. And when thou shalt have brought them to the places forementioned,
thou shalt give everyone of their families a place for building their houses,
and a portion of the land for their husbandry, and for the plantation of
their vines; and thou shalt discharge them from paying taxes of the fruits
of the earth for ten years; and let them have a proper quantity of wheat
for the maintenance of their servants, until they receive bread corn out
of the earth; also let a sufficient share be given to such as minister
to them in the necessaries of life, that by enjoying the effects of our
humanity, they may show themselves the more willing and ready about our
affairs. Take care likewise of that nation, as far as thou art able, that
they may not have any disturbance given them by any one."”
Now these
testimonials which I have produced are sufficient to declare the friendship
that Antiochus the Great bare to the Jews.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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