1 Then he called Hermon, who had charge of the elephants. Full of rage, altogether fixed in his furious design, (WEB) 2 he commanded him, with a quantity of unmixed wine with handfuls of incense infused, to drug the elephants early on the following day. These five hundred elephants were, when infuriated by the copious drinks of frankincense, to be led up to the execution of death upon the Jews. (WEB) 3 The king, after issuing these orders, went to his feasting, and gathered together all those of his friends and of the army who hated the Jews the most. (WEB) 4 The master of the elephants, Hermon, fulfilled his commission punctually. (WEB) 5 The servants appointed for the purpose went out about evening and bound the hands of the miserable victims, and took other precautions for their security at night, thinking that the whole race would perish together. (WEB) 6 The heathen believed the Jews to be destitute of all protection, for chains bound them. (WEB) 7 They invoked the Almighty Lord, and ceaselessly implored with tears their merciful God and Father, Ruler of all, Lord of every power, (WEB) 8 to overthrow the evil purpose which had gone out against them, and to deliver them by extraordinary manifestation from that death which was in store for them. (WEB) 9 Their earnest entreaty went up to heaven. (WEB) 10 Then Hermon, who had filled his merciless elephants with copious drinks of mixed wine and frankincense, came early to the palace to report on these preparations. (WEB) 11 He, however, who has sent his good creatures sleep from all time by night or by day thus gratifying whom he wills, diffused a portion of it now upon the king. (WEB) 12 By this sweet and profound influence of the Lord, he was held fast, and thus his unjust purpose was quite frustrated, and his unflinching resolve greatly falsified. (WEB) 13 But the Jews, having escaped the hour which had been fixed, praised their holy God, and again prayed him who is easily reconciled to display the power of his powerful hand to the arrogant Gentiles. (WEB) 14 The middle of the tenth hour had nearly arrived, when the person who sent invitations, seeing the guests who were invited present, came and shook the king. (WEB) 15 He gained his attention with difficulty, and hinting that the mealtime was getting past, talked the matter over with him. (WEB) 16 The king listened to this, and then turning aside to his drinking, commanded the guests to sit down before him. (WEB) 17 This done, he asked them to enjoy themselves, and to indulge in mirth at this somewhat late hour of the banquet. (WEB) 18 Conversation grew on, and the king sent for Hermon, and inquired of him, with fierce denunciations, why the Jews had been allowed to outlive that day. (WEB) 19 Hermon explained that he h… (WEB)
3 Maccabees 5:1–51
Semantically similar passages
3 Maccabees 6:22–24
22 The king’s wrath was converted into compassion; and he wept at the things he had devised. (WEB) 23 For when he heard the cry, and saw them all on the verge of destruction, with tears he angrily threatened his friends, saying, (WEB) 24 “You have governed badly, and have exceeded… (WEB)
3 Maccabees 1:26–28
26 He, in his hardened mood, insensible to all persuasion, was going onward with the view of carrying out this design. (WEB) 27 Yet even his own officers, when they saw this, joined the Jews in an appeal to Him who has all power to aid in the present crisis, and not wink… (WEB) 28 … (WEB)
2 Maccabees 4:24–26
24 But he being commended to the king, and having been glorified by the display of his authority, secured the high priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver. (WEB) 25 After receiving the royal mandates, he returned bringing nothing worthy… (WEB)
1 Maccabees 6:27–29
27 If you don’t quickly prevent them, they will do greater things than these, and you won’t be able to control them. (WEB) 28 When the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, the rulers of his army, and those who were over the cavalry. (WEB) 29 Bands o… (WEB)
2 Maccabees 10:25–27
25 But as he drew near, Maccabaeus and his men sprinkled dirt on their heads and girded their loins with sackcloth, in supplication to God, (WEB) 26 and falling down upon the step in front of the altar, implored him to become gracious to them, and be an enemy to their ene… (WEB)
2 Maccabees 3:20–22
20 All, stretching out their hands toward heaven, made their solemn supplication. (WEB) 21 Then it was pitiful to see the multitude prostrating themselves all mixed together, and the anxiety of the high priest in his great distress. (WEB) 22 While therefore they called upon the Alm… (WEB)
Book of Jubilees 37:24–25
24 And when Jacob saw that he was (so) evilly disposed towards him with his heart, and with all his soul as to slay him, and that he had come springing like the wild boar which comes upon the spear that pierces and kills it, and recoils not from it; (JUB) 25 then he spake… (JUB)
1 Maccabees 4:1–3
1 Gorgias took five thousand infantry, a thousand chosen cavalry, and the army moved out at night, (WEB) 2 that it might fall upon the army of the Jews and strike them suddenly. The men of the citadel were his guides. (WEB) 3 Judas heard of this, and he and the valiant men moved… (WEB)
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