“King Antiochus’ letter ran thus.
‘King Antiochus to his brother Lysias,
Greetings!
Now that our father has gone on to the gods,
We desire that the subjects of the kingdom
Be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs.
We have heard that the Jews
Do not consent to our father’s change to Greek customs
But they prefer their own way of living.
They ask that their own customs be allowed them.
Accordingly, since we choose
That this nation also should be free from disturbance,
Our decision is that their temple be restored to them,
That they shall live
According to the customs of their ancestors.
You will do well, therefore,
To send word to them.
Give them pledges of friendship,
So that they may know our policy.
They may be of good cheer,
Let them go on happily in the conduct of their own affairs.’”
The young King Antiochus V noted the death of his father, King Antiochus IV, since he had gone on to the gods. He did not want people in the kingdom disturbed. He had learned that the Jews did not like the Greek customs imposed on them by his father, but they preferred their own customs. The 10 year old king decided that the Temple should be restored. They should be allowed to follow the customs of their ancestors. He was pledging his friendship so that they should be of good cheer and happily conduct their own affairs. Everything seems to be in good order with this agreement.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 