
250 BC to 230 BC, Psalm 35: Deceptive calm.
This generation is that of the years between 250 BC and 230 BC.
At the level of the striking and known events of this generation, we can quote again Flavius Josephus:
- Onias [1], son of Simon the Righteous and nephew of Eleazar (who was contacted by the Lagide power, following « The letter of Aristea » to provide translators of the Jewish law, which gave the Septuagint), had succeeded as high priest to Manasseh, who had had him after the death of Eleazar. Ptolemy, nicknamed Evergette, father of Philopator, was irritated. He sent Athenion, who was in great favor with him, to Jerusalem, to threaten him with delivering the country in prey to his troops, if he did not satisfy him. He was the only one of the Jews who was not frightened by it, so much did his love for money make him insensitive to all the rest.
-
- We [2] have the chance to follow the story of an important family, the « Tobiades », throughout the confrontation between the Lagids and the Seleucids. Flavius Josephus has traced the adventures. The Jewish community was divided into pro-lagos and pro-Seleucids. During the reign of Ptolemy III, it seems that Onias II, high priest of Jerusalem, refused to pay the tribute of twenty talents, as opposed to Pharaoh. The priestly rebellion comes at a time when the Seleucid power, during the « Third Syrian War », begins to appear in the Holy City. His attitude shows that he was hoping for a change of power in Palestine Lagide, in favor of the Seleucid rival.
(extract of the psalm 35 associated to this generation, verses 1 to 10 )
- Of David. O Lord, strive with those who strive against me, battle my foes.
- Grasp a shield and encircling armor, and rise to my assistance.
- And arm Yourself with a spear and bar the way before my pursuers; say to my soul, « I am your salvation. »
- May those who seek my life be shamed and embarrassed; may those who plan my harm draw backward and be abashed.
- Let them be as chaff before the wind, with an angel of the Lord thrusting them.
- May their way be dark and slippery, with an angel of the Lord pursuing them.
- For without cause they have hidden for me a pit, yea a net; without cause they have dug it for my soul.
- May darkness that he does not know come upon him, and his net that he hid shall ensnare him; in the darkness may he fall into it.
- And my soul shall exult in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation.
- All my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like You, Who saves a poor man from one stronger than he and a poor man and a needy one from one who robs him.
- In [3] the same time (corresponds to the generation that interests us), the Samaritans, who were then very powerful, did great evils to the Jews, both by ravages in the countryside that because they made several prisoners on them .
(extract of the psalm 35 associated to this generation, verses 11 to 16 )
- False witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not.
- They recompense me with evil instead of good, death to my soul.
- But, as for me, when they were ill, my attire was sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting, and may my prayer return upon my bosom.
- I walked about as though it were a friend or as though it were my own brother; I was bowed with gloom as the mourning of a mother.
- And, when I limped, they rejoiced and gathered; lame people gathered about me, [why,] I do not know. Were they to tear, they would not draw blood.
- Because of the flattery of scorn for food, they gnash their teeth at me.
(extract of the psalm 35 associated to this generation, verses 17 to 28 )
- O Lord, how long will You look on? Return my soul from their darkness, my only one from young lions.
- I will thank You in a large assembly; in a mighty people I will praise You.
- Let them not rejoice over me, those who are my enemies for an unjust cause, neither shall those who hate me for nought wink their eyes.
- For they do not speak peace, and against the crushed people of the earth they think words of deceit.
- And they opened their mouth wide against me and they said, « Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen [what we desired]. »
- You saw, O Lord, do not be silent; O Lord, do not distance Yourself from me.
- Arouse Yourself and awaken to my judgment, my God and my Lord, to my cause.
- Judge me according to Your righteousness, O Lord, my God, and let them not rejoice over me.
- Let them not say in their hearts, « Our soul rejoices. » Let them not say, « We have swallowed him up. »
- Let them be ashamed and abashed together, those who rejoice at my misfortune; let them be clothed in shame and disgrace, those who raise themselves haughtily over me.
- Let those who desire my vindication sing praises and rejoice, and let them constantly say, « May the Lord, Who desires the peace of His servant, be magnified. »
- And my tongue shall utter Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.
[1] Flavius Josephus / Jewish Antiquities / Twelfth book / end of chapter 3 and beginning of chapter 4.
[2] Richard Lebeau / A History of the Hebrews / Chapter: Israel versus Hellenism. (French: Richard Lebeau/Une histoire des Hébreux/Chapitre : Israël face à l’hellénisme).
[3] Josephus Flavius / Jewish Antiquities / Twelfth Book / End of Chapter 3