Chapter IV: Book 414: IV. The Sources of the Book 415

V. The History of the Maccabæan Struggle 423

(_a_) The Conquests of Alexander the Great, and the
division of his Empire 424

(_b_) The original cause of the struggle; the
leadership of Mattathias 424

(_c_) The leadership of Judas Maccabæus; religious
liberty secured 427

(_d_) The leadership of Jonathan; the establishment
of the Hasmonæan high-priesthood 431

(_e_) The leadership of Simon 436

CHAPTER VIII

THE GREEK EZRA (1 (3) Esdras) 439

I. The Title of the Book 439

II. Contents of the Book 440

III. The “Hebrew Ezra,” the “Greek Ezra,” and 2 Esdras 442

IV. The Historicity of the Book 446

V. The Purpose of the Book 450

VI. The Story of the Three Young Men of Darius’ Bodyguard 451

VII. The Date of the Book 454

CHAPTER IX

THE BOOK OF WISDOM (The Wisdom of Solomon) 455

I. The Title and Authorship of the Book 455

II. The Date of the Book 459

III. The Question of Composite Authorship 464

IV. The Purposes for which the Book was Written 469

V. The Influence of the Book on St. Paul 474

CHAPTER X

THE SECOND BOOK OF MACCABEES 479

I. The Origin of the Book 479

II. The Contents of the Book 481

III. Comparison between 1 and 2 Maccabees 482

IV. The Historical Value of 2 Maccabees 485

V. The Purpose of the Book 487

VI. The Integrity of the Boo 490

VII. The Date and Original Language of the Book 493

VIII. The influence of the Book on New Testament Writers 493

CHAPTER XI

THE BOOK OF BARUCH, AND THE EPISTLE OF JEREMIAH 495

I. Short Account of the Book, and its Contents 495

II. Examination of the Component Parts of the Book 497

(1) The Book of Confessions (i.-iii. 8) 497

(2) A Sage’s words of encouragement (iii. 9-iv. 4) 503

(3) A Message of good cheer (iv. 5-v. 9) 504

The Epistle of Jeremiah 506