Books Jesus Read

134

Books Jesus Read

priest, Onias, who was surprised when informed about the king’s plan to take control of the treasury. Onias explained that the so-called “wealth” of the temple was merely deposits belonging to widows and orphans, from donations of Hyrcanus, son of Tobias, a prominent man, which totaled, at most, a few hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold. (The impious Simon had, to this great extent, misrepresented the facts.) Onias implored Heliodorus to consider the harm that would be done to all those who relied on the sanctity and safety of the temple, honored throughout the whole world. Heliodorus inspected the treasury and yet was not deterred. Before leaving, he set a day on which he would return to confiscate the funds. This caused Jerusalem no little distress. The priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their priestly garments and called upon the One who had commanded the setting aside of donations for the needy. Onias himself was wounded at heart: while his ashen face revealed the anguish of his soul, bodily trembling overcame him. The people of Jerusalem hurried from their homes to make supplication since the holy place was about to be corrupted. Women, girded with sackcloth beneath their breasts, thronged the streets. Young maidens, who are required to stay at home, gathered at gates, peered over walls and through windows at the throngs. Holding up their hands to heaven, they all made entreaty. There was something pitiable in the prostration of the whole populace and the anxiety of the high priest in his great anguish. While they called on the Almighty Lord that he would keep what had been entrusted safe and secure