V. ELEAZAR, a venerable old man of Jerusalem, who suffered death under the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes. It is questioned whether he finished his martyrdom at Jerusalem or Antioch. It seems certain from the second book of Maccabees and Josephus, that he suffered in the presence of King Antiochus Epiphanes, as well as the seven brethren the Maccabees; but it is not 2 Macc. vi. ultimo. vii. 1, 2, &c.so clear whether it were at Antioch or Jerusalem. The old Translator of Josephus’s book entitled, Of the Empire of Reason, says it was at Antioch; but the Greek text of Josephus does not say so; it supposes on the contrary, that the seven brethren suffered at Jerusalem. The same author mentions the same thing in the 12th book of his Antiquities, c. 7. Others maintain, that the seven brethren were martyred at Antioch, where formerly their tombs were shown. St. Austin speaks of a Church in this city, dedicated by their name. The Martyrologies, Liranus, Serrarius, Tirinus, Hieron. de locis Hebr. verbo Modin. Aug. Serm. 1. de Mac. 30. ult. Edit. 2 Macc. vi. 18, 19, 20, &c.and Josephus Gorionides, fix their Martyrdom at Antioch. Now it seems certain, that Eleazar suffered at the same place as the seven brethren the Maccabees. All the authors that make any mention of him, join his martyrdom with that of these generous brethren.
The holy old man, of whom we are now speaking, was one of the principal Doctors of the Law. Gregory Nazianzen and St. Ambrose believe with Josephus, that he Nazian. Orat. de Macc. Ambros. l. 2. de Jacob. & vita beata, c. 10.was of the Sacerdotal Family. He was presented to Antiochus Epiphanes, and they would have compelled him to eat Swine’s flesh, by forcing open his mouth to that purpose. But he preferring death to life, which he saw was to be preserved only by a criminal compliance, chose rather to go voluntarily and of himself to execution. They who were present, moved with an unjust compassion, by reason of the ancient friendship which they had for him, took him aside, and entreated him to consent, that they might bring him meat which he was allowed to eat, that so they might inform the King how punctually he had obeyed his orders, in eating the flesh of the sacrifice, and by this means might preserve him from death. But he considering his age, his gray hairs, and the innocent life which he had hitherto led, answered, that he had much rather go to his grave, than perform what they desired of him; for it does not become me, said he, in this advanced part of life, to use dissimulation, whereby many young people, imagining that Eleazar at ninety years of age, had deserted from the Jewish to the Pagan way of living, might be induced to imitate him; whereby I should draw an infamous blemish on my self, and the curses of men on my old age: for altho’ I might by this means deliver my self from the penalties wherewith I am threatned, yet I could not avoid the hand of the Almighty, neither during my life, nor after my death.
At these words they who led him to execution, were immediately enraged against him, believing what he had said to proceed from pride: and as he was ready to expire under the blows with which they overwhelmed him, he uttered a great sigh, and said, Lord thou knowest that having it in my power to avoid death, I suffer in my body the most sensible pains, but my soul is overjoyed to die for thy religion. Having said these words, he expired. This is all we learn from the second book of Maccabees, which we Roman Catholicks maintain to be Canonical.
But Josephus in his book concerning the Empire of Reason, relates the matter more at large. He says, that Antiochus coming to Jerusalem, and observing how the people despised his Edicts, went up to the highest place in the city, with the principal men of his court, and his soldiers in arms, and having commanded the Jews should be constrained to eat Swine’s flesh, and whatsoever had been sacrificed to Idols, otherwise to suffer a very cruel death ; Eleazar was the first pre sented to him ; whom Antiochus spoke to, and endeavoured to persuade him to obey his orders: but he answered in a manner which manifested his wisdom and resolution, and refused with great constancy to submit to the King’s impious directions. Whereupon the guards immediately fell upon Eleazar, dragged him to the place of execution, stript him, tied his hands behind him, and severely scourged him, while a Herald cried out to him, Obey the King’s orders: but he continued immoveable amidst all the blows they gave him, till being quite exhausted with loss of blood, and lashes wherewith his body was miserably mangled, he fell to the ground, without losing however any thing of the vigour of his soul. Hereupon a soldier leaped upon his belly with a design of forcing him to rise, but invincible patience was all the return he made for this cruel treatment. Some of his old friends would have persuaded him to make a shew at least of eating meats sacrificed to Idols, but he absolutely refused, and his refusal enraged them. They threw him into the fire, tormented him with instruments made of iron, and poured stinking liquors into his nostrils. In the midst of these tortures he died, begging of God to accept his life and blood as an expiatory sacrifice for his brethren. He suffered in the year of the World 3837, before J. C. 183. before the Vulgar Æra 167.