1 Macc. i. 11. viii. 18. 2 Macc. iv. 36. xi. 24. iv. 15.GREECE. This word is often of a very extensive signification in Scripture, and comprehends all the Countries inhabited by the descendants of Javan, as well in Greece as in Ionia, and Asia minor. Since the time of Alexander the Great, the name of Greeks is taken in a still more uncertain and inlarged sense; because the Greeks being masters of Egypt and Syria, of the Countries beyond the Euphrates, and of other Provinces, the Jews were used to call all those Gentile people Greeks, who were Subjects to the Empire of the Greeks, either in the East or West. For which reason in the Books of the Maccabees, in the Gospel, and in St. Paul’s writings, a Greek commonly signifies a Gentile. Non est distinctio Judæi & Græci: before God there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile.
If. lxvi. 19.In the Books of the Old Testament written in Hebrew, Greece and Greeks are mentioned under the name of Javan. Isaiah says, that the Lord shall send his Ambassadors to several people, and in particular to Javan, who dwells in the Isles Ezek. xxvii. 13, 19. Dan. xi. 2. Zech. ix. 13.afar off. Ezekiel tells us, that Javan, Tubal, and Meshech came to the Fairs at Tyre. Daniel, speaking of Darius the son of Hystaspes, or of Xerxes, says, that he shall stir up all against the realm of Javan. Lastly, Zechary declares, that the Lord shall raise up the sons of Zion against the sons of Javan; which hints at the wars carried on by the Maccabees against Antiochus Epiphanes and the Greeks, who possessed the Kingdom of Dan. viii. 21. x. 20.Syria. In Daniel, Alexander the Great is described by the name of King of Javan.