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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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But already a person had appeared on <strong>the</strong> stage <strong>of</strong><br />

Jewish affiiirs, who was to give <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>ir last<br />

decisive turn. About fifty years before this, <strong>the</strong><br />

district <strong>of</strong> Idumaaa had been conquered by <strong>the</strong><br />

Maccabean King Hyrcanus I., <strong>and</strong> its inhabitants<br />

forced to adopt JadaLsm. By this Idumsea we are<br />

not, however, to underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancient or Eastern<br />

Edom, which was now in <strong>the</strong> h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Nabatssans, but parts <strong>of</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Palestine which<br />

<strong>the</strong> Edomites had occupied since <strong>the</strong> Babylonian<br />

Exile, <strong>and</strong> especially a small district on <strong>the</strong><br />

nor<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>and</strong> eastern boundary <strong>of</strong> Judaea, <strong>and</strong><br />

below Samaria.* After it became JudaBan, its<br />

administration was entrusted to a governor. In <strong>the</strong><br />

reign <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> last <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Maccabees this <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

devolved on one Antipater, a man <strong>of</strong> equal cunning<br />

<strong>and</strong> determination. He successfully interfered in<br />

<strong>the</strong> unhappy dispute for <strong>the</strong> crown, which was at<br />

last decided by <strong>the</strong> sword <strong>of</strong> Pompey. Antipater<br />

took <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> utterly weak Hyrcanus in that<br />

contest with his energetic bro<strong>the</strong>r Aristobulus. He<br />

> So Schurer in his Neutestam. Zeit-^escb.

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