the-book-of-enoch-r-h-charles - Fallen Angels

206 Tim Boole of Enoch. [Sect. TV
XC. 6-12. FourtJi. Period—from the Graeco-Spian Domination
to the Maccabem EevoU.
6. But behold lambs were borne by those white sheep^ and
they began to open their eyes and to see, and to ci-y to the sheep,
+ shepherds '
t, 0. 6-17. The
fourth and last period of the heathen
Biipremacy. The beginning of this
period synchronizes with the transfer-
ence of the supremacy over Israel from
the Graeco-Egyptian to the Graeco-
Syrian power about 200 B. c. Though
this is not stated in so many words, it
is the only legitimate interpretation.
For (1) the analogy of the three pre-
ceding periods points to this conclu-
sion, as each is marked by a lilce
transference of the supremacy over
Israel from one heathen nation to an-
other. (2) Not only does the analogy
of the other periods lead to this con-
clusion, but also every subsequent
statement in the text, and with its
acceptance the traditional difficulties
of interpretation vanish. (3) This
period is marl?ed by the rise of the
Chasids. As these were already an
organized party (see ver. 6 note) before
the Maccabean rising, their first appear-
ance must have been much earlier and
possibly synchronizes with the beginning
of this period. (4) There is absolutely
no ground in the text for making this
period begin with the reign of Antiochus
Epiphanes, as all critics have done
hitherto. This misconception has
naturally made a right interpretation
of the subsequent details impossible,
and no two critics have been able to
agree on their exegesis. 6. The
beginning of this period is marked by
the appearance of a new class or party
in Israel. These were the Chasids or
Asideans who existed as a party for
some time before the Maccabean rising.
Sopie have identified the Chasids with
the followers of Judas Maccabeus, and
have traced their origin to the eflfbrts of
that leader. But the separate mention
of the Chasids as distinguished from the
immediate followers of Judas, 1 Mane.
3", their bagued organization already
existing before the Maccabean outbreak,
as is clear from 1 Mace. 2^' 3'', and their
action generally in support ofJudas, but
at times actually antagonistic to him,
1 Mace. 7^') make it quite manifest that
this theory is without foundation. In
fact, so far from its being true that
Judas founded this party, the only
available evidence goes to prove that
he was originally merely a member of it,
as we shall see presently. The Chasids,
while iirst appearing as the champions
of the law against the Hellenizing
Sadducees, were really the representa-
tives of advanced forms of doctrine on
the Messianic kingdom and the Eesur-
rection. The Chasids possessed all the
enthusiasm and religions faith of the
nation, and though spiritual children of
the Scribes, they drew within their
membership the most zealou.« of the
priestly as well as the non-priestly
families. Hence our author represents
(90") the Maccabean family as belong-
ing; to the Chasids as well as the High-
priest Onias III. Within this party,
though a diversity of eschatological
views was tolerated, the most strict
observance of the law was enforced, and
with its requirements no political aim
was allowed to interfere. On the other
hand, any movement that came forward
as the champion of the law naturally
commanded the adhesion of the Chasids,
and so they cast in their lot with thg