Daniel 11:32

32. Corrupt Rather, pervert, that is, “make profane.” The Books of the Maccabees contain the mention of many of the wiles and bribes by which he induced multitudes of Jews to become renegades. But the effect upon those who did not apostatize was to arouse the spirit of heroic martyrdom (Malachi 3:3; Malachi 2:0 Macc. vi, vii). At first they offered no resistance, but died triumphantly and gladly for their faith; but finally Mattathias, an aged priest, the head of a distinguished sacerdotal family, killed a brutal officer of Antiochus, and fleeing to the mountains set up the standard of war. Upon his death (166 B.C.) his sons continued the struggle and with marvelous success (1 Macc. ii; Josephus, Antiquities, XII, Daniel 6:2). The exploits of these heroes struggling for their altars and their homes are among the most romantic and soul-inspiring which human history recounts. Although doubtless in the minority even among their own countrymen, they succeeded in drawing to their side a great part of the nation and in turning back the evil influences which were threatening to destroy the national and moral life of Judaism. As Ezekiel by his visions of God’s presence and sovereignty even in Babylon, and by his inspired proclamation of the divine decrees concerning Israel, saved his people from becoming Babylonians, so the Maccabees (encouraged by this prophecy of Daniel) saved their countrymen from becoming Greeks. The events recorded in this verse mark the conditions at the beginning of this Maccabean rebellion.