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the king's advantage to have the strength of the Jews divided
into two parts； lest when the nation is of one mind； and united；
upon any attempt for innovation； it prove troublesome to kings；
as it had formerly proved to the kings of Assyria。 Whereupon
Alexander gave Sanballat leave so to do； who used the utmost
diligence； and built the temple； and made Manasseh the priest；
and deemed it a great reward that his daughter's children should
have that dignity； but when the seven months of the siege of Tyre
were over； and the two months of the siege of Gaza； Sanballat
died。 Now Alexander； when he had taken Gaza； made haste to go up
to Jerusalem； and Jaddua the high priest； when he heard that； was
in an agony； and under terror； as not knowing how he should meet
the Macedonians； since the king was displeased at his foregoing
disobedience。 He therefore ordained that the people should make
supplications； and should join with him in offering sacrifice to
God； whom he besought to protect that nation； and to deliver them
from the perils that were coming upon them； whereupon God warned
him in a dream； which came upon him after he had offered
sacrifice； that he should take courage； and adorn the city； and
open the gates； that the rest should appear in white garments；
but that he and the priests should meet the king in the habits
proper to their order； without the dread of any ill consequences；
which the providence of God would prevent。 Upon which； when he
rose from his sleep； he greatly rejoiced； and declared to all the
warning he had received from God。 According to which dream he
acted entirely； and so waited for the coming of the king。
5。 And when he understood that he was not far from the city； he
went out in procession； with the priests and the multitude of the
citizens。 The procession was venerable； and the manner of it
different from that of other nations。 It reached to a place
called Sapha； which name； translated into Greek； signifies a
prospect； for you have thence a prospect both of Jerusalem and of
the temple。 And when the Phoenicians and the Chaldeans that
followed him thought they should have liberty to plunder the
city； and torment the high priest to death； which the king's
displeasure fairly promised them； the very reverse of it
happened； for Alexander； when he saw the multitude at a distance；
in white garments； while the priests stood clothed with fine
linen； and the high priest in purple and scarlet clothing； with
his mitre on his head； having the golden plate whereon the name
of God was engraved； he approached by himself； and adored that
name； and first saluted the high priest。 The Jews also did all
together； with one voice； salute Alexander； and encompass him
about； whereupon the kings of Syria and the rest were surprised
at what Alexander had done； and supposed him disordered in his
mind。 However； Parmenio alone went up to him； and asked him how
it came to pass that； when all others adored him； he should adore
the high priest of the Jews？ To whom he replied； 〃I did not adore
him； but that God who hath honored him with his high priesthood；
for I saw this very person in a dream； in this very habit； when I
was at Dios in Macedonia； who； when I was considering with myself
how I might obtain the dominion of Asia； exhorted me to make no
delay； but boldly to pass over the sea thither； for that he would
conduct my army； and would give me the dominion over the
Persians； whence it is that； having seen no other in that habit；
and now seeing this person in it； and remembering that vision；
and the exhortation which I had in my dream； I believe that I
bring this army under the Divine conduct； and shall therewith
conquer Darius； and destroy the power of the Persians； and that
all things will succeed according to what is in my own mind。〃 And
when he had said this to Parmenio； and had given the high priest
his right hand； the priests ran along by him； and he came into
the city。 And when he went up into the temple； he offered
sacrifice to God； according to the high priest's direction； and
magnificently treated both the high priest and the priests。 And
when the Book of Daniel was showed him （23） wherein Daniel
declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the
Persians； he supposed that himself was the person intended。 And
as he was then glad； he dismissed the multitude for the present；
but the next day he called them to him； and bid them ask what
favors they pleased of him； whereupon the high priest desired
that they might enjoy the laws of their forefathers； and might
pay no tribute on the seventh year。 He granted all they desired。
And when they entreared him that he would permit the Jews in
Babylon and Media to enjoy their own laws also； he willingly
promised to do hereafter what they desired。 And when he said to
the multitude； that if any of them would enlist themselves in his
army； on this condition； that they should continue under the laws
of their forefathers； and live according to them； he was willing
to take them with him； many were ready to accompany him in his
wars。
6。 So when Alexander had thus settled matters at Jerusalem； he
led his army into the neighboring cities； and when all the
inhabitants to whom he came received him with great kindness； the
Samaritans； who had then Shechem for their metropolis； （a city
situate at Mount Gerizzim； and inhabited by apostates of the
Jewish nation；） seeing that Alexander had so greatly honored the
Jews； determined to profess themselves Jews； for such is the
disposition of the Samaritans； as we have already elsewhere
declared； that when the Jews are in adversity； they deny that
they are of kin to them； and then they confess the truth； but
when they perceive that some good fortune hath befallen them；
they immediately pretend to have communion with them； saying that
they belong to them； and derive their genealogy from the
posterity of Joseph； Ephraim； and Manasseh。 Accordingly； they
made their address to the king with splendor； and showed great
alacrity in meeting him at a little distance from Jerusalem。 And
when Alexander had commended them； the Shechemites approached to
him； taking with them the troops that Sanballat had sent him； and
they desired that he would come to their city； and do honor to
their temple also； to whom he promised； that when he returned he
would come to them。 And when they petitioned that he would remit
the tribute of the seventh year to them； because they did but sow
thereon； he asked who they were that made such a petition； and
when they said that they were Hebrews； but had the name of
Sidonians； living at Shechem； he asked them again whether they
were Jews； and when they said they were not Jews； 〃It was to the
Jews；〃 said he； 〃that I granted that privilege； however； when I
return； and am thoroughly informed by you of this matter； I will
do what I shall think proper。〃 And in this manner he took leave
of the Shechenlites； but ordered that the troops of Sanballat
should follow him into Egypt； because there he designed to give
them lands； which he did a little after in Thebais； when he
ordered them to guard that country。
7。 Now when Alexander was