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Demetrius' Letter of Concessions
This royal letter records what King Demetrius says he is granting to Jonathan and the Jewish nation. It is written as an official document, so the passage helps readers notice greetings, copies, grants, taxes, and public confirmation.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of 1 Maccabees, the king agrees and sends letters to Jonathan. The passage then quotes the wording of those letters, including one sent to Lasthenes. The focus is not a battle or speech, but the contents of a formal concession from the king.
1 Maccabees 11:29–37Main takeaway
This passage shows Demetrius publicly stating favour toward the Jewish nation by confirming territory, returning revenues, and ordering the letter to be displayed.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A letter sent to JonathanThe passage begins by saying the king agreed and wrote to Jonathan about these matters. The greeting is formal: “King Demetrius to his brother Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews, greetings.”
Explanation
The passage begins by saying the king agreed and wrote to Jonathan about these matters. The greeting is formal: “King Demetrius to his brother Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews, greetings.” Calling Jonathan “brother” gives the letter a tone of honour and recognised relationship within the document itself.
02A copy of another letterDemetrius says Jonathan is also receiving a copy of a letter sent to Lasthenes, so Jonathan can see it.
Explanation
Demetrius says Jonathan is also receiving a copy of a letter sent to Lasthenes, so Jonathan can see it. Then the copied letter starts with its own greeting. This detail matters because the passage presents the concessions as written in more than one place, not as a private message only.
03Reasons and border changesThe king says he has decided to do good to the Jewish nation because they are his friends and act justly toward him.
Explanation
The king says he has decided to do good to the Jewish nation because they are his friends and act justly toward him. He then confirms the borders of Judea and adds Aphaerema, Lydda, and Ramathaim, with their territories, describing them as taken from the country of Samaria and attached to Judea.
04Returned dues and lasting grantsThe letter lists financial concessions. It mentions the king’s yearly dues from produce and fruit, then says other payments such as tithes, taxes, salt pits, and crown taxes will be given back.
Explanation
The letter lists financial concessions. It mentions the king’s yearly dues from produce and fruit, then says other payments such as tithes, taxes, salt pits, and crown taxes will be given back. The king adds that none of these grants is to be annulled from that time onward.
05Made public on the holy mountainThe passage ends with an instruction to copy these words, give the copy to Jonathan, and set it up on the holy mountain in a suitable and conspicuous place.
Explanation
The passage ends with an instruction to copy these words, give the copy to Jonathan, and set it up on the holy mountain in a suitable and conspicuous place. That instruction makes the letter public and visible, not hidden away, so its contents can be openly known.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Demetrius say Jonathan should receive a copy of the letter to Lasthenes?
Look for the line that explains the purpose of sending the copy and quote its wording carefully.
02What exact places does the king say are added to Judea?
List the three governments by name, and notice how the text explains where they had been before.
03How does the passage show that these concessions were meant to be public?
Notice the command about making a copy and where it was to be set up.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Maccabees 11:29–37
29The king consented, and wrote letters to Jonathan concerning all these things as follows:
30“King Demetrius to his brother Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews, greetings.
31The copy of the letter which we wrote to Lasthenes our kinsman concerning you, we have written also to you, that you may see it.
32‘King Demetrius to Lasthenes his father, greetings.
33We have determined to do good to the nation of the Jews, who are our friends, and observe what is just toward us, because of their good will toward us.
34We have confirmed therefore to them the borders of Judea, and also the three governments of Aphaerema, Lydda, and Ramathaim (these were added to Judea from the country of Samaria), and all their territory to them, for all who do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the king’s dues which the king received of them yearly before from the produce of the earth and the fruits of trees.
35As for the other payments to us from henceforth, of the tithes and the taxes that pertain to us, and the salt pits, and the crown taxes due to us, all these we will give back to them.
36Not one of these grants shall be annulled from this time forth and forever.
37Now therefore be careful to make a copy of these things, and let it be given to Jonathan, and let it be set up on the holy mountain in a suitable and conspicuous place.’ ”