Read & explore together
The Treaty with Rome
This treaty text shows a formal agreement between Rome and the Jewish people. It is not a battle story, but a diplomatic document that records peace, alliance, shared obligations, and later support against King Demetrius.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
In this passage from the Catholic additional book of 1 Maccabees, a copy of Rome’s reply is sent to Jerusalem on bronze tablets as a memorial. The passage then lists the treaty terms, including mutual help in war, refusal of supplies to enemies, and a warning sent to Demetrius.
1 Maccabees 8:22–32Main takeaway
This passage presents a formal alliance with clear mutual duties, recorded publicly and meant to be remembered.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A written memorial of peaceThe passage begins by calling this text a copy of what was written back and sent to Jerusalem on bronze tablets.
Explanation
The passage begins by calling this text a copy of what was written back and sent to Jerusalem on bronze tablets. It was meant to remain there as a memorial of peace and alliance. That means this was a formal public record, not just a private message or passing promise.
02Blessing and help for RomeThe treaty opens with words wishing success to the Romans and the Jewish people by sea and land, and asking that the sword and the enemy be far from them.
Explanation
The treaty opens with words wishing success to the Romans and the Jewish people by sea and land, and asking that the sword and the enemy be far from them. It then states that if war comes to Rome first, the Jews are to help as allies as the situation requires, with full commitment.
03No support for enemiesThe agreement is specific. Those fighting against Rome are not to receive supplies, food, weapons, money, or ships from the Jews.
Explanation
The agreement is specific. Those fighting against Rome are not to receive supplies, food, weapons, money, or ships from the Jews. The passage says this follows Rome’s decision, and the Jews are to keep these ordinances without taking anything in return. The treaty includes practical limits as well as promises of help.
04Mutual terms and a warning to DemetriusThe same arrangement applies in reverse. If war comes first upon the Jewish people, the Romans will help them, and no supplies are to be given to their enemies.
Explanation
The same arrangement applies in reverse. If war comes first upon the Jewish people, the Romans will help them, and no supplies are to be given to their enemies. The treaty can later be adjusted by mutual decision. The passage ends with Rome’s complaint to King Demetrius and a promise to support the Jews on sea and land.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does the passage mention bronze tablets and a memorial?
Look at how the treaty is written, sent, and preserved to show that the agreement is official and meant to be remembered publicly.
02What are the Jews required to do if Rome faces war first?
List both parts of the duty: active help for Rome and refusal to supply Rome’s enemies.
03How does the passage show that this alliance goes both ways?
Compare the terms for Rome’s help to the Jews with the earlier terms for the Jews’ help to Rome.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Maccabees 8:22–32
22This is the copy of the writing which they wrote back again on tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that it might be with them there for a memorial of peace and alliance:
23“Good success be to the Romans, and to the nation of the Jews, by sea and by land forever. May the sword and the enemy be far from them.
24But if war arises for Rome first, or any of their allies in all their dominion,
25the nation of the Jews shall help them as allies, as the occasion shall indicate to them, with all their heart.
26To those who make war upon them, they shall not give supplies, food, weapons, money, or ships, as it has seemed good to Rome, and they shall keep their ordinances without taking anything in return.
27In the same way, moreover, if war comes first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall willingly help them as allies, as the occasion shall indicate to them;
28and to those who are fighting with them, there shall not be given food, weapons, money, or ships, as it has seemed good to Rome. They shall keep these ordinances, and that without deceit.
29According to these terms, the Romans made a treaty with the Jewish people.
30But if hereafter the one party and the other shall determine to add or diminish anything, they shall do it at their pleasure, and whatever they add or take away shall be ratified.
31Concerning the evils which King Demetrius is doing to them, we have written to him, saying, ‘Why have you made your yoke heavy on our friends and allies the Jews?
32If therefore they plead any more against you, we will do them justice, and fight with you on sea and on land.’ ”