And the merchants of the countries heard the fame of them: and they took silver and gold in abundance, and servants: and they came into the camp, to buy the children of Israel for slaves: and there were joined to them the forces of Syria, and of the land of the strangers.

1 Maccabees 3:39
And he sent with them forty thousand men, and seven thousand horsemen: to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, according to the king's orders.

1 Maccabees 3:40
So they went forth with all their power, and came, and pitched near Emmaus, in the plain country.

1 Maccabees 3:42
And Judas, and his brethren, saw that evils were multiplied, and that the armies approached to their borders: and they knew the orders the king had given to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them.

1 Maccabees 3:43
And they said, every man to his neighbour: Let us raise up the low condition of our people, and let us fight for our people, and our sanctuary.