| II Maccabees 4:14
| Insomuch that the priests were not now occupied about the offices of the altar, but despising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the games, and of the unlawful allowance thereof, and of the exercise of the discus.
| Temple. Where true religion is abolished, most people follow none; but rather apply themselves to vanity and worse sins. (Worthington) --- Allowance. They contributed money, (Grotius) or rather strove to obtain the prize. (Calmet) --- Discus: "a round stone, with a hole in the middle." (Protestant marginal note) (Haydock) --- People threw it as high or as far as they could, having one foot up and the other upon something resembling a pine-apple. This game was very ancient. (Homer, Odyssey th.; Ovid, Metam. x.) --- Greek, "after the invitation of the discus:" the prize was placed in the midst to excite emulation.
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