“The total of those who fall is fittingly concluded by the number eight, because those who voluntarily yield to the truth, and by spiritual circumcision cut off from themselves all spiritual pleasures, strive to gather within themselves the virtues of the eight beatitudes.”
Rabanus Maurus, 9th c. — Commentary on 1 Maccabees
Original
24And they pursued them from the going down of Bethhoron unto the plain, where were slain about eight hundred men of them; and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines.
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In context
22Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of them.
23Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and so Seron and his host was overthrown before him.
— 1 Maccabees 3:24 —
25Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations round about them:
26Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas.