The history of the death of Malchiah
1 Now when Herod the son of Antipater was informed that Malchiah had caused his father’s death, he thought to rush openly upon Malchiah; but his brother prevented him from doing this, advising that he should be taken off by stratagem.
2 And Herod went to Cassius, and told him what Malchiah had done: to whom the other replied, when I am gone to Tyre, and Hyrcanus is with me, and with him Malchiah, then rush on him and kill him.
3 When therefore Cassius had gone to Tyre, and Hyrcanus had gone to join him, taking Malchiah with him; and they were standing together in Cassius’ presence, at a certain feast to which Cassius had invited them with all his friends:
4 (now Cassius had given orders to his servants to do whatever Herod should order them:)
5 Herod also was standing with his brother amongst the companions of Hyrcanus, and Herod agreed with some of the servants to kill Malchiah, when a signal should be given by a wink of the eye.
6 When therefore Hyrcanus had eaten and drunken with his friends, they went to sleep in the afternoon:
7 and when they had awaked from sleep, Hyrcanus ordered one to prepare a couch for him in the open air, before the entrance of the banqueting room in which they had slept:
8 and he himself sat down, and commanded Malchiah to sit with him: he also ordered Herod and his brother to be seated:
9 and Cassius’ servants stood near Hyrcanus; to whom Herod winked against Malchiah, and they immediately rushed on him and slew him:
10 and Hyrcanus was greatly frightened, and fell into a fit of fainting.
11 But when Cassius’ attendants had retired, and the slain Malchiah was carried out, Hyrcanus came to himself again, and asked of Herod the cause of Malchiah’s death.
12 And Herod answered; “I am wholly ignorant, nor do I know the “cause of the thing.” And Hyrcanus held his peace, and never again asked more of the matter.
13 And Cassius marched into Macedonia, to meet Octavian¢ the son of Cesar’s brother, and Antony the general of his army: for they had set out from Rome with a great army in search of Cassius.