Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 11.djvu/303

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
*
277
*

JONAS. 277 JONATHAN. JONAS, HO-nas', Albekto (1868—). A Span- ish piaiKjfoite virtuoso, born in Jladrid. He was appointed director of the pianoforte department in llie School of ilusie of the University of Michigan in 1894, and became jjresident of the school in 1900. Previous to this appointment lie had made successful tours of England, Ger- many, France, Russia, Belgium, Holland, Jlexico, and the United States, during which he won for himself a leading position among the concert pianists of the world. He was a pupil of Olave and Mendizabal, and also of the Madrid Conser- vatory. In 1886 he entered the Brussels Conser- vatoi-y, where he studied tinder Gevaert, whose work on instrumentation lie subseqviently trans- lated into Spanish. At the age of twenty he had won the first prize for piano-playing, and two first prizes in harmony and theory. Four years after his entry at the Brussels Conservatory he went to Saint Petersburg, where he enjoyed a few months' instruction under Rubinstein. Although liis first appearance as a concert pianist had oc- curred in Brussels in 1880, his real debut as a virttioso was in 1891 at Berlin. His compositions are comparatively few, and consist ijrincipally of i.he smaller forms. JONAS, yo'nas, Ju.STUS (1493-1555). A Ger- man theologian and reformer (originally .Jobst KoOH), born at Nordhausen, Sa.Kony. He studied at Erfurt, became professor of law, and in 1521 professor of theology at Wittenberg, where he had studied for a time about 1510. He was pastor at Halle in 1541-46, Court preacher at Coburg in 1551, pastor at Ratisbon in 1552. and in the following year became superintendent at Eisfeld. He was an intimate friend of Luther, whom ho accompanied to the Diets of Worms and Augsburg, and assisted in his translation of the Old Testament. By his preaching and his trans- lation into German of the Latin writings of Melanchthon and Luther, beginning with the theses of the latter, he did much to ])romote the Reformation. Consult Pressel, Justus Jonas (Elberfcld, 1862). JON'ATHAN (Heb. Yehdnathan, Yahweh gives). Eldest son of King Saul and friend of David. He was a valiant warrior, smote a gar- rison of the Philistines at CJeba (I. Sam. xiii. 3), and a little later, assisted by his i^rmor-bearer alone, attacked a Philistine garrison and threw the enemy into confusion (ib. xiv. 1-18). Saul thereupon brought up his forces and completed the rout (verses 19-23). In connection with this victory it is related that .Jonathan, ignorant of a prohibition issued by his father not to par- take of food until evening, ate some wild honey, and as a consequence, but for the interference of the people, who ransomed their hero, would have been killed (verses 24-46). The fast, for such it appears to have been, was probably ordained by Saul as a means of securing the assistance ,and favor of Yahweh in the fight. Noteworthy as .Tonath.nn's achievements in war were, his fame rests upon the friendship between him and David. This, one of the most romantic and attractive narratives of the Old Testament, as related in I. Sam. xviii.-xx., is believed by scholars to be ha.sed on facts. Jonathan, together with his father and two of his brothers, fell at Jlount Gilhoa in a battle against the Philistines (I. Sam. xxxi. 2-n) . JONATHAN. The Asmonean, brother of Judas jlaccaba!us (q..v.). On the death of Judas in battle against the Syrians (B.C. 161 ), the lead- ership of the struggle for national independence devolved upon Jonathan. The odds against him seemed at first overwhelming. The discontented elements of the population abetted by the Syri- ans and the renegade high priest Alciuius, a pui>- pet of the Syrians, attempted to crush out the patriotic party. For some time Jonathan main- tained himself in the regions east of the Jordan. At length, after the death of Alcimus (May, B.C. ICO), Bacchides, the Syrian governor, having fortified and garrisoned a niunber of towns in Judea returned to Syria. This was Jonathan's opportunity. In a quiet way he managed to in- crease his influence and more thoroughly organize his party, witlx the result that after two years the pro-Syrian party became alarmed and sent to Antioch for assistance. Bacchides returned, but found Jonathan so strong that he was com- pelled to recognize him, and determined to make peace with him. Jonathan took up his residence at, Miohmash, a few miles north of .Jerusalem, and for five years so guided the afl'airs of the jjatriots that, notwithstanding the existence of the cotmcil at Jerusalem and the Syrian garri- sons in the eountrj-, lie succeeded in imiting the mass of the population under his leadership. The wars of contestants for the throne of Syria proved advantageous to the patriots. Demetrius I. was opposed by the pretender to the throne, Alexander Balas. Each of the rivals courted .Jonathan's assistance, making him liberal offers both for himself and his country. Jonathan, see- ing that Alexander was destined to win, accepte'd the insignia of princely rank sent him and es- poused his cause. In the same year (B.C. 153) lie assumed the duties of high priest, which office liad been vacant since the death of Alcimus. Alexander, aided by Ptolemy of Eg^-pt, was vic- torious, and at the celebration of his marriage to Cleopatra, Ptolemy's daughter. Jonathan was an honored guest and was publicly confirmed in his rank and privileges. He was recognized as the militai-y, civil, and religious head of .Judea, sub- ject to the overlordship of Syria. This remark- able success was due to .Jonathan's political shrewdness as much as to his military abilities. It was not long, however, before Syrian politics were again disturbed by the appearance of Deme- trius II. as a rival "of Alexander Balas. De- metrius was assisted by Ptolem.y. and won the day; but Jonathan was strong enough not only to repel an attempted invasion of Judea, but to gain important military successes in the old Philistine territory. He even advanced a step farther, and laid siege to the citadel of .Jertisa- lem, occupied by the Syrian garrison, the symbol of Syrian sovereignty. .Jonathan's aim was now evidently complete independence of Syria. De- metrius heard of this, and summoned .Jonathan before him. Jonathan obeyed the summons with- out raising the siege. The result of his interview with Demetrius was that a considerable tract of territory was added to .Judea's domain, the taxes were materially reduced, and .Jonathan was con- firmed in his various offices. The Syrian garri- son, however, remained in .Jpnisalem. Soon after this Demetrius, who was unpopular, was forced to meet a rebellion beaded by a certain Trypho, who claimed to be es]ioiisiiig the cause of An- tiochiis, son of Alexander Balas. Though .Jona- than assisted Demetrius in suppressing the revolt in Antioch, the King failed to show any grati-