Cognation of the Jews and Lacedemonians

In the 12th chapter of the 1st Book of Maccabees the letter of Jonathan, the High Priest, to the Lacedemonians is given, in which he claims their amity. This is followed by a letter of Arcus, the Spartan king, in answer, and which contains this assertion: "It is found in writing that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham." Have critics or ethnographers commented on this passage, which, to say the least, is remarkable? As I am quoting from the Apocrypha, I may point out the anomaly of these books being omitted in the great majority of our Bibles, whi…