Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable history, but not a part of Scripture. After the episode of Heliodorus (3:1-40), the writer lays great emphasis on the inviolate sanctity of the Temple and implies that Antiochus suffers the terrible death he does suffer because of his profanation of it. Reflect on whether you think that Mattathias and his sons were right to rebel against their Greek oppressors.We are challenged about how we should behave towards our enemies and how we should act as Gods agents, wherever we live in the world. But he also wants to show that Gods purpose in permitting persecution is to discipline the Jews in order that he may not take vengeance on us afterwards when our sins have reached their height (6:12-17). The Maccabees then ruled over Israel, first as High Priests and then as High Priests and Princes of Israel. The persecution of Antiochus IV presumably radicalized the Jews. The book covers the whole of the revolt, from 175 to 134 BC, highlighting how the salvation of the Jewish people in this crisis came through Mattathias' family, particularly his sons, Judas Maccabeus, Jonathan Apphus, and Simon Thassi, and Simon's son, John Hyrcanus. And they tore in pieces the books of the law which they found, and set them on fire. Both books, which Protestants regard as apocryphal, were recognized by the Fathers as inspired [and canonical at the Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397, 419)] and were later [again] defined as canonical by the Council of Trent (1546). It describes the promulgation of decrees forbidding traditional Jewish practices by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the formation of a rebellion against him by Mattathias of the Hasmonean family and his five sons. In 168 BC, he desecrates the Temple by setting up an "abomination of desolation" (establishing rites of pagan observance in the Temple, or sacrificing an unclean animal on the altar in the Holy of Holies). He may well have played some part in it himself in his youth. When Mattathias died, the revolt was led by his son Judas, or Judah Maccabee, as he is often called. Elephants were an important part of the army of Antiochus. 25) gives testimony to the existence of an original Hebrew text. New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article First Maccabees or 1 Maccabees is most famous as the source of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. VERSE 32. (2) 1 Maccabees 1:11-16:24: History of the Jews from 175 to 135 BC. Note: 1 and 2 Maccabees are not included in most Protestant and Jewish Bibles. It was portrayed as a center of athletic and intellectual life. The narrative reports that news of the desolation reaches Mattathias and his five sons, a priestly family who live in Modein. [13] The word "Maccabees" in plural, however, does not appear to have been used until centuries after the Maccabean Revolt. Unsure of the meaning of a word or phrase in the Bible? The rebellion began under the leadership of the Jewish priest Mattathias after Antiochus sought to stamp out Judaism by forbidding all Jewish practices and desecrating the temple (167 bc). VERSE 60. This suggests that in antiquity, IV Maccabees, dealing almost exclusively with martyrdom, may have been the most highly regarded. Though initially hailed as liberators, the Selucid family wasted no time in leaving their mark upon Judea. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them; and she became a habitation of strangers, and she became strange to those who were born in her, and her children forsook her. 2 Maccabees interprets the misfortunes of the Jews as God's punishment for their own sins; the author of 1 Maccabees depicts the problems as due to the external evil of Antiochus IV and his generals, not as a cleansing ordeal that was in some sense divine will. There is one complete loss of a thousand Jews (men, women, and children) to Antiochus when the Jewish defenders refuse to fight on the Sabbath. VERSE 12. If it really was originally written in Greek, then the author was intentionally imitating Hebrew style in Greek. 1 Maccabees describes the response of one family to these events. The rabbinical sages of this period had learned from experience that revolt against the Gentiles (in this case the Romans) brought disaster. 2 Maccabees, instead of covering later years, shines a microscope on the first fifteen years of the same period, drawing its own lessons (which I . This book also tells us more about atonement beyond the grave by asserting the existence of purgatory (12:38ff). Despite this, the book is not included as canon in the Tanakh. And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died. Were there any parts of the book that you particularly liked or which inspired you? 2 Maccabees, curiously, says nothing about thisdespite its . According to 1 Maccabees, there were some early groups of Jewish rebels who refused to fight on the Sabbath, and perished accordingly (1 Maccabees 2:29-38) until the Maccabean patriarch Mattathias decided to change the law and permit defensive warfare on the Sabbath (2:39-41). 13-16). VERSE 22. and the table of the show bread, and the cups to pour withal, and the bowls, and the golden censers, and the veil, and the crowns, and the adorning of gold which was on the face of the temple, and he scaled it all off. They will not sin in order to save their lives. The early Seleucid rulers were tolerant of the political and religious cultures of the territories they controlled, but things changed when Antiochus IV Epiphanes came to power, and the scene in Palestine became one of persecution and war. 1:8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place. Chapter 16. Chapter 2. Journey through the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our Books of the Bible journal. For some more Biblical back history about the Exile and return of the Jews from Babylonian Exile, please read 2 Kings (Chapter 20:12-18), 2 Kings (Chapter 25), Jeremiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah. As a surname it was also applied to his brothers and, by extension, to the seven martyred brothers (2 Macc.7). [35] Simon fortifies Jerusalem (1 Maccabees 13:10) and secures the reoccupation of Joppa (1 Maccabees 13:11), leading the people in peace and prosperity until he is murdered by agents of Ptolemy, son of Abubus, who had been named governor of the region by the Macedonian Greeks. If this is all new to you, don't worrywe're here to help. The same fate overtakes another persecutor, Nicanor, who dies because he threatened to destroy the Temple. Uriel Rappaport calls it emblematic of Hasmonean politics in general: that the Hasmonean state was an explicitly Jewish one that sought to separate itself from polytheism, yet was pragmatic and sought allies where they could be found.[9]. Gentile forces still hold a fortress in Jerusalem, however, as well as many towns in Judea and Galilee. Mattathias's son Judas Maccabeus (Judah Maccabee) takes over the revolt and the rebels as a group are called the Maccabees; the book chronicles in detail the successes and setbacks of the rebellion. 1-2 Thessalonians. Collins 2000 discusses 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees in this study of Jewish identity constructions in the diaspora in the Hellenistic period. The author is anonymous, but he probably wrote in the newly independent Hasmonean kingdom after the success of the Maccabean Revolt in the late 2nd century BC. [20], The Jerusalem Bible divides the book into five sections:[24], The setting of the book is about a century and a half after the conquest of Judea by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, after Alexander's empire had been divided so that Judea had become part of the Greek Seleucid Empire. VERSE 55. 2nd century bc) Priestly family of Jews who organized a successful rebellion against Antiochus IV Epiphanes in Palestine and reconsecrated the defiled Temple of Jerusalem. And they did all put diadems upon themselves after that he was dead, and so did their sons after them many years: and they multiplied evils in the earth. VERSE 51. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish religious law, resulting in the Hasmonean revolt against Seleucid rule. 3 He advanced to the ends of the earth and . 1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the Mattathias proclaimed a holy war; Jewish armed resistance operated from the wilderness with great success under the successive leadership of three of Mattathias sonsJudas Maccabeus, the undisputed leader of the Jews (3:1-9); Jonathan (9:28-12:53), and Simon (chap. As noted above, if ancient manuscripts of the hypothesized original Hebrew version existed, they have been lost. Check our glossary of terms. When Mattathias died (c. 166 bc), his son Judas Maccabaeus recaptured Jerusalem and reconsecrated the temple, an event celebrated in the holiday Hanukkah. In the Church of England's lectionary of 1922 in the Book of Common Prayer, 1st Maccabees is appointed annually to be read in late summer/early autumn. VERSE 2. The Book of 1 Maccabees CPDV summary. VERSE 7. [47] No angels or miracles come to save the Jews; rather, it is the divinely-approved firm leadership of the Hasmoneans that leads to victory.[9]. VERSE 40. Shortly before his death, he divides his kingdom among his generals. On his journey, the son Tobias meets Sarah, who is afflicted by a demon. In February 135, however, he is assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy. It tells the story of how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress Temple worship and to destroy the practice of Jewish law. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. THE FIRST BOOK OF MACCABEES. An unknown editor, the "Epitomist," used the factual notes of a historian . And they stored up arms and food, and gathering together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and they became a sore snare: VERSE 36. and it became a place to lie in wait in against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel continually. 1 Maccabees - Chapter 1. Many observant Jews flee from the capital, but others readily accept Antiochus' policies. The kingdom began to decline under Ptolemy IV Philopator, who was a bad administrator and led a dissolute life. However, this original Hebrew has been lost, and the work only survives in translation in Koine Greek contained in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Jewish scriptures. 1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish author and included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of the Bible. The big question from this period is the question of self-definition. Talk about how this story might have inspired the Jews of Jesus day in the light of their oppression by the Romans. The second book overlaps with the first, starting earlier. The Maccabees formed the Hasmonean dynasty. . Proverbs 16:18. the king sent letters. Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable historically, but not a part of holy scripture. The relationship between Jonathan and Demetrius' son and successor, Demetrius II Nicator, is covered in chapter 11: Jonathan provides military support to Demetrius at the latter's request (verse 44), and a successful engagement against a popular revolt at Antioch enables the Jews to "gain glory in the sight of the king" (verse 51). Chapter 6 reports the last days of Antiochus Epiphanes and the accession of his young son Antiochus V Eupator to the throne. It became part of the deuterocanon in early Christianity. 1 Maccabees, also known as the First Book of Maccabees, First Maccabees, and abbreviated as 1 Macc., is a deuterocanonical book which details the history of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire as well as the founding and earliest history of the independent Hasmonean kingdom.It describes the promulgation of decrees forbidding traditional Jewish practices by King Antiochus IV . Later Jewish leaders thought poorly of the rule of the Hasmonean dynasty for several reasons, and a document so openly celebratory of them was problematic. he spoke words in subtlety. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. And the saying was good in their eyes. After a short introduction the book describes the Jewish uprising against Antiochus, whose persecution led to the desecration of the Temple. Judas's Maccabee title is generally tied to the Aramaic word maqqaba ("makebet" in modern Hebrew), "hammer" or "sledgehammer", in recognition of his prowess in battle. As a part of the revolt, the Temple was freed from the control of the Greek empire and rededicated (an act that is still commemorated yearly in the festival of Hanukkah). George Leo Haydock. The works main religious theme is that the martyrs sufferings vicariously expiated the sins of the entire Jewish people. 1 Maccabees was probably written in Jerusalem, but 3 and 4 Maccabees derive from the diaspora. The historical integrity of the book, which was compiled from official written sources, oral tradition, and eyewitness reporting, is attested to by the absence of almost all of the conventions of the Hellenistic rhetorical school of historiography and by its uncritical use by the later Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. Antiochus captures Egypt. In the book itself, "Maccabee" is used solely as a personal title for Judah Maccabee (Latinized as Judas Maccabeus). in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. The book also comes across as dismissive of martyrdom and passive approaches to resistance, seeing such gestures as futile and pointless. Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In an effort to enforce unity, he attempts to suppress the public observance of Jewish religious laws. He also requires Jewish leaders to sacrifice to idols. 01793 418222. 2 Simon now had the effrontery to name this benefactor of the city, this protector of his . Even in stories set during the Maccabean period, references to Judas by name were explicitly removed to avoid hero-worship of the Hasmonean line. The following is a brief analysis of 1 Maccabees: (1) 1 Maccabees 1:1-10: An account of the rise of the Seleucid Dynasty. His son, Ptolemy III Euergetes, extended his empire into Persia. 16:2 And Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said to them: I and my brethren, and my father's house, have fought against the enemies of Israel from our youth even to this day: and things have prospered so well in our hands that we have delivered . Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. When we first meet Hiro Protagonist, he delivers pizzas for the mob in L.A.; he's also a brilliant hacker and sword-wielding genius, but his plays-poorly-with-others personality means he needs a day job. The Latin translation is sometimes useful to identify certain changes made by Lucian of Antioch to the Greek text.[66]. 2 Kings. As the Bible says, "On the eighth day, God created Shmoop and saw that it was good." Or something like that. She, having offered God the lives of her sons, then offers herself in sacrifice, giving an example of fortitude and also of that faith in which she had reared her children. 2 He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. To keep the Law of Moses would mean being put to death. This caused the Maccabean revolt, led by Mattathias and his sons. Acts of the Apostles. 1 Maccabees 10, Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, One of over 125 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary was originally compiled by priest and biblical scholar Rev. And they got possession of the strong cities in the land of Egypt; and he took the spoils of Egypt. More wars involving Judas and his brothers Simon and Jonathan are reported in chapters 5, 6 and 7. VERSE 4. and he gathered together an exceedingly strong army, and ruled over countries and nations and principalities, and they became tributary to him. 1 Maccabees . There are seven poetic sections in the book that imitate the style of classical Hebrew poetry: four laments (1:2528, 3640; 2:713; 3:45), and three hymns of praise of our fathers (2:5164), of Judas (3:39), and of Simon (14:415). The Maccabees books were preserved only by the Christian church. [21][22] The English equivalent would be writing new books in the style of the King James Version. II Maccabees focuses on the Jews' revolt against Antiochus and concludes with the defeat of the Syrian general Nicanor in 161 bce by Judas Maccabeus, the hero of the work. VERSE 23. perhaps even Sadducean, tendency interpenetrates the entire work" (Fischer, 4:441) and the "author of 1 Maccabees identifies unreservedly with the rebels and their leaders." (Efron, 47; Sievers, 2). each should forsake his own laws. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. two main dynasties established themselves in the territories of his huge empirethe Ptolemies, who controlled Egypt and also Palestine up to 200 B.C. Antiochus forbids both circumcision and possession of Jewish scriptures on pain of death. VERSE 58. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. He wrote in the post-independence Hasmonean kingdom, probably during the reign of High Priest John Hyrcanus (reigned ~134104 BC), with a few scholars suggesting that early in the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (reigned 10376 BC) is also a possibility. The Greek text is extant in two of the three oldest codices of the Greek Septuagint: the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus. The Septuagint was preserved by early Christians as the basis for the Christian Old Testament. Do a bit of research on Hanukkah and talk what you have learnt about this very important Jewish festival. The First Book of Maccabees (I Maccabees) is historical work extant in Greek, covering the period of 40 years from the accession of Antiochus Epiphanes (175 B.C.E.) It aims at bringing out even more strongly the religious lessons of the time, and the story is written more like a sermon than a history. 1 a After Alexander the Macedonian, Philip's son, who came from the land of Kittim, * had defeated Darius, king of the Persians and Medes, he became king in his place, having first ruled in Greece. VERSE 64. The Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes eventually comes to rule over Syria. VERSE 34. they made themselves uncircumcised. 17 And he wrote letters, and sent them to him, according to these words, saying, 18 King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greeting: 19 We have heard of you, that you are a mighty man of valour, and meet to be our See 1 Maccabees 2:18. [32] Ultimately the relationship between Jonathan and Demetrius breaks down: Maccabees' opinion is that Demetrius "broke his word about all that he had promised; he became estranged from Jonathan and did not repay the favors that Jonathan had done him, but treated him very harshly". ", The Church Father Origen relates that the title of the Hebrew original was Sarbeth Sarbanael, translated either as "the Book of the Prince of the House of Israel" or "the Book of the Dynasty of God's resisters.". From this it follows that, for the just man, supreme glory consists in being ready to give ones life, if necessary, to defend Gods intereststhe Law, which every Jew must strictly obey. He imposes a tax and establishes a fortress for his soldiers in Jerusalem. Probably written about 100 B.C.E., the book was included as scripture in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible and later included in Christian scripture until the Protestant Reformation, when the apocrypha of the Old Testament were generally rejected by Protestants. Here are 8 handy tips to get your book club up and running. First Maccabees (written circa 134-104 BCE and describing the period of 166-135 BCE) is devoted to presenting the Maccabean dynasty, from Mattathias through his son Judah, to Jonathan and Simon who became high priests and gained political independence.. First Maccabees was written in Hebrew (though it is only preserved today in Greek) for a Judean audience in a Biblical style that emphasizes . for the first and 124 B.C. 1 Maccabees is the most extensive source of information on events in Judea from 175 to 135. And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame. to the death of Simeon the Hasmonean (135 B.C.E.). In 165 BC the Temple is freed and reconsecrated, so that ritual sacrifices may begin again. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here: The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia: Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed. The books had separate authors. The author seeks to promote the view that the Hasmoneans were indeed God's new chosen and would-be rulers in line with heroes of the Hebrew Bible. And he fought many battles, and won many strongholds, and killed the kings of the earth. The [] Thus, for example, in 2 Maccabees 12:43 there is Judas act of faith in the resurrection and salvation of his fallen soldiers, but he realizes that they must atone for their sins in the next life, and he wishes to help them in this and asks for prayers from the living. [note 2] All agree that the book was written before 63 BC, as the author shows great admiration toward Rome and does not know of the Roman general Pompey conquering Jerusalem and reducing the Hasmonean kingdom to a client state of the Roman Republic in that year. In fact, it is "a thoroughgoing pro-Hasmonean . [67] and Knox Bible.[68]. A Greek version of the text was printed for the first time in 15141517 in the Complutensian Polyglot Bible. This is alluded to in two other passages: Daniel 9:27. Ancient manuscripts of the text include the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Venetus, as well as several scrolls. Maccabees , (fl. Attempts to discredit the work as essentially fiction have been discounted even by strongly critical scholars today. came there forth out of Israel. Simon is succeeded by his third son, John Hyrcanus, whose two elder brothers, Mattathias and Judah, had been murdered, together with their father. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. VERSE 1. [1], The author of 1 Maccabees is anonymous and unknown. The author exhibits a personal interest in the events, but presents them as accurately as possible given his own commitment to the Maccabean dynasty as instituted by God. [14][15] Various reconstructions have been proposed: Gustaf Dalman, meanwhile, suggests that the title is a corruption of the Aramaic "The Book of the House of the Hasmoneans". [20] The book is not written in colloquial "common" Koine Greek of the 2nd century BC, but rather a more archaic style of Greek consciously imitative of the style of older scriptures. They are Jewish people who do not observe the Law. Rather, the book refers to "heaven" (ourans) instead, such as Judas saying in a speech that "It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven. View all posts by todd. 1 and 2 Maccabees tell the same story in two different ways. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Antiochus persecutes the Jewish people. Friend. And they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. The Hasmoneans were not an obvious choice to be rulers; they did not descend from the priestly line of Zadok that had taken the office of High Priest for generations at the point of the Maccabean Revolt. The victory of the Jews over their Greek oppressors loomed large in the popular imagination of the Jews of Jesus day. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted (1 Macc. He bans the observance of the sabbath and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. Demetrius' death is reported in 1 Maccabees 10:50, and Ptolemy VI Philometor and Alexander Balas, claimant to the Seleucid throne, enter into an agreement under which Alexander marries Cleopatra Thea, Ptolemy's daughter (1 Maccabees 10:58). Atonement beyond the grave by asserting the existence of purgatory ( 12:38ff ) rules, there may be discrepancies. 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