Updates? Ptolemy IIs court at Alexandria was famed for its learning. [48] Bezalel Bar-Kochva praises it as among the better military historiography of the period. In the year 142 BCE, after more than 500 years of subjugation, the Jews were again masters of their own fate. The vigorous reaction to this attempt established for a time the religious and political independence of the Jews. New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article He then imposes a tax and establishes a fortress in Jerusalem. 2 Maccabees, curiously, says nothing about thisdespite its . The name Maccabee, probably meaning hammer, is actually applied in the Books of Maccabees to only one man, Judas, third son of the priest Mattathias and first leader of the revolt against the Seleucid kings who persecuted the Jews (1Mc 2:4, 66; 2Mc 8:5, 16; 10:1, 16). One of the most notable and unusual aspects of the book of 1 Maccabees by absence is the lack of any direct mention of God. Simon is succeeded by his son, John, referred to by Josephus as John Hyrcanus. And from the people were gathered together to them many, every one that had forsaken the law; and they did evil things in the land; VERSE 53. and they made israel to hide themselves in every place of refuge which they had. 13-16). The success of the Jewish campaigns he attributes to Gods protection, but he makes it clear that faithfulness to the Covenant is, as was the case with their forebears, the ground on which Israel must totally rely. VERSE 25. VERSE 34. At Explore the Faith, I share insights into the Bible and theological writings. The other Jews then reason that, when attacked, they must fight even on the holy day. This was a village twenty miles northwest of Jerusalem. And he took the silver and the gold and the precious vessels; and he took the hidden treasures which he found. Antiochus captures Egypt. First Maccabees can be divided as follows: Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. It runs from the end of the reign of Seleucus IV, the predecessor of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, up to the defeat of Nicanor, shortly before the death of Judas Maccabeusthat is, a period of fifteen years (176-161), which are covered in chapters 1-7 of the first book. That is, each nation should abandon its religious customs. 2He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. It also asserts the resurrection of the just and tells us what we need to know about the fate of the unjust (7:9, 14,23,29; 14:46). 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. When Mattathias died (c. 166 bc), his son Judas Maccabaeus recaptured Jerusalem and reconsecrated the temple, an event celebrated in the holiday Hanukkah. the king sent letters. Antiochus makes Judaism illegal. 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. [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. When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand). Do a bit of research on Hanukkah and talk what you have learnt about this very important Jewish festival. 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 book draws a sharp contrast between Jews and Gentiles, similar to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The two Books of Maccabees contain independent accounts of events (in part identical) that accompanied the attempted suppression of Judaism in Palestine in the second century B.C. two main dynasties established themselves in the territories of his huge empirethe Ptolemies, who controlled Egypt and also Palestine up to 200 B.C. 1 Maccabees covers this entire 40-year period. First and Second Maccabees help us to realize that God watches over his own, and they show that Israel always wins victory over its enemies when it stays true to the Covenant. Simon, who was called Thassi; And he called his servants, which were honorable, which had been brought up with him from his youth, and he divided to them his kingdom, while he was yet alive. The author is unknown. It is probably a Greek translation of a Hebrew account of Israel's independence struggle between 174 and 134 bc.Similarly little is known about the author of 2 Maccabees, although it is clear that he was not the same person as the author of 1 Maccabees. These heroes of the faith will not forsake the One God. Were there any parts of the book that you disliked or which troubled you? Modin. . From Alexander to Antiochus. This book also tells us more about atonement beyond the grave by asserting the existence of purgatory (12:38ff). They are in the Public Domain. He also requires Jewish leaders to sacrifice to idols. Grimm indicates the time span for when the book could have been written to be from 105-64 b.c.e. 1 The Simon mentioned above as the informer against the funds and against his country began slandering Onias, insinuating that the latter had been responsible for the assault on Heliodorus and himself had contrived this misfortune. 1 After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeateda King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. [44] For the author, bold military action while living is the proper response to oppression. 1 and 2 Maccabees reflect on this question in slightly different ways. Despite this, the book is not included as canon in the Tanakh. VERSE 51. That is, about 170 BC. This usage of "Maccabees" as a group-term may have originated in Greek, as no usage of it in Hebrew to refer to the rebels survives from any era earlier than the 19th century.[10]. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. The origin of the word maccabee is unclear; it may derive from the Hebrew word maqqabi (= hammer)a reference to Judas physical strength and exploits. [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. VERSE 5. [13] The word "Maccabees" in plural, however, does not appear to have been used until centuries after the Maccabean Revolt. In the town of Modein, the priest Mattathias finds the situation intolerable. As far as the dates of composition are concerned, these can be taken as approximately 100 B.C. This is a terrible punishment. He reports the calamities the Jewish people experience on account of their sins, while also stressing the role played by God in his providence, who watches over them as he promised he would (cf. 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). It is not in the Codex Vaticanus. Here are 8 handy tips to get your book club up and running. VERSE 57. VERSE 2. That is, about 168 BC. 2 Maccabees is a summary of Jason's five-volume work. From the time of Alexander onward Greek culture spread throughout the Middle East. Jonathan A. Goldstein argues that the book was not imitative of older scriptures merely in linguistic style, but also in content; that is, the author adjusted or invented events to make them fit Biblical parallels better.[51]. Buy Also Available At: . Jerome likewise claims "the first book of Maccabees I have found to be Hebrew, the second is Greek, as can be proved from the very style" (per Prologus Galeatus). 1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish author and included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of the Bible. The author propagates "Hasmonean propaganda" in the sense of upholding the righteousness of the Hasmoneans and their just claim to rule the Hasmonean kingdom. He relented after angels intervened on behalf of the Jews. An unknown editor, the "Epitomist," used the factual notes of a historian . As a surname it was also applied to his brothers and, by extension . In Chapter 2, there is a line from a dying Mattathias who tells his sons to always listen to Simon and that "he shall be your father", seemingly praising him even over Judas. THE FIRST BOOK OF MACCABEES. It is not known whether Josephus's copy of 1 Maccabees was missing the final three chapters, or he simply found a better source for that era of history. VERSE 24. [26] Mattathias calls upon people loyal to the traditions of Israel to oppose the invaders and the Jewish Hellenizers, and his sons begin a military campaign against them. "Exodus ch. VERSE 4. and he gathered together an exceedingly strong army, and ruled over countries and nations and principalities, and they became tributary to him. Judas's brother Simon Thassi is declared High Priest by will of the Jewish people. 1 Maccabees describes the response of one family to these events. 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. Some even engage in foreskin restoration. When war broke out between these two brothers the Romans intervened, took Jerusalem and brought the monarchy to an end. It frequently imitates biblical phraseology and directly cites biblical precedents. VERSE 29. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. However, the original has been lost and the version which comes down to us is the Septuagint. many in Israel were fully resolved. Even in stories set during the Maccabean period, references to Judas by name were explicitly removed to avoid hero-worship of the Hasmonean line. He also forbids circumcision and possession of Jewish scriptures, imposing the death penalty for those who disobey. Eusebius, in his book Church History, quotes Origen of Alexandria who says the original title of the work was Sarbth Sarbanael,[note 3] an enigmatic Greek transliteration from a putative Hebrew original title. They will not live a lie. That is, men of Israel came forth. Though initially hailed as liberators, the Selucid family wasted no time in leaving their mark upon Judea. And there came great mourning upon Israel, in every place where they were; the beauty of the women was changed. Below is the article summary. The Book: 1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book of the Bible which was written by a Jewish (pre-Christian) author, probably about 100 BC, after the restoration of an independent Jewish kingdom. We will be talking about events that happened in the second century, which took place in Judea located in the Syrian empire. VERSE 46. and pollute the sanctuary and those who were holy; VERSE 47. that they should build altars, and temples, and shrines for idols, and should sacrifice swines flesh and unclean beasts: VERSE 48. and that they should leave their sons uncircumcised, that they should make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation; VERSE 49. so that they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. Son, John, referred to by Josephus as John Hyrcanus a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish and... 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