The contest which he describes is a struggle, not simply between Jew and Gentile, but between those who would uphold the law and those, Jews or Gentiles, who would destroy it. Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable historically, but not a part of holy scripture.. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. The Ptolemy kingdom was founded by Ptolemy I, the son of a Macedonian nobleman. It includes such fundamental texts as that which states that God created all thingsex nihilo, out of nothing, not out of things which existed (7:28), and those which make it clear that the sacrifice of martyrs is a voluntary form of atonement which placates Gods anger (7:36, 8:5). Do a bit of research on Hanukkah and talk what you have learnt about this very important Jewish festival. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. VERSE 21. and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of the light, and all that pertained thereto. [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. 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. These include four laments and three hymns of praise. Ps 119:89-90). The people, in turn, must worship the Lord alone and observe exactly the precepts of the law given to them. Collins 2000 discusses 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees in this study of Jewish identity constructions in the diaspora in the Hellenistic period. The second book is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees; it partially covers the same history (176 - 160 b.c.). In Hebrew, the first letters of this four word slogan form the acronym MKBY. After a short introduction the book describes the Jewish uprising against Antiochus, whose persecution led to the desecration of the Temple. Elephants were an important part of the army of Antiochus. 1 Maccabees 1:54. In an effort to enforce unity, he attempts to suppress the public observance of Jewish religious laws. 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]. The First Book of Macabbees is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. 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. And at the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense. These heroes of the faith will not forsake the One God. 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. [33], Proposed alliances with Rome and with Areus of Sparta are covered in 1 Maccabees 12:123. 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. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. 1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the 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. Given its exactness of dates, places and documents and its enthusiasm for the Jewish cause, 1 Maccabees must have been written by a Palestinian Jew who witnessed the events he describes; the author of 2 Maccabees was more likely an Alexandrian Jew and a Pharisee, given what he has to say about resurrection. 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. The rabbinical sages of this period had learned from experience that revolt against the Gentiles (in this case the Romans) brought disaster. Prefixed to the book are two "festive" letters (1.1 - 10a and1.10b - 2.19), sent from the Jews in Jerusalem to the Jews in Egypt. Maccabees , (fl. [62], The book was never included in the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh and is not canonical in Judaism. In this connection it gives a very moving account of the martyrdom of seven brothers, whose names are unknown but who are popularly called the Maccabees (2 Mac 7:1 ff). Another explanation concerns the different origins of the books. It gives detailed accounts of the Maccabean revolt led by Judas Maccabeus, as well as the martyrdoms of Eleazar and seven brothers. All this shows that these inspired books are well worth prayerful reading, particularly the second, which provides us with many edifying examples especially the humility which leads its protagonists to trust in God, their fortitude in defending their faith, their patience in dealing with obstacles to observance of the Law, and their deep piety, as shown in their prayer for their dead comrades. 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. [13] The word "Maccabees" in plural, however, does not appear to have been used until centuries after the Maccabean Revolt. 1 Maccabees is best known for its account of the recapture of Jerusalem in the year 164 BC and rededication of the Second Temple: the origin behind the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. VERSE 64. 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). VERSE 41. the hundred and forty and third year. 25) gives testimony to the existence of an original Hebrew text. 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. Many Christians base their moral decisions on outcomes. 2 Chronicles. 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. 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 Greek text is extant in two of the three oldest codices of the Greek Septuagint: the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus. [This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Alexander the Great. 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). These include four laments and three hymns of praise. [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. It promotes commitment to Gods covenant as the path to prosperity, and the doctrine of the resurrection of the body. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. Finally, there is the issue of its revolutionary character. He achieves semi-independence from the Seleucid Empire and gains recognition of his rulership from the Roman Senate in 139. It is considered one of the most accurate accounts of Jewish history for the period which it covers. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers to celebrate this event (1 Maccabees 4:59). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [43] Rather, the author interprets events as God using the military genius of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers as the instrument to achieve the liberation of Judea. Check our glossary of terms. 1 In those days Mattathias, son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the family of Joarib, left Jerusalem and settled in Modein. 1 Maccabees . British and Foreign Bible Society operates in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.We also work with a network of local Bible Societies around the world. The time period described is from around 170 BC to 134 BC. And if you like what you see, check out our complete Online Course about the first five books of the Bible, a.k.a. 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. Friend. But they did not belong to the family of those men through whom deliverance was given to Israel. The Books of the Maccabees, Maccabees also spelled Machabees, four books, none of which is in the Hebrew Bible but all of which appear in some manuscripts of the Septuagint. It was included in standard printed Christian Bibles in the deuterocanon section. The vigorous reaction to this attempt established for a time the religious and political independence of the Jews. It later became a title given to the rebels as a whole around the 3rd-5th century AD, hence the Septuagint naming the works as books of the Maccabees. Christian tradition venerates these seven brothers as martyrs, and churches were dedicated to them in Antioch, Rome, Lyons, and Vienne. The Maccabees then ruled over Israel, first as High Priests and then as High Priests and Princes of Israel. From Alexander to Antiochus. A Greek version of the text was printed for the first time in 15141517 in the Complutensian Polyglot Bible. Rather, it comes from the Septuagint, which gave it that title to distinguish it from the other books of the Maccabees. the Torah. [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]. The Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes eventually comes to rule over Syria. [49]He argues that the author was likely an eyewitness to at least some of the battles described given his great accuracy and plausibility in describing terrain and troop movements, and was able to obtain firsthand accounts from others in interviews. And he took the spoils of the city, and set it on fire, and pulled down the houses thereof and the walls thereof on every side. According to all these words wrote he to his whole kingdom; and he appointed overseers over all the people, and he commanded the cities of Judah to sacrifice, city by city. For more details about the Maccabees family and battles with the Greeks, please read 1 Maccabees. 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. The persecution of Antiochus IV presumably radicalized the Jews. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. More wars involving Judas and his brothers Simon and Jonathan are reported in chapters 5, 6 and 7. 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. The author of I Maccabees, likely the Hasmonean court historian, wrote his history during the high priesthood (135/134104 bce) of John Hyrcanus I, son and successor of Simon. 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). Pre-modern translations of the work were made in Latin, Syriac, and Armenian. By the end of the war, Simon was the only one of the five sons of Mattathias to survive and he ushered in an 80-year period of Jewish . Were there any parts of the book that you particularly liked or which inspired you? In the first chapter, Alexander the Great conquers vast territories and sets up a great empire, in which the territory of Judea is included. [29] Jewish historian Uriel Rappaport[he] asserts that "the majority of scholars today accept the authenticity of this document". Rabbinical sages of this period had learned from experience that revolt against the Gentiles ( in this case the ). 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