1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish author and included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of the Bible. In the first chapter, Alexander the Great conquers the territory of Judea, and is later succeeded by the Seleucid Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In general, its chronology coheres with that of I Maccabees. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It is considered one of the most accurate accounts of Jewish history for the period which it covers. These heroes of the faith will walk with the One God and keep the Covenant. 504 Pages, 6.12 x 9.25 in, 2 b-w illus. VERSE 45. and should forbid whole burnt offerings and sacrifice and drink offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the Sabbaths and feasts. [13] The word "Maccabees" in plural, however, does not appear to have been used until centuries after the Maccabean Revolt. IV Maccabees has scanty historical information and belongs to the Maccabees series only because it deals with the beginning of the persecution of Jews by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. 2 Maccabees, curiously, says nothing about thisdespite its . the Torah. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. ", 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.". And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, with strong towers, and it became to them a citadel. Because of the accuracy of the historical account, if a later date is accepted, then the author must have had access to first-hand reports of the events. [23] Various historical documents are included as well, notably of negotiations and letters with the Roman Republic and Hellenistic Sparta. 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). were recognized by the Fathers as inspired, there is an interim stage where souls are purified. First Maccabees or 1 Maccabees is most famous as the source of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Below is the article summary. When Mattathias died (c. 166 bc), his son Judas Maccabaeus recaptured Jerusalem and reconsecrated the temple, an event celebrated in the holiday Hanukkah. 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. The second book is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees; it partially covers the same history (176 - 160 b.c.). In either case, only the Greek text has survived, and this only through its inclusion in the Christian canon. 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. Book of Daniel. 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. That is, a gymnasium. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Hellenization included the construction of gymnasia in Jerusalem. And his servants bare rule, each one in his place. VERSE 6. Judas, nicknamed Maccabeus, probably meaning "hammer," continues his military exploits and also seeks an alliance with the Roman Republic to remove the Greeks. Alexandra was succeeded by another son, Aristobulus II. It became part of the deuterocanon in early Christianity. 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). After Jesus redeemed mankind by dying on the cross, the just of the Old Testament were enabled to enter heaven, and thus the ancient people of God became the new Israel, which is the Church. an abomination of desolation. Their faith in the resurrection, which they explicitly assert (v. 11), gives them the courage to undergo terrible sufferings to keep the holy Law of God, sufferings in which they are also supported by their mothers faith. As noted above, if ancient manuscripts of the hypothesized original Hebrew version existed, they have been lost. Many scholars believe that they were placed there after the composition of the book by some inspired editor . This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Books-of-the-Maccabees, The Catholic Encyclopedia - The Books of Machabees. 1 Maccabees 1. VERSE 8. 1:8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place. Others, like Mattathias, fought to remain faithful to the Law. Look out for what you might learn about the Judaism of the period from the story. The book of 1 Maccabees clearly favors the revolution against the Seleucid and the Hasmonean dynasty. VERSE 37. The narrative reports that news of the desolation reaches Mattathias and his five sons, a priestly family who live in Modein. 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 (1 Mc 2:4, 66; 2 Mc 8:5, 16; 10:1, 16).Traditionally the name has come to be extended to the brothers of Judas, his supporters . In 285 he abdicated in favor of his son Ptolemy II, who became involved in a struggle with the Seleucid kings. In Hebrew, the first letters of this four word slogan form the acronym MKBY. The Greek text is extant in two of the three oldest codices of the Greek Septuagint: the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus. Many scholars suggest that these Church Fathers may have had access to a Biblical Aramaic paraphrase of the workmost Christians writers of the time did not distinguish between Hebrew and Aramaic. VERSE 57. 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]. to the death of Simeon the Hasmonean (135 B.C.E.). 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. To keep the Law of Moses would mean being put to death. VERSE 21. and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of the light, and all that pertained thereto. Elephants were an important part of the army of Antiochus. 2:4), the third son of Mattathias, the hero of the war of Jewish independence against Syria. 1:9). Maccabees does not mention the involvement of the mercenaries who are mentioned in other accounts, whereas other accounts do not mention the Jewish involvement. came there forth out of Israel. 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 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. The second book overlaps with the first, starting earlier. The book of 1 Maccabees is the most thorough account of the deeds of the sons of Mattathias and the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire; 2 Maccabees is a more sensationalized account that focuses on a briefer period of time and adds cool stuff like flying ghost armies; 4 Maccabees is a homily rather than a narrative, focusing on the . The revolt is also known by the name Maccabee, after the most renowned of Mattathias's sons . 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. Unlike most of the Books of the Maccabees, 1 Maccabees was written in Hebrew and translated into Greek as part of the . They will not sin in order to save their lives. The original book was apparently written in Hebrew, as is indicated by a number of Hebrew idioms used by the author. If it really was originally written in Greek, then the author was intentionally imitating Hebrew style in Greek. VERSE 59. Simon follows Jonathan as the next Jewish leader "in place of Judas and your brother Jonathan",[34] taking on civil, military and liturgical roles: "great high priest, governor, and leader of the Jews". These include four laments and three hymns of praise. VERSE 24. 16:1 Then John came up from Gazara, and told Simon his father what Cendebeus had done against their people. More wars involving Judas and his brothers Simon and Jonathan are reported in chapters 5, 6 and 7. they chose to die. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It has traditionally been considered highly trustworthy, although it is to some extent the "official" version of history according to the Hasmoneans and from the Maccabean point of view. 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. The First Book of Maccabees, originally written in Hebrew during the last part of thesecond century b.c.e.,1 can be read, among other things, as the story of the 1 CarlL.W. 1 Maccabees covers the period of 175 BCE to 134 BCE. VERSE 32. 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. It purports to be a historical account of the repression and miraculous salvation of Egyptian Jewry during the reign (221205 bce) of Ptolemy IV Philopator. The big question from this period is the question of self-definition. Ptolemy IIs court at Alexandria was famed for its learning. Maccabees , (fl. He then calls forth the people to holy war against the Gentiles and their Jewish collaborators. 2 Maccabees recaps some of the story (until the events of 161 bc) and adds in details about Gods intervention into the events reports. After the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., Judaism regrouped under the leadership of the rabbis. The Second Book of the Maccabees. The rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He either used or reconstructed primary sources such as letters, poetic accounts, and possibly court histories. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate. The Septuagint was preserved by early Christians as the basis for the Christian Old Testament. 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. Updates? He plays one faction off against the other, obtaining various benefits for the Jews in exchange for his military support. This might mean the women were forcibly tattooed. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers to celebrate this event (1 Maccabees 4:59). many in Israel were fully resolved. Finally, there is the issue of its revolutionary character. (He had previously become king of Greece.) It frequently imitates biblical phraseology and directly cites biblical precedents. That is, his heart became proud and arrogant (NAB translation). The author sees the revolt as divinely ordained, but downplays direct divine intervention such as miracles. And he took the silver and the gold and the precious vessels; and he took the hidden treasures which he found. Chapter 6 reports the last days of Antiochus Epiphanes and the accession of his young son Antiochus V Eupator to the throne. Nothing is known about the author of 1 Maccabees other than that the attention to detail and knowledge of events suggests that he was an eye witness or had access to eyewitness accounts. for the second, on the basis of the information given in the first letter they refer to (2 Mace. (Das erste Buch der Maccaber [Kurzgefasstes exegetisches Handbuch zu John R. Bartlett argues for somewhere between 11090 BCE. ISBN links support NWE through referral fees. The people of Israel have been specially chosen by the one true God as covenant-partner, and they alone are privileged to know and worship God, their eternal benefactor and unfailing source of help. 1 Kings. 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. 2 He had five sons: John, who was called Gaddi; 3 Simon, who Judas victory over Nicanor ensures the liberation of the Jewish people and guarantees the proper worship of the true God. At Explore the Faith, I share insights into the Bible and theological writings. The author propagates "Hasmonean propaganda" in the sense of upholding the righteousness of the Hasmoneans and their just claim to rule the Hasmonean kingdom. the king sent letters. VERSE 12. From the time of Alexander onward Greek culture spread throughout the Middle East. This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 19:13. And they led captive the women and the children, and the cattle they took in possession. He claims to have used and condensed a five-volume work by someone called Jason of Cyrene (which no longer exists) and appears to have introduced theological reflections onto the events as he went. VERSE 25. 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. It is accepted in the Catholic and Orthodox canons. Every bridegroom took up lamentation, she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness. The book's author is unknown, but is assumed to have been a devout Jew from the Holy Land who may have even taken part in the events described in the book, or at least knew older people who participated in them. This is a terrible punishment. The first two books only are part of canonical scripture in the Septuagint and the Vulgate (hence are canonical to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy) and are included in the Protestant Apocrypha. The time period described is from around 170 BC to 134 BC. In those days rose up Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem; and he lived at Modin. The setting of the book is about a century after the conquest of Judea by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, when the country was part of the Greek Seleucid Empire. the hundred and thirty and seventh year. [44] That said, our knowledge of the Sadducees is scant, so it is difficult to know for sure. 4:59). [This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Alexander the Great. Chapter 16. Antiochus then tries to suppress public observance of Jewish laws, in an attempt to secure control over the Jews. 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