In either case, only the Greek text has survived, and this only through its inclusion in the Christian canon. VERSE 29. The Greeks recognize him as high priest, but like Judas, he finds himself caught between competing Greek kings who are engaged in their own civil war for control of the Seleucid Empire. (He had previously become king of Greece.) It promotes commitment to Gods covenant as the path to prosperity, and the doctrine of the resurrection of the body. VERSE 8. The surviving Greek script has Hebraisms and Hebrew idioms. In 165 BC the Temple is freed and reconsecrated, so that ritual sacrifices may begin again. 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. Simon, who was called Thassi; Aristobulus I, the son of John Hyrcanus, was the first to add the title of king to that of chief priest. 15:11). . These two books tell you a lot about Jewish self-definition in the second and first century bc. VERSE 37. Collins 2000 discusses 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees in this study of Jewish identity constructions in the diaspora in the Hellenistic period. [5] The entire work is generally considered to be a unity composed by a single author on both philological and thematic grounds, although there are occasional short passages sometimes contested as potentially being added at a later date. 1 Maccabees 1. VERSE 32. [ a] 2 He had five sons: John, who was called Gaddi; 3 Simon, who was called Thassi; 4 Judas, who was called Maccabeus; 5 Eleazar, who was called Avaran; and Jonathan, who was called . ISBN links support NWE through referral fees. In general, its chronology coheres with that of I Maccabees. 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. 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). And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die. From Alexander to Antiochus. VERSE 2. While Judas is eventually killed in battle, the Maccabees eventually achieve autonomy and then independence for Judea under the leadership of the Hasmonean family. He was familiar with the traditions and sacred books of his people and had access to much reliable information on their recent history (from 175 to 134 B.C.). 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]. He interprets the Maccabean victory not as a miraculous intervention by God, but rather as God's using the instrument of the military genius of the Maccabees to achieve his divine ends. The origin of 2 Maccabees is debated. The book also comes across as dismissive of martyrdom and passive approaches to resistance, seeing such gestures as futile and pointless. Origen (cited by Eusebius Eccl Hist vi. On his journey, the son Tobias meets Sarah, who is afflicted by a demon. 1:8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place. That is, he spoke deceitfully. (Jason of Cyrene was a Hellenized Jew who wrote a five-volume history on the times of the Maccabees. Although the author of the first book devotes a lot of space to wars and political intrigues extending over a period of forty years, his primary purpose is a religious one. The doctrine expressed in the book is the customary belief of Israel, without the new developments which appear in 2Maccabees and Daniel. Throughout the early Christian period, IV Maccabees was wrongly attributed to Josephus. For Jews, a highlight of 1 Maccabees is its description of the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem and the institution of Hanukkah. 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. an abomination of desolation. Other texts lay stress on the intercession of the saints and the value of prayers for the dead (12:43-46), which are the basis of the dogma of the communion of saints. I Maccabees is the only contemporary source for the civil wars in Judaea, and the only surviving one for Judaean-Syrian relations after the reign of Antiochus IV. 1 Kings. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Alternate titles: The Books of the Machabees. VERSE 58. In February 135, however, he is assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy. Ptolemy supposedly threatened the Jews with loss of citizenship after Palestinian Jews refused to permit him to enter the sanctuary of the 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. The First Book of Maccabees also gives a list of Jewish colonies scattered elsewhere through the Mediterranean at the time.[25]. Maccabees , (fl. 1 After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated[ a] King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted (1 Macc. 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]. were recognized by the Fathers as inspired, there is an interim stage where souls are purified. Journey through the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our Books of the Bible journal. Buy Also Available At: . Origen of Alexandria (253),[52] Augustine of Hippo (c.397AD),[53] Pope Innocent I (405),[54][55] Synod of Hippo (393),[56] the Council of Carthage (397),[57] the Council of Carthage (419),[58] the Apostolic Canons,[59] the Council of Florence (1442)[60] and the Council of Trent (1546)[61] listed the first two books of Maccabees as canonical. This history includes battles with Antiochus IV and his son. And if you like what you see, check out our complete Online Course about the first five books of the Bible, a.k.a. (2) 1 Maccabees 1:11-16:24: History of the Jews from 175 to 135 BC. 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. The book is held as canonical scripture today in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches (except for the Orthodox Tewahedo). It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish law, resulting in the Maccabean Revolt. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. [7][4] He was likely a court historian or equivalent. 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. 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. the hundred and thirty and seventh year. Many Christians base their moral decisions on outcomes. [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. 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. VERSE 33. And after two full years the king sent a chief collector of tribute to the cities of Judah, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude. Friend. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. VERSE 7. [67] and Knox Bible.[68]. And they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. 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. he shall die. Hope for life beyond death enabled the people of God to commit their lives fully to the God who had called them, even when this seemed of no benefit in worldly terms. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). VERSE 2. The time period described is from around 170 BC to 134 BC. Finally, there is the issue of its revolutionary character. When he died his widow, Alexandra, married his elder brother, Alexander Janneus, and she remained on the throne while her son Hyrcanus II was high priest. Hellenization included the construction of gymnasia in Jerusalem. 1 Maccabees,[note 1] 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. Read more . This text explicitly states that there is an interim stage where souls are purified and that they can be helped by suffrages offered by the living. The Writer gives his final summary. 2 He had five sons: John, who was called Gaddi; 3 Simon, who Alexander the Great. 1 Maccabees is a historical book, concerned to relay the events of the period as closely as possible. saves his butt from a delivery-gone-bonkers, he decides to play nice with . Jonathan becomes high priest (1 Maccabees 10:20). Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable history, but not a part of Scripture. Another is that, while they were included by the Jews of Alexandria in the Septuagint, they may not have gained much popularity in Jerusalem. Related to this is the issue that including 1 Maccabees in the canon may have given legitimacy to other texts in the Septuagint that were more problematic for the rabbis. 504 Pages, 6.12 x 9.25 in, 2 b-w illus. And he fought many battles, and won many strongholds, and killed the kings of the earth. (He had previously become king of Greece.) After Judass death, the war continued intermittently under his brothers Jonathan and Simon. [28] Verses 2332 record an agreement between Rome and the nation of the Jews, whereby each party would act as a willing ally of the other and refuse to supply their enemies in time of war, specific warning being given to Demetrius I Soter that this pact would be activated against him if requested by the Jews. He and his three sons begin a military campaign against them, the vicissitudes of which are described in detail. Help me reach the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. [11][12], The title "1 Maccabees" is not the original title of the work. 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. Sign up for our short, weekly email about how we're inviting people to discover the Bible. Antiochus captures Egypt. That is, each nation should abandon its religious customs. He even attempts to force Jewish leaders to sacrifice to pagan idols. 2 Simon now had the effrontery to name this benefactor of the city, this protector of his . It is a deuterocanonical work in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition, and apocryphal in Protestant tradition. 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. 12:1-23). 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. The persecution of Antiochus IV presumably radicalized the Jews. 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. 1 Maccabees is the most extensive source of information on events in Judea from 175 to 135. After his death in battle c. 161 B.C.E., his brother Jonathan succeeds him. VERSE 45. and should forbid whole burnt offerings and sacrifice and drink offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the Sabbaths and feasts. 1 Alexander of Macedon son of Philip had come from the land of Kittim and defeated Darius king of the Persians and Medes, whom he succeeded as ruler, at first of Hellas. 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.) 1-2 Thessalonians. 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. And there came exceedingly great wrath upon Israel. VERSE 1. 1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the The festival of Hanukkah is instituted by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers to celebrate this event (1 Maccabees 4:59). As we know, those who have left this world and enjoy the beatific vision, in the same act of charity in which they love God, are also praying for their brothers, who are members of the Church like themselves. [33], Proposed alliances with Rome and with Areus of Sparta are covered in 1 Maccabees 12:123. And there came great mourning upon Israel, in every place where they were; the beauty of the women was changed. The army of Judas at Bethsura consists of 10,000 according to 1 Macc 4:29, but of 80,000 according to 2 Macc 11:2. 1 and 2 Maccabees are set during the reign of the Seleucid Greek empire (the part of the Greek empire that found its roots in Syria). And Hebrew idioms book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our books of the Maccabees of.... 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