Aristobulus I, the son of John Hyrcanus, was the first to add the title of king to that of chief priest. 1 Maccabees 1. This was a mighty defeat for Egypt. From the time of Alexander onward Greek culture spread throughout the Middle East. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish law, resulting in the Maccabean Revolt. [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. 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). 2 He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and slaughtered the kings of the earth. And it was the chief propaganda instrument of those non-practicing Jews who were trying to introduce Gentile customs into Israel. That is, his heart became proud and arrogant (NAB translation). VERSE 38. for the first and 124 B.C. First Maccabees or 1 Maccabees is most famous as the source of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Flavius Josephus, the first century Jewish historian, carries the story forward; only he gives the surname Hasmoneus, which applies to the successors of the early Maccabees up to Aristobulus II. [7][4] He was likely a court historian or equivalent. Mattathias and His Sons. (He had previously become king of Greece.) The Latin translation is sometimes useful to identify certain changes made by Lucian of Antioch to the Greek text.[66]. were recognized by the Fathers as inspired, there is an interim stage where souls are purified. 1 and 2 Maccabees tell the same story in two different ways. Thus 1 Maccabeesas well as the other books of this genrefaced a major political obstacle to their acceptance. The king will require Jews to reject their Covenant with the One God. It became part of the deuterocanon in early Christianity. The history of the Maccabee family given in these books ends with the death of Simon and the succession of his son, John Hyrcanus. 1 and 2 Maccabees reflect on this question in slightly different ways. 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 40. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. a place of exercise. 2 Maccabees is harder to date but many scholars locate it in the early first century bc. "[42][43] All of this makes clear that God has specifically chosen a new dynasty to rule Judea, the Hasmoneans. Some Jews went along with the changes. the hundred and thirty and seventh year. Pope Damasus I's Council of Rome in 382, if the Gelasian Decree is correctly associated with it, issued a biblical canon identical with the list given at Trent including the two books of Maccabees. The Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes eventually comes to rule over Syria. The rabbinical sages of this period had learned from experience that revolt against the Gentiles (in this case the Romans) brought disaster. 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. to the death of Simeon the Hasmonean (135 B.C.E.). Throughout the early Christian period, IV Maccabees was wrongly attributed to Josephus. Chapter 14 also features a long panegyric praising Simon as a worthy leader.[10]. The writer compares their virtues and their exploits with those of Israel's ancient . Ptolemy IIs court at Alexandria was famed for its learning. St. Augustine wrote in The City of God that they were preserved for their accounts of the martyrs. [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. 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). Editor's note: The following homily delivered by the Reverend Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Ph.D, S.T.D., on 1 August 2017, commemoration of the Holy Maccabees (Extraordinary Form) at the Church of . These heroes of the faith will not forsake the One God. 2 He undertook many campaigns, gained possession of many fortresses, and put the local kings to death. That is, about 176 BC. The 1643 Westminster Confession says that the books "are of no authority in the Church of God, not to be any otherwise approved", for example. [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. VERSE 19. VERSE 21. and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of the light, and all that pertained thereto. CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology. 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. And on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the hundred and forty and fifth year, they built an abomination of desolation upon the altar, and in the cities of Judah on every side they built idol altars. 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. As noted above, if ancient manuscripts of the hypothesized original Hebrew version existed, they have been lost. And he fought many battles, and won many strongholds, and killed the kings of the earth. VERSE 1. VERSE 34. That is, he spoke deceitfully. they chose to die. VERSE 25. And he had five sons, John, who was surnamed Gaddis; VERSE 3. Shortly before his death, he divides his kingdom among his generals. 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. He imposes a tax and establishes a fortress for his soldiers in Jerusalem. Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable historically, but not a part of holy scripture.. The book is held as canonical scripture today in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches (except for the Orthodox Tewahedo). Alternate titles: The Books of the Machabees. 1 Maccabees is a historical book, concerned to relay the events of the period as closely as possible. 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 . hanged their babes about their necks. 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). VERSE 23. The Book of 1 Maccabees CPDV summary. He also confirms alliances with both Rome and Sparta (1 Macc. The book of Tobit tells the story of Tobit and his family, who are living as exiles from Israel after the Assyrian conquest. VERSE 45. and should forbid whole burnt offerings and sacrifice and drink offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the Sabbaths and feasts. Naturally, any account of the war of liberation led by Judas Maccabeus would have this effect and would show that victory was due to Gods powerful aid (2:19-22). ", 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.". came there forth out of Israel. The school of philosophy seen in 1 Maccabees is often thought to be a predecessor to the philosophy of the Sadducees in later eras. THE FIRST BOOK OF MACCABEES. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Bible Society, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DG. If you like what I write, become my partner by donating. The doctrine expressed in the book is the customary belief of Israel, without the new developments which appear in 2Maccabees and Daniel. 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. VERSE 59. the hundred and forty and fifth year. After his death in battle c. 161 B.C.E., his brother Jonathan succeeds him. And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, with strong towers, and it became to them a citadel. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Journey through the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our Books of the Bible journal. In February 135, however, he is assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy. Did you read anything in the book that touched you, expanded your faith or made you think more deeply about your life and how you live it. The first and second Books of Maccabees, though regarded by Jews and Protestants as apocryphal, i.e., not inspired Scripture, because not contained in the Jewish list of books drawn up at the end of the first century A.D., have always been accepted by the Catholic Church as inspired and are called deuterocanonical to indicate that they are canonical even though disputed by some. VERSE 57. 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. VERSE 2. He either used or reconstructed primary sources such as letters, poetic accounts, and possibly court histories. In the town of Modein, the priest Mattathias finds the situation intolerable. The author is unknown. VERSE 28. VERSE 5. To keep the Law of Moses would mean being put to death. Simon, who was called Thassi; [30], After the death of Judas and a period of lawlessness,[31] he is succeeded by his brother Jonathan Apphus, whose battles with the Greek general Bacchides are recounted in chapter 9. According to the text, some Jewish men even engaged in foreskin restoration in order to pass as fully Greek. 1 Kings. 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. [13] The word "Maccabees" in plural, however, does not appear to have been used until centuries after the Maccabean Revolt. The author sees the revolt as divinely ordained, but downplays direct divine intervention such as miracles. And wherever was found with any a book of the covenant, and if any consented to the law, the kings sentence delivered him to death. for the second, on the basis of the information given in the first letter they refer to (2 Mace. Many Jews adopt a policy of accommodation with him in the interest of maintaining peace with the Gentiles, and others openly embrace the Hellenistic culture he introduces. It frequently imitates biblical phraseology and directly cites biblical precedents. And they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. 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. 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). He plays one faction off against the other, obtaining various benefits for the Jews in exchange for his military support. 2 He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. VERSE 27. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. It was included in standard printed Christian Bibles in the deuterocanon section. And they got possession of the strong cities in the land of Egypt; and he took the spoils of Egypt. 1 Maccabees A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Simon is succeeded by his third son, John Hyrcanus, whose two elder brothers, Mattathias and Judah, had been murdered, together with their father. 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. View all posts by todd. Christian tradition venerates these seven brothers as martyrs, and churches were dedicated to them in Antioch, Rome, Lyons, and Vienne. 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. Pre-modern translations of the work were made in Latin, Syriac, and Armenian. 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 6. And there came great mourning upon Israel, in every place where they were; the beauty of the women was changed. [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". And if you like what you see, check out our complete Online Course about the first five books of the Bible, a.k.a. While Judas is eventually killed in battle, the Maccabees eventually achieve autonomy and then independence for Judea under the leadership of the Hasmonean family. The origin of 2 Maccabees is debated. 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). The books had separate authors. He bans the observance of the sabbath and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. These heroes of the faith will walk with the One God and keep the Covenant. [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 16. 1 After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. 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 . It is considered one of the most accurate accounts of Jewish history for the period which it covers. Several theories have emerged regarding the exclusion of 1 from the Jewish biblical canon. 62 Do not fear the words of sinners, for their splendour will turn into dung and worms. 1 Maccabees follows this story until the death of Simon (the third son of Mattathias to rule over Israel) at the hands of the some Egyptian Greeks (from about 175-134 bc). As a surname it was also applied to his brothers and, by extension . Omissions? 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). First Maccabees covers the efforts of the Jewish people to regain their freedom following the desecration of the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Finally, he desecrates the Temple by setting up an "abomination of desolation" there, apparently either a pagan idol or a bust of himself. Alexander the Great. They are Jewish people who do not observe the Law. While enforcement may be targeting only Jewish leaders, ordinary Jews were also killed as a warning to others. 2 Maccabees, curiously, says nothing about thisdespite its . each should forsake his own laws. [44] For the author, bold military action while living is the proper response to oppression. Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into reproach, her honor into contempt. The sacred writers purpose is to build up the morale of the Jews. Chapter 2. In true Deuteronomic tradition, the author insists on fidelity to the law as the expression of Israels love for God. Although 1 Maccabees was originally written in Hebrew (some you can tell from the sentence structure) it exists now only in Greek. 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. the king sent letters. [63], The Jewish historian Josephus of the 1st century AD almost certainly read 1 Maccabees. 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 original book was apparently written in Hebrew, as is indicated by a number of Hebrew idioms used by the author. Antipathy toward the Seleucid-friendly Hellenizing Jews is unsurprising, as they were enemies in war, but 1 Maccabees extends criticism to internal Jewish opponents of the Hasmoneans as well. 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). Finally, there is the issue of its revolutionary character. After Judass death, the war continued intermittently under his brothers Jonathan and Simon. Compare 1 Maccabees 10:65. First Maccabees gives a detailed account of the struggle in Palestine over a period of fifty years, from the time Antiochus IV Epiphanes came to the throne up to the death of Simon, the last of the Maccabee brothers (134 B.C.). Friend and confederate. Not only the leaders, but also circumcised infants and their mothers are killed as a warning to others. 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 book also comes across as dismissive of martyrdom and passive approaches to resistance, seeing such gestures as futile and pointless. 2 Maccabees is a summary of Jason's five-volume work. 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