the king sent letters. (He had previously become king of Greece.) And his servants bare rule, each one in his place. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. [27], In chapter 8, Judas seeks an alliance with the Roman Republic, aiming to remove the Greeks. Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. After the episode of Heliodorus (3:1-40), the writer lays great emphasis on the inviolate sanctity of the Temple and implies that Antiochus suffers the terrible death he does suffer because of his profanation of it. The book draws a sharp contrast between Jews and Gentiles, similar to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. First Maccabees was written about 100 B.C., in Hebrew, but the original has not come down to us. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted (1 Macc. 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. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish law, resulting in the Maccabean Revolt. However, we believers CANNOT do evil that good may result. Omissions? 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 Septuagint was preserved by early Christians as the basis for the Christian Old Testament. Luckily, when a skateboard courier called Y.T. 2 He had five sons: John, who was called Gaddi; 3 Simon, who 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 rebellion began under the leadership of the Jewish priest Mattathias after Antiochus sought to stamp out Judaism by forbidding all Jewish practices and desecrating the temple (167 bc). 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. Look out for what you might learn about the Judaism of the period from the story. [62], The book was never included in the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh and is not canonical in Judaism. But they did not belong to the family of those men through whom deliverance was given to Israel. It was probably written sometime in the second century bc, in other words very shortly after the events it described. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. Despite this, the book is not included as canon in the Tanakh. VERSE 33. ISBN links support NWE through referral fees. Even in stories set during the Maccabean period, references to Judas by name were explicitly removed to avoid hero-worship of the Hasmonean line. The book covers the whole of the revolt, from 175 to 134 BC, highlighting how the salvation of the Jewish people in this crisis came through Mattathias' family, particularly his sons, Judas Maccabeus, Jonathan Apphus, and Simon Thassi, and Simon's son, John Hyrcanus. 2 He fought many battles, captured fortresses, and put the kings of the earth to death. [44] For the author, bold military action while living is the proper response to oppression. VERSE 2. And at the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense. 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. Antiochus captures Egypt. were recognized by the Fathers as inspired, there is an interim stage where souls are purified. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. If the consequences are good, they say is OK to do anything that is necessary. According to the first book of Maccabees, one of the Hellenistic kings defiled the temple, forbade circumcision, and even set up altars to his gods. the hundred and thirty and seventh year. The vigorous reaction to this attempt established for a time the religious and political independence of the Jews. This history includes battles with Antiochus IV and his son. His son, Ptolemy III Euergetes, extended his empire into Persia. Rabbinic Judaism generally disapproved of the rule of the Hasmonean dynasty, but the book is openly pro-Hasmonean, one of several factors for a lack of enthusiasm for the book within later Judaism. He may also have consulted it for Book 1 of The Jewish War. VERSE 41. 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). And they led captive the women and the children, and the cattle they took in possession. Finally, he desecrates the Temple by setting up an "abomination of desolation" there, apparently either a pagan idol or a bust of himself. It was included in standard printed Christian Bibles in the deuterocanon section. [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. When war broke out between these two brothers the Romans intervened, took Jerusalem and brought the monarchy to an end. Its vocabulary and style indicate a Greek original. Simon, who was called Thassi; As a part of the revolt, the Temple was freed from . Though initially hailed as liberators, the Selucid family wasted no time in leaving their mark upon Judea. Matthew 24:15. Jonathan is eventually captured by the Seleucid Greek ruler Diodotus Tryphon. 2 He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. The history of the Maccabee family given in these books ends with the death of Simon and the succession of his son, John Hyrcanus. Simon is succeeded by his son, John, referred to by Josephus as John Hyrcanus. 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. 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. Purpose of The Book of 1 Maccabees: The purpose in writing 1 Maccabees Book is to record the deliverance of Israel that God worked through the family of Mattathias (5:62) - especially through his three sons, Judas, Jonathan, and Simon, and his grandson, John Hyrcanus. 1 and 2 Maccabees are stories that reflect on oppression and resistance. 64 My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain honour. In any case, the name later came to be used for Judah's brothers as as a family name, as well as to each of the books of "Maccabee. The period of peace and prosperity is celebrated in a biblical-style poetic passage, the "Eulogy of Simon",[36] which Rappaport considers to be "one of the most important poetic passages in 1 Maccabees".[37]. 1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish author and included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of the Bible. Jonathan's capture in 143 BC, having been double-crossed by Diodotus Tryphon, is recorded in 1 Maccabees 12:48. 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 the saying was good in their eyes. VERSE 60. They are Jewish people who do not observe the Law. An unknown editor, the "Epitomist," used the factual notes of a historian . 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. 2 Maccabees falls more into theological history, in other words the attempt to reflect on Gods role in the events described. Many observant Jews flee from the capital, but others readily accept Antiochus' policies. The Greek text is extant in two of the three oldest codices of the Greek Septuagint: the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus. St. Augustine wrote in The City of God that they were preserved for their accounts of the martyrs. 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. 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. [63], The Jewish historian Josephus of the 1st century AD almost certainly read 1 Maccabees. Thus did they in their might to Israel, to those that were found month by month in the cities. 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. It possibly was written during the reign of the Roman emperor Caligula (3741 ce). 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). Werner Kappler[de] published a critical edition of the Greek text in 1936, an eclectic compilation of the various surviving manuscripts and the best construction of the original text. Greece. VERSE 2. The second book overlaps with the first, starting earlier. THE FIRST BOOK OF MACCABEES. He and his three sons begin a military campaign against them, the vicissitudes of which are described in detail. 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]. And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die. he shall die. Judas, nicknamed Maccabeus, probably meaning "hammer," continues his military exploits and also seeks an alliance with the Roman Republic to remove the Greeks. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Hasmoneans were not an obvious choice to be rulers; they did not descend from the priestly line of Zadok that had taken the office of High Priest for generations at the point of the Maccabean Revolt. While Judas is eventually killed in battle, the Maccabees eventually achieve autonomy and then independence for Judea under the leadership of the Hasmonean family. 17 And he wrote letters, and sent them to him, according to these words, saying, 18 King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greeting: 19 We have heard of you, that you are a mighty man of valour, and meet to be our See 1 Maccabees 2:18. VERSE 21. and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of the light, and all that pertained thereto. VERSE 28. Were there any parts of the book that you disliked or which troubled you? 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. 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. 62 Do not fear the words of sinners, for their splendour will turn into dung and worms. Omissions? These include four laments and three hymns of praise. VERSE 51. During the Protestant Reformation, the book (along with other books in the Catholic deuterocanon) was classed as biblical apocrypha in Protestantism, material useful for background but not canonical. The works main religious theme is that the martyrs sufferings vicariously expiated the sins of the entire Jewish people. 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. He either used or reconstructed primary sources such as letters, poetic accounts, and possibly court histories. Christian tradition venerates these seven brothers as martyrs, and churches were dedicated to them in Antioch, Rome, Lyons, and Vienne. As a surname it was also applied to his brothers and, by extension . 504 Pages, 6.12 x 9.25 in, 2 b-w illus. 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. Were there any parts of the book that you particularly liked or which inspired you? 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. CHAPTER 1. 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. [44] That said, our knowledge of the Sadducees is scant, so it is difficult to know for sure. Some Protestants include the book as biblical apocrypha, material useful for background and edification but that is not canonical. Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable historically, but not a part of holy scripture.. 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. Ancient manuscripts of the text include the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Venetus, as well as several scrolls. 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. Journey through the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our Books of the Bible journal. 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. Unlike, the writer of 2 Maccabees, he evidences no Pharisaic theology and may have written in order to justify the Maccabeean dynasty against criticism that they were corrupt and were ruling illegitimately as Jewish kings since they were not of the Davidic lineage. VERSE 45. and should forbid whole burnt offerings and sacrifice and drink offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the Sabbaths and feasts. It describes the refusal of Mattathias to perform pagan religious rites, the ensuing Jewish revolt against Syrian hegemony, the political machinations whereby Demetrius II of Syria granted Judaea its independence, and the election of Simon as both high priest and secular ruler of the Judaean Jews. 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