[22], The narrative is primarily prose text, but is interrupted by seven poetic sections, which imitate classical Hebrew poetry. 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). an abomination of desolation. 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. He imposes a tax and establishes a fortress for his soldiers in Jerusalem. He then calls forth the people to holy war against the Gentiles and their Jewish collaborators. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In 165 BC the Temple is freed and reconsecrated, so that ritual sacrifices may begin again. ; and the Seleucids, who took over large parts of the Middle East and moved into Palestine in 200 B.C. The book draws a sharp contrast between Jews and Gentiles, similar to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. A Greek version of the text was printed for the first time in 15141517 in the Complutensian Polyglot Bible. Many scholars believe that they were placed there after the composition of the book by some inspired editor . 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. In general, its chronology coheres with that of I Maccabees. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. 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. The book covers the whole of the revolt, from 175 to 134 B.C.E., emphasizing how the salvation of the Jewish people in this crisis came through the family of a zealous priest named Mattathias, particularly his sons, Judas Maccabeus, Jonathan, and Simon, and his grandson, John Hyrcanus. VERSE 5. That is, his heart became proud and arrogant (NAB translation). First Maccabees (written circa 134-104 BCE and describing the period of 166-135 BCE) is devoted to presenting the Maccabean dynasty, from Mattathias through his son Judah, to Jonathan and Simon who became high priests and gained political independence.. First Maccabees was written in Hebrew (though it is only preserved today in Greek) for a Judean audience in a Biblical style that emphasizes . VERSE 46. and pollute the sanctuary and those who were holy; VERSE 47. that they should build altars, and temples, and shrines for idols, and should sacrifice swines flesh and unclean beasts: VERSE 48. and that they should leave their sons uncircumcised, that they should make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation; VERSE 49. so that they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. VERSE 24. Another explanation concerns the different origins of the books. Friend and confederate. After the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.) The author sees the revolt as divinely ordained, but downplays direct divine intervention such as miracles. 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). 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. 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 hundred and forty and fifth year. The same fate overtakes another persecutor, Nicanor, who dies because he threatened to destroy the Temple. 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. He extensively uses the first thirteen chapters of it in Books 12 and 13 of his work Jewish Antiquities, paraphrasing it directly in parts, although supplementing it with other Greek histories such as Nicolaus of Damascus. two main dynasties established themselves in the territories of his huge empirethe Ptolemies, who controlled Egypt and also Palestine up to 200 B.C. [11][12], The title "1 Maccabees" is not the original title of the work. 1 Maccabees 1:54. [7][4] He was likely a court historian or equivalent. The victors had apparitions from heaven. It became part of the deuterocanon in early Christianity. Ptolemy IIs court at Alexandria was famed for its learning. The Ptolemy kingdom was founded by Ptolemy I, the son of a Macedonian nobleman. In 285 he abdicated in favor of his son Ptolemy II, who became involved in a struggle with the Seleucid kings. 2 Maccabees recaps some of the story (until the events of 161 bc) and adds in details about Gods intervention into the events reports. 1:9 And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth. VERSE 31. 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. they made themselves uncircumcised. 2:4), the third son of Mattathias, the hero of the war of Jewish independence against Syria. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. 2 Simon now had the effrontery to name this benefactor of the city, this protector of his . [20], During the Crusades, Pope Urban II and other church leaders used 1 Maccabees 2 to justify the concept of holy war against the Muslim kingdoms controlling the holy city of Jerusalem. 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. Sign up for our short, weekly email about how we're inviting people to discover the Bible. put to shame and fled. The Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes eventually comes to rule over Syria. In February 135, however, he is assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy. Alternatively, Maccabee also might have been derived from the battle cry of the revolt, Mi Kamocha B'elim, YHWH ("Who is like you among the heavenly powers, YHWH!! And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame. In Hebrew, the first letters of this four word slogan form the acronym MKBY. 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. Series: The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries. Here are 8 handy tips to get your book club up and running. As the Bible says, "On the eighth day, God created Shmoop and saw that it was good." Or something like that. 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.) The persecution of Antiochus IV presumably radicalized the Jews. Thus did they in their might to Israel, to those that were found month by month in the cities. VERSE 16. The Writer gives his final summary. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish law, resulting in the Maccabean Revolt. For the full article, see, Prohibition of Jewish religious practices, Hanukkah: reconsecration of the sanctuary, https://www.britannica.com/summary/Maccabees. Although 1 Maccabees was originally written in Hebrew (some you can tell from the sentence structure) it exists now only in Greek. [64], The Roman Catholic Lectionary makes use of texts from 1 Maccabees 1 to 6, along with texts from 2 Maccabees 6 and 7, in the weekday readings for the 33rd week in Ordinary Time, in year 1 of the two-year cycle of readings, always in November, and as one of the options available for readings for the dedication of an altar and as one of the suggested readings at a Mass celebrated to honour persecuted Christians.[65]. St. Augustine wrote in The City of God that they were preserved for their accounts of the martyrs. This book also tells us more about atonement beyond the grave by asserting the existence of purgatory (12:38ff). They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. 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. The doctrine expressed in the book is the customary belief of Israel, without the new developments which appear in 2Maccabees and Daniel. 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. That is, a gymnasium. One is that it was simply "too new," dealing with a period several centuries after the traditional end of Jewish prophecy. in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. They will not live a lie. John R. Bartlett argues for somewhere between 11090 BCE. When war broke out between these two brothers the Romans intervened, took Jerusalem and brought the monarchy to an end. Hardcover; 9780300159936; Published: Tuesday, 26 Apr 2022; $85.00. And they put there a sinful nation, transgressors of the law, and they strengthened themselves therein. The Maccabees books were preserved only by the Christian church. Attempts to discredit the work as essentially fiction have been discounted even by strongly critical scholars today. (He had previously become king of Greece.) Proverbs 16:18. Judas, nicknamed Maccabeus, probably meaning "hammer," continues his military exploits and also seeks an alliance with the Roman Republic to remove the Greeks. [44] Notably, the author makes no reference to the idea of a bodily resurrection, which the Sadducees opposed. The surviving Greek script has Hebraisms and Hebrew idioms. He may well have played some part in it himself in his youth. They are Jewish people who do not observe the Law. The narrative is primarily prose text, but is interrupted by seven poetic sections, which imitate classical Hebrew poetry. 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]. 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. Acts of the Apostles. VERSE 34. Despite this, the book is not included as canon in the Tanakh. [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". (1 Maccabees 2.62-64). III Maccabees has no relation to the other three books of Maccabees, all of which deal with the revolt of Judaea against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He wrote in the post-independence Hasmonean kingdom, probably during the reign of High Priest John Hyrcanus (reigned ~134104 BC), with a few scholars suggesting that early in the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (reigned 10376 BC) is also a possibility. In the book itself, "Maccabee" is used solely as a personal title for Judah Maccabee (Latinized as Judas Maccabeus). And he took the silver and the gold and the precious vessels; and he took the hidden treasures which he found. they chose to die. Judas victory over Nicanor ensures the liberation of the Jewish people and guarantees the proper worship of the true God. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. 2 He undertook many campaigns, gained possession of many fortresses, and put the local kings to death. 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. The time period described is from around 170 BC to 134 BC. 16:2 And Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said to them: I and my brethren, and my father's house, have fought against the enemies of Israel from our youth even to this day: and things have prospered so well in our hands that we have delivered . Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. After his death in battle c. 161 B.C.E., his brother Jonathan succeeds him. And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die. 1 Maccabees covers this entire 40-year period. 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). Through a series of events, Tobit goes blind and sends his son on a journey accompanied by the angel Raphael disguised as a human. 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. Origen (cited by Eusebius Eccl Hist vi. his heart was lifted up. Maccabees , (fl. 3He advanced to the ends of the earth, and plundered many nations. 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. 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. VERSE 43. and many of Israel consented to his worship, and sacrificed to the idols, and profaned the Sabbath. he shall die. 1 Maccabees A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Look out for what you might learn about the Judaism of the period from the story. Alexander the Great. Finally, he desecrates the Temple by setting up an "abomination of desolation" there, apparently either a pagan idol or a bust of himself. 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 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. Greece. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers to celebrate this event (1 Maccabees 4:59). He refuses to comply with Antiochus' officers and, in an act of utter defiance, murders a Jew who attempts to offer pagan sacrifice, killing the officer as well. First Maccabees or 1 Maccabees is most famous as the source of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. As a part of the revolt, the Temple was freed from the control of the Greek empire and rededicated (an act that is still commemorated yearly in the festival of Hanukkah). VERSE 56. 13-16). 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. 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. 1 a After Alexander the Macedonian, Philip's son, who came from the land of Kittim, * had defeated Darius, king of the Persians and Medes, he became king in his place, having first ruled in Greece. And they tore in pieces the books of the law which they found, and set them on fire. 1 Kings. 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). 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. Shortly before his death, he divides his kingdom among his generals. VERSE 7. Collins 2000 discusses 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees in this study of Jewish identity constructions in the diaspora in the Hellenistic period. It was included in standard printed Christian Bibles in the deuterocanon section. [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. Diaspora in the Maccabean revolt this book also tells us more about atonement the. ] [ 12 ], the son of Mattathias, the hero of the earth, and put the kings! Battle c. 161 B.C.E., his brother Jonathan succeeds him original book was apparently written in Hebrew ( some can... 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