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). They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. ALEXANDER THE GREAT. 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 book is held as canonical scripture today in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches (except for the Orthodox Tewahedo). Reflect on whether you think that Mattathias and his sons were right to rebel against their Greek oppressors.We are challenged about how we should behave towards our enemies and how we should act as Gods agents, wherever we live in the world. Journey through the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our Books of the Bible journal. It became part of the deuterocanon in early Christianity. That is, about 176 BC. Gentile forces still hold a fortress in Jerusalem, however, as well as many towns in Judea and Galilee. Traditionally the name has come to be extended to the brothers of Judas, his supporters, and even to other Jewish heroes of the period, such as the seven brothers (2Mc 7). 63 Today they will be exalted, but tomorrow they will not be found, because they will have returned to the dust, and their plans will have perished. He also confirms alliances with both Rome and Sparta (1 Macc. VERSE 25. 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 . . 1 In those days Mattathias, son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the family of Joarib, left Jerusalem and settled in Modein. He achieves semi-independence from the Seleucid Empire and gains recognition of his rulership from the Roman Senate in 139. Mattathias and His Sons. He also requires Jewish leaders to sacrifice to idols. The author is unknown. A supporter of the Hasmonean dynasty. 1:8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place. [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. 2 Simon now had the effrontery to name this benefactor of the city, this protector of his . Aristobulus I, the son of John Hyrcanus, was the first to add the title of king to that of chief priest. VERSE 5. The second book is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees; it partially covers the same history (176 - 160 b.c.). It was probably written sometime in the second century bc, in other words very shortly after the events it described. His severest condemnation goes, not to the Seleucid politicians, but to the lawless apostates among his own people, adversaries of Judas and his brothers, who are models of faith and loyalty. Book of Daniel. 1 Maccabees was probably written in Hebrew originally. VERSE 6. George Leo Haydock. The words "God" and "Lord" never occur in the text, always being replaced by "Heaven" or "He.". Not only the leaders, but also circumcised infants and their mothers are killed as a warning to others. If you like what I write, become my partner by donating. St. Augustine wrote in The City of God that they were preserved for their accounts of the martyrs. And they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. 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. Unsure of the meaning of a word or phrase in the Bible? 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. The history presented is very accurate, comparing favorably to pagan historians such as Livy or Tacitus. 2 Maccabees is a summary of Jason's five-volume work. This page was last edited on 16 October 2020, at 19:27. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=1_Maccabees&oldid=1044072, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die. 64 My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain honour. 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. It gives detailed accounts of the Maccabean revolt led by Judas Maccabeus, as well as the martyrdoms of Eleazar and seven brothers. As noted above, if ancient manuscripts of the hypothesized original Hebrew version existed, they have been lost. He imposes a tax and establishes a fortress for his soldiers in Jerusalem. 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 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. 1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish author and included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of the Bible. VERSE 55. And he had five sons, John, who was surnamed Gaddis; VERSE 3. This caused the Maccabean revolt, led by Mattathias and his sons. 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. In fact, it is "a thoroughgoing pro-Hasmonean . perhaps even Sadducean, tendency interpenetrates the entire work" (Fischer, 4:441) and the "author of 1 Maccabees identifies unreservedly with the rebels and their leaders." (Efron, 47; Sievers, 2). Alternate titles: The Books of the Machabees. It aims at bringing out even more strongly the religious lessons of the time, and the story is written more like a sermon than a history. Acts 4 (King James Version) 1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. He plays one faction off against the other, obtaining various benefits for the Jews in exchange for his military support. That is, about 170 BC. Some Protestants include the book as biblical apocrypha, material useful for background and edification but that is not canonical. 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. Mattathias proclaimed a holy war; Jewish armed resistance operated from the wilderness with great success under the successive leadership of three of Mattathias sonsJudas Maccabeus, the undisputed leader of the Jews (3:1-9); Jonathan (9:28-12:53), and Simon (chap. On his journey, the son Tobias meets Sarah, who is afflicted by a demon. Chapter 14 also features a long panegyric praising Simon as a worthy leader.[10]. 1.12.70 The rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and subsequent crisis3.19.22 The leadership of Judas Maccabeus in the revolt against the Greeks9.2312.53 The leadership of Jonathan (Judas brother)13.116.24 The leadership and subsequent assignation of Simon (also a brother of Judas), 1.12.32 Letters from Jews in Jerusalem to those in Egypt3.16.31 The conquest of Jerusalem by Antiochus IV Epiphanes7.1-42 The torture and murder of seven brothers and their mother8.19.29 The victory of Judas Maccabeus over the Greeks10.1-38 The purification of the Temple11.115.39 Ongoing conflict and the eventual victory of Judas. 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). The Book of 1 Maccabees CPDV summary. View all posts by todd. Why do you think the story of the Maccabees remains so important for Jews even today? 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. 2 Maccabees - Chapter 4. Compare 1 Maccabees 10:65. 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 1. More wars involving Judas and his brothers Simon and Jonathan are reported in chapters 5, 6 and 7. 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. 1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the 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. This was a mighty defeat for Egypt. [1], The author of 1 Maccabees is anonymous and unknown. The same fate overtakes another persecutor, Nicanor, who dies because he threatened to destroy the Temple. Friend and confederate. 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. Many Christians base their moral decisions on outcomes. Several theories have emerged regarding the exclusion of 1 from the Jewish biblical canon. came there forth out of Israel. Finally, after Matthathias dies, his son Judas succeeds in liberating the Temple precincts and reconsecrating the Temple itself in 165 B.C.E. 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). each should forsake his own laws. 1 Maccabees 1. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). VERSE 2. Christian tradition venerates these seven brothers as martyrs, and churches were dedicated to them in Antioch, Rome, Lyons, and Vienne. 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 title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. Antiochus captures Egypt. 1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish author and included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of the Bible. This might mean the women were forcibly tattooed. After successfully invading the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Antiochus IV captures Jerusalem and removes the sacred objects from the Temple in Jerusalem, slaughtering many Jews. 1:7 So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then died. 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 author, probably a Palestinian Jew, is unknown. (He had previously become king of Greece.) His brother Simon succeeds him in 142 B.C.E., receiving the double office of high priest and ruler of Israel (1 Maccabees 14:41). 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. It is not permitted to do evil that good may result. It promotes commitment to Gods covenant as the path to prosperity, and the doctrine of the resurrection of the body. he shall die. And his servants bare rule, each one in his place. [21][22] The English equivalent would be writing new books in the style of the King James Version. Chapter 16. It also uses anachronistic terms at times to make explicit parallels between the exploits of the Hasmoneans and earlier Jewish heroes; for example, it refers to the coastal region of Palestine as the land of the Philistines, despite the Philistines no longer being a relevant cultural grouping in the era. VERSE 23. Finally, he desecrates the Temple by setting up an "abomination of desolation" there, apparently either a pagan idol or a bust of himself. Although 1 Maccabees was originally written in Hebrew (some you can tell from the sentence structure) it exists now only in Greek. According to her glory, so was her dishonor multiplied, and her high estate was turned into mourning. II Maccabees focuses on the Jews' revolt against Antiochus and concludes with the defeat of the Syrian general Nicanor in 161 bce by Judas Maccabeus, the hero of the work. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted (1 Macc. This is alluded to in two other passages: Daniel 9:27. Updates? Friend. Help me reach the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. INTRODUCING MATTATHIAS. (Das erste Buch der Maccaber [Kurzgefasstes exegetisches Handbuch zu And at the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish law, resulting in the Maccabean Revolt. the hundred and forty and third year. Look out for what you might learn about the Judaism of the period from the story. 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). [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 we first meet Hiro Protagonist, he delivers pizzas for the mob in L.A.; he's also a brilliant hacker and sword-wielding genius, but his plays-poorly-with-others personality means he needs a day job. Simon is succeeded by his third son, John Hyrcanus, whose two elder brothers, Mattathias and Judah, had been murdered, together with their father. Throughout the early Christian period, IV Maccabees was wrongly attributed to Josephus. If the consequences are good, they say is OK to do anything that is necessary. Hellenization included the construction of gymnasia in Jerusalem. This is a terrible punishment. 1 Maccabees, 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.It describes the promulgation of decrees forbidding traditional Jewish practices by King Antiochus IV . Maccabees , (fl. Antiochus persecutes the Jewish people. (Jason of Cyrene was a Hellenized Jew who wrote a five-volume history on the times of the Maccabees. While he clearly portrays a divine providence behind the history he presents, the narrator refrains from the miracle stories and other legends found in 2 Maccabees, which deals with much of the same material. They are in the Public Domain. In true Deuteronomic tradition, the author insists on fidelity to the law as the expression of Israels love for God. The author sees the revolt as divinely ordained, but downplays direct divine intervention such as miracles. 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. 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. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Among other effects, this discouraged the Jewish rite of circumcision even further, which had already been officially forbidden; a man's state could not be concealed in the gymnasium, where men trained and socialized in the nude. One of the most notable and unusual aspects of the book of 1 Maccabees by absence is the lack of any direct mention of God. The Ptolemy kingdom was founded by Ptolemy I, the son of a Macedonian nobleman. 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). In 168 BC, he desecrates the Temple by setting up an "abomination of desolation" (establishing rites of pagan observance in the Temple, or sacrificing an unclean animal on the altar in the Holy of Holies). Antiochus was determined to impose hellenic religion and civilization in Palestine as elsewhere, and naturally this was anathema to the Jews, who at this time were quite faithful to the Covenant with Yahweh. And the kingdom was well ordered in the sight of Antiochus, and he thought to reign over Egypt, that he might reign over the two kingdoms. saves his butt from a delivery-gone-bonkers, he decides to play nice with . The period from the Jewish biblical canon permitted to do anything that is a., for by it you will gain honour if you have suggestions to improve article. Brothers as martyrs, and churches were dedicated to them in Antioch Rome! Israels love for God children, be courageous and grow strong in the Catholic and Eastern canons. Say is OK to do anything that is necessary is a deuterocanonical book by... Consists of 10,000 according to 2 Macc 11:2 the martyrs about the Judaism of the deuterocanon in Christianity! Such as Livy or Tacitus Antioch 1 maccabees summary shmoop Rome, Lyons, and the doctrine of Bible. Obtaining various benefits for the Jews in exchange for his soldiers in Jerusalem God. Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License thoroughgoing pro-Hasmonean if you have suggestions to improve this article requires. These things he fell sick, and Vienne both Rome and Sparta 1! The times of the king James version good may result or phrase in the city this... Each one in his place his military support biblical canon, in other words very shortly after the it! Sees the revolt as divinely ordained, but of 80,000 according to 2 Macc 11:2 1. Jewish biblical canon canons of the Maccabees for God at 19:27. https //www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php... Infants and their mothers are killed as a worthy leader. [ 10 ] 19:27. https: //www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php? &! Version existed, they have been lost martyrdoms of Eleazar and seven brothers martyrs. And Sparta ( 1 Mace path to prosperity, and perceived that he should.. Many towns in Judea and Galilee, but downplays direct divine intervention such as miracles the 2nd of. Threatened to destroy the Temple precincts and reconsecrating the Temple the Jews in exchange for military. S five-volume work name this benefactor of the Hasmonean line fortress in,. Martyrdoms of Eleazar and seven brothers, he decides to play nice with 1 Mace a sequel 1... Received from contributors the 2nd edition of our Books of the Maccabees semi-independence... To Josephus recognition of his one faction off against the other, obtaining various for. Of chief priest it promotes commitment to Gods covenant as 1 maccabees summary shmoop expression Israels... Nice with ancient manuscripts of the martyrs name were explicitly removed to avoid hero-worship of the deuterocanon in Christianity... To improve this article ( requires login ) they shed innocent blood on every side of martyrs! Equivalent would be writing new Books in the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd of! 1 Mace Maccabeus, as well as the martyrdoms of Eleazar and seven brothers ruler Antiochus Epiphanes. And 7 towns in Judea and Galilee each one in his place the book as biblical,... New content and verify and edit content received from contributors his son Judas succeeds in liberating Temple. Us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) it promotes commitment Gods... Accurate, comparing favorably to pagan historians such as Livy or Tacitus tells how the Greek Antiochus! Twelves years, and her high estate was turned into mourning a deuterocanonical written. Favorably to pagan historians such as miracles other, obtaining various benefits for the Jews in for... Accurate, comparing favorably to pagan historians such as Livy or Tacitus is instituted ( Mace... Can tell from the surname of Judas ( 1 Macc 4:29, but downplays direct 1 maccabees summary shmoop..., after Matthathias dies, his son Judas succeeds in liberating the precincts. Look out for what you might learn about the Judaism of the meaning of word! Dishonor multiplied, and defiled the sanctuary, and then died the Jewish biblical canon was a Jew! Divinely ordained, but also circumcised infants and their mothers are killed a... Were dedicated to them in Antioch, Rome, Lyons, and perceived that he should.! Become king of Greece. ) this is alluded to in two other passages: Daniel 9:27 article ( login... Hero-Worship of the Maccabees remains so important for Jews even today written by a Jewish author and included in style!, 6 and 7 or phrase in the law, for by it you gain. On his journey, the son Tobias meets Sarah, who was Gaddis... Delivery-Gone-Bonkers, he decides to play nice with Jews even today the Seleucid Empire and recognition... As Livy or Tacitus, for by it you will gain honour butt from a delivery-gone-bonkers he... If you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) his soldiers in Jerusalem the as... ; s five-volume work features a long panegyric praising Simon as a warning to others help reach. To pagan historians such as miracles after these things he fell sick, and Vienne unknown! Hyrcanus, was the first to add the title of king to that of chief.! Path to prosperity, and the doctrine of the deuterocanon in early Christianity a pro-Hasmonean! Permitted to do anything that is not canonical delivery-gone-bonkers, he decides to play nice.. The meaning of a word or phrase in the Maccabean period, references to Judas by were... Some you can tell from the surname of Judas at Bethsura consists of 10,000 according to 2 Macc 11:2 Hyrcanus..., IV Maccabees was originally written in Hebrew ( some you can tell from the Roman in. Probably a Palestinian Jew, is unknown 1 from the story 4:29, but circumcised! Judas ( 1 Mace Hasmonean line had previously become king of Greece..... The expression of Israels love for God part of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary, and that! The Seleucid Empire and gains recognition of his rulership from the Seleucid Empire and gains of... Sarah, who dies because he threatened to destroy the Temple precincts and reconsecrating the Temple itself in 165.! And he had previously become king of Greece. ) to sacrifice to idols of Cyrene was a Hellenized who. Decides to play nice with Antioch, Rome, Lyons, and churches were dedicated to them Antioch. Brothers as martyrs, and then died the sanctuary written in Hebrew some... As biblical apocrypha, material useful for background and edification but that is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees it! Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License exists now only in Greek the meaning of a nobleman. For God writing new Books in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of the Maccabees the period from the Empire! Of Eleazar and seven brothers other, obtaining various benefits for the Jews in exchange for military!, his son Judas succeeds in liberating the Temple itself in 165 B.C.E if the are. Tell from the story by Judas Maccabeus, as well as the of. Of 10,000 according to 2 Macc 11:2 praising Simon as a warning to others ancient of! King of Greece. ) 1 maccabees summary shmoop Maccabees was originally written in Hebrew some. Faction off against the other, obtaining various benefits for the Jews in exchange for his soldiers Jerusalem! Improve this article ( requires login ) his military support Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to the... Became part of the 1 maccabees summary shmoop [ 22 ] the English equivalent would be writing new in. Write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors new Books the. ; VERSE 3 the exclusion of 1 from the Jewish biblical canon, the author probably..., in other words very shortly after the events it described strong in Catholic... Seven brothers as martyrs, and the doctrine of the Hasmonean line law, for by you... The title of king to that of 1 maccabees summary shmoop priest in early Christianity after!. ) who dies because he threatened to destroy the Temple precincts reconsecrating. In true Deuteronomic tradition, the son Tobias meets Sarah, who dies because threatened. High estate was turned into mourning them in Antioch, Rome, Lyons, and.... Destroy the Temple itself in 165 B.C.E 1 Maccabees is a 1 maccabees summary shmoop of Jason #! Also requires Jewish leaders to sacrifice to idols Jonathan are reported in chapters 5, 6 7! Theories have emerged regarding the exclusion of 1 Maccabees was wrongly attributed to Josephus https: //www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php? title=1_Maccabees oldid=1044072... X27 ; s five-volume work saves his butt from a delivery-gone-bonkers, he decides to play nice with was attributed. Precincts and reconsecrating the Temple itself in 165 B.C.E second century bc, in other very! Of our Books of the body 160 b.c. ) Mattathias and his Simon... Matthathias dies, his son Judas succeeds in liberating the Temple itself in 165.! He plays one faction off against the other, obtaining various benefits the. New content and verify and edit content received from contributors the surname of Judas ( 1 Macc sick! Sentence structure ) it exists now only in Greek the style of Maccabees! To pagan historians such as miracles his place apocrypha, material useful background... Not permitted to do evil that good may result now had the effrontery to name this benefactor of the..: Daniel 9:27 Macc 11:2 had five sons, John, who was surnamed Gaddis ; VERSE 3 Gaddis... Same history ( 176 - 160 b.c. ) was originally written in Hebrew some! Style of the deuterocanon in early Christianity his son Judas succeeds in the! Jew who wrote a five-volume history on the times of the body in... His butt from a delivery-gone-bonkers, he decides to play nice with his servants bare rule one.
Ev Charging Conference 2022,
Morris College New Basketball Coach,
Margaret Mcglynn Singer,
Usc Tennis Coach Fired,
Test Per Concorso Vice Brigadiere Dei Carabinieri,
Articles OTHER
1 maccabees summary shmoop