Ancient manuscripts of the text include the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Venetus, as well as several scrolls. 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). The rededication of the Jerusalem Temple described in 4:3659 (see 2Mc 10:18) is the origin of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah. VERSE 55. More recent English language versions of the Bible which contain 1 Maccabees include the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Good News Translation (GNT), New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE). 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 . 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. These include four laments and three hymns of praise. VERSE 52. They are Jewish people who do not observe the Law. [44] For the author, bold military action while living is the proper response to oppression. John R. Bartlett argues for somewhere between 11090 BCE. 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. 1 In those days Mattathias, son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the family of Joarib, left Jerusalem and settled in Modein. 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. And they led captive the women and the children, and the cattle they took in possession. Ptolemy, a loyal general of Alexanders, was made satrap of Egypt in 323 when Alexander died, and in 304 he assumed the title of king, annexing Cyprus, Palestine, and the Lebanon. Compare 1 Maccabees 10:65. The book's author is unknown, but is assumed to have been a devout Jew from the Holy Land who may have even taken part in the events described in the book, or at least knew older people who participated in them. 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. 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. He even attempts to force Jewish leaders to sacrifice to pagan idols. Look out for what you might learn about the Judaism of the period from the story. The book is not part of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and is not considered canonical by Protestant denominations nor in any of the major branches of Judaism. [9][10] The author appears to be very familiar with Judea and its geography, but appears less well-informed about the wider Hellenistic world. 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. Acts of the Apostles. The two Books of Maccabees contain independent accounts of events (in part identical) that accompanied the attempted suppression of Judaism in Palestine in the second century B.C. 1 Maccabees covers this entire 40-year period. And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died. 1:9). We will be talking about events that happened in the second century, which took place in Judea located in the Syrian empire. And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, with strong towers, and it became to them a citadel. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. 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). 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. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 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. All this shows that these inspired books are well worth prayerful reading, particularly the second, which provides us with many edifying examples especially the humility which leads its protagonists to trust in God, their fortitude in defending their faith, their patience in dealing with obstacles to observance of the Law, and their deep piety, as shown in their prayer for their dead comrades. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Its vocabulary and style indicate a Greek original. He either used or reconstructed primary sources such as letters, poetic accounts, and possibly court histories. Proverbs 16:18. That is, about 168 BC. 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. 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 . VERSE 28. This might mean the women were forcibly tattooed. And they tore in pieces the books of the law which they found, and set them on fire. And it was the chief propaganda instrument of those non-practicing Jews who were trying to introduce Gentile customs into Israel. First Maccabees or 1 Maccabees is most famous as the source of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. After the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.) This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 19:13. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. They are in the Public Domain. [49]He argues that the author was likely an eyewitness to at least some of the battles described given his great accuracy and plausibility in describing terrain and troop movements, and was able to obtain firsthand accounts from others in interviews. 1 and 2 Maccabees are stories that reflect on oppression and resistance. The Ptolemy kingdom was founded by Ptolemy I, the son of a Macedonian nobleman. A supporter of the Hasmonean dynasty. Were there any parts of the book that you particularly liked or which inspired you? They will not live a lie. 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. [13] The word "Maccabees" in plural, however, does not appear to have been used until centuries after the Maccabean Revolt. 1 Maccabees is best known for its account of the recapture of Jerusalem in the year 164 BC and rededication of the Second Temple: the origin behind the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). And the saying was good in their eyes. The author, probably a Palestinian Jew, is unknown. 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. Updates? The writer compares their virtues and their exploits with those of Israel's ancient . He then calls forth the people to holy war against the Gentiles and their Jewish collaborators. 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 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. Judas's brother Simon Thassi is declared High Priest by will of the Jewish people. Gentile forces still hold a fortress in Jerusalem, however, as well as many towns in Judea and Galilee. I Maccabees presents a historical account of political, military, and diplomatic events from the time of Judaeas relationship with Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Syria (reigned 175164/163 bce) to the death (135/134 bce) of Simon Maccabeus, high priest in Jerusalem. 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 second book is even more important from the doctrinal point of view. VERSE 16. [26] Mattathias calls upon people loyal to the traditions of Israel to oppose the invaders and the Jewish Hellenizers, and his sons begin a military campaign against them. [14][15] Various reconstructions have been proposed: Gustaf Dalman, meanwhile, suggests that the title is a corruption of the Aramaic "The Book of the House of the Hasmoneans". In the first chapter, Alexander the Great conquers vast territories and sets up a great empire, in which the territory of Judea is included. (2) 1 Maccabees 1:11-16:24: History of the Jews from 175 to 135 BC. Unlike most of the Books of the Maccabees, 1 Maccabees was written in Hebrew and translated into Greek as part of the . And the women that had circumcised their children they put to death according to the commandment. [29] Jewish historian Uriel Rappaport[he] asserts that "the majority of scholars today accept the authenticity of this document". 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). These include four laments and three hymns of praise. put to shame and fled. He also requires Jewish leaders to sacrifice to idols. While Judas is eventually killed in battle, the Maccabees eventually achieve autonomy and then independence for Judea under the leadership of the Hasmonean family. It gives detailed accounts of the Maccabean revolt led by Judas Maccabeus, as well as the martyrdoms of Eleazar and seven brothers. 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 . If this is all new to you, don't worrywe're here to help. He bans the observance of the sabbath and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. Shortly before his death, he divides his kingdom among his generals. Finally, after Matthathias dies, his son Judas succeeds in liberating the Temple precincts and reconsecrating the Temple itself in 165 B.C.E. Friend. Note: 1 and 2 Maccabees are not included in most Protestant and Jewish Bibles. At Explore the Faith, I share insights into the Bible and theological writings. There is a faithful remnant. 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. 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. VERSE 6. In true Deuteronomic tradition, the author insists on fidelity to the law as the expression of Israels love for God. 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). Reading time: Around 4 hours for both books or 2 hours for one. 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. The writer compares their virtues and their exploits with those of Israels ancient heroes, the Judges, Samuel, and David. Journey through the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our Books of the Bible journal. The time period described is from around 170 BC to 134 BC. [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. He shows intimate and detailed geographical knowledge of the Judea, Galilee, and their environs, but is inaccurate in his information about foreign countries. 2 Maccabees is a summary of Jason's five-volume work. Omissions? Ptolemy IIs court at Alexandria was famed for its learning. 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. The Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes eventually comes to rule over Syria. 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. 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. It is not permitted to do evil that good may result. [38] Various passages call back to Biblical passages such as Joshua's conquests or the battle of David and Goliath and equate the Hasmoneans' deeds with the earlier stories. 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. 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. However, we believers CANNOT do evil that good may result. 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. VERSE 58. After Jesus redeemed mankind by dying on the cross, the just of the Old Testament were enabled to enter heaven, and thus the ancient people of God became the new Israel, which is the Church. 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. The book is held as canonical scripture today in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches (except for the Orthodox Tewahedo). Eusebius, in his book Church History, quotes Origen of Alexandria who says the original title of the work was Sarbth Sarbanael,[note 3] an enigmatic Greek transliteration from a putative Hebrew original title. Journey through the Bible and theological writings comes to rule over Syria in Judea and Galilee of our of... 1:11-16:24: History of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah law as the martyrdoms of Eleazar and seven.! Were trying to introduce Gentile customs into Israel were trying to introduce Gentile customs into.... 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