1 Maccabees describes the response of one family to these events. Judas victory over Nicanor ensures the liberation of the Jewish people and guarantees the proper worship of the true God. hanged their babes about their necks. 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). First Maccabees covers the efforts of the Jewish people to regain their freedom following the desecration of the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. 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. 1 After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeateda King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. 2 He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and slaughtered the kings of the earth. The surviving Greek script has Hebraisms and Hebrew idioms. He may also have consulted it for Book 1 of The Jewish War. In the first chapter, Alexander the Great conquers vast territories and sets up a great empire, in which the territory of Judea is included. Both Origen and Jerome claim to have seen a Hebrew text of 1 Maccabees. 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. According to her glory, so was her dishonor multiplied, and her high estate was turned into mourning. 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. But he also wants to show that Gods purpose in permitting persecution is to discipline the Jews in order that he may not take vengeance on us afterwards when our sins have reached their height (6:12-17). they chose to die. 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. two main dynasties established themselves in the territories of his huge empirethe Ptolemies, who controlled Egypt and also Palestine up to 200 B.C. If the consequences are good, they say is OK to do anything that is necessary. 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). ; and the Seleucids, who took over large parts of the Middle East and moved into Palestine in 200 B.C. From Alexander to Antiochus. British and Foreign Bible Society operates in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.We also work with a network of local Bible Societies around the world. (He had previously become king of Greece.) First Maccabees was written about 100 B.C., in Hebrew, but the original has not come down to us. This usage of "Maccabees" as a group-term may have originated in Greek, as no usage of it in Hebrew to refer to the rebels survives from any era earlier than the 19th century.[10]. 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). 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 . for the second, on the basis of the information given in the first letter they refer to (2 Mace. [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]. [7][4] He was likely a court historian or equivalent. Do a bit of research on Hanukkah and talk what you have learnt about this very important Jewish festival. As the Bible says, "On the eighth day, God created Shmoop and saw that it was good." Or something like that. 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. Simon, who was called Thassi; They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. This suggests that in antiquity, IV Maccabees, dealing almost exclusively with martyrdom, may have been the most highly regarded. 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. That is, men of Israel came forth. VERSE 24. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. The Ptolemy kingdom was founded by Ptolemy I, the son of a Macedonian nobleman. And they got possession of the strong cities in the land of Egypt; and he took the spoils of Egypt. many in Israel were fully resolved. That is, he spoke deceitfully. saves his butt from a delivery-gone-bonkers, he decides to play nice with . 2 Maccabees, curiously, says nothing about thisdespite its . Unlike the Second Book of Maccabees, there is no doctrine of individual immortality except in the survival of ones name and fame, nor does the book express any messianic expectation, though messianic images are applied historically to the days of Simon (1Mc 14:417). From this it follows that, for the just man, supreme glory consists in being ready to give ones life, if necessary, to defend Gods intereststhe Law, which every Jew must strictly obey. The book is held as canonical scripture today in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches (except for the Orthodox Tewahedo). VERSE 40. 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). [9][10] The author appears to be very familiar with Judea and its geography, but appears less well-informed about the wider Hellenistic world. Hellenization included the construction of gymnasia in Jerusalem. He relented after angels intervened on behalf of the Jews. It promotes commitment to Gods covenant as the path to prosperity, and the doctrine of the resurrection of the body. 1 Maccabees 1:54. VERSE 9. 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. 1 and 2 Maccabees are stories that reflect on oppression and resistance. 2:4), the third son of Mattathias, the hero of the war of Jewish independence against Syria. The school of philosophy seen in 1 Maccabees is often thought to be a predecessor to the philosophy of the Sadducees in later eras. Pre-modern translations of the work were made in Latin, Syriac, and Armenian. The following is a brief analysis of 1 Maccabees: (1) 1 Maccabees 1:1-10: An account of the rise of the Seleucid Dynasty. That is, about 168 BC. 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 . At Explore the Faith, I share insights into the Bible and theological writings. They are in the Public Domain. 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. his heart was lifted up. 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. After the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.) What did it mean to be Jewish in a predominantly Greek culture? VERSE 16. 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 . Antiochus persecutes the Jewish people. Elephants were an important part of the army of Antiochus. There is a faithful remnant. 4:59). [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. The second book is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees; it partially covers the same history (176 - 160 b.c.). VERSE 21. and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of the light, and all that pertained thereto. And he took the silver and the gold and the precious vessels; and he took the hidden treasures which he found. The narrative reports that news of the desolation reaches Mattathias and his five sons, a priestly family who live in Modein. First Maccabees can be divided as follows: Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. VERSE 35. In the Church of England's lectionary of 1922 in the Book of Common Prayer, 1st Maccabees is appointed annually to be read in late summer/early autumn. To keep the Law of Moses would mean being put to death. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them; and she became a habitation of strangers, and she became strange to those who were born in her, and her children forsook her. 1 Maccabees - Chapter 1. 1:9). For the full article, see, Prohibition of Jewish religious practices, Hanukkah: reconsecration of the sanctuary, https://www.britannica.com/summary/Maccabees. VERSE 12. Chapter 2 1 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 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. It also seems to have been written in Judea where knowledge of Hebrew would have been more widespread. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. Gentile forces still hold a fortress in Jerusalem, however, as well as many towns in Judea and Galilee. 1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the 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. The early Seleucid rulers were tolerant of the political and religious cultures of the territories they controlled, but things changed when Antiochus IV Epiphanes came to power, and the scene in Palestine became one of persecution and war. Antiochus captures Egypt. Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into reproach, her honor into contempt. The rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. And at the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense. 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. 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. On his journey, the son Tobias meets Sarah, who is afflicted by a demon. That is, they covered over their circumcision. In Hebrew, the first letters of this four word slogan form the acronym MKBY. 2 Simon now had the effrontery to name this benefactor of the city, this protector of his . And he had five sons, John, who was surnamed Gaddis; VERSE 3. And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died. [63], The Jewish historian Josephus of the 1st century AD almost certainly read 1 Maccabees. Hardcover; 9780300159936; Published: Tuesday, 26 Apr 2022; $85.00. the hundred and forty and fifth year. 2 Kings. And they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. Ps 119:89-90). The Maccabees then ruled over Israel, first as High Priests and then as High Priests and Princes of Israel. The author, probably a Palestinian Jew, is unknown. Chapter 16. The book 2 Maccabees, preserved right next to 1 Maccabees in the Septuagint, provides a striking contrast in theology, and the works are often compared. Alexandra was succeeded by another son, Aristobulus II. It possibly was written during the reign of the Roman emperor Caligula (3741 ce). Why do you think the story of the Maccabees remains so important for Jews even today? 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. Friend and confederate. 2 He undertook many campaigns, gained possession of many fortresses, and put the local kings to death. The Book: 1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book of the Bible which was written by a Jewish (pre-Christian) author, probably about 100 BC, after the restoration of an independent Jewish kingdom. The original book was apparently written in Hebrew, as is indicated by a number of Hebrew idioms used by the author. However, this original Hebrew has been lost, and the work only survives in translation in Koine Greek contained in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Jewish scriptures. Below is the article summary. 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