That is, they covered over their circumcision. 1 Maccabees is a historical book, concerned to relay the events of the period as closely as possible. Maccabees does not mention the involvement of the mercenaries who are mentioned in other accounts, whereas other accounts do not mention the Jewish involvement. Through a series of events, Tobit goes blind and sends his son on a journey accompanied by the angel Raphael disguised as a human. Many Christians base their moral decisions on outcomes. Pre-modern translations of the work were made in Latin, Syriac, and Armenian. According to the text, some Jewish men even engaged in foreskin restoration in order to pass as fully Greek. 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. [9][10] The author appears to be very familiar with Judea and its geography, but appears less well-informed about the wider Hellenistic world. (Das erste Buch der Maccaber [Kurzgefasstes exegetisches Handbuch zu The book of 1 Maccabees clearly favors the revolution against the Seleucid and the Hasmonean dynasty. What did it mean to be Jewish in a predominantly Greek culture? 1-2 Thessalonians. 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. It was portrayed as a center of athletic and intellectual life. This work no longer exists, but is the basis for 2 Maccabees.) They will not sin in order to save their lives. Maccabees , (fl. VERSE 57. This suggests that in antiquity, IV Maccabees, dealing almost exclusively with martyrdom, may have been the most highly regarded. It is accepted in the Catholic and Orthodox canons. 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. Collins 2000 discusses 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees in this study of Jewish identity constructions in the diaspora in the Hellenistic period. At first, it was used to describe the martyrs described in 2 Maccabees. 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. The history presented is very accurate, comparing favorably to pagan historians such as Livy or Tacitus. The original book was apparently written in Hebrew, as is indicated by a number of Hebrew idioms used by the author. The author sees the revolt as divinely ordained, but downplays direct divine intervention such as miracles. And after two full years the king sent a chief collector of tribute to the cities of Judah, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude. 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. Origen (cited by Eusebius Eccl Hist vi. If you like what I write, become my partner by donating. 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 following is a brief analysis of 1 Maccabees: (1) 1 Maccabees 1:1-10: An account of the rise of the Seleucid Dynasty. Editor's note: The following homily delivered by the Reverend Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Ph.D, S.T.D., on 1 August 2017, commemoration of the Holy Maccabees (Extraordinary Form) at the Church of . 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 . The Maccabees then ruled over Israel, first as High Priests and then as High Priests and Princes of Israel. In 1 Maccabees, those dissatisfied with the Hasmoneans "hated their nation"[39] as a whole; the Hasmoneans were equated with Judea itself. The writer compares their virtues and their exploits with those of Israel's ancient . 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. VERSE 23. The rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. As a surname it was also applied to his brothers and, by extension . 16:1 Then John came up from Gazara, and told Simon his father what Cendebeus had done against their people. 12:1-23). In fact, it is "a thoroughgoing pro-Hasmonean . 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). VERSE 6. Were there any parts of the book that you disliked or which troubled you? INTRODUCING MATTATHIAS. He may well have played some part in it himself in his youth. They are Jewish people who do not observe the Law. Bible Society, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DG. Reading time: Around 4 hours for both books or 2 hours for one. The revolt is also known by the name Maccabee, after the most renowned of Mattathias's sons . The author is unknown. VERSE 60. Proverbs 16:18. 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). 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. However, the original has been lost and the version which comes down to us is the Septuagint. And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame. 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 (1Mc 2:4, 66; 2Mc 8:5, 16; 10:1, 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. 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. Buy Also Available At: . The Maccabees formed the Hasmonean dynasty. 25) gives testimony to the existence of an original Hebrew text. VERSE 56. 1:9). by Daniel R. Schwartz. Simon follows Jonathan as the next Jewish leader "in place of Judas and your brother Jonathan",[34] taking on civil, military and liturgical roles: "great high priest, governor, and leader of the Jews". Compare 1 Maccabees 10:65. And on the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed upon the idol altar of God. He also requires Jewish leaders to sacrifice to idols. 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 . 3 He advanced to the ends of the earth, gathering plunder from many . 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). And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, with strong towers, and it became to them a citadel. Updates? 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!! The rabbinical sages of this period had learned from experience that revolt against the Gentiles (in this case the Romans) brought disaster. 2:4), the third son of Mattathias, the hero of the war of Jewish independence against Syria. This was a mighty defeat for Egypt. [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]. Finally, there is the issue of its revolutionary character. The Septuagint was preserved by early Christians as the basis for the Christian Old Testament. [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. 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). 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. This caused the Maccabean revolt, led by Mattathias and his sons. VERSE 1. 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. 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 . [48] Bezalel Bar-Kochva praises it as among the better military historiography of the period. saves his butt from a delivery-gone-bonkers, he decides to play nice with . [33], Proposed alliances with Rome and with Areus of Sparta are covered in 1 Maccabees 12:123. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. were recognized by the Fathers as inspired, there is an interim stage where souls are purified. And he had five sons, John, who was surnamed Gaddis; VERSE 3. Jonathan is eventually captured by the Seleucid Greek ruler Diodotus Tryphon. He forbids observance of the sabbath and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. In the first chapter, Alexander the Great conquers the territory of Judea, and is later succeeded by the Seleucid Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Corrections? VERSE 55. Hellenization included the construction of gymnasia in Jerusalem. He also forbids circumcision and possession of Jewish scriptures, imposing the death penalty for those who disobey. 504 Pages, 6.12 x 9.25 in, 2 b-w illus. 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. 2He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. He shows intimate and detailed geographical knowledge of the Judea, Galilee, and their environs, but is inaccurate in his information about foreign countries. He either used or reconstructed primary sources such as letters, poetic accounts, and possibly court histories. The Maccabees books were preserved only by the Christian church. For more details about the Maccabees family and battles with the Greeks, please read 1 Maccabees. 1 Kings. 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. Luckily, when a skateboard courier called Y.T. 2 Maccabees interprets the misfortunes of the Jews as God's punishment for their own sins; the author of 1 Maccabees depicts the problems as due to the external evil of Antiochus IV and his generals, not as a cleansing ordeal that was in some sense divine will. It frequently imitates biblical phraseology and directly cites biblical precedents. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. The doctrine expressed in the book reflects traditional Jewish teaching, without later doctrines found, for example, in 2 Maccabees. 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. 1 Maccabees describes the response of one family to these events. Omissions? 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