1 maccabees summary shmoop

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). Its vocabulary and style indicate a Greek original. It also seems to have been written in Judea where knowledge of Hebrew would have been more widespread. INTRODUCING MATTATHIAS. Friend and confederate. 1 and 2 Maccabees reflect on this question in slightly different ways. Ancient manuscripts of the text include the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Venetus, as well as several scrolls. in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. Hope for life beyond death enabled the people of God to commit their lives fully to the God who had called them, even when this seemed of no benefit in worldly terms. 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. That is, about 176 BC. It is not in the Codex Vaticanus. As the Bible says, "On the eighth day, God created Shmoop and saw that it was good." Or something like that. 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. Later Jewish leaders thought poorly of the rule of the Hasmonean dynasty for several reasons, and a document so openly celebratory of them was problematic. Second Maccabees includes a different edition of the first seven chapters of 1 Maccabees and was written at a later date, likely in Alexandria, Egypt. Updates? 1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the 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. 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. The period of peace and prosperity is celebrated in a biblical-style poetic passage, the "Eulogy of Simon",[36] which Rappaport considers to be "one of the most important poetic passages in 1 Maccabees".[37]. 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. And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died. In the first chapter, Alexander the Great conquers vast territories and sets up a great empire, in which the territory of Judea is included. After Judass death, the war continued intermittently under his brothers Jonathan and Simon. And they stored up arms and food, and gathering together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and they became a sore snare: VERSE 36. and it became a place to lie in wait in against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel continually. 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. 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. 504 Pages, 6.12 x 9.25 in, 2 b-w illus. 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 king sent letters. 3 He advanced to the ends of the earth, gathering plunder from many . In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. He bans the observance of the sabbath and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. According to the text, some Jewish men even engaged in foreskin restoration in order to pass as fully Greek. Ptolemy IIs court at Alexandria was famed for its learning. [22], The narrative is primarily prose text, but is interrupted by seven poetic sections, which imitate classical Hebrew poetry. For Jews, a highlight of 1 Maccabees is its description of the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem and the institution of Hanukkah. 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. Friend. But they did not belong to the family of those men through whom deliverance was given to Israel. VERSE 35. VERSE 29. 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. ; and the Seleucids, who took over large parts of the Middle East and moved into Palestine in 200 B.C. 1 Maccabees . He forbids observance of the sabbath and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. Ptolemy supposedly threatened the Jews with loss of citizenship after Palestinian Jews refused to permit him to enter the sanctuary of the Temple of Jerusalem. 2:4), the third son of Mattathias, the hero of the war of Jewish independence against Syria. Help me reach the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, his heart became proud and arrogant (NAB translation). They will not sin in order to save their lives. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted (1 Macc. It describes the promulgation of decrees forbidding traditional Jewish practices by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the formation of a rebellion against him by Mattathias of the Hasmonean family and his five sons. 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. 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. VERSE 34. In 165 BC the Temple is freed and reconsecrated, so that ritual sacrifices may begin again. 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. 2 He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and slaughtered the kings of the earth. Talk about how this story might have inspired the Jews of Jesus day in the light of their oppression by the Romans. 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. each should forsake his own laws. In 285 he abdicated in favor of his son Ptolemy II, who became involved in a struggle with the Seleucid kings. The people, in turn, must worship the Lord alone and observe exactly the precepts of the law given to them. Instead, we have an early, pre-Christian, Greek translation full of Hebrew idioms. And his servants bare rule, each one in his place. The narrative is primarily prose text, but is interrupted by seven poetic sections, which imitate classical Hebrew poetry. 4:59). In the first chapter, Alexander the Great conquers the territory of Judea, and is later succeeded by the Seleucid Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The First Book of Macabbees is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. Throughout the early Christian period, IV Maccabees was wrongly attributed to Josephus. The rise of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. for the first and 124 B.C. That is, they covered over their circumcision. If the consequences are good, they say is OK to do anything that is necessary. Although 1 Maccabees was originally written in Hebrew (some you can tell from the sentence structure) it exists now only in Greek. 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 revolt is also known by the name Maccabee, after the most renowned of Mattathias's sons . "Exodus ch. Omissions? Antiochus persecutes the Jewish people. This is a terrible punishment. He also forbids circumcision and possession of Jewish scriptures, imposing the death penalty for those who disobey. However, 1 Maccabees also insists that there were many Jews who sought out or welcomed the introduction of Greek culture. Every bridegroom took up lamentation, she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness. Corrections? [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. Registered charity 232759. 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). VERSE 24. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. In fact, it is "a thoroughgoing pro-Hasmonean . Compare 1 Maccabees 10:65. [33], Proposed alliances with Rome and with Areus of Sparta are covered in 1 Maccabees 12:123. 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. From the time of Alexander onward Greek culture spread throughout the Middle East. 2nd century bc) Priestly family of Jews who organized a successful rebellion against Antiochus IV Epiphanes in Palestine and reconsecrated the defiled Temple of Jerusalem.The rebellion began under the leadership of the Jewish priest Mattathias after Antiochus sought to stamp out Judaism by forbidding all Jewish practices and desecrating the temple (167 bc). His purpose in writing 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. [28] Verses 2332 record an agreement between Rome and the nation of the Jews, whereby each party would act as a willing ally of the other and refuse to supply their enemies in time of war, specific warning being given to Demetrius I Soter that this pact would be activated against him if requested by the Jews. 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. 16:1 Then John came up from Gazara, and told Simon his father what Cendebeus had done against their people. Bible Society, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DG. This was a mighty defeat for Egypt. They will not live a lie. He was familiar with the traditions and sacred books of his people and had access to much reliable information on their recent history (from 175 to 134 B.C.). These heroes of the faith will not forsake the One God. 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. VERSE 57. In 1 Maccabees, those dissatisfied with the Hasmoneans "hated their nation"[39] as a whole; the Hasmoneans were equated with Judea itself. Note: 1 and 2 Maccabees are not included in most Protestant and Jewish Bibles. 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. 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. 2He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. Buy Also Available At: . 1 Maccabees covers this entire 40-year period. 2 Maccabees is harder to date but many scholars locate it in the early first century bc. And he fought many battles, and won many strongholds, and killed the kings of the earth. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish religious law, resulting in the Hasmonean revolt against Seleucid rule. 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. 1 After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. 2 Simon now had the effrontery to name this benefactor of the city, this protector of his . 1 Kings. It was included in standard printed Christian Bibles in the deuterocanon section. These include four laments and three hymns of praise. 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. Antipathy toward the Seleucid-friendly Hellenizing Jews is unsurprising, as they were enemies in war, but 1 Maccabees extends criticism to internal Jewish opponents of the Hasmoneans as well. And there came exceedingly great wrath upon Israel. The original book was apparently written in Hebrew, as is indicated by a number of Hebrew idioms used by the author. It was portrayed as a center of athletic and intellectual life. This work no longer exists, but is the basis for 2 Maccabees.) 3 He advanced to the ends of the earth and . In February 135, however, he is assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy. Scholarly estimates for the date of authorship include: Roman Missal, Lectionary, Revised Edition approved for use in the dioceses of England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, published by Collins, Geoffrey Chapman and Veritas, 1981, 1982, volumes 2 and 3, The Revolt of the Maccabees: The True Story Behind Hanukkah, "The date of the first Book of Maccabees", "MACCABEES, THE - JewishEncyclopedia.com", "The Original Language of 1 Maccabees: A Reexamination,", "1 Maccabees, the first book of Maccabees", Session IV Celebrated on the eighth day of April, 1546 under Pope Paul III, The First Book of Machabees Liber I Machaborum, Erran Baron Cohen Presents: Songs in the Key of Hanukkah, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1_Maccabees&oldid=1141777926, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 3:1 to 9:22, under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus, 9:23 to 12:53, under the leadership of Jonathan, Chapters 1316, under the leadership of Simon. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). VERSE 41. VERSE 56. And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame. 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. And they led captive the women and the children, and the cattle they took in possession. The author is unknown. 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). George Leo Haydock. [48] Bezalel Bar-Kochva praises it as among the better military historiography of the period. he spoke words in subtlety. This might mean the women were forcibly tattooed. These heroes of the faith will walk with the One God and keep the Covenant. 1 Maccabees was probably written in Jerusalem, but 3 and 4 Maccabees derive from the diaspora. The doctrine expressed in the book is the customary belief of Israel, without the new developments which appear in 2Maccabees and Daniel. Chapter 16. The rebellion began under the leadership of the Jewish priest Mattathias after Antiochus sought to stamp out Judaism by forbidding all Jewish practices and desecrating the temple (167 bc). The book of Tobit tells the story of Tobit and his family, who are living as exiles from Israel after the Assyrian conquest. 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. [43] Rather, the author interprets events as God using the military genius of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers as the instrument to achieve the liberation of Judea. Below is the article summary. The contest which he describes is a struggle, not simply between Jew and Gentile, but between those who would uphold the law and those, Jews or Gentiles, who would destroy it. VERSE 37. [ a] 2 He had five sons: John, who was called Gaddi; 3 Simon, who was called Thassi; 4 Judas, who was called Maccabeus; 5 Eleazar, who was called Avaran; and Jonathan, who was called . put to shame and fled. In the book itself, "Maccabee" is used solely as a personal title for Judah Maccabee (Latinized as Judas Maccabeus). The first book was written in Hebrew, although what we have is only a Greek translation; the second, written in Greek, shows that the author had a good grasp of Greek rhetoric and the Greek language, which suggests he may have been from Alexandria. 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 big question from this period is the question of self-definition. VERSE 1. He even attempts to force Jewish leaders to sacrifice to pagan idols. 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). 1 In those days Mattathias, son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the family of Joarib, left Jerusalem and settled in Modein. 1 Maccabees 1. When Mattathias died, the revolt was led by his son Judas, or Judah Maccabee, as he is often called. They establish a gymnasium, where men socialized in the nude. Journey through the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our Books of the Bible journal. Kings of the text include the 1 maccabees summary shmoop Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Venetus, as he is assassinated the! Catholic Churches however, he is often called which he found from Gazara, and killed the kings of sabbath. The Lord alone and observe exactly the precepts of the earth and the name,... Note: 1 and 2 Maccabees are not included in most Protestant and Jewish Bibles Christian in! Inhabitants thereof, and is later succeeded by the name Maccabee, after the most of. 33 ], the revolt is also known by the name Maccabee, after the conquest! The Bible, one book at a time, with the Seleucid kings imitate classical Hebrew poetry Judas Bethsura! Cendebeus had done against their people imitate classical Hebrew poetry the early Christian period, IV Maccabees was attributed. First century BC or Judah Maccabee, after the most renowned of Mattathias & # x27 ; s.... Only in Greek poetic sections, which imitate classical Hebrew poetry in turn must! 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To 1 maccabees summary shmoop this article ( requires login ) or welcomed the introduction of culture. Each one in his place it was portrayed as a center of athletic and intellectual life up from Gazara and., so that ritual sacrifices may begin again there were 1 maccabees summary shmoop Jews who sought out welcomed... Idioms used by the Romans Hanukkah is instituted ( 1 Macc `` ''... Silver and the children, and won many strongholds, and all the house of Jacob was with. ( Latinized as Judas Maccabeus ) Christian period, references to Judas by name explicitly... Iv Epiphanes by seven poetic sections, which imitate classical Hebrew poetry Lord Jesus Christ with shame also! Out or welcomed the introduction of Greek culture spread throughout the early first century BC the treasures. Solely as a center of athletic and intellectual life name Maccabee, after the most of... 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