1 maccabees summary shmoop
The Book of 1 Maccabees CPDV summary. The people of Israel have been specially chosen by the one true God as covenant-partner, and they alone are privileged to know and worship God, their eternal benefactor and unfailing source of help. Why do you think the story of the Maccabees remains so important for Jews even today? 1 and 2 Maccabees are set during the reign of the Seleucid Greek empire (the part of the Greek empire that found its roots in Syria). Alexander the Great. Compare 1 Maccabees 10:65. Maccabees does not mention the involvement of the mercenaries who are mentioned in other accounts, whereas other accounts do not mention the Jewish involvement. [7][4] He was likely a court historian or equivalent. 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 The Simon mentioned above as the informer against the funds and against his country began slandering Onias, insinuating that the latter had been responsible for the assault on Heliodorus and himself had contrived this misfortune. Demetrius' death is reported in 1 Maccabees 10:50, and Ptolemy VI Philometor and Alexander Balas, claimant to the Seleucid throne, enter into an agreement under which Alexander marries Cleopatra Thea, Ptolemy's daughter (1 Maccabees 10:58). Do a bit of research on Hanukkah and talk what you have learnt about this very important Jewish festival. If it really was originally written in Greek, then the author was intentionally imitating Hebrew style in Greek. 3 He advanced to the ends of the earth and . If you like what I write, become my partner by donating. This work no longer exists, but is the basis for 2 Maccabees.) According to the text, some Jewish men even engaged in foreskin restoration in order to pass as fully Greek. Jonathan becomes high priest (1 Maccabees 10:20). [13] The word "Maccabees" in plural, however, does not appear to have been used until centuries after the Maccabean Revolt. 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. If this is all new to you, don't worrywe're here to help. The rabbinical sages of this period had learned from experience that revolt against the Gentiles (in this case the Romans) brought disaster. for the second, on the basis of the information given in the first letter they refer to (2 Mace. And he called his servants, which were honorable, which had been brought up with him from his youth, and he divided to them his kingdom, while he was yet alive. He bans the observance of the sabbath and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. The Second Book of the Maccabees. VERSE 9. With the advent of the printing press that obviated the need for scribes to manually and repeatedly copy such works, 1 Maccabees became more widely available. 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). 1:7 So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then died. And they tore in pieces the books of the law which they found, and set them on fire. [9][10] The author appears to be very familiar with Judea and its geography, but appears less well-informed about the wider Hellenistic world. Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into reproach, her honor into contempt. Jonathan's capture in 143 BC, having been double-crossed by Diodotus Tryphon, is recorded in 1 Maccabees 12:48. 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. And they got possession of the strong cities in the land of Egypt; and he took the spoils of Egypt. The king will require Jews to reject their Covenant with the One God. (He had previously become king of Greece.) Ancient manuscripts of the text include the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Venetus, as well as several scrolls. [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. Pre-modern translations of the work were made in Latin, Syriac, and Armenian. The author is anonymous, but he probably wrote in the newly independent Hasmonean kingdom after the success of the Maccabean Revolt in the late 2nd century BC. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. 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. 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 other Jews then reason that, when attacked, they must fight even on the holy day. VERSE 21. and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of the light, and all that pertained thereto. Antiochus makes Judaism illegal. 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). 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. Omissions? they chose to die. There are seven poetic sections in the book that imitate the style of classical Hebrew poetry: four laments (1:2528, 3640; 2:713; 3:45), and three hymns of praise of our fathers (2:5164), of Judas (3:39), and of Simon (14:415). 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 . This caused the Maccabean revolt, led by Mattathias and his sons. 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. For some more Biblical back history about the Exile and return of the Jews from Babylonian Exile, please read 2 Kings (Chapter 20:12-18), 2 Kings (Chapter 25), Jeremiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. [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]. 2 Maccabees is a summary of Jason's five-volume work. It is accepted in the Catholic and Orthodox canons. 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. VERSE 59. In true Deuteronomic tradition, the author insists on fidelity to the law as the expression of Israels love for God. When Simon died he was succeeded by his son John Hyrcanus, who became the founder of the Hasmonean dynasty. At this point the book ends. 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". VERSE 39. However, after successfully invading the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, Antiochus IV enters Jerusalem and removes the sacred objects from the Temple. That said, the author is still proud of forging alliances with others, citing negotiations with the Roman Republic and Sparta. Because of the accuracy of the historical account, if a later date is accepted, then the author must have had access to first-hand reports of the events. He even attempts to force Jewish leaders to sacrifice to pagan idols. In the book itself, "Maccabee" is used solely as a personal title for Judah Maccabee (Latinized as Judas Maccabeus). Maccabees , (fl. 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. 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). 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]. 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. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. 2:4), the third son of Mattathias, the hero of the war of Jewish independence against Syria. The Greeks recognize him as high priest, but like Judas, he finds himself caught between competing Greek kings who are engaged in their own civil war for control of the Seleucid Empire. First Maccabees can be divided as follows: Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. And when he had taken all, he went away into his own land, and he made a great slaughter, and spoke very presumptuously. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. As noted above, if ancient manuscripts of the hypothesized original Hebrew version existed, they have been lost. 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 Maccabees or 1 Maccabees is most famous as the source of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish law, resulting in the Maccabean Revolt. He shows intimate and detailed geographical knowledge of the Judea, Galilee, and their environs, but is inaccurate in his information about foreign countries. Despite this, the book is not included as canon in the Tanakh. Hardcover; 9780300159936; Published: Tuesday, 26 Apr 2022; $85.00. New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article Friend and confederate. Journey through the Bible, one book at a time, with the 2nd edition of our Books of the Bible journal. VERSE 60. 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. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate. 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. "[45][46] Even if "heaven" is merely shorthand for "God in heaven", 1 Maccabees is remarkably secular in its depiction of the conflict. The origin of 2 Maccabees is debated. Finally, after Matthathias dies, his son Judas succeeds in liberating the Temple precincts and reconsecrating the Temple itself in 165 B.C.E. [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". 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. He either used or reconstructed primary sources such as letters, poetic accounts, and possibly court histories. 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. 2:4), the third son of Mattathias, the hero of the war of Jewish independence against Syria. He may well have played some part in it himself in his youth. 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. 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. More. George Leo Haydock. According to her glory, so was her dishonor multiplied, and her high estate was turned into mourning. He achieves semi-independence from the Seleucid Empire and gains recognition of his rulership from the Roman Senate in 139. And they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. 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. VERSE 24. (He had previously become king of Greece.) At Explore the Faith, I share insights into the Bible and theological writings. In the town of Modein, the priest Mattathias finds the situation intolerable. In either case, only the Greek text has survived, and this only through its inclusion in the Christian canon. 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. 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. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted (1 Macc. 1 Kings. 3 So he advanced to the ends of the earth . The origin of the word maccabee is unclear; it may derive from the Hebrew word maqqabi (= hammer)a reference to Judas physical strength and exploits. 4:59). 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. 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.). That is, about 168 BC. CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology. [20] The book is not written in colloquial "common" Koine Greek of the 2nd century BC, but rather a more archaic style of Greek consciously imitative of the style of older scriptures. Look out for the similarities and differences between the two. As a part of the revolt, the Temple was freed from . 1 In those days Mattathias, son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the family of Joarib, left Jerusalem and settled in Modein. VERSE 7. The vigorous reaction to this attempt established for a time the religious and political independence of the Jews. In 285 he abdicated in favor of his son Ptolemy II, who became involved in a struggle with the Seleucid kings. Help me reach the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. She, having offered God the lives of her sons, then offers herself in sacrifice, giving an example of fortitude and also of that faith in which she had reared her children. While Judas is eventually killed in battle, the Maccabees eventually achieve autonomy and then independence for Judea under the leadership of the Hasmonean family. 1 Maccabees was probably written in Jerusalem, but 3 and 4 Maccabees derive from the diaspora. The doctrine expressed in the book reflects traditional Jewish teaching, without later doctrines found, for example, in 2 Maccabees. 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]. 2 Maccabees - Chapter 4. 2 Maccabees, instead of covering later years, shines a microscope on the first fifteen years of the same period, drawing its own lessons (which I . 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. In those days rose up Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem; and he lived at Modin. 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 . Matthew 24:15. VERSE 2. 2 Maccabees falls more into theological history, in other words the attempt to reflect on Gods role in the events described. "[42][43] All of this makes clear that God has specifically chosen a new dynasty to rule Judea, the Hasmoneans. The books had separate authors. The book is held as canonical scripture today in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches (except for the Orthodox Tewahedo). The Septuagint was preserved by early Christians as the basis for the Christian Old Testament. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. saves his butt from a delivery-gone-bonkers, he decides to play nice with . . The Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes eventually comes to rule over Syria. The history presented is very accurate, comparing favorably to pagan historians such as Livy or Tacitus. The title of 1 and 2 Maccabees is taken from the surname of Judas (1 Mace. The second book is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees; it partially covers the same history (176 - 160 b.c.). VERSE 25. 25) gives testimony to the existence of an original Hebrew text. It later became a title given to the rebels as a whole around the 3rd-5th century AD, hence the Septuagint naming the works as books of the Maccabees. VERSE 46. and pollute the sanctuary and those who were holy; VERSE 47. that they should build altars, and temples, and shrines for idols, and should sacrifice swines flesh and unclean beasts: VERSE 48. and that they should leave their sons uncircumcised, that they should make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation; VERSE 49. so that they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable historically, but not a part of holy scripture.. 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. And at the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense. The victory of the Jews over their Greek oppressors loomed large in the popular imagination of the Jews of Jesus day. Other texts lay stress on the intercession of the saints and the value of prayers for the dead (12:43-46), which are the basis of the dogma of the communion of saints. And he fought many battles, and won many strongholds, and killed the kings of the earth. 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. 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. In 165 BC the Temple is freed and reconsecrated, so that ritual sacrifices may begin again. 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