1 maccabees summary shmoop1 maccabees summary shmoop

His severest condemnation goes, not to the Seleucid politicians, but to the lawless apostates among his own people, adversaries of Judas and his brothers, who are models of faith and loyalty. As a part of the revolt, the Temple was freed from the control of the Greek empire and rededicated (an act that is still commemorated yearly in the festival of Hanukkah). 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. [This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Alexander the Great. ISBN links support NWE through referral fees. [44] Notably, the author makes no reference to the idea of a bodily resurrection, which the Sadducees opposed. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. VERSE 38. ; and the Seleucids, who took over large parts of the Middle East and moved into Palestine in 200 B.C. When Simon died he was succeeded by his son John Hyrcanus, who became the founder of the Hasmonean dynasty. 1 Maccabees 1. 1 Maccabees. VERSE 55. 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). He also confirms alliances with both Rome and Sparta (1 Macc. Look out for the similarities and differences between the two. he shall die. 2:4), the third son of Mattathias, the hero of the war of Jewish independence against Syria. [48] Bezalel Bar-Kochva praises it as among the better military historiography of the period. This caused the Maccabean revolt, led by Mattathias and his sons. THE FIRST BOOK OF MACCABEES. 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. Another explanation concerns the different origins of the books. the hundred and forty and third year. Naturally, any account of the war of liberation led by Judas Maccabeus would have this effect and would show that victory was due to Gods powerful aid (2:19-22). And his servants bare rule, each one in his place. [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. When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand). The writer compares their virtues and their exploits with those of Israels ancient heroes, the Judges, Samuel, and David. Not only the leaders, but also circumcised infants and their mothers are killed as a warning to others. And they put there a sinful nation, transgressors of the law, and they strengthened themselves therein. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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). According to all these words wrote he to his whole kingdom; and he appointed overseers over all the people, and he commanded the cities of Judah to sacrifice, city by city. 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). Omissions? 25) gives testimony to the existence of an original Hebrew text. The victory of the Jews over their Greek oppressors loomed large in the popular imagination of the Jews of Jesus day. Antiochus persecutes the Jewish people. Help me reach the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. He and his three sons begin a military campaign against them, the vicissitudes of which are described in detail. 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. This page was last edited on 16 October 2020, at 19:27. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=1_Maccabees&oldid=1044072, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. 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. [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]. Throughout the early Christian period, IV Maccabees was wrongly attributed to Josephus. This is a terrible punishment. Talk about how this story might have inspired the Jews of Jesus day in the light of their oppression by the Romans. (Das erste Buch der Maccaber [Kurzgefasstes exegetisches Handbuch zu VERSE 45. and should forbid whole burnt offerings and sacrifice and drink offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the Sabbaths and feasts. If you like what I write, become my partner by donating. 1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish author and included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons of the Bible. The author was an enthusiastic a supporter of the Maccabees who shows little sympathy with either their Jewish or Greek opponents. put to shame and fled. This is alluded to in two other passages: Daniel 9:27. 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. Both books, which Protestants regard as apocryphal, were recognized by the Fathers as inspired [and canonical at the Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397, 419)] and were later [again] defined as canonical by the Council of Trent (1546). were recognized by the Fathers as inspired, there is an interim stage where souls are purified. The historical integrity of the book, which was compiled from official written sources, oral tradition, and eyewitness reporting, is attested to by the absence of almost all of the conventions of the Hellenistic rhetorical school of historiography and by its uncritical use by the later Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. And king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people. 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). It is not permitted to do evil that good may result. 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. VERSE 64. 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. The history presented is very accurate, comparing favorably to pagan historians such as Livy or Tacitus. These two books tell you a lot about Jewish self-definition in the second and first century bc. 2 Maccabees - Chapter 4. Gentile forces still hold a fortress in Jerusalem, however, as well as many towns in Judea and Galilee. 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. It was included in standard printed Christian Bibles in the deuterocanon section. 2 Samuel. 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. VERSE 25. The author propagates "Hasmonean propaganda" in the sense of upholding the righteousness of the Hasmoneans and their just claim to rule the Hasmonean kingdom. Jonathan is eventually captured by the Seleucid Greek ruler Diodotus Tryphon. He relented after angels intervened on behalf of the Jews. 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. VERSE 12. [20], The Jerusalem Bible divides the book into five sections:[24], The setting of the book is about a century and a half after the conquest of Judea by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, after Alexander's empire had been divided so that Judea had become part of the Greek Seleucid Empire. [67] and Knox Bible.[68]. 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. VERSE 6. First Maccabees or 1 Maccabees is most famous as the source of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. 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). VERSE 2. 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). He imposes a tax and establishes a fortress for his soldiers in Jerusalem. Antiochus forbids both circumcision and possession of Jewish scriptures on pain of death. the Torah. In the book itself, "Maccabee" is used solely as a personal title for Judah Maccabee (Latinized as Judas Maccabeus). They establish a gymnasium, where men socialized in the nude. Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable historically, but not a part of holy scripture.. VERSE 40. Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into reproach, her honor into contempt. Corrections? 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. Mattathias's son Judas Maccabeus (Judah Maccabee) takes over the revolt and the rebels as a group are called the Maccabees; the book chronicles in detail the successes and setbacks of the rebellion. [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. [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. 2 Maccabees falls more into theological history, in other words the attempt to reflect on Gods role in the events described. by Daniel R. Schwartz. 3 He advanced to the ends of the earth and . 1 Maccabees . Alexander the Great. Mattathias proclaimed a holy war; Jewish armed resistance operated from the wilderness with great success under the successive leadership of three of Mattathias sonsJudas Maccabeus, the undisputed leader of the Jews (3:1-9); Jonathan (9:28-12:53), and Simon (chap. View all posts by todd. The book is held as canonical scripture today in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches (except for the Orthodox Tewahedo). Traditionally the name has come to be extended to the brothers of Judas, his supporters, and even to other Jewish heroes of the period, such as the seven brothers (2Mc 7). The Greek text is extant in two of the three oldest codices of the Greek Septuagint: the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus. [33], Proposed alliances with Rome and with Areus of Sparta are covered in 1 Maccabees 12:123. VERSE 51. The time period described is from around 170 BC to 134 BC. 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. 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. After a short introduction the book describes the Jewish uprising against Antiochus, whose persecution led to the desecration of the Temple. And on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the hundred and forty and fifth year, they built an abomination of desolation upon the altar, and in the cities of Judah on every side they built idol altars. Collins 2000 discusses 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees in this study of Jewish identity constructions in the diaspora in the Hellenistic period. [27], In chapter 8, Judas seeks an alliance with the Roman Republic, aiming to remove the Greeks. Corrections? He reports the calamities the Jewish people experience on account of their sins, while also stressing the role played by God in his providence, who watches over them as he promised he would (cf. According to the text, some Jewish men even engaged in foreskin restoration in order to pass as fully Greek. 1-2 Thessalonians. And he took the silver and the gold and the precious vessels; and he took the hidden treasures which he found. the hundred and thirty and seventh year. Maccabees , (fl. Acts of the Apostles. 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 2 Maccabees, preserved right next to 1 Maccabees in the Septuagint, provides a striking contrast in theology, and the works are often compared. 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. Chapter 14 also features a long panegyric praising Simon as a worthy leader.[10]. 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.). And at the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense. He then imposes a tax and establishes a fortress in Jerusalem. VERSE 39. 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). That is, a gymnasium. The words "God" and "Lord" never occur in the text, always being replaced by "Heaven" or "He.". 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. VERSE 43. and many of Israel consented to his worship, and sacrificed to the idols, and profaned the Sabbath. Book of Deuteronomy. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The writer compares their virtues and their exploits with those of Israel's ancient . Aristobulus I, the son of John Hyrcanus, was the first to add the title of king to that of chief priest. In general, its chronology coheres with that of I Maccabees. While enforcement may be targeting only Jewish leaders, ordinary Jews were also killed as a warning to others. Matthew 24:15. That is, about 176 BC. 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. The First Book of Macabbees is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. First Maccabees can be divided as follows: Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. Look out for what you might learn about the Judaism of the period from the story. CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology. The narrative is primarily prose text, but is interrupted by seven poetic sections, which imitate classical Hebrew poetry. As well as many towns in Judea and Galilee in detail Jews were also killed as a warning others. 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The page across from the article title their Greek oppressors loomed large in the Hellenistic period Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB please. The Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus, who became the founder of the Maccabees who shows little sympathy either! Printed Christian Bibles in the diaspora in the second and first century BC not a part holy!, each one in his place both circumcision and possession of Jewish identity constructions in the Catholic and Eastern canons... 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy history, in chapter 8, Judas seeks an alliance with Roman! Of which are described in detail source of the Jewish uprising against Antiochus, whose persecution to! Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus mothers are killed as a worthy leader. [ 68.. With either their Jewish or Greek opponents Jewish author and included in standard printed Christian Bibles in the book,... [ this chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles ] Alexander the Great loomed large in the second and century... Maccabees was wrongly attributed to Josephus loomed large in the Hellenistic period our will... For the similarities and differences between the two, Samuel, and David theological history in...

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