Difference between revisions of "1 Maccabees" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | + | '''1 Maccabees''' is a [[deuterocanonical books|deuterocanonical]] book written by a Jewish author after the restoration of an independent [[Jew]]ish kingdom, probably about 100 B.C.E. It is included in the [[Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] canons. [[Protestantism|Protestants]] and Jews regard it as generally reliable historically, but not a part of Scripture. | |
| − | + | The setting of the book is about a century after the conquest of [[Judea]] by the Greeks under [[Alexander the Great]], after Alexander's empire has been divided so that Judea was part of the Greek [[Seleucid Empire]]. It tells how the Greek ruler [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]] attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish religious law, resulting in a Jewish revolt against Seleucid rule. The book covers the whole of the revolt, from [[175 B.C.E.|175]] to 134 B.C.E., highlighting how the salvation of the Jewish people in this crisis came from God through [[Mattathias]]' family, particularly his sons, [[Judas Maccabeus]], [[Jonathan Maccabaeus]], and [[Simon Maccabaeus]], and his grandson, [[John Hyrcanus]]. The doctrine expressed in the book reflects traditional Jewish teaching, without later doctrines found, for example, in [[2 Maccabees]]. | |
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==Contents== | ==Contents== | ||
| − | + | <div class="floatright"> | |
| + | <timeline> | ||
| + | ImageSize = width:300 height:1000 | ||
| + | PlotArea = left:50 right:0 bottom:10 top:10 | ||
| + | DateFormat = yyyy | ||
| + | Period = from:35 till:175 | ||
| + | TimeAxis = orientation:vertical | ||
| + | ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:10 start:35 | ||
| + | ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:5 start:35 | ||
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| + | PlotData= | ||
| + | Color:yellow mark:(line,blue) align:left fontsize:S | ||
| + | shift:(15,-3) # shift text to right side of bar | ||
| + | |||
| + | # there is no automatic collision detection, fontsize:XS | ||
| + | # so shift texts up or down manually to avoid overlap shift:(25,-10) | ||
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| + | from:142 till:37 shift:50,400 text:[[Hasmonean Dynasty]] | ||
| + | at:175 text: [[Antiochus IV]] becomes [[Seleucid]] King. | ||
| + | at:168 shift:15,3 text: 168-Jerusalem Temple looted. | ||
| + | at:167 text: Altar to Zeus erected in the Temple.~[[Maccabee|Maccabee Revolt]] (167-165). | ||
| + | at:165 shift:15,-10 text:[[The Temple in Jerusalem|The Temple]] rededicated; [[Hanukkah]], 165 B.C.E.. | ||
| + | at:160 text:[[Demetrius I Soter]] recalls garrisons~due to civil war against Alexander Balas,~increasing Hasmonean power. | ||
| + | at:153 text:[[Alexander Balas]] appoints Jonathan Maccabee~High Priest. After victory in 150 B.C.E., Jonathan~becomes civil governor of Israel. | ||
| + | at:142 text:Second Jewish Commonwealth established.~Seleucids recognize Jewish semi-autonomy. | ||
| + | at:139 text:Roman Senate recognizes Jewish autonomy. | ||
| + | at:131 text:Antiochus VII besieges Jerusalem. | ||
| + | at:130 shift:15,-5 text:Antiochus VII dies.~Hasmonean Kingdom achieves~complete independence. | ||
| + | at:96 text:An eight year civil war begins. | ||
| + | at:83 text:Consolidation of the Kingdom~in territory east of the Jordan River. | ||
| + | at:63 text:63-Aristobulus II, Hyrcanus II appeal to Rome.~[[Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus|64-Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus]] enters~Jerusalem. Rome annexes the Kingdom.~Hyrcanus II restored, reigns to 40 B.C.E.~Aristobulus II made captive in Rome. | ||
| + | # Kings | ||
| + | at:142 shift:10,10 text:[[Simon Maccabeus]], 141–135 | ||
| + | at:134 text:[[John Hyrcanus|Hyrcanus I]], 134–104 | ||
| + | at:104 text:[[Aristobulus|Aristobulus I]], 104–103 | ||
| + | at:103 shift: 15,-10 text:[[Alexander Jannaeus]], 103–76 | ||
| + | at:76 text:[[Salome Alexandra]] c.76-67 | ||
| + | at:67 text:[[Hyrcanus II]], 67–66 | ||
| + | at:66 shift: 15,-7 text:[[Aristobulus II]], 66–63 | ||
| + | at:50 shift: 15,10 text:Pompey's agents murder Aristobulus II~in Rome (50 B.C.E.) to weaken Julius Caesar | ||
| + | at:48 text:Pompey murdered (48 B.C.E.); Hyrcanus and~[[Antipater]] aid [[Julius Caesar]] at Alexandria | ||
| + | at:44 text:[[Julius Caesar]] murdered. (44 B.C.E.) | ||
| + | at:40 shift: 15,10 text:[[Parthian]] invasion, Antigonus crowned, 40–37 | ||
| + | at:38 shift: 15,10 text:Romans under Mark Antony and Augustus~support Herod's claim as King of the Jews. | ||
| + | at:37 shift: 15,-5 text:[[Herod the Great]] victorious, rules 37 B.C.E.–4 C.E. | ||
| + | </timeline> | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the first chapter, [[Alexander the Great]] conquers vast territories and sets up a great empire, in which the territory of Judea is included. Shortly before his death, he divides his kingdom among his generals. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[Seleucid]] ruler [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]] eventually comes to rule over Syria. Many Jews adopt a policy of accommodation with him in the interest of maintaining peace with the Gentiles, and others openly embrace the Hellenistic culture he introduces. They establish a gymnasium, where men socialized in the nude. Some even engage in [[foreskin restoration]]. | ||
| − | + | However, after successfully invading the Ptolemaic kingdom of [[Egypt]], Antiochus IV enters Jerusalem and removes the sacred objects from the [[Temple of Jerusalem|Temple]]. He imposes a tax and establishes a fortress for his soldiers in Jerusalem. Many observant Jews flee from the capital, but others readily accept Antiochus' policies. In an effort to enforce unity, he attempts to suppress public observance of Jewish religious laws. He bans the observance of the [[Shabbat|sabbath]] and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. Finally, he desecrates the [[Second Temple|Temple]] by setting up an "[[abomination of desolation]]" there, apparently either a pagan idol or a bust of himself. He also forbids [[circumcision]] and possession of Jewish scriptures, imposing the death penalty for those who disobey. He even attempts to force Jewish leaders to sacrifice to pagan idols. Not only the leaders, but also circumcised infants and their mothers are killed as a warning to others. | |
| − | Antiochus | + | In the town of Modein, the priest Mattathias finds the situation intolerable. 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. He then calls forth the people to [[holy war]] against the Gentiles and their Jewish collaborators. He and his three sons begin a military campaign against them, the vicissitudes of which are described in detail. Finally, after Matthathias dies, his son Judas succeeds in liberating the Temple precincts and reconsecrating the Temple itself in 165 B.C.E.. The festival of [[Hanukkah]] is instituted (1 Macc. 4:59). |
| − | + | Gentile forces still hold a fortress in Jerusalem, however, as well as many towns in Judea and Galilee. Judas, nicknamed Maccabeus, probably meaning "hammer," continues his military exploits and also seeks an alliance with the [[Roman Republic]] to remove the Greeks. After his death in battle c. 161 B.C.E., his brother Jonathan succeeds him. 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 [[Seleucid Empire]]. He plays one faction off against the other, obtaining various benefits for the Jews in exchange for his military support. He also confirms alliances with both Rome and [[Sparta]] (1 Macc. 12:1-23). | |
| − | + | Jonathan is eventually captured by the Seleucid Greek ruler [[Diodotus Tryphon]]. 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). He achieves semi-independence from the Seleucid Empire and gains recognition of his rulership from the Roman Senate in 139. In February 135, however, he is assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy. Simon was followed by his third son, [[John Hyrcanus]], whose two elder brothers, Mattathias and Judah, had been murdered, together with their father. | |
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==Name== | ==Name== | ||
Revision as of 21:49, 5 November 2008
1 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book written by a Jewish author after the restoration of an independent Jewish kingdom, probably about 100 B.C.E. It is included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons. Protestants and Jews regard it as generally reliable historically, but not a part of Scripture.
The setting of the book is about a century after the conquest of Judea by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, after Alexander's empire has been divided so that Judea was part of the Greek Seleucid Empire. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish religious law, resulting in a Jewish revolt against Seleucid rule. The book covers the whole of the revolt, from 175 to 134 B.C.E., highlighting how the salvation of the Jewish people in this crisis came from God through Mattathias' family, particularly his sons, Judas Maccabeus, Jonathan Maccabaeus, and Simon Maccabaeus, and his grandson, John Hyrcanus. The doctrine expressed in the book reflects traditional Jewish teaching, without later doctrines found, for example, in 2 Maccabees.
Contents
In the first chapter, Alexander the Great conquers vast territories and sets up a great empire, in which the territory of Judea is included. Shortly before his death, he divides his kingdom among his generals.
The Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes eventually comes to rule over Syria. Many Jews adopt a policy of accommodation with him in the interest of maintaining peace with the Gentiles, and others openly embrace the Hellenistic culture he introduces. They establish a gymnasium, where men socialized in the nude. Some even engage in foreskin restoration.
However, after successfully invading the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, Antiochus IV enters Jerusalem and removes the sacred objects from the Temple. He imposes a tax and establishes a fortress for his soldiers in Jerusalem. Many observant Jews flee from the capital, but others readily accept Antiochus' policies. In an effort to enforce unity, he attempts to suppress public observance of Jewish religious laws. He bans the observance of the sabbath and the offering of sacrifices at the Temple. Finally, he desecrates the Temple by setting up an "abomination of desolation" there, apparently either a pagan idol or a bust of himself. He also forbids circumcision and possession of Jewish scriptures, imposing the death penalty for those who disobey. He even attempts to force Jewish leaders to sacrifice to pagan idols. Not only the leaders, but also circumcised infants and their mothers are killed as a warning to others.
In the town of Modein, the priest Mattathias finds the situation intolerable. 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. He then calls forth the people to holy war against the Gentiles and their Jewish collaborators. He and his three sons begin a military campaign against them, the vicissitudes of which are described in detail. Finally, after Matthathias dies, his son Judas succeeds in liberating the Temple precincts and reconsecrating the Temple itself in 165 B.C.E. The festival of Hanukkah is instituted (1 Macc. 4:59).
Gentile forces still hold a fortress in Jerusalem, however, as well as many towns in Judea and Galilee. Judas, nicknamed Maccabeus, probably meaning "hammer," continues his military exploits and also seeks an alliance with the Roman Republic to remove the Greeks. After his death in battle c. 161 B.C.E., his brother Jonathan succeeds him. 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 Seleucid Empire. He plays one faction off against the other, obtaining various benefits for the Jews in exchange for his military support. He also confirms alliances with both Rome and Sparta (1 Macc. 12:1-23).
Jonathan is eventually captured by the Seleucid Greek ruler Diodotus Tryphon. 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). He achieves semi-independence from the Seleucid Empire and gains recognition of his rulership from the Roman Senate in 139. In February 135, however, he is assassinated at the instigation of his son-in-law Ptolemy. Simon was followed by his third son, John Hyrcanus, whose two elder brothers, Mattathias and Judah, had been murdered, together with their father.
Name
The name Maccabee probably means "hammer" and is properly applied only to the first leader of the revolt, Judas, third son of Mattathias. The name 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!!" - Exodus ch. 15:11.) In Hebrew, the first letters of this four word slogan form the acronym MKBY (Mem, Kaf, Bet and Yud). This became synonymous with the revolt. The name came to be used for his brothers as well, which accounts for the title of the book. Scholars infer that in the original Hebrew, the term used for "abomination of desolation" would have sounded similar to "Lord of heaven," so that this term might refer to an image or altar of Zeus.
Form
The narrative is primarily prose text, but is interrupted by seven poetic sections, which imitate classical Hebrew poetry. These include four laments and three hymns of praise.
The history presented is very accurate, comparing favorably to pagan historians such as Livy or Tacitus. The author exhibits a personal interest in the events, but presents them accurately. Josephus most likely used some form of this text in writing his account of the Maccabean revolt.
Transmission, language and author
The text comes to us in three codices of the Septuagint: the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Venetus, as well as some cursives.
Though the original book was written in Hebrew, as can be deduced by a number of Hebrew idioms in the text, the original has been lost and the version which comes down to us is the Septuagint. Some authors date the original Hebrew text even closer to the events covered, while a few suggest a later date. Because of the accuracy of the historical account, if the later date is taken, the author would have to have had access to first-hand reports of the events or other primary sources.
Origen (cited by Eusebius Eccl Hist vi. 25) gives testimony to the existence of an original Hebrew text. 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). Many scholars suggest that they may have actually had access to a Biblical Aramaic paraphrase of the work—most Christian scholars of the time did not distinguish between Hebrew and Aramaic. In either case, only the Greek text has survived, and this only through its inclusion in the Christian canon. Origen claims that the title of the original was Sarbeth Sarbanael (variants include Sarbeth Sarbanaiel and Sarbeth Sarbane El), which some translate either as "the Book of the Prince of the House of Israel" or "the Book of the Dynasty of God's resisters" .
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. He shows intimate and detailed geographical knowledge of the Holy Land, but is inaccurate in his information about foreign countries. The author interprets the events not as a miraculous intervention by God, but rather God's using the instrument of the military genius of the Maccabees to achieve his ends. The words "God" and "Lord" never occur in the text, always being replaced by "Heaven" or "He."
External links
- The Book of First Maccabees Full text
- Catholic Encyclopedia: 1 Maccabees
- Jewish Encyclopedia: Maccabees, Books of
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Books of the Maccabees
- 1 Maccabees, article in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith
| Preceded by: Esther |
Books of the Bible |
Succeeded by: 2 Maccabees |
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