Unlike the second book of maccabees, there is no doctrine of individual immortality except. The record in 2 maccabees begins one year earlier than that of 1 maccabees, but as the latter reaches down to 5 bc and probably below 105 bc. I maccabees presents a historical account of political, military, and diplomatic events from the time of judaeas relationship with antiochus iv epiphanes of syria reigned 175164163 bc to the death 54 bc of. Indeed, so distinct are these two works that one must not label the epitome the second book of maccabees, as if it were a continuation of 1 maccabees. The first book of maccabees mmmmmm introduction the english bible, as is well known, originally contained but two socalled books of the maccabees. The inscribed purchase date, november 1977, anticipated the hanukkah following my return from a year. The first book of maccabees i maccabees is historical work extant in greek, covering the period of 40 years from the accession of antiochus epiphanes 175 b. This super inspiring lecture talks about the spiritual topic of the story of hanukkah story of chanukah, and an ancient secret that the maccabees hasmoneans knew that allowed them to defeat. First book of maccabees, pt 2 of 3, new american bible. Heres the untold secrets of hanukkah and the maccabees. First book of maccabees, pt 3 of 3, new american bible. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The jewish army that revolted against the syriangreek occupation in 9 bce, whose miraculous victory culminated in the festival of chanukah. The book of 2 maccabees consists of a greek synopsis of a fivevolume history of the maccabean revolt written by jason of cyrene.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading maccabee. 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. As scholars have long noted, theres no reference to the miracle in early sources based on firsthand accounts, including the first book of maccabees, an insider history written to glorify the new. First book of maccabees synonyms, first book of maccabees pronunciation, first book of maccabees translation, english dictionary definition of first book of maccabees. Hanukkah in the book of maccabees welcome to part 2 of our series the miracles, mysteries and histories of hanukkah. Its amazing to hear the voices of the people who lived through all the persecution. First maccabees written circa 4104 bce and describing the period of 1665 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. It focuses on the actual book of maccabees, a book that i didnt know existed until rabbi fohrman brought it up, and it gives you a real firstperson account of what happened during hanukkah. First book of maccabees definition of first book of. The first and second books of maccabees relate the accounts of the jewish revolt against the syrian greek tyrant antiochus epiphanes. Students are introduced to antiochus iv, mattathias, and the maccabees in this short video. Their name is an acronym of their battle cry, whose hebrew words mean who is likened unto you amongst all powers, o, gd.
The account concludes with the defeat of the syrian general nicanor in a revolt led by judas maccabeus and his brothers in 161 bc. Deceit in the ancient worldwooing israel like dating game contestants im not big on dating shows, and, to be honest, when i was single, i wasnt particularly good at dating. First and second maccabees by daniel harrington, paperback. The books of the maccabees quotes showing 12 of 2 and they cut in pieces, and burnt with fire the books of the law of god. The word maccabee is an acronym for the hebrew words that mean who is like you among all powers, g. With first and second maccabees, daniel harrington, s. The maccabeats release new hanukkah video parody of rock band walk the moons shut up and dance hit from last summer offers tips. The author of the first book of maccabees regarded the maccabean revolt as a rising of pious jews against the seleucid king who had tried to eradicate their religion and against the jews who supported him. The books of the maccabees, four books, none of which is in the hebrew bible but all of which appear in some manuscripts of the septuagint. He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. It is included in the catholic and eastern orthodox canons. Its name in the septuagint and in the writings of the church fathers eusebius and clement is. The first book portrays the effort by the jews to regain their cultural and religious independence from antiochus iv epiphanes after his desecration of the jewish temple. The name 3 maccabees, though occurring in the oldest manuscripts and vss, is quite unsuitable, because the book refers to events which antedate the maccabean age by about half a century, and also to events in which the maccabees took no part.
Maccabees i appears to be a contemporary account of the hanukkah story, written from a religious perspective, possibly by one of the actual hasmonean soldiers. The first and second books of maccabees, though regarded by jews and protestants as apocryphal, i. Jews in egypt to celebrate the new feast of hanukkah. After alexander son of philip, the macedonian, who came from the land of kittim, had defeated darius, king of the persians and the medes, he succeeded him as king. Maccabees, mount and modern israel the jewish press. The books of the maccabees are not part of the hebrew bible, so i had never read them growing up and i suspect, neither had most of my hebrew school teachers who taught me the hanukkah story in the first place. What do the maccabees have to do with hanukkah answers. Hanukkah is a minor holiday that commemorates the victory of the maccabees against the syriangreeks in the maccabean war of 165 bce. Books of maccabees encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. Hanukkah in the book of maccabees galilee of the nations.
Shoshana brody, producer one of my favorite courses has to be the book of maccabees illuminated. The first hanukkah meal may not have had our favorite dishes or. Maccabees, books of, 12 definition and meaning bible. The author of the second book of maccabees presented the conflict as a struggle between judaism and hellenism, concepts which he coined. Most, however, are later works of little historical significance or not related to the hanukkah story at all. Every year, as hanukkah approaches, i remove the first book of maccabees from my book case. But then, in a graduate program in ancient mediterranean history and religions, we read the christian bible. What did the maccabees eat at the first hanukkah meal.
If it is past the first sunday of this rotation, first ask the children to relate what theyve already learned about maccabees and hanukkah in other workshops. Librivox recording of the first book of maccabees, from the douayrheims version. Only the first two are original or nearoriginal works of value. Maccabees, books of, 35 international standard bible.
A theological treatise such as 2 maccabees differed widely from the unadorned, factual approach found in 1 maccabees. The maccabees were a band of jewish freedom fighters who freed judea from the syriangreek occupiers during the second temple period. First and second maccabees are important witnesses in our reconstruction of the second temple period and its various actors. The first book of the maccabees tells another version of the story, describing an eightday celebration that followed the rededication but making no reference to the. The first book of the maccabees the first book of the maccabees 1. Get to know the story behind the festival of lights, from the times of alexander the great to the miracle that is the foundation of hanukkah celebrations today. The books of the maccabees biblical literature britannica.