1 Maccabees

Summary: 

A generally trustworthy historical narrative of the events surrounding the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes during the second century BC (167-135 BC). The book is an apology for the Hasmonean (Maccabean) dynasty as the divinely appointed leaders of Israel (see e.g., 5:62). The story mentions the death of Alexander the Great and the rise to power and atrocities of Antiochus IV. It recounts the exploits of the Hasmonean heroes: Mattathias, and his five sons - particularly Judas Maccabeus, Jonathan, and Simon, and Simon's son and successor as king and high priest, John Hyrcanus. The book presumes that the prophetic voice has been (for the moment) silenced (4:46; 9:27; 14:41).

Canonical Status:

Among the Deuterocanonical books of Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches Among the Old Testament Apocrypha of Protestants (since the Reformation) and Russian Orthodox Churches (since the 19th century) Not included in the Hebrew Scriptures - Tanak Included in the Septuagint and Vulgate

 

Author: An anonymous Jewish author (perhaps Sadducean) who strongly supported the Hasmonean dynasty

Sources: Written in the style of Judges; Samuel; and Kings

Date: c. 100 BC, shortly after the death of John Hyrcanus I

Original Language: 

English translations are based on Greek (or Latin) versions, which translate a now lost Hebrew Vorlage, whose existence is attested by early authors.

Notes prepared by George Lyons (Professor of Biblical Literature)

for the  Wesley Center for Applied Theology at Northwest Nazarene University

Copyright 2000 by the Wesley Center for Applied Theology

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