In this course, we will discuss 1 and 2 Maccabees, as well as the book of Daniel, and even some apocryphal books.
In our first class, we review the outline of the course and also watch a short video about the history of the Maccabean revolt.
See the history video on youtube [here]!
Listen to the course [here]!
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The Books of Maccabees
Session 1: Introduction and Outline
Course Outline
October 14th, Session 1 - Introduction and Outline, History of the Maccabees
October 21st, Session 2 - The First Book of Maccabees
October 28th, Session 3 - The Second Book of Maccabees
November 4th, Session 4 - The Prophecy of Daniel, Maccabees and the Messiah
November 11th, Session 5 - The Third and Fourth Books of Maccabees, and others
November 18th, Session 6 - How We Got the Old Testament
November 25th, Session 7 - Saints and Theology in the Books of Maccabees
I. Aspects of this course and themes to be covered
Studying the Books of Maccabees affords us the opportunity to delve into several themes and topics related to the Old Testament. First, we can consider the historical situation of Israel in the couple hundred years before the coming of Jesus. We also discuss the historical accuracy of the Bible and what claims the Scriptures make about world history as well as salvation history. The two canonical books of Maccabees fill in some of the so-called “silent years” of the Old Testament, the time from the rebuilding of the Temple to the coming of the Messiah (from about 500 BC to the Christ).
The history of the Maccabean revolt will also help us understand the situation in Israel at the time of Jesus, especially the role of the Romans in the Holy Land. This revolt and the rededication of the Temple which it accomplished is also the source for the Jewish feast of Hanukkah.
Additionally, the study of the books of Maccabees will help us to understand the Deuterocanon of the Old Testament (and also the Deuterocanon of the New Testament), as well as the debate about which books should be included in the Old Testament and which should be excluded. We will consider why the Catholic Church accepts the first two books of Maccabees as canonical, whereas the protestants do not. But we will also discuss why the Catholic Church does not accept either Third or Fourth Maccabees as canonical, while the Orthodox do so accept them (at least Third, and some also Fourth).
It is a goal of this course that we will be able to read the First and Second Books of Maccabees, and appreciate their significance and message.
There is also an interesting connection between the books of Maccabees and the prophecy of Daniel. We will briefly consider the history of Daniel and the prophecy contained in his book. Furthermore, we will see how the events around the Maccabean revolt are an apocalyptic foreshadowing of the end times, and how these events influenced the New Testament book of Revelation.
Finally, there are significant theological points presented in the two books of Maccabees which are important for Catholic theology: The offering of prayers for the dead, as well as sacrificial liturgical offerings for the dead; the doctrine of purgatory; the intercession of the saints; the resurrection of the body; and (by extension) the Canon of Scripture and the Deuterocanonical books. Additionally, we will consider the Maccabean saints who stand out as being liturgically commemorated in the Mass.
II. Course Outline
See above.
The logic of this outline is first to give an historical foundation for the books, then proceed to examine the two canonical books in a way that will help with reading and understanding them. After this, we consider how these books relate to the prophecy of Daniel and then to bigger questions about the Old Testament and the Bible. Finally, we conclude with theological points.
III. Introductory Notes on First and Second Maccabees, reading hints
You are encouraged to read First and Second Maccabees over the next month! These books are 16 and 15 chapters (respectively), and each should take about two hours to read at a gentle pace. The genre of both books is historical, meaning that they are telling the history of the people of God - at a very trying time in the history of ancient Israel.
Note that Second Maccabees is not a sequel to First Maccabees, and it does not pick up where First Maccabees left off. Rather, First Maccabees tells the larger story of the Maccabean revolt, in a slightly more dispassionate way; while Second Maccabees tells only a small portion from the middle of the larger story, and in a much more detailed and personal manner. 1 Maccabees covers the forty years around 175 BC to 135 BC, while 2 Maccabees covers about 180 BC to only 161 BC (about nineteen years). People are generally more familiar with the stories in 2 Maccabees because of the personal style, the details given, the inspiring example, and the heroic martyrdoms.
When reading the First Book of Maccabees, you will focus more on the military victories and the way that the Jewish people are called to fidelity to the Covenant. There is both persecution from the outside (by the Greeks) and infidelity from within (by betrayal and treachery committed by Jewish rivals). The history of 1 Maccabees is quite complex as the book traces the various battles and alliances and betrayals, etc.
When reading the Second Book of Maccabees, note that you will be focusing in on just a few years at the very beginning of the Maccabean revolt. Pay special attention to the heroic and saintly example given by the martyrs. Reflect upon the theological points made and the role of God in protecting the faith of his people even while they suffer.
IV. The History of the Maccabees
After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, there was rivalry among the generals/dynasties who assumed control over the various divided parts of his Empire.
Judea was situated between two of these rival powers: The Seleucid Empire to the north (in Syria) and the Ptolemaic Empire to the south (Egypt). Judea had been under the control of the Ptolemies, but the Seleucids gained this territory around 197 BC.
The Seleucids tried to impose Greek culture upon the Jewish people, a process called “Hellenization”. This was done under the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III and even more under his son Antiochus IV Epiphanes – this became especially difficult from 175 BC onward.
Onias III was high priest in Jerusalem, and he opposed this Hellenization and promoted faithfulness to the traditions of the Jews. However, he was betrayed by his brother Jason who then took the role of high priest and sought to adapt Jewish ways to accept Greek culture and pagan religion. An even worse man, Menelaus briefly took the role of high priest and even more betrayed the Jewish traditions, but Jason was able to regain control. In 168 BC Antiochus IV pillaged the Temple and set up an idol statue of Zeus in 167 BC – this was the great scandal which led to the Maccabean uprising.
In 167 BC, Mattathias rebelled against the imposition of pagan worship, killed a Jew who was offering false worship and also struck down the pagan guard. He then withdrew to the mountains with his five sons. His son Judas would prove such a great warrior and military leader as to receive the epitaph of Maccabeus, which means “hammer”. This title was then applied to the whole family, as Maccabees. The Maccabees had great success in battle and were able to regain and rededicate the Temple on the 25th day of Kislev (which corresponds to late December), 164 BC - this is the occasion of the commemoration of Hanukkah.
After the deaths of both Mattathias (early on in the revolt) and Judas Maccabeus (160 BC), another son, Simon took over the leadership of the uprising. He was able to secure the freedom of Israel and established the Hasmonean dynasty. This rule was unique in the history of Israel in that both the King and the High Priest were of the family line of the Maccabees (who belonged to the tribe of Levi) - often the King was also the High Priest, which was a significant break from Jewish tradition. The Hasmonean Dynasty ruled until the Roman conquest of Jerusalem in 63 BC.
V. Additional Resources
FORMED, 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees Summaries by the Bible Project
Two videos about 10 minutes each (NB. The Bible Project is Protestant)
FORMED, The Maccabean Martyrs, Season 1 of Catholic Saints
25 minute video with Dr Elizabeth Klein
NewAdvent.org - The old 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia, articles
“Machabees, the Books of”; “The Machabees”; “Machabeus, Judas”; “Daniel, the Book of”; “Canon of the Old Testament”; “Septuagint Version”
Institute of Catholic Culture: The Revolt of the Maccabees, by Fr Kevin Walsh
Hour long video lecture
Institute of Catholic Culture: Silent? 400 Years Before Christ, by Dr Michael Barber
1 hour 45 minute video lecture
The Bible in a Year with Fr Mike Schmitz: Introduction to the Maccabean Revolt (with Jeff Cavins) [32 minute podcast]
