In this class, we discuss the authorship and composition of 1 Maccabees, as well as commenting chapter by chapter in the book.
Listen [online here]!
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The Books of Maccabees
Session 2: The First Book of Maccabees
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. Introductory Notes on First and Second Maccabees, reading hints
You are encouraged to read 1 and 2 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.
Note that 2 Maccabees is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees. 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).
1 Maccabees focuses more on the military victories, with little commentary. The history of 1 Maccabees is quite complex as the book traces the various battles and alliances and betrayals, etc.
2 Maccabees focuses on just a few years at the very beginning of the Maccabean revolt. This book contains much more commentary on the events, and presents them for the instruction and edification of the reader.
II. The History of the Maccabees
323 BC - Alexander the Great dies; his Empire is divided.
197 BC - Seleucids gain region of Judea from the Ptolemies.
175 BC - Antiochus III and especially Antiochus IV impose Hellenization.
168 and 167 BC - Antiochus IV pillages the Temple and sets up idol in the Temple.
167 BC - Mattathias and his sons begin the Maccabean Revolt!
164 BC - The Maccabees regain and rededicate the Temple
After 160 BC - The Hasmonean dynasty of the Maccabees established.
63 BC - Roman conquest of Jerusalem, end of Hasmonean dynasty.
III. Authorship and Composition
Written around 100 BC (because the author knew of the reign John Hyrcanus which began in 135 BC) and prior to the end of the Hasmonean Dynasty and the attack of the Romans (in 65 BC). The book was originally written in Hebrew (or perhaps Aramaic), which was seen by both Origen and St Jerome - and there are numerous Hebraicisms in the text. Furthermore, the author was from Palestine, as he is familiar with the geography of the land. The author is a strong supporter of the Maccabees and the Hasmonean Dynasty, even supporting the King taking on the role of High Priest. The author is unknown, but he was likely a court historian. The Hasmonean rule of High Priest and King triggered the Essenes to reject the rest of Jewish society and retreat into the desert.
The book was not preserved in the original Hebrew, but only in the Greek translation of the Septuagint. It was received by the early Christians in this Greek translation, and has so been accepted into the Scriptures by the Church. It is in the Greek Septuagint that the title “Maccabees” was applied to the book - with reference to Judas Maccabeus, “the hammer.”
There are slight historical discrepancies in the book: The death of Antiochus IV is put too late; almost nothing is said of the military defeats suffered by the Maccabees; the treaty with Sparta is exaggerated; etc. However, the book is historically reliable - and, as inspired, is inerrant.
IV. Reading the First Book of Maccabees, chapter by chapter
Chapter 1. Alexander the Great divided his kingdom before he died? Or did his generals fight and divide it among themselves after? Note that many of the Jews supported Hellenization, and the revolt of the Maccabees was first more of a civil war. The building of a gymnasium was both immodest and also revealed circumcision. The Temple is sacked and defiled, and the Law is forbidden. Especially sad, 1 Macc 1:62-64.
Chapter 2. Mattathias rises up, kills the Jew offering profane sacrifice (as well as the Greek guard). The revolt begins, and the decision is made to fight on the Sabbath rather than be slaughtered.
Chapter 3. 1 Macc 3:16-23. It is the Lord who determines the outcome of war.
Chapter 4. The Temple is recaptured and all that is impure within is destroyed. 1 Macc 4:42-47. “Until there should come a prophet to tell what to do” – Maccabees points forward to the New Testament and especially to the “prophet” (we know this is Jesus the Christ). The rededication of the Temple is commemorated in Hanukkah each year. 1 Macc 4:56-58.
Chapter 5.
Chapter 6. Death of Antiochus IV, which is divine punishment for his sins against Israel. Eleazar kills the elephant, but dies in the process.
Chapter 7. The defeat of the wicked Nicanor.
Chapter 8. Judas makes an alliance with the Romans. At this point, the friendly alliance is helpful to Israel; however, this will lead to trouble in 63 BC.
Chapter 9. Judas dies in battle. Jonathan succeeds his brother and rules from 160 to 142 BC. This period has more diplomatic victories rather than actual military battles. The pro-Hellenization high priest, Alcimus, dies.
Chapter 10. Jonathan is appointed as High Priest, taking the office from the house of Onias, and uniting the office of King and High Priest. This was extremely controversial, but is presented in a very positive light by the pro-Hasmonean author of 1 Maccabees.
Chapter 11. 1 Macc 11:71, the only time Jonathan is said to have prayed in this book.
Chapter 12. Jonathan’s letter to the Spartans, and the alliance with Sparta and also with Rome. Jonathan is taken prisoner.
Chapter 13. Simon becomes the leader of Israel, and Jonathan dies.
Chapter 14. Praise of Simon, who is hailed by the people. Simon is also made High Priest and Ruler.
Chapter 15
Chapter 16. Simon and his two sons are betrayed and killed. John Hyrcanus, another son of Simon, becomes ruler - and this marks the end of the rule of the first generation of the Maccabees (all the sons of Mattathias). From this time, the ruling family is known as the Hasmonean Dynasty (after and ancestor named Hasmoneus).
