Old Testament Literature

Old Testament Literature

The Books of the Maccabees from the Apocrypha

Daniel J. Harrington writes: "First Maccabees is part of the canon of Scripture in the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Russian Orthodox churches. It is not recognized as Scripture by Protestants and Jews. There has been, however, a puzzling ambivalence about 1 and 2 Maccabees in the Jewish tradition. Hanukkah, which celebrates the cleansing and rededication of the Jerusalem temple in 164 B.C.E. under Judas, is part of the traditional Jewish calendar of festivals. Although it is a minor holiday (except in countries where its proximity to Christmas has made it very significant), the 'biblical basis' for it lies in books not regarded as canonical. Since it is likely that 1 Maccabees was composed in Hebrew, its absence from the canon of Hebrew Scriptures is somewhat puzzling (Peterson, 2006). These puzzlements have led some scholars to suspect that at some point in the first century there was a Jewish reaction against the Maccabees and what they stood for, and a deliberate attempt to push them out of the sacred tradition of Judaism. Perhaps 'messianic' claims were being made about Judas Maccabeus or some other figure who traced his ancestry back to the Maccabean movement. Perhaps in light of failed uprising against the Romans by Jews claiming to follow the example of Judas and his brothers, the custodians of the Jewish tradition found the Maccabees too controversial and dangerous.

Summary of Maccabees-1 (chapters: 1-4)

Politics wasn't the only major development to have an impact on the people of Judea. The world was in the midst of a huge cultural shift, and Judea was in the crosshairs. Long before the arrival of Alexander the Great, Judea belonged to the Persian Empire. Judea's rulers were appointed by Persia, but the real authority resided in the office of high priest. The holder of that office was determined by hereditary guidelines. This allowed the Jews to live in the Empire but also to be loyal to their traditions - namely, the Law of Moses and the temple. It seems that the Persians were quite solicitous in making allowances for Jewish traditions. These provisions would be continued through the time of Rome.

The influence of Greece, however, was something else. No doubt, people were aware of and trading with Greece long before Alexander, but the effects of his exploits cannot be understated. Alexander wanted to Hellenize (make people Greek in ...