Old Testament Background

Lesson 31:The Maccabean Revolt

The Greek PeriodThe Silent Years400 Years of Prophetic Silence

1 Maccabees 9:27 speaks of the “voice of prophesy” being “stilled”Josephus says the recorded history since Malachi has lacked divine authority

“there hath been no succession of prophets since that time” (Contra Apion 1.8)Historical books were considered the work of prophets and thus they were

referred to as “the former prophets”200 Years of Historical Silence

Biblical and secular history are silent concerning JudahFrom Nehemiah to right after Alexander the Great

Antioch

Alexandria Jerusalem

SELUCIDEMPIRE

PTOLEMAICEMPIRE

ROMANREPUBLIC

The Maccabean RevoltForced Hellenization of the JewsDestroyed Jerusalem’s walls and defenses

Built the Acra – a Greek/Hellenistic “city” within JerusalemBuilt Greek/Hellenistic establishments (theater, gymnasium, etc.)

Set up pagan altars around JudeaProhibited Jewish laws

CircumcisionSabbath lawsDietary laws

Installed a Hellenized High PriestJason, a Jew but not of priestly lineEstablished and fortified the Acra with the help of Syria (Seleucids) Was the immediate enforcer of Hellenization

The Maccabean RevoltThe Jewish ResponsePassive resistance at first

Fled to the wildernessAccepted death

MattathiasPriest from the Hashmonaim family in the village of ModinFirst to actively resist Hellenization

Refused to offer sacrifice on a pagan altarKilled the “apostate” Jew who stepped up to take his placeDismantled the pagan altarInstantly changed the Jewish policy from passive to militant

Fled to the hills with his five sons John, Simon, Judas, Eleazar, and JonathanJoined by the Hasidim

The Maccabean RevoltThe Early Stages of the RevoltRefused to fight on the Sabbath

Demonstrates that their commitment to the law exceeded that of OT IsraelEventually changed due to obvious futility of strategy

Early GoalsOriginally not political in nature but based on zeal for the lawDestruction of altars and other symbols of HellenizationForced circumcision on any uncircumcised males

Mattathias DiesSuccumbs to the combination of old age and the fugitive lifeJudas “Maccabeus” (“the hammer”) assumes command (166 BC)

The Maccabean RevoltJudas MaccabeusPreliminary Victories

Apollonius (Same general who raided Jerusalem?)Seron

Leader of “independent tactical unit” Tried to advance himself in the army

Force Commissioned by LysiasLargest force yetSlave traders followed in hope of gaining slave from the Jews!

Lysias himself defeated40,000 infantry7,000 cavalry5,000 deadTactical withdraw to Antioch

The Maccabean RevoltJudas MaccabeusJudas takes control of Jerusalem

Except the Acra (Greek portion of the city)Hellenizers and Syrian soldiers barricade themselves in the AcraGuard placed over the Acra to prevent word of the attack from getting out

Select priests purify the TempleAltar that was desecrated with a pig is dismantledNew altar built with unhewn stones

Sacrifices were renewed on the 25th Kisslev Hanukah – eight day Feast of DedicationSanctified oil burned miraculously for eight days

Romans now offer to interveneDefend Jews against Syrian reprisalBUT Menelaus was to be ruler

ACRA

ACRA

The Maccabean RevoltJudas MaccabeusEscapees from the Acra warn Lysias and Antiochus V of the hostilitiesFirst battle with a major contingent of the Syrian Army

Infantry, cavalry, and war elephants!Eleazar dies – first of Mattathias’ sons to dieJewish forces are routed and take refuge in fortified Temple area

Lysias lays siege to Temple areaPhilip, a Syrian commander, seeks to supplant Antiochus V

Returns from the east with the army and marches upon AntiochLysias withdraws from Jerusalem to respond to threat

Withdrawal AgreementRescinds all prohibitions against free exercise of Jewish religionPromises to not intervene on behalf of HellenizersExecutes Menelaus and makes Alcimus (Oniad) high priestJudas loses Hasidim support!

The Maccabean RevoltJudas MaccabeusDemetrius claims Syrian throne

Son of Seleucus IV who escapes from being held hostage in RomeSupported by the army he takes power and kills Antiochus the V and Lysias

Alcimus (High Priest) requests Syrian help to deal with MaccabeesDemetrius sends his general, Bacchides, to deal with the situationBacchides suppresses Judas and puts Alcimus in control of the country

His attempts to take Judas and his followers are unsuccessfulMilitary contingents remain in Jerusalem to help Alcimus

Judas and followers return to guerilla warfareDemetrius sends Army with Nicanor

Judas defeats and kills Nicanor, who was a close friend of DemetriusJudea has a period of peace in which Alcimus dies (of a stroke?)Judas is made high priest in Jerusalem

The Maccabean RevoltJudas MaccabeusJudas, as high priest, reasserts control over Judea

Sends ambassadors to Rome to request helpRome, more than happy to help, makes a treaty in 161 BC

Demetrius mobilizes his regular army and returns in SpringAll but 800 of Judas’ men desert him and Judas still goes to battle!Dies in battle and the revolt loses it first great military leader

EvaluationAs a fighter for religious freedom

Successful, though imperfectlyAs a man in quest of larger political goals

Treaty with Rome had no religious motive and was a diplomatic coupSuccesses were largely due to surrounding circumstancesOver-reached himself and laid the groundwork for Rome’s dominance