Old Testament Background

1. Old Testament Background Lesson 31: The Maccabean Revolt

2. The Greek Period • The Silent Years • 400 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 Judah • From Nehemiah to right after Alexander the Great

3. ROMAN REPUBLIC SELUCID EMPIRE Antioch Alexandria Jerusalem PTOLEMAIC EMPIRE

4. The Maccabean Revolt • Forced Hellenization of the Jews • Destroyed Jerusalem’s walls and defenses • Built the Acra – a Greek/Hellenistic “city” within Jerusalem • Built Greek/Hellenistic establishments (theater, gymnasium, etc.) • Set up pagan altars around Judea • Prohibited Jewish laws • Circumcision • Sabbath laws • Dietary laws • Installed a Hellenized High Priest • Jason, a Jew but not of priestly line • Established and fortified the Acra with the help of Syria (Seleucids) • Was the immediate enforcer of Hellenization

5. The Maccabean Revolt • The Jewish Response • Passive resistance at first • Fled to the wilderness • Accepted death • Mattathias • Priest from the Hashmonaim family in the village of Modin • First to actively resist Hellenization • Refused to offer sacrifice on a pagan altar • Killed the “apostate” Jew who stepped up to take his place • Dismantled the pagan altar • Instantly changed the Jewish policy from passive to militant • Fled to the hills with his five sons • John, Simon, Judas, Eleazar, and Jonathan • Joined by the Hasidim

6. The Maccabean Revolt • The Early Stages of the Revolt • Refused to fight on the Sabbath • Demonstrates that their commitment to the law exceeded that of OT Israel • Eventually changed due to obvious futility of strategy • Early Goals • Originally not political in nature but based on zeal for the law • Destruction of altars and other symbols of Hellenization • Forced circumcision on any uncircumcised males • Mattathias Dies • Succumbs to the combination of old age and the fugitive life • Judas “Maccabeus” (“the hammer”) assumes command (166 BC)

7. The Maccabean Revolt • Judas Maccabeus • Preliminary Victories • Apollonius (Same general who raided Jerusalem?) • Seron • Leader of “independent tactical unit” • Tried to advance himself in the army • Force Commissioned by Lysias • Largest force yet • Slave traders followed in hope of gaining slave from the Jews! • Lysias himself defeated • 40,000 infantry • 7,000 cavalry • 5,000 dead • Tactical withdraw to Antioch

8. The Maccabean Revolt • Judas Maccabeus • Judas takes control of Jerusalem • Except the Acra (Greek portion of the city) • Hellenizers and Syrian soldiers barricade themselves in the Acra • Guard placed over the Acra to prevent word of the attack from getting out • Select priests purify the Temple • Altar that was desecrated with a pig is dismantled • New altar built with unhewn stones • Sacrifices were renewed on the 25th Kisslev • Hanukah – eight day Feast of Dedication • Sanctified oil burned miraculously for eight days • Romans now offer to intervene • Defend Jews against Syrian reprisal • BUT Menelaus was to be ruler

9. ACRA

10. ACRA

11. The Maccabean Revolt • Judas Maccabeus • Escapees from the Acra warn Lysias and Antiochus V of the hostilities • First battle with a major contingent of the Syrian Army • Infantry, cavalry, and war elephants! • Eleazar dies – first of Mattathias’ sons to die • Jewish forces are routed and take refuge in fortified Temple area • Lysias lays siege to Temple area • Philip, a Syrian commander, seeks to supplant Antiochus V • Returns from the east with the army and marches upon Antioch • Lysias withdraws from Jerusalem to respond to threat • Withdrawal Agreement • Rescinds all prohibitions against free exercise of Jewish religion • Promises to not intervene on behalf of Hellenizers • Executes Menelaus and makes Alcimus (Oniad) high priest • Judas loses Hasidim support!

12. The Maccabean Revolt • Judas Maccabeus • Demetrius claims Syrian throne • Son of Seleucus IV who escapes from being held hostage in Rome • Supported by the army he takes power and kills Antiochus the V and Lysias • Alcimus (High Priest) requests Syrian help to deal with Maccabees • Demetrius sends his general, Bacchides, to deal with the situation • Bacchides suppresses Judas and puts Alcimus in control of the country • His attempts to take Judas and his followers are unsuccessful • Military contingents remain in Jerusalem to help Alcimus • Judas and followers return to guerilla warfare • Demetrius sends Army with Nicanor • Judas defeats and kills Nicanor, who was a close friend of Demetrius • Judea has a period of peace in which Alcimus dies (of a stroke?) • Judas is made high priest in Jerusalem

13. The Maccabean Revolt • Judas Maccabeus • Judas, as high priest, reasserts control over Judea • Sends ambassadors to Rome to request help • Rome, more than happy to help, makes a treaty in 161 BC • Demetrius mobilizes his regular army and returns in Spring • All 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 • Evaluation • As a fighter for religious freedom • Successful, though imperfectly • As a man in quest of larger political goals • Treaty with Rome had no religious motive and was a diplomatic coup • Successes were largely due to surrounding circumstances • Over-reached himself and laid the groundwork for Rome’s dominance