Judas Maccabeus
About this date: Narrative setting, composition date, and the date of events described may differ and should not be collapsed.
Leader of the revolt and Temple rededication.
Historical context
Kings, Ezra–Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, and later Jewish writings explore conquest, diaspora, restoration, wisdom, persecution, and resistance. Several writings have different canonical status across Christian traditions.
Reception
The associated writing or passage has different canonical status or arrangement among Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant traditions.
Key points
- Leader of the revolt and Temple rededication.
- Primary reading: 1 Maccabees 3–4. Read the complete passage in its literary context.
- Keep Babylonian, Persian, Hellenistic, and diaspora settings distinct, and note where traditions differ over these writings.
Scripture
- 1 Maccabees 3–4 — Principal biblical passage cluster for Judas Maccabeus; check the summary against the complete text.
Primary sources
Judas tells his kindred:
First Maccabees records Judas proposing the cleansing and rededication of the holy place after the opposing army's defeat.
Let's go up to cleanse the holy place and to rededicate it.
Passage context and translation
After the opposing army withdraws, Judas and his kindred turn to the profaned sanctuary. The following verses narrate lamentation, cleansing, and rededication.
Before the excerpt
But Judas and his kindred said, 'Behold, our enemies are defeated.'
After the excerpt
All the army was gathered together, and they went up to mount Zion.
Sources and further reading
- USCCB introduction to 1 Maccabees
Literary and historical introduction; not independent verification of every narrated event.