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(GreekHoi Makkabaioi; LatinMachabei; most probably from Aramaicmaqqaba="hammer").
Apriestlyfamily which under the leadership of Mathathias initiated the revolt against the tyranny of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, King ofSyria, and after securing Jewish independence ruled the commonwealth till overthrown byHerod the Great. The name Machabee was originally the surname ofJudas, the third son of Mathathias, but was later extended to all the descendants of Mathathias, and even to all who took part in the rebellion. It is also given to themartyrs mentioned in II Mach., vi, 18-vii. Of the various explanations of the word the one given above is the most probable. Machabee would accordingly mean "hammerer" or "hammer-like", and would have been given toJudas because of his valour in combating the enemies ofIsrael. Thefamily patronymic of the Machabees was Hasmoneans or Asmoneans, from Hashmon, Gr.Asamonaios, an ancestor of Mathathias. This designation, which is always used by the old Jewish writers, is now commonly applied to the princes of the dynasty founded by Simon, the last of the sons of Mathathias.
The rising under Mathathias wascaused by the attempt of Antiochus IV to force Greekpaganism on his Jewish subjects. This was the climax of a movement to hellenize theJews, begun with the king's approval by a party among the Jewish aristocracy, who were in favour of breaking down the wall of separation betweenJew andGentile and of adopting Greek customs. The leader of this party was Jesus, or Josue, better known by his Greek name Jason, the unworthy brother of the worthyhigh-priest, Onias III. By promising the king a large sum of money, and by offering to become the promoter among theJews of his policy of hellenizing the non-Greek population of his domains, he obtained the deposition of his brother and his own appointment to thehigh-priesthood (174 ). As soon as he was installed he began the work of hellenizing and carried it on with considerable success. A gymnasium was built below the Acra (citadel), in close proximity to the temple, where the youths ofJerusalem were taught Greek sports. Evenpriests became addicted to the games and neglected the altar for the gymnasium. Many, ashamed of what atrueJew gloried in, had the marks ofcircumcision removed to avoid being recognized asJews in the baths or the gymnasium. Jason himself went so far as to send money for the games celebrated atTyre inhonour of Hercules (1 Maccabees 1:11-16;2 Maccabees 4:7-20). After three years, Jason was forced to yield the pontificate to Menelaus, his agent with the king in money matters, who secured the office by outbidding his employer. To satisfy hisobligations to the king, the man, who was aJew only in name, appropriatedsacred vessels, and when the formerhigh-priest Onias protested against the sacrilege he procured his assassination. The following year Jason, emboldened by a rumor of the death of Antiochus, who was then warring againstEgypt, attackedJerusalem and forced Menelaus to take refuge in the Acra. On hearing of the occurrence Antiochus marched against the city, massacred many of the inhabitants, and carried off whatsacred vessels were left (1 Maccabees 1:17-28;2 Maccabees 4:23-5:23).
In 168 Antiochus undertook a second campaign againstEgypt, but was stopped in his victorious progress by an ultimatum of the Roman Senate. He vented his rage on theJews, and began awar of extermination against their religion. Apollonius was sent with orders to hellenizeJerusalem by extirpating the native population and by peopling the city with strangers. The unsuspecting inhabitants were attacked on theSabbath, when they would offer no defence; the men were slaughtered, thewomen and children sold into slavery. The city itself was laid waste and its walls demolished. An order was next issued abolishing Jewish worship and forbidding the observance of Jewish rites under pain of death. Aheathen altar was built on the altar ofholocausts, wheresacrifices were offered to Olympic Jupiter, and the temple was profaned bypagan orgies. Altars were also set up throughout the country at which theJews were to sacrifice to the king's divinities. Though many conformed to these orders, the majority remained faithful and a number of them laid down their lives rather than violate thelaw of their fathers. The Second Book of Machabees narrates at length the heroic death of an old man, named Eleazar, and of seven brothers with their mother. (1 Maccabees 1:30-67;2 Maccabees 5:24-7:41)
The persecutionproved a blessing in disguise; it exasperated even the moderate Hellenists, and prepared a rebellion which freed the country from the corrupting influences of the extreme Hellenist party. The standard of revolt was raised by Mathathias, aspriest of the order of Joarib (cf.1 Chronicles 24:7), who to avoid thepersecution had fled fromJerusalem to Modin (now El Mediyeh), nearLydda, with his five sons John, Simon,Judas, Eleazar and Jonathan. When solicited by a royal officer to sacrifice to the gods, with promises of rich rewards and of the king's favour, he firmly refused, and when aJew approached the altar to sacrifice, he slew him together with the king's officer, and destroyed the altar. He and his sons then fled to the mountains, where they were followed by many of those who remained attached to their religion. Among these were the Hasîdîm, orAssideans, asociety formed to oppose the encroaching Hellenism by a scrupulous observance of traditional customs. Mathathias and his followers now overran the country destroyingheathen altars,circumcising children, driving off aliens andapostateJews, and gathering in new recruits. He died, however, within a year (166 ). At his death he exhorted his sons to carry on the fight for their religion, and appointedJudas military commander with Simon as adviser. He wasburied at Modin amid great lamentations (1 Maccabees 2).
(166-161 ).
Judas fully justified hisfather's choice. In a first encounter he defeated and killed Apollonius, and shortly after routed Seron at Bethoron (1 Maccabees 3:1-26). Lysias, the regent during Antiochus's absence in the East, then sent a large army under the three generals Ptolemee, Nicanor and Gorgias.Judas's little army unexpectedly fell on the main body of the enemy atEmmaus (later Nicopolis, now Amwâs) in the absence of Gorgias, and put it to rout before the latter could come to its aid; whereupon Gorgias took to flight (1 Maccabees 3:27-4:25;2 Maccabees 8). The next year Lysias himself took the field with a still larger force; but he, too, was defeated at Bethsura (not Bethoron as in theVulgate).Judas now occupiedJerusalem, though the Acra still remained in the hands of the Syrians. The temple was cleansed and rededicated on the day on which three years before it had been profaned (1 Maccabees 4:28-61;2 Maccabees 10:1-8). During the breathing time left to him by the SyriansJudas undertook several expeditions into neighbouring territory, either to punish acts of aggression or to bring intoJudeaJews exposed to danger among hostile populations (1 Maccabees 5;2 Maccabees 10:14-38;12:3-40). After the death of Antiochus Epiphanes (164) Lysias led two more expeditions intoJudea. The first ended with another defeat at Bethsura, and with the granting of freedom of worship to theJews (2 Maccabees 11). In the second, in which Lysias was accompanied by his ward, Antiochus V Eupator,Judas suffered a reverse at Bethzacharam (where Eleazar died a glorious death); and Lysias laid siege to Jerusalem. Just then troubles concerning the regency required his presence at home; he therefore concluded peace on condition that the city be surrendered (1 Maccabees 6:21-63;2 Maccabees 13). As the object for which the rebellion was begun had been obtained, theAssideans seceded fromJudas when Demetrius I, who in the meanwhile had dethroned Antiochus V, installedAlcimus, "a priest of the seed of Aaron", ashigh-priest (1 Maccabees 7:1-19).Judas, however, seeing that the danger to religion would remain as long as the Hellenists were in power, would not lay down his arms till the country was freed of these men. Nicanor was sent to the aid ofAlcimus, but was twice defeated and lost his life in the second encounter (1 Maccabees 7:20-49;2 Maccabees 14:11-15:37).Judas now sent a deputation toRome to solicit Roman interference; but before the senate's warning reached Demetrius,Judas with only 800 men risked a battle at Laisa (or Elasa) with a vastly superior force under Baccides, and fell overwhelmed by numbers (1 Maccabees 8-9:20). Thus perished a man worthy ofIsrael's most heroic days. He wasburied beside hisfather at Modin (161 ).
(161-143 ).
The handful of men who still remained faithful toJudas's policy chose Jonathan as their leader. John was soon after killed byArabs near Madaba, and Jonathan with his little army escaped the hands of Bacchides only by swimming theJordan. Their cause seemed hopeless. Gradually, however, the number of adherents increased and the Hellenists were againobliged to call for help. Bacchides returned and besieged the rebels in Bethbessen; but disgusted at his ill success he returned toSyria (1 Maccabees 9:23-72). During the next four years Jonathan was practically the master of the country. Then began a series of contests for the Syrian crown, which Jonathan turned to such good account that by shrewd diplomacy he obtained more than his brother had been able to win by his generalship and his victories. Both Demetrius I and his opponent Alexander Balas, sought to win him to their side. Jonathan took the part of Alexander, who appointed himhigh-priest and bestowed on him the insignia of a prince. Three years later, in reward for his services, Alexander conferred on him both the civil and military authority overJudea (1 Maccabees 9:73-10:66). In the conflict between Alexander and Demetrius II Jonathan again supported Alexander, and in return received the gift of the city of Accaron with its territory (1 Maccabees 10:67-89). After the fall of Alexander, Demetrius summoned Jonathan to Ptolemais to answer for his attack on the Acra; but instead of punishing him Demetrius confirmed him in all his dignities, and even granted him three districts ofSamaria. Jonathan having lent efficient aid in quelling an insurrection atAntioch, Demetrius promised to withdraw the Syrian garrison from the Acra and other fortified places inJudea. As he failed to keep his word, Jonathan went over to the party of Antiochus VI, the son of Alexander Balas, whose claims Tryphon was pressing. Jonathan was confirmed in all his possessions and dignities, and Simon appointed commander of the seaboard. While giving valuable aid to Antiochus the two brothers took occasion to strengthen their own position. Tryphon fearing that Jonathan might interfere with his ambitious plans treacherously invited him to Ptolemais and kept him aprisoner (1 Maccabees 11:19-12:48).
(143-135 ).
Simon was chosen to take the place of his captive brother, and by his vigilance frustrated Tryphon's attempt to invadeJudea. Tryphon in revenge killed Jonathan with his two sons whom Simon had sent as hostages on Tryphon's promise to liberate Jonathan (1 Maccabees 13:1-23). Simon obtained from Demetrius II exemption from taxation and thereby established the independence ofJudea. To secure communication with the port ofJoppe, which he had occupied immediately upon his appointment, he seized Gazara (the ancient Gazer or Gezer) and settled it withJews. He also finally drove the Syrian garrison out of the Acra. In recognition of his services the people decreed that the high-priesthood and the supreme command, civil and military, should be hereditary in hisfamily. After five years of peace and prosperity under his wise ruleJudea was threatened by Antiochus VII Sidetes, but his general Cendebeus was defeated at Modin byJudas and John, Simon's sons. A few months later Simon wasmurdered with two of his sons by his ambitious son-in-law Ptolemy (D.V. Ptolemee), and was buried at Modin with hisparents and brothers, over whosetombs he had erected a magnificent monument (1 Maccabees 13:25-16:17). After him the race quickly degenerated.
(135-105 ).
Simon's third son, John, surnamed Hyrcanus, who escaped the assassin's knife through timely warning, was recognized ashigh-priest and chief of the nation. In the first year of his rule Antiochus Sidetes besiegedJerusalem, and John was forced to capitulate though under rather favourable conditions. Renewed civil strife inSyria enabled John to enlarge his possessions by the conquest ofSamaria, Idumea, and some territory beyond theJordan. By forcing ;the Idumeans to acceptcircumcision, he unwittingly opened the way forHerod's accession to the throne. In his reign we first meet with the two parties of thePharisees andSadducees. Towards the end of his life John allied himself with the latter.
(105-104 ).
John left thecivil power to his wife and thehigh-priesthood to his oldest son Aristobulus or Judas. But Aristobulus seized the reins of government andimprisoned his mother with three of his brothers. The fourth brother, Antigonus, he ordered to be killed, in a fit of jealousy instigated by a court cabal. He was the first to assume the title King of theJews. His surnamePhilellen shows his Hellenistic proclivities.
(104-78 ).
Aristobulus was succeeded by the oldest of hisimprisoned brothers, Alexander Jannæus (Jonathan). Though generally unfortunate in hiswars, he managed to acquire new territory, including the coast towns except Ascalon. His reign was marred by a bloody feud with thePharisees.
(78-37 ).
Alexander bequeathed the government to his wife Alexandra Salome, and thehigh-priesthood to his son Hyrcanus II. She ruled in accordance with the wishes of thePharisees. At her death (69 ) civilwar broke out between Hyrcanus II and his brother Aristobulus II. This brought on Roman interference and loss of independence (63 ). Hyrcanus, whom the Romans recognized as ethnarch, was ruler only in name. Aristobulus was poisoned inRome by the adherents of Pompey, and his son Alexander was beheaded at Antioch by order of Pompey himself (49 ). Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus, was made king by the Parthians; but the next year he was defeated byHerod with the aid of the Romans, and beheaded at Antioch (37 ). With him ended the rule of the Machabees.Herod successivelymurdered (a) Aristobulus III, the grandson of both Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus II through the marriage of Alexander, the son of the former, with Alexandra, the daughter of the latter (35 ); (b) Hyrcanus II (30 ) and his daughter Alexandra (28 ); (c) Mariamne, the sister of Aristobulus III (29 ); and lastly his own two sons by Mariamne, Alexander and Aristobulus (7 ). In this manner the line of the Machabees became extinct.
JOSEPHUS,Antiq., XII, v-XV, vii; XVI, iv, x, xi; SCHÙRER,Hist. of the Jewish People, I (New York, 1891), i, 186 sq.; GRÄTZ,Hist. of the Jews, I (Philadelphia, 1891), 435 sq.; II, i sq.; STANLEY,Lectures on the Hist. of the Jewish Church, III (London, 1876); DE SAULCY,Hist. des Machabées (Paris, 1880); DERENBOURG,Hist. de la Palestine (Paris, 1867); WELLHAUSEN,Israelitische und Jüdische Geschichte (Berlin, 1894); CURTISS,The Name Machabees (Leipzig, 1876).
APA citation.Bechtel, F.(1910).The Machabees. InThe Catholic Encyclopedia.New York: Robert Appleton Company.http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09493b.htm
MLA citation.Bechtel, Florentine."The Machabees."The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 9.New York: Robert Appleton Company,1910.<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09493b.htm>.
Transcription.This article was transcribed for New Advent by WGKofron.
Ecclesiastical approbation.Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, Censor.Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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