John also called gaddi, 3 simon also called thassi, 4 judas also called maccabeus, 5 eleazar also called avaran, and. Reflections video books of the bible understanding the bible. The second book of maccabees all chapters the bible youtube. Apocrypha 1st maccabees of the king james bible 1611. So, i have been reading the book of maccabees and for the life of me, i cannot understand why it isnt included in our bible. One concerning theological teaching from 2 maccabees is the concept of praying on behalf of the dead 2 maccabees 12. Of jeremias hiding the ark at the time of the captivity. But the contents of the book do not agree with this view. Though initially hailed as liberators, the selucid family wasted no time in leaving their mark upon judea. The title of 1 and 2 maccabees is taken from the surname of judas 1 mace. The first two books only are part of canonical scripture in the septuagint and the vulgate hence are canonical to roman catholicism and eastern orthodoxy and.
All the events of the second century bce are important only insofar as they involve the temple in jerusalem. In its present form 2 maccabees is based ostensibly on two kinds of written sources. Roman catholics often claim that the ancient jewish historical book of 2 maccabees which they wrongly consider to be scripture teaches purgatory. The books of 1 and 2 maccabees are early jewish writings detailing the history of the jews in the first century bc.
Maccabees 2 is somewhat an extension of its first part but unlike its precedent version its tone and narrative are not so detailed. Jan 02, 2020 the book of 2 maccabees consists of a greek synopsis of a fivevolume history of the maccabean revolt written by jason of cyrene. The books title, the maccabees sic bible is a misnomer in and of itself. Unlike 1 maccabees, 2 maccabees was written in koine greek, probably in alexandria.
Yet even this is difficult within a traditional jewish context, due to another historical layer. The reality is, however, that purgatory is not even found in the apocryphal books, nor would it be a biblical teaching even if it was. Although maccabees 2 is a part of the old testament, it is not a part of the tanak bible. The books of the maccabees, four books, none of which is in the hebrew bible but. It is also referred to by jesus and his disciple in john chapter 10 the feast of the dedication. The book s title, the maccabees sic bible is a misnomer in and of itself. The doctrine expressed in the book is the customary belief of israel, without the new developments which appear in 2 maccabees and daniel. Second book of maccabees, pt 1 of 2, new american bible youtube. Librivox recording of the first book of maccabees, from the douayrheims version. Seven pyramid family burial tombs in modein of the maccabees. The books of the maccabees, maccabees also spelled machabees, four books, none of which is in the hebrew bible but all of which appear in some manuscripts of the septuagint. Why does the catholic bible include the maccabees and the. These kind of biblical books are also known as the deuterocanonical books which refer to the canons outside the bible.
The same things are reported in the records and in the memoirs of nehemiah, and also that he founded a library and collected the books about the kings and. The original hebrew is lost and the most important surviving version is the greek translation contained in the septuagint. Why are the books of maccabees removed from the kjv. Two of these were included in the early current latin versions of the bible, and thence passed into the vulgate. Both books are part of the canon of scripture in the greek orthodox, roman catholic, coptic, and russian orthodox churches, but they are not recognized as canon by protestants and jews. First book of maccabees, pt 1 of 3, new american bible. It tells the story of how the greek ruler antiochus iv epiphanes attempted to suppress temple worship and to. With the exception of the pentateuch and the prophets, what was and what was not part of the canonical hebrew bible during the era of the maccabees is an open question. The main reason is that modern day judaism comes from the phariseee sect which believes in rabbinic interpretation and the oral tradition, whereas the hasmonean dynasty and the maccabees represented the sadducee sect, a break away sect that sought. The books of the maccabees, four books, none of which is in the hebrew bible but all of which appear in some manuscripts of the septuagint. Next chapter of 2 maccabees the book of 2 maccabees, chapter 2 we hope that you find the content of the book of 2 maccabees, chapter 2 from the douay rheims version of the catholic bible helpful to your bible studies and for references which allow you to read the books and individual verses of this chapter. Perhaps the term maccabees was generalized so as to denote all who suffered for their faith. Unlike 1 maccabees, 2 maccabees was written in koine greek, probably in alexandria, egypt, c.
Yes, in the deuterocanonical books of the catholic bible the story is found in the book of maccabees. First and second maccabees were included in the septuagint, the greek translation of the hebrew bible originally prepared for the jewish community of alexandria. The people of israel have been specially chosen by the one true god as covenantpartner, and they alone are privileged to know and worship god, their eternal benefactor and unfailing source of help. Apocrypha 2ndmaccabees of the king james bible 1611. English bible according to the catholic and orthodox canons. The book is held as canonical scripture by the catholic, orthodox, and oriental orthodox. First maccabees is in a way reminiscent of the book of judges the maccabees are those men into whose hand the salvation of israel was given i maccabees 5. However, the book of daniel, although included within the canon, is to a large extent written in aramaic. Removed from the bible by the protestant church in the 1800s. Although the books of maccabees were not included within the hebrew bible, they are still of value. The books of the maccabees biblical literature britannica. These books were better known among greek speaking jews in the mediterranean world around the time of jesus.
The pagans are defined as blasphemous and barbarous nations, but there are also severe censures of apostate jews. I maccabees is the main, and at times the only, historical source for the period. Now it is found in the descriptions of jeremias the prophet, that he commanded them that went into captivity, to take the fire, as it hath been signified, and how he gave charge to them that were carried away into captivity. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. The king james bible, along with virtually all other protestant versions of the bible whether they are officially endorsed by a protestant church or not, includes translations of the hebrew books of what is now called the old testament. Why was the book of maccabees taken out of the bible kj. Maccabees 2 aka second book of macabees your bible quotes. It was originally thought that the jews left the book of maccabee out during the council of jamnia sp. They came to the town of modein to make its people offer pagan sacrifice. Why the maccabees arent in the bible my jewish learning. Thefourthbookofthe maccabees thefourthbookofthemaccabees appearsinanappendix. May 30, 2016 so, i have been reading the book of maccabees and for the life of me, i cannot understand why it isnt included in our bible. The name maccabee, probably meaning hammer, is actually applied in the books of maccabees to.
First book of maccabees, pt 1 of 3, new american bible youtube. Why is the book of maccabees not in the bible answers. The record in 2 maccabees begins one year earlier than that of 1 maccabees, but as the latter reaches down to 5 bc and probably below 105 bc. Dec, 2017 the main reason is that modern day judaism comes from the phariseee sect which believes in rabbinic interpretation and the oral tradition, whereas the hasmonean dynasty and the maccabees represented the sadducee sect, a break away sect that sought. Regarding the dates in 1 and 2 maccabees, see note on 1 mc 1. I am thoroughly struck by how profound the life of christ was in the light of the book of 1 and 2 maccabees. Some hold that the book was written originally as a kind of introduction to the books of maccabees, which it precedes as book i in cottons five books of maccabees. Page 1 apocrypha 2 nd maccabees of the king james bible 1611.
Even more problematic is the fact that scholars believe that the first book of maccabees was indeed written originally in hebrew, therefore meeting the language criterion for inclusionand yet it is absent from the biblical canon. The wisdom of solomon and 1st and 2nd book of maccabees. Some protestants include 2 maccabees as part of the biblical apocrypha, useful for reading in the church. The physical placement of 1 and 2 maccabees within bible translations discussed in the next section provides important evidence concerning the translators views of the book and its relation. The first two books only are part of canonical scripture in the septuagint and the. There never has been any document known as the macabean bible. Apr 20, 2000 the wisdom of solomon and 1st and 2nd book of maccabees. The second book has a more theological slant, advancing several. The first two books only are part of canonical scripture in the septuagint and the vulgate hence are canonical to roman catholicism and eastern orthodoxy and are included in the protestant apocrypha. Why isnt the book of maccabees in the jewish bible, the. Why isnt the book of maccabees included in the bible. The author tells us that he is summarizing a 5volume work by jason of cyrene 2. The book of 2 maccabees consists of a greek synopsis of a fivevolume history of the maccabean revolt written by jason of cyrene.
1486 213 411 324 1379 1292 1134 394 891 992 812 419 962 1034 689 271 1215 436 1513 1397 361 801 1114 180 1459 885 868 657 430