Maccabaeus; Maccabees
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Maccabees were a Jewish priestly family and their followers who led a successful revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE, culminating in the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple.
What is the meaning of Maccabaeus; Maccabees in the Bible?
The Maccabees were a Jewish priestly family and their followers who led a successful revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE, culminating in the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Maccabees clarifies the historical context of the Books of Maccabees and explains the origin of the Hanukkah festival described in Jewish tradition.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.