Mattathias
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Mattathias was a Jewish priest from the town of Modein who, along with his five sons, led the initial uprising against the Seleucid Empire's religious decrees, establishing the Hasmonean dynasty.
What is the meaning of Mattathias in the Bible?
Mattathias was a Jewish priest from the town of Modein who, along with his five sons, led the initial uprising against the Seleucid Empire's religious decrees, establishing the Hasmonean dynasty.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Mattathias provides essential context for the Books of Maccabees, clarifying the historical origins of Hanukkah and the transition of Jewish leadership from the priestly aristocracy to the Hasmonean family during the Second Temple period.
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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.