The Wars of Judas Maccabeus

The first two chapters of 1 Maccabees provide the background to the wars of Judas Maccabeus. When Antiochus IV Epiphanes defiled the temple, destroyed the Jews’ sacred Scriptures, and killed anyone who was obedient to the Old Testament law, Mattathias, Judas’ father, and his family launched a resistance movement. They refused to offer a sacrifice contrary to Jewish law and killed the king’s officer (1 Macc 2:15–26). They then fled into the hills (1 Macc 2:28). Other Jews fled as well, but they fled into the wilderness (1 Macc 2:29–30). When an army sent by Antiochus attacked these Jews on the Sabbath, they did not fight back and were killed (1 Macc 2:31–38). Upon hearing of this, Mattathias and his family vowed to “fight against anyone who comes to attack … on the Sabbath day,” lest the Jews become extinct (1 Macc 2:41 NRSV).

Prior to his death, Mattathias commissioned his children to “show zeal for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of our ancestors” (1 Macc 2:50). First Maccabees 2:66–68 recognizes Judas as “a mighty warrior from his youth” (NRSV). Mattathias exhorts Judas to “command the army … and fight the battle against the peoples” (1 Macc 2:66 NRSV).

Judas fought for the Jews in several battles (1 Macc 3:1–2). They were victorious over the following armies:

• Apollonius (1 Macc 3:10–12)

• Seron (1 Macc 3:13–26)

• Ptolemy

• Nicanor

• Gorgias (1 Macc 3:40–4:25)

• Lysias (1 Macc 4:26–34)

Upon victory over Lysias, Judas and his army journeyed to Mount Zion to cleanse and restore the temple (1 Macc 4:36–58). They then dedicated the temple and celebrated. This event forms the basis of Hanukkah: “Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev” (1 Macc 4:59 NRSV).

Judas and his army then attacked all opposition (1 Macc 5). In response to complaints about Judas, Antiochus V (the son of Antiochus IV Epiphanes) sent a multitude of forces (1 Macc 6:28–30). This conflict concluded with a peace treaty. After the death of Antiochus V, Demetrius of Rome took over as king (1 Macc 7:1–4). Though Demetrius had more success against Judas than his predecessors (1 Macc 7:5–22), Judas eventually prevailed (1 Macc 7:23–50). In 1 Maccabees 8, Judas appealed to Rome to prevent further advances by Demetrius. However, Demetrius issued another attack, in which Judas died (1 Macc 9:18).

Judas was buried by his brothers “in the tomb of their ancestors at Modein” (1 Macc 9:19 NRSV). All the Jews mourned the death of Judas, whom they praised (1 Macc 5:63–64) and regarded as the “savior of Israel” (1 Macc 9:21 NRSV).