Changes

This is one of the historical books of the Bible, similar in tone to the books of Kings and Chronicles and Joshua and Judges. It is a religious summary or epitome by an unknown author of a 5 volume work by an unknown Jason of Cyrene, covering the history of the Jews from the time of the rise of [[Alexander the Great]] during the [[high priest|high priesthood]] of [[Jaddua]] about 333 B.C., through the persecution of [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]], and the resistance of the [[Maccabee]]s under Judas Maccabeus. The book is prefaced by copies of official correspondence sent to the Jews in Egypt in 124 B.C., and a second document addressed to Aristobulus II "of the family of the anointed priests" Hasmonean high priest of the nation 66 to 63 B.C. in the time of [[Pompey]] of Rome. The book was evidently written shortly after that time as an encouragement to the Jews to remain faithful to God with confidence in his power over the nations.

This is one of the historical books of the Bible, similar in tone to the books of Kings and Chronicles and Joshua and Judges. It is a religious summary or epitome by an unknown author of a 5 volume work by an unknown Jason of Cyrene, covering the history of the Jews from the time of the rise of [[Alexander the Great]] during the [[high priest|high priesthood]] of [[Jaddua]] about 333 B.C., through the persecution of [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]], and the resistance of the [[Maccabee]]s under Judas Maccabeus. The book is prefaced by copies of official correspondence sent to the Jews in Egypt in 124 B.C., and a second document addressed to Aristobulus II "of the family of the anointed priests" Hasmonean high priest of the nation 66 to 63 B.C. in the time of [[Pompey]] of Rome. The book was evidently written shortly after that time as an encouragement to the Jews to remain faithful to God with confidence in his power over the nations.

Chapter 4:36-59 relates the triumphant recovery and dedication of the Temple after the defilement of the pagans and apostate Jews who had gone over to [[Hellenism]]. The '''Feast of the Dedication''' is mentioned in the Gospel According to John, chapter 10:22-23. Today this celebration is called '''[[Ḥanukkah]]'''. It demonstrates the miraculous providence of God in preserving the nation in the face of violent religious oppression, and the overcoming of pagan forces seeking the annihilation of the Jews and the destruction of the books (scrolls) of the sacred scriptures containing the written Word of God. It ends with the triumphant defeat of Nicanor, the Syrian general, his beheading, and the decree that this day be celebrated, the 13th day of Adar, the day before Purim on the 14th and 15th day of Adar the 12th month of the Jewish calendar.

Chapter 10:1-9 relates the triumphant recovery and dedication of the Temple after the defilement of the pagans and apostate Jews who had gone over to [[Hellenism]]. The '''Feast of the Dedication''' is mentioned in the Gospel According to John, chapter 10:22-23. Today this celebration is called '''[[Ḥanukkah]]'''. It demonstrates the miraculous providence of God in preserving the nation in the face of violent religious oppression, and the overcoming of pagan forces seeking the annihilation of the Jews and the destruction of the books (scrolls) of the sacred scriptures containing the written Word of God. It ends with the triumphant defeat of Nicanor, the Syrian general, his beheading, and the decree that this day be celebrated, the 13th day of Adar, the day before Purim on the 14th and 15th day of Adar the 12th month of the Jewish calendar.

The martyrdom of the mother and her 7 sons in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2maccabees%207&version=DRA 2 Maccabees 7] is referenced in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011:35&version=KJV Hebrews 11:35.] The 6th chapter's testimony of the witness of the aged Eleazar faithful to the Law in the face of death [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2maccabees%206:18-31&version=DRA 6:18-31] and the 7th chapter's testimony of their powerful words to the tyrant before they died are referenced as the angel with the little scroll who cried out like a lion roaring and the 7 thunders sounding, whose words John sealed up and did not write, in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2010:1-7&version=KJV Revelation 10:1-7].

The martyrdom of the mother and her 7 sons in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2maccabees%207&version=DRA 2 Maccabees 7] is referenced in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011:35&version=KJV Hebrews 11:35.] The 6th chapter's testimony of the witness of the aged Eleazar faithful to the Law in the face of death [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2maccabees%206:18-31&version=DRA 6:18-31] and the 7th chapter's testimony of their powerful words to the tyrant before they died are referenced as the angel with the little scroll who cried out like a lion roaring and the 7 thunders sounding, whose words John sealed up and did not write, in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2010:1-7&version=KJV Revelation 10:1-7].

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[[category:Bible]] [[category:apocrypha]]

[[category:Bible]] [[category:apocrypha]]