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Line 1: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − − 2 Maccabees was first removed from the Old Testament and placed in the Apocrypha by Martin Luther in the 16th century. The Second Book of Maccabees is regarded as an apocryphal book of the Old Testament by less than one-third of Christian believers.<ref name=Prot/>
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The '''Second Book of Maccabees''' is found in the books of the [[Septuagint]], the Old Testament accepted as inspired and canonical by the [[Orthodox Church]] in the ''Greek Orthodox Bible'', and found in the books of the Old Testament of the ''[[Vulgate]]'' and included in the canon of inspired scripture by the [[Third Council of Carthage (397)]]. It is included in the canon of the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Ethiopian Orthodox Bible]]. Since the [[Council of Trent]] it is [[Dogma|dogmatically]] accepted as inspired and canonical by the [[Catholic Church]] in the ''Catholic Bible''—books of the Bible accepted as divinely inspired by the majority of Christian believers in the United States.<ref>The '''Catholic Church''' is the world's largest [[Christianity|Christian]] body comprised of several distinct [https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm "Rites"]. The [[Catholic Church|Catholic Church (Latin Rite)]] is the largest religious body in the United States, with over 60 million adherents (4 times as large as the second largest church, the Orthodox).<br/>[http://www.pewforum.org/2013/02/13/the-global-catholic-population/ “The Global Catholic Population,” © 2011, Pew Research Center.]<br/>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_romcath.html The Largest Catholic Communities]<br/>
The '''Second Book of Maccabees''' is found in the books of the [[Septuagint]], the Old Testament accepted as inspired and canonical by the [[Orthodox Church]] in the ''Greek Orthodox Bible'', and found in the books of the Old Testament of the ''[[Vulgate]]'' and included in the canon of inspired scripture by the [[Third Council of Carthage (397)]]. It is included in the canon of the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Ethiopian Orthodox Bible]]. Since the [[Council of Trent]] it is [[Dogma|dogmatically]] accepted as inspired and canonical by the [[Catholic Church]] in the ''Catholic Bible''—books of the Bible accepted as divinely inspired by the majority of Christian believers in the United States.<ref>The '''Catholic Church''' is the world's largest [[Christianity|Christian]] body comprised of several distinct [https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm "Rites"]. The [[Catholic Church|Catholic Church (Latin Rite)]] is the largest religious body in the United States, with over 60 million adherents (4 times as large as the second largest church, the Orthodox).<br/>[http://www.pewforum.org/2013/02/13/the-global-catholic-population/ “The Global Catholic Population,” © 2011, Pew Research Center.]<br/>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_romcath.html The Largest Catholic Communities]<br/>
The '''Eastern Orthodox Church''', officially called the '''Orthodox Catholic Church''', and also referred to as the '''[[Orthodox Church]]''' and '''Orthodoxy''', is the second largest [[Christianity|Christian church]] in the world, with an estimated 225–300 million adherents, most of whom live in [[Eastern Europe]], the [[Middle East]], and [[Russia]].<br/>{{cite web |last1=Calivas |first1=Rev. Alciviadis C. |title=The Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Church |publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of America |year=1983 |url=http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7061 |accessdate=7 May 2014 |ref=none }}<br/>{{cite web |last1=Fairchild |first1=Mary |title=Christianity:Basics:Eastern Orthodox Church Denomination |publisher=about.com |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/easternorthodoxy/p/orthodoxprofile.htm |accessdate=22 May 2014 |ref=none }}<br/>{{cite web |title=Christianity |work=Major Branches of Religions Ranked by Number of Adherents |publisher=adherents.com |url=http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity |accessdate=22 May 2014 |ref=none }}</ref><ref name=Prot>See [http://www.888c.com/worldChristianDenominations.htm Percentage of Christians in Protestant Denominations (29.5%)].</ref>
The '''Eastern Orthodox Church''', officially called the '''Orthodox Catholic Church''', and also referred to as the '''[[Orthodox Church]]''' and '''Orthodoxy''', is the second largest [[Christianity|Christian church]] in the world, with an estimated 225–300 million adherents, most of whom live in [[Eastern Europe]], the [[Middle East]], and [[Russia]].<br/>{{cite web |last1=Calivas |first1=Rev. Alciviadis C. |title=The Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Church |publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of America |year=1983 |url=http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7061 |accessdate=7 May 2014 |ref=none }}<br/>{{cite web |last1=Fairchild |first1=Mary |title=Christianity:Basics:Eastern Orthodox Church Denomination |publisher=about.com |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/easternorthodoxy/p/orthodoxprofile.htm |accessdate=22 May 2014 |ref=none }}<br/>{{cite web |title=Christianity |work=Major Branches of Religions Ranked by Number of Adherents |publisher=adherents.com |url=http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity |accessdate=22 May 2014 |ref=none }}</ref><ref name=Prot>See [http://www.888c.com/worldChristianDenominations.htm Percentage of Christians in Protestant Denominations (29.5%)].</ref>
2 Maccabees was first removed from the Old Testament and placed in the Apocrypha by Martin Luther in the 16th century. The Second Book of Maccabees is regarded as an apocryphal book of the Old Testament by less than one-third of Christian believers.<ref name=Prot/>
==Content==
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 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.
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.
===Chapter summary headings===
The chapter summary headings as they appear in the Douay-Rheims Bible are as follows:
:1 Letters of the Jews of Jerusalem to them that were in Egypt. They give thanks for their delivery from Antiochus [''Antiochus X Eusebes'']: and exhort their brethren to keep the feast of the dedication of the altar, and of the miraculous fire.
:2 A continuation of the second letter. Of Jeremias' hiding the ark at the time of the captivity. the author's preface.
:3 Heliodorus is sent by king Seleucus to take away the treasures deposited in the temple. He is struck by God, and healed by the prayers of the high priest.
:4 Onias has recourse to the king. The ambition and wickedness of Jason and Menelaus. Onias is treacherously murdered.
:5 Wonderful signs are seen in the air. Jason's wickedness and end. Antiochus takes Jerusalem, and plunders the temple.
:6 Antiochus commands the law to be abolished, sets up an idol in the temple and persecutes the faithful. The martyrdom of Eleazar.
:7 The glorious martyrdom of the seven brethren and their mother.
:8 Judas Machabeus gathering an army gains divers victories.
:9 The wretched end, and fruitless repentance of king Antiochus.
:10 The purification of the temple and city. Other exploits of Judas. His victory of Timotheus.
:11 Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.
:12 The Jews are still molested by their neighbours. Judas gains divers victories over them. He orders sacrifice and prayer for the dead.
:13 Antiochus and Lysias again invade Judea. Menelaus is put to death. The king's great army is worsted twice. The peace is renewed.
:14 Demetrius challenges the kingdom. Alcimus applies to himm to be made high priest: Nicanor is sent into Judea: his dealings with judas: his threats. The history of Razias.
:15 Judas encouraged by a vision gains a glorious victory over Nicanor. The conclusion.
::::::::::THE END OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
See [[Literalist Bible chronology]]
==Confused readings of the identity of Antiochus in 2 Maccabees 1==
"''...To [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1769-aristobulus-ii Aristobulus],''<ref>Aristobulus II (son of Alexander Jannaeus [''who ruled'' 103–76 B.C.] son of John Hyrcanus). It is unlikely that the earlier Aristobulus I is indicated, who imprisoned his mother, killed his brother, and ruled less than one year 104–103 B.C. as ethnarch and high priest. ''Ant.'' 13:11:1–3 (§§301–317).</ref> ''who is of the family of the anointed priests, teacher of Ptolemy the king ''[http://www.livius.org/ps-pz/ptolemies/ptolemy_xii_auletes.html Ptolemy XII Auletes]''...Having been saved by God out of grave dangers we thank him greatly for taking our side against the king. For he drove out those who fought against the holy city.''"
*''See'' Josephus, [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/josephus/works/files/ant-14.htm ''Antiquities of the Jews'', Book 14, Chapters 2—4]
*2 Maccabees 1:13-16 relates the death of [http://virtualreligion.net/iho/antiochus_10.html Antiochus X Eusebes] and his men, during the course of a military expedition, as locked inside the temple of Nanaya/Nanea in Persia,<ref>Nanea. See [http://www.behindthename.com/name/nanaya Nanaya] (behindthename.com) and [http://www.aakkl.helsinki.fi/melammu/database/gen_html/a0000731.php The Melammu Project. The Heritage of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East: Nanaya in Syria and Mesopotamia] (aakkl.helsinki.fi)</ref> stoned to death and beheaded by the priests.<ref>[http://www.westarinstitute.org/membership/westar-fellows/fellows-directory/mahlon-h-smith/ Mahlon H. Smith] states that Antiochus X Eusebes died fighting the Parthian Empire (which included Persian territory).<br/>See [http://virtualreligion.net/iho/antiochus_10.html Antiochus X Eusebes ''entry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith''] and [http://www.livius.org/am-ao/antiochus/antiochus_x_eusebes.html Antiochus X Eusebes] (livius.org)</ref><ref name=ParthianMedia/> <br/>(<small>This Antiochus should not be confused with the earlier Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who failed to take Elymais and its temple, and afterward died of parasitic infection and decay in the mountains of Persia. 1 Maccabees 6:1-16; 2 Maccabees 9:1-10, 28.</small><ref>Some scholars (''The New American Bible'' for example) believe that the ''Antiochus'' referred to in this text of 2 Macc. 1:14 was Antiochus IV Epiphanes: "'''''1, 14-17''': A different account of the death of Antiochus IV is given in 2 Mc 9, 1-29 and another variant account in 1 Mc 6, 1-16. The writer of this letter'' [2 Macc. 1:10–2:18 one copy to Aristobulus in Jerusalem, one copy to the Jews in Egypt] ''probably heard a distorted rumor of the king's death. This fact and other indications show that the letter was written very soon after Antiochus IV died, hence in 164 B.C.'' —New American Bible, 2 Maccabees 1:14–17, footnote. <br/> As with the text of Daniel 11:45, a literalist interpretation of 2 Maccabees rejects the scholarly view of a "''distorted rumor''" in favor of an "inerrant" reading that takes the narrative as an accurate report, and therefore as not referring to the death of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but to the actual death of another Antiochus who was slain by Parthians in the (Syrian) region of [http://americanhistory.si.edu/numismatics/parthia/frames/phisf.htm Persia/the Parthian Empire] in the temple of Nanaya. The extra-biblical evidence cited by Mahlon H. Smith and others regarding the "official" circumstances of the death of Antiochus X tends to support this literalist view, as being an ancient historical revisionist account written to cover up the truth of his humiliating and scandalous death as recorded in the Bible, as being instead the death of a king in the midst of a battle against his Parthian enemy, but this is currently a minority opinion.</ref>)
==New Testament allusions to 2 Maccabees==
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].
See [[Apocrypha]].
See [[Apocrypha]].