1 Maccabees

History · Deuterocanon · An anonymous Judean author · c. 100–90 BCE

A historical narrative detailing the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire from 175 to 134 BCE, led by the priest Mattathias and his sons. It records the desecration and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple, the military campaigns of Judas Maccabeus, and the rise of the Hasmonean dynasty. The book emphasizes loyalty to the covenant and Jewish independence.

16 chapters

• 11 Maccabees 1Antiochus IV Epiphanes enforces Hellenization in Judea, plunders the Jerusalem temple, and outlaws Jewish religious practices under penalty of death.
• 21 Maccabees 2Mattathias sparks an armed revolt in Modin by killing a royal official, initiating guerrilla warfare before passing leadership to Judas Maccabeus.
• 31 Maccabees 3Judas Maccabeus defeats Syrian commanders Apollonius and Seron, prompting Lysias to dispatch a massive army to crush the Judean rebellion.
• 41 Maccabees 4Judas defeats Gorgias and Lysias, cleanses the defiled Jerusalem temple, and institutes the eight-day festival of dedication.
• 51 Maccabees 5Judas and his brothers campaign successfully against hostile neighboring nations to rescue besieged Jewish populations in Galilee and Gilead.
• 61 Maccabees 6King Antiochus IV dies in Persia, while Lysias and young Antiochus V lay siege to Jerusalem before declaring a peace treaty.
• 71 Maccabees 7Demetrius I seizes the Seleucid throne and sends Nicanor to Judea, whom Judas Maccabeus defeats and kills in battle.
• 81 Maccabees 8Impressed by Roman military dominance, Judas Maccabeus sends ambassadors to Rome to establish a formal treaty of alliance.
• 91 Maccabees 9Judas Maccabeus is killed in battle against Bacchides, and his brother Jonathan succeeds him as leader of the Jewish forces.
• 101 Maccabees 10Rival Seleucid kings court Jonathan's favor, appointing him high priest, before Alexander Balas wins the throne and honors Jonathan.
• 111 Maccabees 11Ptolemy VI invades Syria, Alexander Balas dies, Demetrius II claims the throne, and Jonathan secures Judean favors amidst imperial transitions.
• 121 Maccabees 12Jonathan renews alliances with Rome and Sparta, defeats regional enemies, but is ultimately trapped and captured by the treacherous Tryphon.
• 131 Maccabees 13Simon assumes leadership, secures Jewish independence, buries the murdered Jonathan, and successfully expels the Seleucid garrison from Jerusalem's citadel.
• 141 Maccabees 14Under Simon's peaceful rule, Judea prospers, foreign alliances are renewed, and a public decree establishes his family's perpetual dynastic leadership.
• 151 Maccabees 15Antiochus VII confirms Jewish privileges before besieging Tryphon, but he eventually breaks treaty terms and sends Cendebeus to invade Judea.
• 161 Maccabees 16Simon's sons defeat Cendebeus, but Ptolemy assassinates Simon and two sons; John Hyrcanus escapes to succeed his father as leader.