2 Maccabees

History · Deuterocanon · An anonymous epitomist (abridging Jason of Cyrene) · Late 2nd century BCE to early 1st century BCE

A deuterocanonical historical work that focuses on the Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus. It covers the period from roughly 180 to 161 BCE, abridging a lost five-volume history by Jason of Cyrene. The text emphasizes theological interpretations of historical events, highlighting the martyrdom of faithful Jews and the defense of the Jerusalem Temple.

15 chapters

• 12 Maccabees 1Jerusalem Jews write to Egyptian Jews urging them to celebrate Hanukkah, recalling historical miracles regarding the temple's sacred altar fire.
• 22 Maccabees 2This chapter recounts Jeremiah hiding the tabernacle and ark, then introduces the book as an abridgment of Jason of Cyrene's history.
• 32 Maccabees 3Heliodorus attempts to confiscate funds from the Jerusalem temple treasury but is stopped and severely beaten by a divine angelic apparition.
• 42 Maccabees 4Jason and Menelaus corruptly compete for the high priesthood, introducing Hellenizing practices and culminating in the murder of the righteous Onias.
• 52 Maccabees 5Antiochus plunders Jerusalem and profanes the temple following a civil conflict, while Judas Maccabeus withdraws into the wilderness to escape pollution.
• 62 Maccabees 6Antiochus IV enforces Hellenization, defiles the temple, and executes faithful Jews, including the elderly scribe Eleazar who refuses to eat pork.
• 72 Maccabees 7Seven brothers and their mother are brutally tortured and executed by Antiochus IV for refusing to violate God's laws.
• 82 Maccabees 8Judas Maccabeus organizes a successful Jewish resistance, routing Nicanor's larger Syrian forces and distributing the captured spoils among the needy.
• 92 Maccabees 9Antiochus IV, stricken with a fatal illness as divine punishment for his pride, repents and promises to favor the Jews.
• 102 Maccabees 10Judas Maccabeus purifies and rededicates the temple, establishing Hanukkah, before leading successful military campaigns against hostile neighboring forces.
• 112 Maccabees 11After a heavenly warrior helps Judas defeat Lysias at Beth-zur, Lysias negotiates peace treaties and religious freedom for the Jews.
• 122 Maccabees 12Judas campaigns against hostile neighboring cities, defeats Timotheus, and offers sacrifices for fallen soldiers found with idolatrous amulets.
• 132 Maccabees 13Following the execution of Menelaus, Judas resists a massive invasion by Antiochus Eupator, who ultimately agrees to a peace treaty.
• 142 Maccabees 14Nicanor's peace with Judas is disrupted by the king, leading Nicanor to hunt Judas and prompt the suicide of Razis.
• 152 Maccabees 15Encouraged by a vision of Jeremiah, Judas defeats Nicanor's army, executes Nicanor, and institutes a festival celebrating the victory.