My Study Bible

1st Maccabees Chapter 2

Matthathias and his sons

2:1 In those days Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. Later romanized from Matthew. For more info click here
the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, rose up and lived in Modin.
2:2 And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis:
2:3 Simon; called Thassi:
2:4 Judasיהודה המכבי
romanized: Yehudah HaMakabi Judah Maccabee (or Judas Maccabaeus /mækəˈbiːəs/, also spelled Maccabeus was a Jewish priest (kohen) and a son of the priest Mattathias. He led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire (167–160 BCE). The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (“Dedication”) commemorates the restoration of Jewish worship at the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE, after Judah Maccabee removed all of the statues depicting Greek gods and goddesses and purified it. For more info click here
, who was called Maccabeus:
2:5 Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.
2:6 And when he saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem,
2:7 He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to witness the misery of my people, and of the Holy City, and to live there, while it is delivered to her enemies, and the sanctuary into the hand of aliens?
2:8 Her temple has become as a man without character.
2:9 Her glorious vessels were carried away into captivity, her infants are slaughtered in the streets, her young men by the sword of the enemy.
2:10 What nation hasn’t had a piece in her kingdom and gotten of her plunder?
2:11 All her ornaments are taken away; like a free woman she that becomes a bond slave.
2:12 And, look, our Holy Place, our beauty and our glory, is now laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it.
2:13 To what do we have left we live for?
2:14 Then Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. From the Greek later transliterated Matthew. For more info click here
and his sons tore their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned deeply.

The ordeal of the sacrifice at Modein


2:15 Mean while the king’s officers who were enforcing the abandonment of the peoples beliefs, came into the city Modin, to make sacrifices.
2:16 And when many of Israel gathered around them, Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. From the Greek later transliterated Matthew. For more info click here
also and his sons gathered with them.
2:17 Then the king’s officers said to Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. From the Greek later transliterated Matthew. For more info click here
on this wise ruler, and a honorable man in this city, and sons and brothers that support you:
2:18 Now you be the first, and fulfill the king’s commandment, like all the nations have done,  and the men of Judah, and the ones remaining in Jerusalem: so shall you and your house be regarded as the king’s friends, and you and your sons shall be honored with silver and gold, and many rewards.
2:19 Then Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. romanized from Matthew. For more info click here
answered with a loud voice, Even if all the nations that are under the king’s rule obey him, and fall away each one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments:
2:20 I and my sons and my brothers will still walk in the covenant of our fathers.
2:21 God forbid that we should forsake the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
and its observances.
2:22 We will not listen to the king’s words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the left.
2:23 Now when he had finished speaking, one of the Jews came forward in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which in Modin, according to the king’s commandment.
2:24 When Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. From the Greek later transliterated Matthew. For more info click here
saw this, he was inflamed with zeal, stirred to the depth of his being, couldn’t he withhold  his anger in relation to his judgment: so he ran, and killed him on the altar.
2:25 At the same time he killed the king’s commissioner who was there to enforce the sacrifice, and then he pulled the altar down.
2:26 In his zeal for the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
he acted like Phinehasפִּינְחָס
ˈfɪniəs/; Modern: Pīnẖas Ancient Greek: Φινεες Phinehas or Phineas was a priest during the Israelites’ Exodus journey. The grandson of Aaron and son of Eleazar, the High Priests (Exodus 6:25), he distinguished himself as a youth at Shittim with his zeal against the heresy of Peor For more info click here
did to Zamri the son of Salom.
2:27 And Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. romanized from Matthew. For more info click here
yelled throughout the city, saying, Whoever is zealous for the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
, and maintains the covenant, let him follow me.
2:28 So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left everything that they had in the city.

The ordeal of the Sabbath in the desert


2:29 Then many that searching for justice and virtue went down into the desert, to live there:
2:30 Taking their sons, and their wives; and their cattle; because suffering increased on them.
2:31 Now when it was told to the king’s servants, and those stationed at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king’s commandment, were gone down to the hiding places in the desert,
2:32 They went after them with a large number, and when they overtaken them, they camped against them, and prepared to attack them on the Sabbath day.
2:33 And they said to them, Let what y’all have done end; come out, and do what to the king commands , and y’all shall live.
2:34 But they said, We will not come out, nor will we keep the king’s commandments, to profane the Sabbath day.
2:35 So then the kin’s forces attacked at once.
2:36 However they didn’t defend themselves, or throw stones at them, nor barricaded the places where they were hidden;
2:37 But said, Let us die all in our innocence: the heavens and the earth will testify for us, that y’all murdered us.
2:38 So they rose up against them in battle on the Sabbath, and they killed them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of one thousand people.

The activity of Mattathis and his associates


2:39 Now when the news reached Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. From the Greek later transliterated Matthew. For more info click here
and his friends, they mourned for them bitterly.
2:40 And one said to another, If we all do as our brothers have done, and
not fight for our lives and laws against the nations, they will now quickly wipe us off the earth.
2:41 At that time they decided, saying, Whoever attacks with us on the Sabbath day, we will fight against them; or we will all die, as our brothers that were murdered in the hiding places.
2:42 Then they were joined by a company of Hasideansחסידים הראשונים ‎
Hasidim ha-Rishonim, Greek Ἀσιδαῖοι or Asidaioi, also transcribed as Hasidaeans and Assideans) were a Jewish group during the Maccabean Revolt that took place from around 167–142 BCE. The Hasideans are mentioned three times in the books of the Maccabees. For more info click here
who were mighty men of Israel, all were voluntarily devoted of the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
.
2:43 Also everyone that fled for persecution joined them, and they were support for them .
2:44 So they joined their forces, and struck sinful men in their anger, and evil men in their fury: but the rest fled to the nations for help.
2:45 Then Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. From the Greek later transliterated Matthew. For more info click here
and his friends went around, and pulled down the altars:
2:46 And the boys they found within the territories of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised by force.
2:47 They also looked for the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.
2:48 So they recovered the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, reduced the sinners to helplessness.

The testament and death of Mattathis


2:49 Now when the time drew near that Mattathiasמַתִּתְיָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן יוֹחָנָן
Mattīṯyāhū haKōhēn ben Yōḥānān; died 166–165 BCE) was a Kohen (Jewish priest) who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Mattathias’s story is related in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Maccabees. Mattathias is accorded a central role in the story of Hanukkah and, as a result, is named in the Al HaNissim prayer Jews add to the Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) and the Amidah during the festival’s eight days. From the Greek later transliterated Matthew. For more info click here
to die, he said to his sons, Now has vanity and criticism flourishing, and the time of destruction, and the fury of indignation:
2:50 Now is the time, my sons, for y’all to be zealous for the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
2:51 Remembrance what acts our fathers did in their generation; so shall y’all receive great honor and an everlasting name.
2:52 Wasn’t Abrahamאַבְרָהָם
/ˈeɪbrəhæm, -həm/; ‎‎, Modern: ʾAvraham, As recounted in the Torah, his name was originally Avram which means “High Father” – “av” (אב) “father”, “ram” (רם) “high” – with the “ha” (ה) added in mark of his covenant with God. For more info click here
found faithful tested, and it was connected to him for righteousness?
2:53 Josephיוֹסֵף
Yosef Meaning: Jehovah shall add, God will add, taken away or praise, fame taken away. For more info click here
in his time of his distress kept the law and became the lord of Egypt.
2:54 Phinehasפִּינְחָס
ˈfɪniəs/; Modern: Pīnẖas Ancient Greek: Φινεες Phinehas or Phineas was a priest during the Israelites’ Exodus journey. The grandson of Aaron and son of Eleazar, the High Priests (Exodus 6:25), he distinguished himself as a youth at Shittim with his zeal against the heresy of Peor For more info click here
our father in being zealous and fervent recieved the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
2:55 Jeshuaיֵשׁוּעַ
romanized: Yēšūaʿ, lit. ‘Yahweh is salvation’) was a common alternative form of the name Yehoshua (Hebrew: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, romanized: Yəhōšūaʿ, lit. ’Joshua’) in later books of the Hebrew Bible and among Jews of the Second Temple period. The name corresponds to the Greek spelling Iesous (Ἰησοῦς), from which, through the Latin IESVS/Iesus, comes the English spelling Jesus meaning salvation. For more info click here
for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel.
2:56 Caleb for bearing witness before the assembled received the heritage of the land.
2:57 Davidדָּוִד
/ˈdeɪvɪd/; romanized: Dāwīḏ, “beloved one”) Historians of the Ancient Near East agree that David probably lived around 1000 BCE. For more info click here
for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
2:58 Elijahאֵלִיָּהוּ
romanized: ʾĒlīyyāhū,ˈlaɪdʒə/ il-EYE-jə; meaning “My God is Yahweh/YHWH”;Greek form: Elias /ɪˈlaɪəs/ il-EYE-əs)or more info click here
for being zealous and passion for the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
was taken up to the heavens.
2:59 Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by their faithfulness were saved out of the flame.
2:60 Danielדניאל
Meaning Judge Of God, God Is My Judge From the verb דין, to judge or govern, and the word אל (‘el), God. For more info click here
for his innocence was delivered from the mouth of lions.
2:61Know this y’all throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him will be overcome.
2:62 Don’t fear the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dunghill and worms.
2:63 Today exalted and tomorrow no where to be found, because he has returned to the dust, and his scheming was for nothing.
2:64 Wherefore, y’all my sons, be courageous and show yourselves men for the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
; for by it shall y’all acquire honor.
2:65 And see, I know that your brother Simon is a man of sound judgement, listen to him always: he will be like a father to you.
2:66 As for Judas Maccabeussיהודה המכבי
romanized: Yehudah HaMakabi Judah Maccabee (or Judas Maccabaeus /mækəˈbiːəs/, also spelled Maccabeus was a Jewish priest (kohen) and a son of the priest Mattathias. He led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire (167–160 BCE). The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (“Dedication”) commemorates the restoration of Jewish worship at the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE, after Judah Maccabee removed all of the statues depicting Greek gods and goddesses and purified it. For more info click here
, he has been strong and brave, from his youth: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people.
2:67 Take also to all those that observe the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
, and avenge y’all the wrong of your people.
2:68 Repay fully the nations, and take heed to the commandments of the Torahתּוֹרָה‎
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.
.
2:69 So he blessed them, and was joined his fathers.
2:70 And he died in the one hundred forty sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchers ˈsepəlkər (British sepulchre)
noun – a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is laid or buried. — Middle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum ‘burial place’, from sepelire ‘bury’.
of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel deeply mourned for him.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories