#1macc

[gadarene]

VERSE OF THE DAY for 23 Nov 2021

And the people (Judeans) began to write in their instruments (official documents) and contracts, "In the first year of Simon (second son of Mattathias), the great high priest and captain and leader of the Jews." ( 1Macc 13:42, 1894 RV glossed )

[gadarene]

VERSE OF THE DAY for 4 Oct 2021

and (Antiochus Epiphanes) entered presumptuously into the sanctuary (of the Second Temple), and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of the light, and everything associated with them [all that pertained thereto] {...}. ( 1Macc 1:21, 1894 RV updated )

[gadarene]

NOTES ON 1-2 Maccabees

The first two books of the Maccabees detail the Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BCE) and the rise of the Hasmonean Dynasty. 1Macc covers the period from 175-134 BCE. 2Macc is an expanded recounting of 1Macc, cc. 1-7 (180-161 BCE).

First Maccabees includes four laments and three encomiums (hymns of praise), all in the form of traditional Hebrew poetry ...

Lament 1: 1Macc 1:25-28

Lament 2: ... 1:36-40

Lament 3: ... 2:7-13

Hymn 1: ... 2:51-64

Hymn 2: ... 3:3-9

Lament 4: ... 3:45

Hymn 3: ... 14:4-15

Both books also include letters between various parties in the conflict, a narrative device common to literature of the post-Exile period (cf. GkEsth).