Biblical Profile: Maccabees

Maccabees The Maccabees (meaning, “hammers”) successfully led a revolt against Antiochus IV in response to his persecution of the Jews. They and their descendants (called Hasmoneans) ruled Judea for nearly a hundred years and helped form Jewish society as we see it in the time of Jesus. The Maccabean Revolt (166–142 BC) When Antiochus IV made the practice of Judaism punishable by death in 167 BC, many Jews acquiesced, while others passively resisted and paid with their lives.…