Maccabees

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Maccabees \Mac"ca*bees\, n. pl.
     1. The name given in later times to the Asmonaeans, a family
        of Jewish patriots, who headed a religious revolt in the
        reign of Antiochus IV., 168-161 b. c., which led to a
        period of freedom for Israel. --Schaff-Herzog.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. The name of two ancient historical books, which give
        accounts of Jewish affairs in or about the time of the
        Maccabean princes, and which are received as canonical
        books in the Roman Catholic Church, but are included in
        the Apocrypha by Protestants. Also applied to three books,
        two of which are found in some MSS. of the Septuagint.
        [1913 Webster] Maccaboy

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Maccabees
     This word does not occur in Scripture. It was the name given to
     the leaders of the national party among the Jews who suffered in
     the persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes, who succeeded to the
     Syrian throne B.C. 175. It is supposed to have been derived from
     the Hebrew word (makkabah) meaning "hammer," as suggestive of
     the heroism and power of this Jewish family, who are, however,
     more properly called Asmoneans or Hasmonaeans, the origin of
     which is much disputed.
     
       After the expulsion of Antiochus Epiphanes from Egypt by the
     Romans, he gave vent to his indignation on the Jews, great
     numbers of whom he mercilessly put to death in Jerusalem. He
     oppressed them in every way, and tried to abolish altogether the
     Jewish worship. Mattathias, an aged priest, then residing at
     Modin, a city to the west of Jerusalem, became now the
     courageous leader of the national party; and having fled to the
     mountains, rallied round him a large band of men prepared to
     fight and die for their country and for their religion, which
     was now violently suppressed. In 1 Macc. 2:60 is recorded his
     dying counsels to his sons with reference to the war they were
     now to carry on. His son Judas, "the Maccabee," succeeded him
     (B.C. 166) as the leader in directing the war of independence,
     which was carried on with great heroism on the part of the Jews,
     and was terminated in the defeat of the Syrians.