The Intertestamental Period From Babylon To The Birth

The Intertestamental Period: From Babylon To The Birth Of Christ Maccabean Part 1

Intertestamental Period Week Date Topic 1 01 Mar 17 Overview 2 08 Mar 17 Babylonian Period (605 -539 BC) 3 15 Mar 17 Persian Period (539 -332 BC) 4 22 Mar 17 Greek Period (332 -323 BC) 5 29 Mar 17 Ptolemaic (323 -198 BC) 6 05 Apr 17 Seleucid (198 -168 BC) 7 12 Apr 17 Maccabean Part 1 (168 -153 BC) 8 19 Apr 17 Maccabean Part 2 (153 -139 BC) 9 26 Apr 17 Independence (139 -63 BC) 10 03 May 17 Rome Intervenes (63 – 37 BC) 11 10 May 17 Herod (37 BC – 4 BC) 12 17 May 17 The IT Period and Christianity (4 BC – 70 AD) 13 24 May 17 Review

Today’s Objectives • Review last week’s lesson • Learn about the Hasmonean dynasty • Learn about the Mattathias’ role in the Jewish uprising • Learn about Mattathias’ five sons • Review Judas Maccabeus’ actions to carry on his father’s mission • Learn about the rededication of the temple • Learn about further oppression by Antiochus V • Review important historical notes about Rome

Last week’s lesson • Reviewed last week’s lesson • Learned about Antiochus III and Antiochus IV Epiphanies ruled over Palestine • Learned about Roman influence over the Seleucid empire • Reviewed the degeneration of Jewish religious freedom under Antiochus IV Epiphanies • Discovered the seeds of a Jewish revolt in the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanies • Reviewed the key events occurring during the Seleucid rule of Jerusalem

Reference Material • KJV (w/ Apocrypha) – 1 st and 2 nd Maccabbees • • • Josephus – The Complete Works Herodotus – The History Intertestamental History – Mark Moore Ancient Rome – Simon Baker Harding University – BNEW 112 Course Notes – Dr. Thompson • Intertestamental Period – John Battle

Where we left off…. • Antiochus IV forbids the practice of the Jewish religion, 167 -166 BC • Destroys all copies of Scriptures (Ant 12. 5. 4) • Forbids observance of Jewish festivals • Forbids circumcision • Requires Jews to sacrifice on pagan alters and eat pig flesh (2 Macc 7) • Samaritans, meanwhile, assure Antiochus of their allegiance to him – Not “Jews” but “Sidonians”

Hasmonean Dynasty • 167 -63 BC • Led to independent rule in Jerusalem • Threats by more powerful nations remained – Syrians (Seleucids) – Romans • Seleucid oppression led to a Jewish revolt – Against Antiochus IV Epiphanies • Ultimately obtained victory – Maccabee family is integral in the revolt

Mattathias • From the village of Modin – 20 miles northwest of Jerusalem – 10 miles east of Lydda, Syrian district capital – Near Syrian troop concentration • Priest who lived in Modin kills an emissary of Antiochus and an apostate Jew – 167 BC • Mattathias flees with his five sons and other Jews to the mountains • Many Hasidim join them • Mattathias and his family begin guerrilla warfare against the Syrians

Sons of Mattathias • Mattathias dies of old age in 167 BC, soon after the revolt began • He appoints his third son, Judas, as leader • Mattathias had five sons – John – Simon – Judas (or Judas the Maccabee) – Eleazar – Jonathan • Three sons ruled over Judah, all five sons suffer violent deaths

Judas Maccabeus • • Very capable military leader Defeats several larger Syrian forces Became known as the “hammer” Battle of Emmaus – 165 BC, 1 Macc 4: 1 -23 – Gorgias, general for Epiphanes – Judas attacks Syrian garrison at Emmaus – Gorgias returns, only to find garrison captured – Gorgias flees for the coastal plane – See Luke 24: 13 -35, “road to Emmaus”

Rededication of the Temple • • Dec 25, 164 BC Judas gains control of the temple area Purifies and rededicates the temple Became a national holiday – Hannukkah, Feast of Lights, or Feast of Dedication – John 10: 22 -30 – 1 Macc 4: 52 -59; 2 Macc 10: 1 -8 • Antiochus IV Epiphanies dies in Persia in 163 BC, – Succeeded by Antiochus V, his son

Antiochus V • 162 BC • Leads a large army to retake Jerusalem – Great battle ensues, temple is retaken – Eleazar is killed in the battle – But they did not interfere with worship • Death of Antiochus V – 162 BC – Demetrius I captures and executes Antiochus V – Sends general Bacchides to control Judea – Bacchides captures, executes Menelaus – Hasidim recognizes Alcimus as high priest

Return to Oppression • Bacchides, along with Alcimus, began executing many Jews • Hasidim leaders are executed as well • 161 BC – Bacchides took a large army to capture Judas – Judas had only 800 men – Judas was killed in the battle • Three brothers escape to Tekoa – Jonathan, Simon, John

Jonathan • Rebuilds his base of support • Leads further clashes with the Syrians – John was killed in one of the battles – Left on Jonathan and Simon • Becomes the ruler of Judah, controlling the entire area except the Akra • Awarded the title of high priest • Sends a message to Rome desiring to create an alliance

Rome • Macedonian wars – 171 BC – – Perseus the Macedonian king Intervenes in local wars of Greece Rome dislikes the expansion and declares war Rome destroys Perseus’ army by 168 BC, Persueus is paraded through the streets of Rome • Envoys of Judas conclude a treaty with the Roman Senate in 161 BC • In 157 BC Roman censor Cato heads a commission which arbitrates a truce between Carthage and Masinissa • During his time in Carthage, Cato is so struck by the evidence of Carthaginian prosperity that he is convinced that the security of Rome now depends on the annihilation of Carthage

Review • Reviewed last week’s lesson • Learned about the Hasmonean dynasty • Learned about Mattathias’ role in the Jewish uprising • Learned about Mattathias’ five sons • Reviewed Judas Maccabeus’ actions Learned about the rededication of the temple • Learned about further oppression by Antiochus V • Reviewed important historical notes about Rome