Maccabees
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Maccabees in the Bible?
The Maccabees were leaders of a Jewish revolutionary movement during the 2nd century BCE. They led a successful revolt against the Seleucid Empire to oppose the forced Hellenization of Judea.
SIGNIFICANCE
Their victory established the Hasmonean dynasty and provides critical historical context for the intertestamental period between the Old and New Testaments.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Maccabees reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Maccabees in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Maccabees clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Maccabees." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/maccabees/