Lesson 4: Maccabees

Question 1

Who were the sons of Mattathias?

Answer 1

John, Simon, Judas, Eleazer & Jonathan

Question 2

Meaning of the name Maccabees?

Answer 2

Hammer

Question 3

What significant actions did Antiochus Epiphanes take against the Jews, leading to the Maccabees’ uprising?

Answer 3

Antiochus Epiphanes persecuted the Jews, plundered the Temple, stopped sacrifices, installed an idol in the holy place, desecrated the holy book, prohibited circumcision and Sabbath practices, and forced sacrificial offerings to idols.

Question 4

How did the Maccabees’ revolution begin, and who was chosen as their leader?

Answer 4

The Maccabees’ revolution started in 167 B.C. when an officer arrived at Modein, compelling Mattathias to sacrifice to an idol. Mattathias refused, killed the officer, and fled to the mountains with his sons, initiating the revolt. Judas, the third son, was chosen as their leader.

Question 5

What significant achievements did the Maccabees accomplish during their revolution?

Answer 5

After a prolonged struggle of five years, the Maccabees captured Jerusalem, purified the Temple, and rededicated it for regular worship. The festival of Dedication mentioned in the gospel (John 20:22) commemorates this rededication.

Question 6

What events marked the end of the first generation of Maccabees?

Answer 6

The deaths of Simon, killed by his son-in-law Ptolemy in 134 B.C., and the earlier deaths of Eleazar and John marked the end of the first generation of Maccabees.

Question 7

What major event occurred after the death of King Solomon in the 10th century BC?

Answer 7

The kingdom of Israel was divided into two after the death of King Solomon.