Books of the Maccabees

Apocrypha #3

by Thomas Horn (editor)

While no other text can claim this same unique authority, Apocryphal and Pseudepigraphal literature such as contained in the first volume of The Researchers Library of Ancient Texts (Volume One—The Apocrypha: Includes the Books of Enoch, Jasher, and Jubilees; also available on Kindle), provides literature that often precedes or follows the chronology of biblical texts, which frequently are used or assigned as supplemental works within academic settings to help students and scholars discover or better understand cultural and historical context within the Word of God. Whether or not the information contained in the apocryphal literature is entirely precise—as is the canon of Scripture—these ancient texts provide commentators’ valuable insight into what many ancient Jews and early Christians believed when, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets” (Heb. 1:1).

"The First book of Maccabees is a book written in Hebrew by a Jewish author after the restoration of an independent Jewish kingdom, about the latter part of the 2nd century BC. The original Hebrew is lost and the most important surviving version is the Greek translation contained in the Septuagint... The setting of the book is about a century after the conquest of Judea by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, after Alexander's empire has been divided so that Judea was part of the Greek Seleucid Empire. It tells how the Greek ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress the practice of basic Jewish religious law, resulting in a Jewish revolt against Seleucid rule. The book covers the whole of the revolt, from 175 to 134 BC, highlighting how the salvation of the Jewish people in this crisis came through Mattathias' family, particularly his sons, Judas Maccabeus, Jonathan Maccabaeus, and Simon Maccabaeus, and Simon's son, John Hyrcanus." "2 Maccabees is a deuterocanonical book of the Bible, which focuses on the Jews' revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and concludes with the defeat of the Syrian general Nicanor in 161 BC by Judas Maccabeus, the hero of the work." --Wikipedia

The Books of Maccabees are available in The Researchers Library of Ancient Texts (Volume One—The Apocrypha: Includes the Books of Enoch, Jasher, and Jubilees; also available on Kindle), as well as The Book of Enoch, The Book of Jasher, The Book of Jubilees, 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, Susanna, Prayer of Azariah, Prayer of Manasseh, Bel and the Dragon, and Laodiceans.

Genres: Religion

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2012

About the author

Thomas R. Horn (Also Published under the Name Thomas Horn ) is an internationally recognized lecturer, radio host and best selling author of several books including his newest books, Petrus Romanus: The Final Pope Is Here, Forbidden Gates and Apollyon Rising 2012. He is a well-known columnist whose articles have been referred to by writers of the L. A. Times Syndicate, MSNBC, Christianity Today, New Man Magazine, World Net Daily, News Max, White House Correspondents and dozens of newsmagazines and press agencies around the globe. He has been interviewed by US Congressmen and Senators on his findings as well as featured repeatedly in major media including top-ten talk shows, America's Morning News for The Washington Times, The 700 Club, The Harvest Show, Coast to Coast AM, Prophecy in the News, and the Southwest Radio Church to name a few. Thomas received the highest degree honorary doctorate bestowed in 2007 from legendary professor Dr. I.D.E. Thomas for his research into ancient history, and has been endorsed by such national leaders as Dr. James Kennedy.

Reviews

[Carolina]

1 Maccabees
-mentions India, Spain, Arabians
-cleopatra (but not the popular one we are well known of, there were many cleopatras, in fact the popular one we know of, she was around about 30 years before Jesus was born)
-Alexander the Great mentioned, that’s cool

2 Maccabees
-where Catholics get their holy water thing from, it’s this book

the 7 Catholic books that aren’t in the Protestant Bible anymore:
Tobit
Judith
Wisdom of Solomon
Sirach (Ecclesiastes)
Baruch
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees

[Meka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was sure an interesting read.
It was truly admirable to read some of the stories and accounts- the bravery of Judas and his brothers were truly noteworthy and inspiring.

A newfound respect for the name of Judas has been established in my mind now.

I can tell however why this is not included the common canonical Bible. It seems to be more of a historical account over divinely-written works.

The Lord’s message for his people are not shown, and the book seems to be not be showing an objective recounting of events. You can see the author’s passion and beliefs through wordings and phrases throughout the book- leading the reader to question if this is truly God’s objective words (if there are any to find here in the first place that is).

There is certain phrases and thoughts which makes one question whether this text was written a great period later than the other verified holy texts which also brings to light the justification as to why this book is not in the cannon. (Personal opinion).

However, again, the bravery of these strong men and the strength of their faith is truly remarkably admirable - and I wish (with maybe a bit less brutality) that there were Christian soldiers like these men in today’s age.

Glad to have read this. Cannot wait to read more books from the Catholic/Eastern Orthodox cannon.

[Laura Dauphinee Metz · Rating 2 out of 5]

not sure

Not really sure what to think. This was a violent account of history and of a time period I do not understand. I did not enjoy, but maybe that was not the point.