Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Maccabees, The (Gr. Hoi Makkabaioi; Lat. Machabei; most probably from Aramaic maqqaba=”hammer”). A priestly family which under the leadership of Mathathias initiated the revolt against the tyranny of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, King of Syria, and after securing Jewish independence ruled the commonwealth till overthrown by Herod the Great. The name Machabee was originally the surname … Continue reading “Maccabees, The”

Maccabees, Festival of the In the 4th century, when fasts and festivals had greatly multiplied, not only were festivals of Christian martyrs celebrated, but also those of some of the more eminent martyrs of the Old Testament. The conduct of the Maccabees (q.v.) in opposing Antiochus Epiphanes (q.v.), and dying in defense of the Jewish … Continue reading “Maccabees, Festival of the”

Maccabees, Books of the There were originally five books of the Maccabees. The first contains a history of the war of independence, commencing (B.C. 175) in a series of patriotic struggles against the tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanes, and terminating B.C. 135. It became part of the Vulgate Version of the Bible, and was thus retained … Continue reading “Maccabees, Books of the”

Maccabees, Books Of ( , , etc.). Four books which bear the common title of Maccabees are found in some MSS. of the Sept.; a fifth is found in an Arabic version. Two of these were included in the early current Latin versions of the Bible, and hence passed into the Vulgate. As forming part … Continue reading “Maccabees, books of”

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 … Continue reading “Maccabees”

Maccabee, Judas Third son of the priest Mathathias who with his family was the centre and soul of the patriotic and religious revolt of the Jews against the King of Syria (1 Maccabees 2:4). Various conjectures have been put forth as to the origin of his surname. The name appears to be derived from the … Continue reading “Maccabee, Judas”

Maccabee (MACCABAE’US), a title (usually in the plural , ‘”the Maccabees”), which was originally the surname of Judas, one of the sons of Mattathias (see below, 3), but was afterwards extended to the heroic family of which he was one of the noblest representatives, and in a still wider sense to the Palestinian martyrs in … Continue reading “Maccabee”

Maccabaeus, Maccabees mak-a-beus (, Makkabaos), maka-bez ( , hoi Makkabaoi): I.PALESTINE UNDER KINGS OF SYRIA 1.Rivalry of Syria and Egypt 2.Palestine Seized by Antiochus the Great 3.Accession of Antiochus Epiphanes II.PALESTINE UNDER THE MACCABEES 1.Mattathias 2.Judas 3.Jonathan 4.Simon 5.John Hyrcanus 6.John and Eleazar LITERATURE The name Maccabeus was first applied to Judas, one of the … Continue reading “Maccabaeus, Maccabees”

Macbride, John David, D.C.L., F.S.A. an eminent English Oriental scholar and author, was born in Norfolk, England, in 1788, and was educated at Exeter College, Oxford, where he became a fellow. He was in 1813 appointed principal of Magdalen Hall, and nominated to the readership in Arabic, and kept these positions until his death in … Continue reading “Macbride, John David, D.C.L., F.S.A.”

Macbeth a Scotch prelate, was probably bishop of Ross about 1126. He died in 1128. See Keith, Scottish Bishops, page 184. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature