The Vision of Judas Maccabeus
Intro
The Second Book of Maccabees is overshadowed by the first, and does not share the same level of either fame or respect. The book has also been the subject of great controversy in Protestantism (because it supports prayers for the dead) and for Mormonism, because of the appearance of the word "nephi" in it (in the King James Version)
The author appears to be unknown, but it was probably an Egyptian Jew based in Alexandria. The writing style indicates he was highly educated.
Name
This book is normally called 2 Maccabees, II Maccabees or Second Maccabees. In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canon, there are three other books of Maccabees with varying relevance to the first one. There are also several Ethiopian books of Maccabees. The Jewish Encyclopedia claims that only the first is a reliable historical source.
The word "Maccabee" is believed to mean "hammer" since Judas/Judah and his family hammer the Greek pagans.
Wikipedia
SummaryAccording to Jewish folklore the name Maccabee is an acronym of the verse Mi kamokha ba'elim Adonai, "Who among the gods is like you, O Adonai?", the Maccabean battle-cry to motivate troops. (Exodus 15:11). Some scholars maintain that the name is a shortened form of the Hebrew maqqab-Yahu (from naqab, "to mark, to designate"), meaning "the one designated by Yahweh". Although originally the surname Maccabee was exclusive to Judah (his brothers had different surnames), at a later date it came to signify all the Hasmoneans who fought during the Maccabean Revolt.
The LDS Bible dictionary gives a good summary of the book:
Here is a more positive perspectiveThe Second Book of the Maccabees. Deals with the history of the Jews during 15 years (175–160 [BC]) and therefore goes over part of the period described in 1 Maccabees. It is inferior to that book both in simplicity and in accuracy because legends are introduced with great freedom. However, the doctrine of the Resurrection is strongly affirmed.
https://www.abibleaday.com/bible-books/2-maccabees/
Unlike 1 Macc., 2 Macc. appears originally to have been written in Greek. Ironic given the context. It has been translated into Hebrew subsequently.Second Maccabees, another historical book, is not a continuation of First Maccabees, but more appropriately a companion piece, as its timeline mostly overlaps First Maccabees and provides additional details. Most importantly, Second Maccabees offers a different perspective of these events, showcasing signs, wonders, and miracles.
It also gives additional insight into what provoked the Maccabean rebellion and covers Judas Maccabeus and his recapture and rededication of the temple.
The work is not a sequel to 1 Maccabees but rather its own independent rendition of the historical events of the Maccabean Revolt. It both starts and ends its history earlier than 1 Maccabees, starting with an incident with the Seleucid official Heliodorus attempting to tax the Second Temple in 178 BC, and ending with the Battle of Adasa in 161 BC. Some scholars believe the book to be influenced by the Pharisaic tradition, with sections that include an endorsement of prayer for the dead and a resurrection of the dead.
2 Maccabees both starts and ends its history earlier than 1 Maccabees does, instead covering the period from the high priest Onias III and King Seleucus IV (180 BC) to the defeat of Nicanor in 161. The exact focus of the work is debated. All agree that the work has a moralistic tenor, showing the triumph of Judaism, the supremacy of God, and the just punishment of villains. Some see it as a paean to Judas Maccabeus personally, describing the background of the Revolt to write a biography praising him; some see its focus as the Second Temple, showing its gradual corruption by Antiochus IV and how it was saved and purified; others see the focus as the city of Jerusalem and how it was saved; and others disagree with all of the above, seeing it as written strictly for literary and entertainment value.
Because this is one of the longer books, again I will provide more context in the replies.
New Testament references
Hebrews 11:35 is understood by some as referring to an event that was recorded in 2 Maccabees. For instance, the author of Hebrews refers to an oral tradition which spoke of an Old Testament prophet who was sawn in half in Hebrews 11:37, two verses after the 2 Maccabees reference.
Nephi and plagiarism accusations
As with Judith, Joseph Smith has been accused of plagiarising this book. It is the one place in the scriptures that the name Nephi appears (since many Bibles used to contain it). 2 Maccabees 1:34-36 says:
The "Nephi" mentioned appears to be something similar to the legendary Greek Fire, a substance that would combust and burst into flame in contact with oxygen.Then the king, inclosing the place, made it holy, after he had tried the matter. And the king took many gifts, and bestowed thereof on those whom he would gratify. And Neemias called this thing Naphthar, which is as much as to say, A cleansing: but many men call it Nephi.
Despite this, there are many other proposed etymologies for Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Hugh Nibley suggested "nabi" meaning a prophet.
Chronology
The author is interested in providing a theological interpretation of the events; in this book God's interventions direct the course of events, punishing the wicked and restoring the Temple to his people. Some events appear to be presented out of strict chronological order to make theological points, such as the occasional "flash forward" to a villain's later death. The numbers cited for sizes of armies may also appear exaggerated, though not all of the manuscripts of this book agree.
Structure
2 Maccabees consists of 15 chapters.
1:1–2:18: Two letters to the Jews of Egypt.
2:19–32: Epitomist's preface.
3: Heliodorus attempts to tax the Temple of Jerusalem's treasury, but is repelled. (~178 BC)
4: High Priest Onias III of the Temple of Jerusalem is succeeded by his brother Jason; Jason is then succeeded by the corrupt Menelaus; Onias III is murdered. (~175–170 BC)
5: Jason attempts to overthrow Menelaus. King Antiochus IV Epiphanes returns from the second expedition of the Sixth Syrian War in Egypt, defeats Jason's supporters, sacks Jerusalem, loots the Temple treasury, and kills and enslaves local Jews as retribution for the perceived revolt. Jason is forced into exile. (168 BC)
6: The Temple is converted into syncretic Greek-Jewish worship site. Antiochus IV issues decrees forbidding traditional Jewish practices, such as circumcision, keeping kosher, and keeping the Sabbath. Eleazar the scribe is tortured and killed after refusing to eat pork. (168–167 BC)
7: Martyrdom of the woman and her seven sons after torture by Antiochus IV.
8: Start of the Maccabean Revolt. Judas Maccabeus defeats Nicanor, Gorgias, and Ptolemy son of Dorymenes at the Battle of Emmaus. (~166–165 BC)
9:1–10:9: Antiochus IV is stricken with disease by God. He belatedly repents and writes a letter attempting to make peace before dying in Persia. Judas conquers Jerusalem, cleanses the Temple, and establishes the festival of Hanukkah. (~164 BC)
10:10–38: Lysias becomes regent. Governor Ptolemy Macron attempts to cement peace with the Jews, but is undermined by anti-Jewish nobles and commits suicide. The Maccabees campaign in outlying regions against Timothy of Ammon and others. (~163 BC)
11: Lysias leads a military expedition to Judea. Judas defeats him at the Battle of Beth Zur. Four documents detailing negotiations with Lysias and the Roman Republic. (~160s BC)
12: More accounts of the campaigns in outlying regions against Timothy, Gorgias, and others. (~163 BC)
13: Lysias orders the execution of unpopular High Priest Menelaus. Judas harries Lysias's expedition with minor victories. Lysias leaves and returns to the capital of Antioch to face the usurper Philip. (~163–162 BC, likely near in time to the Battle of Beth Zechariah described in 1 Maccabees)
14:1–15:36: Demetrius I becomes King. Alcimus, who had replaced Menelaus as High Priest, is affirmed by Demetrius I. Nicanor is appointed governor of Judea. Nicanor and Judas enter negotiations for peace, but are subverted by Alcimus, who complains to the king; Judas's arrest is ordered. Nicanor threatens to destroy the Temple. In a dream vision, Onias III and the prophet Jeremiah give Judas a divine golden sword. At the Battle of Adasa, Judas defeats and kills Nicanor, preserving the sanctity of the Temple. The Day of Nicanor festival is established. (~161 BC)
15:37–39: Epitomist's epilogue.
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2 Maccabees audiobook (KJV), 2 hours 36 minutes. Includes read-along text
This is part of my ongoing series on Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical works:
1 Esdras inc. audiobook link
viewtopic.php?p=1343974
2 Esdras (the most relevant book in the Apocrypha?) inc. audiobook link
viewtopic.php?p=1344302
1 Maccabees
viewtopic.php?t=69454
3 Maccabees
viewtopic.php?t=69496
4 Maccabees
viewtopic.php?p=1348046
Book of Baruch and the Epistle of Jeremy/Jeremiah
viewtopic.php?t=69433
Book of Tobit inc. audiobook link
viewtopic.php?p=1341501
Apocryphal additions to Esther inc. audiobook link
viewtopic.php?p=1343414
Bel and the Dragon (quoted in full, KJV; inc audiobook link)
viewtopic.php?t=69261
Prayer of Azarias and Hymn of the Three Children (quoted in full KJV, inc. audiobook link)
viewtopic.php?p=1341611
Book of Judith and the Book of Mormon, inc. audiobook link
viewtopic.php?t=69402
Book of Susanna inc. audiobook link
viewtopic.php?t=69386
Wisdom of Solomon
viewtopic.php?t=69469
Book of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus
viewtopic.php?t=69412
Prayer of Mannases (aka Mannaseh; quoted in full KJV, inc. audiobook link)
viewtopic.php?t=69263
Psalm 151 (quoted in full, NRSV)
viewtopic.php?t=63875
Epistle to the Laodiceans (NT, quoted in full Wycliffe's translation, )
viewtopic.php?t=64025
The Book of Odes - this is an Eastern Orthodox work of limited interest, but included for the sake of completeness.
viewtopic.php?t=69470
Outside the Western and Eastern Orthodox Canon...
The Ethiopian canon. This includes brief info on the books of Sinodos, Ethiopian Clement, Ethiopian Covenant, and Didascalia as well as a list of other works in the canon.
viewtopic.php?t=69540
The Book of Jubilees aka Leptogenesis or Little Genesis
viewtopic.php?p=1348962
3 Corinthians
viewtopic.php?t=69567