Page 102 - Biblical Backgrounds student textbook

The Sadducees were the heirs and major supporters of the Hasmonean dynasty. They accepted only the
Pentateuch as Scripture. Since they embraced Hellenism and Secularism, they pursued Greek naturalistic
philosophy. This explains why they denied the resurrection and the existence of Angels (Matt 22:23–33
and parallels; Acts 23:6–8). Josephus attributed to them a denial of divine sovereignty.

The Hasidim, on the other hand, a pious Jewish group who were initially supportive of the Hasmoneans
eventually turned against them. They split into two main groups: the Pharisees, who remained in
Jerusalem; and the Essenes, who withdrew and most likely produced the Qumran sectarian literature
known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Pharisees accepted the entire Old testament, and in their
interpretation of the Torah added their own laws. They were strict about the law and viewed
themselves as separate from those who were lax about keeping it.

Another notable detail in this era is the Jews’ forceful evangelism. As the Hasmoneans attempted to
expand their political boundaries, they forced Judaism on the victims. John Hyrcanus forced the
Idumeans to accept Judaism and be circumcised. This is the only known instance in all of history that
Jews were responsible for forced conversion of another people to Judaism.
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All in all, the feats achieved by the Jews in this troubling period, especially the freedom to practice their
religion, would be vital in the following century.

Social Backgrounds

Children often began helping in the fields or with the crafts as soon as they were able. Boys usually were
brought up to follow in their fathers’ occupations, though an apprenticeship to another craftsman could
be arranged.

By the end of the Hasmonean period, rudimentary education of boys included at least training in
reading, writing, and arithmetic. The advancement of midwifery even in small towns afforded girls a
career.

The eldest son received a double portion of the inheritance. Often younger sons received so little
inheritance that they were forced to work as day laborers. Jewish bridegrooms continued to pay a bride-
price and the father of the bride provided a dowry for his daughter.
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Hebrew slaves were never numerous and could be sold by a Jew only to a fellow Jew and only to his
creditor in payment for a debt. While the servant could change masters, the slave could not. The
advantage for the slave was that he could never become unemployed or die of hunger. Nor was he a
slave forever, for according to Mosaic Law he had to be released after six years of service, unless he
declared that he loved his master and elected not to go free.

Notable changes in dressing can be observed in this era. Three developments characterize the clothing
of the period in Palestine. (1) Greek styles in the almost thirty Hellenistic cities influenced many among

143 Vos, H. F. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible manners & customs: how the people of the Bible really lived (p.
367). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson Publishers.
144 Ibid, p. 379.

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