Page 114 - Biblical Backgrounds

Starting with Simon, the Hasmonean dynasty would go on until Rome’s occupation of Israel in 63 BCE.
Other achievements of Simon include his addition of Joppa, which he secured as a Jewish harbor, and
conquering Gazara (Gezer), Beth-zur, and the Acra or citadel in Jerusalem – Seleucid strongholds.
Simon did not reign long. In 135 BCE, a governor from Jericho assassinated him together with two of his
sons at a banquet. His third son, John Hyrcanus, was not present and survived, becoming high priest and
ruler of Judea (1 Maccabees 16:18).

Under John Hyrcanus (135–104 BCE), the Jewish state changed significantly, too. Notably, an inclination
toward secularism was becoming visible. transformed itself from a religious community into a secular
state. Though the Hellenistic party as a separate group disappeared, as did Syrian interference in Jewish
affairs, its views were perpetuated by the Sadducees, as the views of the Hasidim were perpetuated by
the Pharisees. Those two parties, so prominent in the New Testament, first surfaced during Hyrcanus’
reign. Hyrcanus publicly aligned himself with the Sadducees, but he was safely Jewish, having brought
both the Samaritans and Edomites to discipline. Thus, he did not attract severe repudiation from the
general conservatives.

When Hyrcanus died, a succession struggle erupted among his sons. Aristobulus (104–103 BCE), the
eldest of those sons, triumphed. To secure his position, he made sure he eliminated and silenced the
potential threats. He imprisoned his brothers and his mother. It is said that his mother starved to death
in prison. One of his brothers, Antigonus, who was initially regarded as a confidant, was also executed
on grounds of a supposed involvement in a plot against him. All of Hyrcanus’ sons receive a Greek
education. It is not surprising to see Aristobulus adopt for himself the title Philhellene (“love of things
Greek”). He continued the tendency of his predecessor to transform the religious community into a
secular state. He also carried on the expansion campaigns, adding Galilee to the holdings.

Aristobulus also went on to adopt and take the title of king. This was particularly not received well by
those who adhered strictly to the Jewish tenets. The move was a transgression of the Torah: Genesis
49:10 stipulates that the kingship should always rest in the tribe of Judah, as it did once David’s line was
established. It was to be separated from the priesthood, which comes out of the tribe of Levi, from
which Aaron [and the Hasmonaeans] descended (Numbers 3:6-9).

It is easy to understand why the Hasmoneans decided to assume the title of king. The Jewish
state was no longer confined to Jerusalem and its environs. It now included a much larger
territory and almost thirty Hellenized cities. Gentiles in this larger territory, and especially the
inhabitants of the Hellenized cities, would consider the high-priestly authority to be confined to
the temple-state in Judea, or at most to Jews in the territories. A king could claim authority over
all kinds of people—Greeks, Samaritans, Idumeans, and others—throughout his kingdom. 161

Upon Aristobulus’ death, his widow, Salome Alexandra, released his brothers from prison and married
the eldest, Alexander Jannaeus (103–76 BCE). This was most likely in accordance with the Levirate law
(Deut. 25:5–10). On one hand, Jannaeus is known for continuing the expansionist policies of his
predecessors: By the time of his death, he had extended the borders of the Jewish state to include
almost all the territory that Solomon had ruled.

161 Vos, H. F. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible manners & customs: how the people of the Bible really lived (pp.
369–370). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson Publishers.

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