Page 119 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Revised

failure to add Egypt to his holdings caused him to vent his anger on Judah. In any case, his actions
attracted a reaction from the Jewish Conservatives in the form of the Maccabean revolt.

The revolt was pioneered by Mattathias, a lesser priest of the line of Jehoiarib and the family of
Hasmon. Mattathias led Judeans to rebel against Syrian domination. He died within a year, but his revolt
was continued by his sons, three of whom — Judah Maccabee, Jonathan, and Simon -- ruled Judea.
Judas Maccabeus (167–161 BCE) and Jonathan (161–143 BCE) ruled their territories predominantly as
generals of an army. They died for advancing their father’s work and shaped the road leading to Israel’s
independence.

In 142 B.C, Simon, the last survivor of the Maccabee brothers, was recognized as a high priest and
political leader by his own people (1 Maccabees 14:25–49). Rising and growing steadily from the west,
Rome recognized Simon and his new independent state as allies at the time (1 Maccabees 14:16–19, 24;
15:15–24). With this recognition from Syria (the Seleucids), Simon was the first independent Jewish ruler
of Judea since the fall of the Davidic Dynasty in 586 BCE. He administered from Jerusalem while
continuing to cut off allegiance to Syria.

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. It has 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 perpetrated by the Sadducees, as the views of the Hasidim were
perpetrated 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 the 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).

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