History of Israel and the Jewish People

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Maccabean Revolt

−167

Hebrew year: 3621 (ג׳תרכ״א)

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Antiochus IV prays to an idol in the Temple of Jerusalem, miniature from a medieval chronicle, about 1300 (Morgan Library).
Antiochus IV prays to an idol in the Temple of Jerusalem, miniature from a medieval chronicle, about 1300 (Morgan Library). · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

The Maccabean Revolt began around −167 against the Seleucid Empire, especially under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who tried to suppress Jewish religious practice and desecrated the Temple. The revolt began with the priestly family of Mattathias from Modi’in and continued under his son Judah Maccabee. From a Jewish perspective, this was both a military rebellion and a religious struggle to defend Torah observance, circumcision, Shabbat, and Temple worship. The revolt led to the recapture and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, which became the basis for Hanukkah.

Hebrew year
3621 (ג׳תרכ״א)
Place
Modi'in
Category
Wars & battles
Part of
Hellenistic Period

At the same time

Events

HistoryHasmoneanWars & Battles