The Uprising of Mattathias

According to both the author of 1 Maccabees and Josephus, Mattathias and his five sons, a priestly family, defy Antiochus’ orders regarding Jewish practices and organize Judean resistance. (Josephus uses 1 Maccabees as his main source, with the exception of his use of 2 Maccabees in the puzzling account of the period of Jason and Menelaus, which is related but not identical to the account in 2 Maccabees.) After the death of Mattathias, his son Judah Maccabee (“the hammer”) assumes leadership of the revolt. Over the next few years, the Jewish forces enjoy several victories, despite their small numbers and inferior arms. The family comes to be known as the Hasmoneans, named after their putative ancestor Asamoneus.

Zeal for the Torah, martyrdom, and an appeal to the heroic actions and faith of biblical figures are among the prominent themes in 1 Maccabees. Mattathias’ execution of a Jew for performing improper sacrifice is compared to the zeal shown by Phinehas when he impaled Zimri for his transgression in Numbers 25. Both accounts of Mattathias’ rebellion recount that many Jews were killed because they were unwilling to violate the Sabbath and that it was Mattathias who taught his followers to fight on the Sabbath so as not to be easy prey for their enemies. Likewise, in both texts the decision to defend themselves on the Sabbath directly contributes to more people joining Mattathias’ movement.