LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

THE SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD AND THE PERSECUTION WHICH LED TO THE MACCABEAN REVOLT

BY

NATACHA BYRAMS

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

December 13, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. First Temple Period …………………………………………………………….. 1
  1. Babylonian Captivity and Demise of Judah …………………………..… 2
  1. Palestine Under Persian Rule …………………………………………….... 3
  2. The Second Temple Period
  3. The Biblical Account of Esther
  1. Alexander the Great ……………………………………………………….… 6
  2. Jerusalem is Spared
  3. Hellenization
  4. The Diacochi
  1. Ptolemaic Dynasty…………………………………………………………..… 8
  2. Ptolemy I
  3. Ptolemy Philadelphus
  4. Antiochus the Great
  1. Antiochus IV Ephiphanes……………………………………………….… 10
  1. Maccabean Revolt……………………………………………………….… 11
  1. Hasmonean Dynasty…………………………………………………….… 13
  2. The Pharisees
  3. The Sadducees
  1. Pompey…………………………………………………………………………..… 16
  1. Herod the Great………………………………………………………………… 16
  2. Herod’s Son
  1. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………..… 18

“We are the most challenged people under the sun. Our existence is either superfluous or indispensable to the world. It is either tragic or holy to be a Jew. …Unless being a Jew is of absolute significance, how can we justify the ultimate price which our people was often forced to pay throughout its history?”[1]

During the time of the Babylonian captivity, throughout the inter-testamental period, until the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, Israel endured abject and inhumane persecution at the hands of fellow citizens, government officials, and other nations. Although at times, they were miraculously delivered, this was not always the case, as demonstrated in the Maccabean revolt. The events that led to the Maccabean revolt are among the foremost of such degradation and persecution and shall be given particular attention in this discourse.

Israel’s was a united kingdom under the monarchal reigns of Saul, David and Solomon who ruled for forty years each. Solomon’s reign was considered the golden years for Israel and it was during this time that the first temple was built for Yahweh. With detailed plans from his father David, which were received from God through the prophet Nathan, the temple was constructed and no “hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard” in it as it was being built (1 Kings 6:7). It was modeled after the tabernacle instituted by Moses in the wilderness and took seven years to complete.[2]The beauty of this temple can be imagined by the following passage in the Old Testament:

So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold. He stretched gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold. The whole temple he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the temple; also he overlaid with gold the entire altar that was by the inner sanctuary. (1 Kings 6:21-22)

Treasures native to Judaism such as the Ark of the Covenant, and the tablets ofLaw were housed in it. This structure was no monument or mere place of worship. It was God’s dwelling place and his Shekinah rested there. It is important to pause and contemplate the significance of the temple to the Jewish faith. Worse than losing any battle or enduring the severest persecution, was having to witness the desecration of God’s temple by Gentiles. The time of its construction until 587-586 BC when the Babylonians invaded Judah and sacked Jerusalem, is called the First Temple period.[3]During the invasion, the temple was raided and then destroyed by the Babylonians who exiled a great number of Jews. It is during the rule of the famous Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar that the events of the Old Testament book, Daniel takes place.

The book of Daniel details how Nebuchadnezzar forced national worship to the image ofa Babylonian deity. Idolatry was strictly forbidden in Judaism and this edict placed Jews in a precarious situation. Three Jews: were specifically accused of disloyalty and resistance to the king’s orders. In his fury, the king declared that those who did not comply would be thrown into a fiery furnace. The biblical account tells us that three Hebrew men:Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were there as a result of deportation from Israel, were sovereignly and miraculously delivered in the furnace. This however, was not always the fate of persecuted Jews as we will see. TheBabylonian captivity comprises the first of five major crises for the Jews during the Second Temple period. The remaining four crises include: the Persian Empire being defeated bythe Greeks under Alexander the Great, extreme imperial persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Roman rule, and their destruction of the Jewish state and the second temple.[4]

In 539 BC, Babylonfell to Persia under the reign of King Cyprus and Israel came under Persian rule.Although, Persia was involved in the Greco-Persian warsthis was relatively a time of peace for the Jews. Cyprus permitted all exiles who wished to return to Israel to do so. By this time the Jewish community had grown significantly and many chose to return. With the oversight of capable leaders like: Ezra, Zerrubable and Nehemiah built the second temple and the city walls were built. The second temple was completed in 516-515 BC but could not compare in beauty and grandeur to the first. It lacked five crucial elements contained in the first temple: the first is the original Ark of the Covenant with its contents. Second is the Shechinah, which is the term, used to describe the presence of God that came down in the form of a cloud and rested over the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. Third, are the Ureem and Thumeem which were worn by the high priest and used to consult God about important matters. Fourth is the “sacred fire” that was sent by God to consume the daily sacrifices and lastly, the spirit of prophecy.[5] The intertestamental period is also called the “silent age” because there were no prophets who spoke for God after Malachi. The construction of the second temple, begins our discussion on the intertestamental period, also known as the second temple period and ends with the Herodian dynasty.[6]

Palestine remained under Persian rule for over 200 years and during this time had eight different kings: Cyrus, Darius, Ahasuerus, Artaxerxes, Darius II, and another Artaxerxes. One significant event that occurred during Persian rule under Ahasuerus, are the events recorded in the biblical book of Esther. Through the obedience of a Jewish girl who became queen, God miraculously saved the Jewish people from a deadly plot of annihilation by Haman, the king’s Prime Minister. This deliverance is still celebrated as the feast of Purim to this day.

The Persian Empireeventually fell to Alexander the Great of Macedonia. In 331 BC, Darius III was defeated by Alexander who led his armies through Syria. Most surrenderedwithout hesitance, with Tyre and Gaza being the last to surrender. The Jewish people, in Jerusalem of Palestine had already declared their allegiance to King Darius and refused to surrender to Alexander. Alexander marched towards Jerusalem with the intent to conquer and punish those who resisted his leadership. Interestingly and miraculously, the Jews were saved from Alexander’s conquest.With the advancing Macedonian armies approaching Jerusalem, the high priest ordered that the gates of the city be opened and that all the priest dress in their official white linen robes and meet Alexander along with the elders and leaders of Israel. Prior to this event, it is reported that Alexander consistently had dreams of a man robed in white linen who gave him military strategies that never failed when implemented. Upon seeing them, Alexander was struck with awe and saluted the high priest who embraced him and told him the prophetic accounts concerning him written by the prophet Daniel. Alexander granted the Jews their wish of being governed by their religious laws and exempted them from paying tribute or taxes during the seventh year, which is the year of Jubilee in Judaism[7]. He suggested that a monument be erected in the temple in his honor, however, the very wise high priest explained that idolatry was forbidden, and offered to have every male child born to the priests that year, to be name “Alexander.” Alexander left Israel thoroughly pleased with his engagement with the priest and went on to conquer Egypt.[8]

Significant to note is Alexander’s belief in unity of culture. Taught by Aristotle, he focused on introducing Greek culture to every nation that came under Macedonian rule. This introduction of Greek culture is called Hellenization.It influenced a large portion of the Jewish community and contributed to the New Testament scriptures being written in Greek as opposed to Aramaic; Jesus’ native language or Hebrew, the original Jewish language. The natives of conquered territories expressed a natural interest in Greek thought, philosophy and arts. It was not necessarily imposed upon them. “Hellenization was never meant to replace native culture but to supplement it”.[9]It was not only Greek thought, but a synthesis of Greek ideology along with Near Eastern thought.

The Grecian rule continued from 331 – 167 BC. Alexander, himself died at the age of thirty three and left no heir to the throne even though his wife Roxanna, was with child. Upon his death, his vast domain was divided among four of his generals, one of who murdered Roxanna and her infant child. These generals are referred to as the diadochi which means “successors” in Greek. This succession by four generals was previously prophesied by the prophet Daniel. The generals and their jurisdictions are as follows:Ptolemy Lagi ruled over Egypt, Palestine, Arabia, and Peterea. Antigonus controlled Syria, Babylonia, and central Asia. Cassander ruled over Macedonia and Greece. Lastly, Lysimachus was given Thrace and Bithynia.[10]

Of these four successors only Ptolemy I was able to form a successful kingdom, forming the Ptolemaic dynasty.Syria was eventually controlled by the Seleucids. Lysimachus lost most of Asia Minor to Syria. Cassander ruled Greece.[11] Ptolemy I, was the first of this dynasty to rule and was a strong leader.However, he relocated many of the Jews from Palestine to Egypt promising to uphold the same privileges granted by Alexander, but failed to keep these promises.[12]One of his most significant accomplishments include building Alexandria in Egypt which became the greatest metropolis of its time, until Rome. Alexandria was also known for philosophy and Greek thought and contained the famous library and museum that many traveled far and wide to see.

His son, Ptolemy Philadelphus made the library even more impressive by adding “one hundred thousand volumes”.[13]He also paid a ransom of one hundred thousand to the Jews who had been taken captive by his father and enslaved in Egypt.[14]After winning the favor of the Jews by such an overwhelming act, he requested the translation of the Pentateuch into Greek so that Gentiles can access its wisdom. Ptolemy organized a staff of seventy-two elders to accomplish this task and the result is what is now referred to as the Septuagint.[15]During the reigns of successive heirs, the library continued to grow and attract thinkers and from all over.

One of the Ptolemies’ main rivals was the Seleucids who quickly gained control of Babylon. Seleucus I Nicator this dynastly was the first ruler and his heirs expanded the kingdom to part of Asia Minor, Palestine and parts of Mesopotamia.[16]In 261 BC Antiochus II, ruled in Babylon and the battles raged between both kingdoms. Eventually, they reached an agreement of peace after neither were able to reach a decisive win. Ptolemy’s II daughter, Bernice was given to Antiochus II. Conflict and the eventual death of Bernice by Antiochus’ other wife Laodicea resulted in the Laodicean War. The Ptolemies were very successful but did not retain the portions of Syria they captured. However, theyretained control of Palestine. During this time, Israel remained primarily a temple state with the high priest leading both religiously and politically.

Ptolemy IV, Philopater succeeded his father and was the most antagonistic king towards the Jewish people within his dynasty. He hated the Jews and sought to persecute them and constantly aggravate them. On one particular occasion, he proceeded to enter the holy place of the Jewish temple, upon which he was struck with madness and had to be carried out of the temple.[17]When he came to himself he was convinced that his mentalbreak down was caused by the prayers of the Jews and thus proceeded to force them to sacrifice to his gods. Most of the Jews refused, and were thus branded with hot irons or made slaves. The fact that the majority of Jews resisted his orders infuriated himeven more and he ordered all Jews who lived within Egyptian borders to be arrested and be killed by his elephants. When the Jews were brought to the place of execution, the elephants who were made drunk with wine and frankincense were released. However, instead of attacking the Jews they turned on the spectators who had gathered to watch the slaughter. Upon seeing this, Ptolemy IV, was overwhelmed with a fear of God and ordered all the Jews released. He reinstated their privileges given under Alexander, and actually “delivered into the hands of their enemies” those who had abandoned their faith under the pressure of persecution.[18]Ptolemy IV, was succeeded byPtolemy V, Epiphanes who was the last of this dynasty to maintain control of Palestine. The Ptolemaic dynasty came to an end completely with the death of Cleopatra in 30 BC.

Antiochus of the Seleucid dynasty, is referred to Antiochus the Great throughout history. He was only eighteen when he took the throne but was an effective administrator having served as Governor of Babylonia under his brother. After losing a major battle to the Ptolemies in 217 BC, Antiochus III came back after twenty years and in 198 BC gained complete control of Palestine. The Seleucids kept control until the time of the Romans in 63 BC.[19] His defeat by the Romans in 190 BC changed things for the Jews. He was ordered to pay heavy tribute, surrender his war elephants and send one of his sons hostage.[20] He died a few years after and was succeeded by his son Seleucus IV.

Seleucus had the unfortunate task of coming up with theexorbitant amounts of money exacted by the Romans and therefore heavily taxed the people including the Jews. In 175 BC Antiochus IV, Epiphaneswho was originally sent by his father to be held hostage by the Romans, returned home, murdered his brother,the king and took the throne. In the meantime, the Jews who governed themselves as a temple state, were growing weary of the burden of taxation and were becoming increasingly opposed to the government. Many looked to their high priest for direction. The high priest at that time was, Onias. He was among those who opposed to the heavy taxation and did not want to conform to Seleucus’ policy. His group was called the Oniads. Jason, Onias’ brother, led the another group and proceeded to bribe the king with “440 talents of silver” along with reporting many lies about Onias in order to be instated as high priest. He also asked to make Jerusalem a Greek city, which could confer citizenship upon its residents.[21]These were granted to him. However, his leadership was short lived when he was dealt the same hand by another individual named Menelaus.

At first, Antiochus seemed friendly with the Jews, “granting the traditional right to practice their religion and remitting taxes for a short period of time …to repair damage to their city.”[22]However, in 168 BC Antiochus moved on his five year plan, and marched his army toward Egypt. To his surprise he was met by the Roman representative PopiliusLaenus and his delegation who had been watching him for quite some time. He was ordered to withdraw, and had no choice to concede since Rome’s armies were no match for his. However, this left him in an embroiled state and this is when things changed for the Jews under his reign. Somehow, news got back that the king died in battle and Jason who was removed from office of High Priest by the king, as a result of the bribe presented by Jason, came to Jerusalem with a band of men and deposed of Jason. The king, who was not really dead took this as a direct revolt and sent an army to Jerusalem. This was no small dispatch. Antiochus literally declared war on the Jews. He ordered his armies to kill “young and old without any reserve.”[23]Of those who remained alive, some were taken into captivity and others sold into slavery. His cruelty and evil deeds did not end here. He proceeded to profane the temple, by first stripping it of all its vessels, robbing it of its treasures and then sacrificing a pig on the brazen altar and scattering its remains all over the temple. One can only imagine the desolation of the people. Dead bodies were everywhere, orphans roamed the streets and homes were burning. As if incited further by a malevolent force, Antiochus sent his general, Appollonius, who seemed to share his evil nature, to collect tribute from the Jews. He also sent him to attack the city on the Sabbath, and on that day while the priests were carrying out the sacraments with those who remained, Appollonius attacked ruthlessly, killing many who had gathered to worship including priests and Levites. Judaism was than outlawed and an image was placed on the altar. Antiochus renamed the temple, Temple of Jupiter Olympus and all sacred books were ordered to be burned.[24]