Topical Bible: Feast of The Dedication

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Feast of the Dedication, also known as Hanukkah, is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This event took place in the 2nd century BC, following the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. The festival is celebrated for eight days, beginning on the 25th of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which typically falls in December.

Biblical Reference:

The Feast of the Dedication is mentioned in the New Testament in the Gospel of John. In John 10:22-23 , it is written: "At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade." This passage indicates that Jesus observed the festival, providing a significant connection between the Jewish tradition and the New Testament narrative.

Historical Background:

The origins of the Feast of the Dedication are rooted in the historical events surrounding the Maccabean Revolt. Around 167 BC, the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes sought to Hellenize the Jewish people, desecrating the Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred precincts. This act of sacrilege led to a Jewish uprising led by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, known as the Maccabees.

After a series of successful battles, the Maccabees recaptured Jerusalem and the Temple. They cleansed and rededicated the Temple in 164 BC. According to Jewish tradition, during the rededication, there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the menorah's candles burning for one day, yet miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared. This miracle is central to the celebration of Hanukkah.

Observance and Traditions:

The Feast of the Dedication is marked by various customs and rituals. The lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum, is the most prominent tradition. Each night, an additional candle is lit until all eight candles are illuminated, symbolizing the miracle of the oil. The ninth candle, known as the "shamash" or "helper," is used to light the others.

Other customs include the playing of dreidel, a spinning top game, and the eating of foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), which commemorate the miracle of the oil. The festival is also a time for giving gifts and charity, reflecting the joy and gratitude of the rededication.

Theological Significance:

For Christians, the Feast of the Dedication holds theological significance as it is associated with Jesus Christ's presence in the Temple during the festival. The Gospel of John highlights Jesus' participation in the feast, which underscores His connection to Jewish traditions and His role as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The festival's themes of light, dedication, and divine intervention resonate with Christian beliefs about Jesus as the Light of the World and the ultimate dedication of God's temple through His life and ministry.

The Feast of the Dedication serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of spiritual renewal and dedication. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness and the preservation of faith against oppression, themes that are deeply meaningful within the Christian tradition.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Feast of The Dedication

the festival instituted to commemorate the purging of the temple and the rebuilding of the altar after Judas Maccabbeus had driven out the Syrians, B.C. 164. 1 Macc. 4:52-59. It is named only once in the canonical Scriptures. (John 10:22) It commenced on the 25th of Chisleu (early in December), the anniversary of the pollution of the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes, B.C. 167. Like the great Mosaic feasts, it lasted eight days, but it did not require attendance at Jerusalem. It was an occasion of much festivity, and was celebrated in nearly the same manner as the feast of tabernacles, with the carrying of branches of trees and with much singing. In the temple at Jerusalem the "Hallel" was sung every day of the feast.

Greek

1456. egkainia -- dedication, renewal (of religious services)
... Word Origin neut. pl. comp. from en and kainos Definition dedication, renewal (of
religious services) NASB Word Usage feast of the Dedication (1). dedication. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1456.htm - 6k

Library

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... Book IV. THE DESCENT: FROM THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION INTO THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION
AND DEATH. CHAPTER XIV. AT THE FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He ...
... [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th
Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxviii feast of the dedication.htm

Jesus at the Feast of Dedication.
... JESUS AT THE FEAST OF DEDICATION. And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem;
it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's porch. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/jesus at the feast of 2.htm

Jesus, Son of God.
... XXII. JESUS, SON OF GOD. "And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: it
was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon's porch. ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxii jesus son of god.htm

John x. 22-24
... John x. 22-24. John x.22-24 "And it was at Jerusalem, the Feast of the dedication,
and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxi john x 22-24.htm

The First Per??an Discourses - to the Pharisees Concerning the Two ...
... of Tabernacles to the week preceding the last Passover, was, so to speak, cut in
half by the brief visit of Jesus to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Dedication. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first peraean.htm

The Gospel of John
... At the feast of the dedication He declares that He and the Father are one,
which again leads to an attempt to stone him, 10: 22-42. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of john.htm

His Statement of the Proof of his Messiahship. --His Oneness With
... CHRIST'S STAY AT JERUSALEM DURING THE FEAST OF THE DEDICATION. ... IN the month of December
Christ arrived at Jerusalem to attend the Feast of the Dedication. ...
/.../section 223 his statement of.htm

Prayers First do not Interfere with Dedication Afterwards.
... to pray; and when the house was entirely finished, they celebrated the dedication,
and brought their gifts for that purpose, and all kept the feast for the ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/18 prayers first do not.htm

The Journey through Perea to Jerusalem
... 166. The fourth gospel says that after the visit to Jerusalem at the feast of
Dedication Jesus withdrew beyond Jordan to the place where John at the first was ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/v the journey through perea.htm