Mattathias, a pivotal figure in Jewish history, is best known for his role in the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. He was a Jewish priest from the family of Joarib, one of the 24 priestly divisions, and resided in the town of Modein. His account is primarily recounted in the books of the Maccabees, which, while not part of the Protestant canon, are considered valuable historical texts.

Historical Context

During the second century BC, the Jewish people were under the rule of the Seleucid Empire, which sought to impose Hellenistic culture and religion upon its subjects. This period was marked by severe persecution of those who adhered to Jewish laws and customs. The Seleucid king, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, intensified this oppression by desecrating the Second Temple in Jerusalem and outlawing Jewish religious practices.

Role in the Maccabean Revolt

Mattathias is best remembered for his defiance against the decrees of Antiochus IV. When the king's officers came to Modein to enforce pagan sacrifices, Mattathias refused to comply. According to 1 Maccabees 2:19-22, Mattathias declared, "Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him and have chosen to do his commandments, departing each one from the religion of their fathers, yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances."

His refusal to sacrifice to the pagan gods sparked a rebellion. In a moment of zealous fervor, Mattathias killed a Jewish man who stepped forward to offer a sacrifice to the idols and also killed the king's officer who was enforcing the decree. This act of defiance is seen as the catalyst for the Maccabean Revolt.

Leadership and Legacy

Following this incident, Mattathias and his sons fled to the mountains, where they gathered a group of Jewish rebels. These rebels, known as the Maccabees, waged a guerrilla war against the Seleucid forces. Mattathias, though advanced in years, led the initial stages of the revolt with great zeal and faithfulness to the God of Israel.

Before his death, Mattathias exhorted his sons to continue the fight for their faith and freedom. He appointed his son Judas Maccabeus as the leader of the rebellion, recognizing his prowess and dedication. Mattathias's dying words, as recorded in 1 Maccabees 2:49-68, encouraged his sons to emulate the faithfulness of their ancestors and to trust in God's deliverance.

Religious Significance

Mattathias is revered for his unwavering commitment to the Jewish faith and his role in preserving the religious identity of his people. His actions are seen as a testament to the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments, even in the face of persecution. The Maccabean Revolt ultimately led to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, an event commemorated by the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Biblical References

While Mattathias is not mentioned in the canonical books of the Bible, his account is integral to understanding the historical and religious context of the intertestamental period. His legacy is reflected in the New Testament's emphasis on faithfulness and resistance to idolatry, themes that resonate with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

In summary, Mattathias stands as a symbol of religious zeal and courage, inspiring generations to uphold their faith in the face of adversity. His life and actions underscore the enduring struggle for religious freedom and the preservation of divine law.Mattathias

the gift of the Lord

Mattathias

(gift of Jehovah), the Greek form of Mattathiah.

1. Son of Amos, in the genealogy of Christ. (Luke 3:25) (B.C. after 406.)
2. Son of Semei. (Luke 3:26)
3. The father of the Maccabees. (B.C. 168 and previous.)

Ibid.

(1.) The son of Amos, in the genealogy of our Lord (Luke 3:25).

(2.) The son of Semei, in the same genealogy (Luke 3:26).

MATTATHIAS

mat-a-thi'-as (Mattathias). The persons of this name in the Apocrypha are:

(1) Mattathias the father of the Maccabees.

See ASMONEANS; MACCABEES.

(2) One of the 7 who stood on Ezra's right hand as he read the law (1 Esdras 9:43) = "Mattithiah" of Nehemiah 8:4.

(3) The son-probably the youngest (compare 1 Maccabees 16:2)-of Simon the Maccabean, treacherously murdered along with his father and his brother Judas by his brother-in-law Ptolemy, son of Abubus in the stronghold of Dok near Jericho in the 177th Seleucid-136-135 B.C. (1 Maccabees 16:14).

(4) Son of Absalom, one of the two "captains of the forces" who in the campaign against Demetrius in the plain of Hazor gallantly supported Judas, enabling the latter to turn an impending defeat into a great victory (1 Maccabees 11:70).

(5) One of the three envoys sent by Nicanor to treat with Judas in 161 B.C. (2 Maccabees 14:19). No names of envoys are given in the account of 1 Maccabees 7:27;.

(6) One of the sons of Asom who put away his "strange wife" (1 Esdras 9:33) = the King James Version "Matthias" = "Mattattah" of Ezra 10:33.

In addition to these two of this name are mentioned in the New Testament:

(7) Luke 3:25, "son of Amos."

(8) Luke 3:26, "son of Semein."

S. Angus

3161. Mattathias -- Mattathias, an Israelite name
... 3160, 3161. Mattathias. 3162 . Mattathias, an Israelite name. Part of
Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Mattathias Phonetic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3161.htm - 6k

3160. Mattatha -- Mattatha, an Israelite
... Mattatha. Probably a shortened form of Mattathias (compare soterion); Mattatha
(ie Mattithjah), an Israelite -- Mattatha. see GREEK Mattathias. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3160.htm - 6k

3159. Matthias -- Matthias.
... Matthias. Apparently a shortened form of Mattathias; Matthias (ie Mattithjah), an
Israelite -- Matthias. see GREEK Mattathias. (maththian) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3159.htm - 6k

3158. Matthat -- Mathat.
... Mathat. Probably a shortened form of Mattathias; Matthat (ie Mattithjah),
the name of two Israelites -- Mathat. see GREEK Mattathias. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3158.htm - 6k

How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition to the Jews to Make Use of the ...
... CHAPTER 6. How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition To The Jews To Make Use Of The Laws
Of Their Country Mattathias, The Son Of Asamoneus, Alone Despised The King ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how upon antiochuss.htm

The Maccabees.
... The father, Mattathias, declared with a loud voice that he would permit no such
dishonour to his God, and the first Jew who approached to offer incense, was by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi,
the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm

Genealogy According to Luke.
... was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of
Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iv genealogy according to luke.htm

The Attack on the Scriptures
... Now there was an old priest named Mattathias who, with his four sons, had never
listened to the cunning temptations of the heathen Greeks. ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter vi the attack on.htm

Questions.
... 2. Why was the family of Mattathias called Asmonean? 3. How was Mattathias first
roused to resistance? 4. What purification did Mattathias make? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

That God is So Angry against Idolatry, that He Has Even Enjoined ...
... thee, if thou wilt hear the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt observe His precepts."
[3727] Remembering which precept and its force, Mattathias slew him who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/5 that god is so.htm

Chronology.
... with an early period of the Captivity than with a later age, when Simon Maccabeus
is said to have had the title nsy' on his coins; and Mattathias is called ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/chronology.htm

Josephus and the Works which He Has Left.
... He himself gives us information on this point in the following words: [667] "Josephus,
the son of Mattathias, a priest of Jerusalem, who himself fought against ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ix josephus and the works.htm

Index I.
... Martin, D., 20, 133. Martini, 12, 185, 229. Mary, Passing of, 237. Maskell, 90.
Mattathias, 68. Maurer, 227, 228. Melito, 132. Merrick, 94. Methodius, 161, 166. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/index i.htm

Mattathias (2 Occurrences)
...MATTATHIAS. mat-a-thi'-as (Mattathias). The persons of this name in the Apocrypha
are: (1) Mattathias the father of the Maccabees. ...Mattathias (2 Occurrences). ...
/m/mattathias.htm - 8k

Maccabaeus
... PALESTINE UNDER THE MACCABEES 1. Mattathias 2. Judas 3. Jonathan 4. Simon 5. John
Hyrcanus 6. John and Eleazar LITERATURE The name Maccabeus was first applied ...
/m/maccabaeus.htm - 17k

Modin
... Hither Mattathias, a priest of the sons of Joarib, retired when he had seen with
a burning heart "the blasphemies that were committed in Judah and in Jerus ...
/m/modin.htm - 10k

Mattathi'as (2 Occurrences)
Mattathi'as. Mattathias, Mattathi'as. Mattattah . ... Luke 3:25 the 'son' of Mattathias,
the 'son' of Amos, the 'son' of Naum, the 'son' of Esli, (See RSV). ...
/m/mattathi'as.htm - 6k

Maccabees
...Mattathias, an aged priest, then residing at Modin, a city to the west of Jerusalem,
became now the courageous leader of the national party; and having fled to ...
/m/maccabees.htm - 52k

Asmoneans
... of the family Joarib (Ant., XII, vi, 1; 1 Maccabees 2:1; 1 Chronicles 24:7). The
name "Maccabee," from the surname of Judas, the son of Mattathias, may be ...
/a/asmoneans.htm - 27k

Naggai (2 Occurrences)
... Naggai (2 Occurrences). Luke 3:25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son
of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, (WEB WEY ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). ...
/n/naggai.htm - 7k

Antiochians
... the two races indicated in John 4:9, "For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans."
Among those who refused to be enrolled as Antiochians was Mattathias, an aged ...
/a/antiochians.htm - 10k

Apphus
... af'-us, ap'-fus: A name borne by Jonathan, the fifth son of Mattathias (Apphous,
1 Maccabees 2:5). All the brothers, according to this passage, had double names ...
/a/apphus.htm - 7k

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)
... (16) (Ionathes, 1 Maccabees 2:5; 13-Sep; and Inathan 2 Maccabees 8:22; Swete reads
Ionathes): The Maccabee surnamed Apphus in 1 Maccabees 2:5, son of Mattathias...
/j/jonathan.htm - 59k

What are the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees? | GotQuestions.org

What happened in the Maccabean Revolt? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Hasmoneans? | GotQuestions.org

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