MAC'CABEES, a word of uncertain meaning and origin. The founder of the Macca bean dynasty, Natithjahu (Asamonnios, Chashmonaj), a priest (not, as generally sup posed, a high-priest, nor even of the family of high-priests), was the first who made a stand against the persecutions of the Jewish nation and creed by Antiochus Epiphanes. At the beginning of the troubles, lie had retired, together with his five sons, Jochanan (Gaddes—jKaddish), Simon (Tassi—Mathes), Jelludah (Makkabi), Eleazar (Avaran—Syr. Chaviu), Jonathan (Applius), to Modiin, a small place between Jerusalem and .1bppa, to mourn in solitude over the desolation of the holy city and the desecration of the temple. But the Syrians pursued hint thither. Ile bona a person of importance, Apelles. a Syrian captain, endeavored to induce him, by teiniiting promises, to relinqiiish his faith, and to embrace the Greek religion. He answered hy slaying with his own hand the first renegade Jew who approached the altar of idolatry. This gave the sign to 21 Mid den ontbreak. His sons, together with a handful of faithful men, rose against the national foe, destroyed all traces of heathen worship, already established in Modiiu and its neighborhood, and fled into the wilderness of Judah. Their number soon increased; and not long after, they were able to make descents into the adjacent villages and cities, where they circumcised the children, and restored everywhere the ancient religion of Jehovah. At the death of Mattathiali (166 n.c.), which took place a few years after the outbreak, Judah 31altkabi (166-161 "Lc.) took the command of the patriots, and repulsed the enemy, notwithstanding his superior force, at Mizpah (6,000 against 70,000), Bethsur (10,000 against 65,000), and other places, reconquered Jerusalem, purified the temple (feast of reconsecmtion—Chanuka), and reinaugurated the holy service (164 n.c.).
Having further concluded an alliance with the Romans, he fell iu a battle against Bacchides (161 n.c.). His brother Jonathan, who succeeded him in the leadership, renewed the Roman alliance, and taking. advantage of certain disputes about the Syrian throne, rendered vacant by the death of Antiochtis, acquired the dignity of high-priest. But Tryphon, the guardian of the young prince Antiochus Theos, fearing his influence, invited him to Ptolemais, and had him there treacherously executed. Simon, the second brother, was elected by the Jewish commonwealth to assume the reins of the national government, and was formally recop-nized both by Demetrius, Tryphon's antagonist, and by the Romans as "chief and rider of the Jews." He completely re-established the independence of the nation, and the year after his succession (141 n.c.) WILS made the starting-point of a new era. The almost absolute power in his hands he used with wise moderation; justice and righteousness flourished in his days, and "Judah prospered as of old." I3ut not long (7 years) after his accession to the supremacy, Ile was foully mur dered (186 n.c.) by lus own son-in-law, Ptolemy, who vainly hoped to succeed him. For the subsequent history of this family, see JEWS; /11MCANUS; ami IImion. The feast of the Maccabees—i.e., both of the sons of Mattathialt, and of the seven inartyr children (2 Macc. 7)—is found in the Roman martyrology under the date of Allf2:. 1.