An Attempt To Date the Maccabees
G.D.O'Bradovich III
April 3, 2015
Background
In our previous entry in "An Attempt To Date" series, Jews, Hebrews and Israelites were researched. While we were satisfied with the amount of data regarding the word "Jew", we were disappointed at the lack of citations for Hebrews and Israelites. Due to our disappointment, we doubled our efforts and decided to research what is arguably the most famous Jewish family of antiquity: the Maccabees. Since there was little information under the generic words (Jew and Hebrew), we will not be dissatisfied with little or no information on the Maccabees.
Part the First
The following citations are courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary. Secondary sources are in red. Although citations after the year 1800 are not generally included in our research, we have included all citations provided by the OED.
Maccabean
Forms: 16 Machabean, 18– Maccabaean, 18– Maccabean.
Etymology: < post-classical Latin Maccabaeus (see Maccabee n.) + -an suffix.
A. adj. Of, relating to, or characteristic of Judas Maccabaeus or the Maccabees.
1609 B. Jonson Key Keeper in M. Butler Re-presenting Ben Jonson (1999) 138, I could make ye more vpward allusions, as to the foure monarchies which wer a machabean, with an Alexandrian, & with a Cesaryan beard.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vi. 243 The Machabean Princes of Iury were onely foure.
1821 R. Laurence Bk. of Enoch 207 Between the period of the captivity, and the rise of the Maccabæan dynasty.
1840 J. H. Howlett Metrical Chronol. (ed. 3) 16 Under the Maccabaean princes, what did the Jews become?
1890 A. J. Church & R. Seeley (title) The hammer, a story of Maccabean times.
1920 Q. Rev. July 4 His [sc. Disraeli's] party reaped the benefit of his Maccabean courage.
1952 H. H. Gerth & D. A. Martindale tr. M. Weber Anc. Judaism iv. xiv. 360 The high priest Onias, who in the confusion of Maccabean party struggles had escaped to Egypt..had not scrupled to build a temple there.
1965 N. Frye in C. F. Klinck Lit. Hist. Canada 829, I use a Jewish metaphor because there is something Hebraic about the Canadian tendency to read its conquest of a promised land, its Maccabean victories of 1812,..as oracles of a future.
1991 Classical Rev. 41 424 That Pharisaism existed long before the Maccabean era is evident from a number of texts, preserved as authoritative in rabbinic literature.
B. n. A member or supporter of the Maccabees. rare.
a1831 Encycl. Metrop. IX. 643/2 Hence, all who fought under that standard were called Maccabees, or Maccabeans.
1949 A. Koestler Promise & Fulfilm. i. xiii. 146 It was Jewry's V-day—the first since the time of the Maccabeans.
Forms: lME Machabeie, lME Machabey, 15 Machabee, 16 Maccabee, 17 Macabee, 17 ...
Etymology: < post-classical Latin Maccabaeus < Hellenistic Greek Μακκαβαῖος, the epithet of the Jewish patriot Judas (see below), perhaps < Hebrew maqqeḇeṯ hammer.
Occurs in Old English as proper name in post-classical Latin form Machabeus (frequently with Latin case inflections) in biblical translations and other religious literature.
Jewish Hist.
A. n. 1. Usu. in pl. A member or supporter of a Jewish family, most notably Judas Maccabaeus, which led a religious revolt in Judaea against the Syrian Seleucid king Antiochus IV c167 b.c., as recorded in the Books of the Maccabees. Freq. in pl. with the. Cf. Hasmonean n. and adj.the First (Second, etc.) Book of the Maccabees : each of four books of Jewish history and theology, of which the first two are included in the Apocrypha.
a1425 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Arun.) Macc. (heading) Here biginnith the firste book of Machabeies.
1489 (▸a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 465 Yai war lik to ye Machabeys yat as men in ye bibill seys [etc.].
1550 Briefe & Compendiouse Table, Concordaunce Bible (title-page), The thirde boke of the Machabees.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. x. §1. 377 Then Modin the Natiue Citie of the Macchabees.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Wks. 1058 Flavius Josephus, his discourse of the Maccabees.
a1831 Encycl. Metrop. IX. 643/2 Hence, all who fought under that standard were called Maccabees, or Maccabeans.
1920 H. F. Henderson Relig. in Scotl. i. 16 The patriotism of the Jew, especially in the age of the Maccabees, was an ardent passion that enabled him to overcome enemies four times his number.
1992 G. Hancock Sign & Seal v. xi. 410 Like Josiah, I knew that Jeremiah had been credited in certain Jewish legends—and in the apocryphal book of Maccabees—with hiding the Ark.
2. In extended use. (In quot. 1751 colloq. = Methody n.).
1647 J. Cleveland Char. London-Diurnall 25 The Saints Monopolie, the zealous Cluster, Which like a Porcupine presents a Muster, and Shoots his quills at Bishops and their Sees, A devout litter of young Maccabees.
1751 J. Wesley Jrnl. 30 Aug. (1756) 104 They laid hold on a poor Chimney-sweeper they met, tho' no Maccabee, (as the common People call us here).
1959 Listener 20 Aug. 292/2 The Maccabees of this small but resolute movement..were the Aaronsohn family.
B. adj. Of or relating to the Maccabees. Now rare.
1865 Sunday at Home 194/2 But at length one of the Maccabee princes..subdued them.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 131/1 The Vatican [MS] does not contain the Maccabee books.
Obs. rare. Of or relating to the Maccabees.
a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 355 Another rest and station of the Jewish High Priests, is from the returne out of the Captivitie, to the Maccabeicall times.
Part the Second
The previous citations in chronological order.
1425a Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Arun.) Macc. (heading) Here biginnith the firste book of Machabeies.
1489 (▸a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 465 Yai war lik to ye Machabeys yat as men in ye bibill seys [etc.].
1550 Briefe & Compendiouse Table, Concordaunce Bible (title-page), The thirde boke of the Machabees.
1609 B. Jonson Key Keeper in M. Butler Re-presenting Ben Jonson (1999) 138, I could make ye more vpward allusions, as to the foure monarchies which wer a machabean, with an Alexandrian, & with a Cesaryan beard.
There is one primary reference to the Maccabees in the 16th century.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. x. §1. 377 Then Modin the Natiue Citie of the Macchabees.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vi. 243 The Machabean Princes of Iury were onely foure.
1641a R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 355 Another rest and station of the Jewish High Priests, is from the returne out of the Captivitie, to the Maccabeicall times.
1647 J. Cleveland Char. London-Diurnall 25 The Saints Monopolie, the zealous Cluster, Which like a Porcupine presents a Muster, and Shoots his quills at Bishops and their Sees, A devout litter of young Maccabees.
There are three primary references to the Maccabees in the 17th century.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Wks. 1058 Flavius Josephus, his discourse of the Maccabees.
1751 J. Wesley Jrnl. 30 Aug. (1756) 104 They laid hold on a poor Chimney-sweeper they met, tho' no Maccabee, (as the common People call us here).
There is one primary reference to the Maccabees in the 18th century.
1821 R. Laurence Bk. of Enoch 207 Between the period of the captivity, and the rise of the Maccabæan dynasty.
1831a Encycl. Metrop. IX. 643/2 Hence, all who fought under that standard were called Maccabees, or Maccabeans.
1840 J. H. Howlett Metrical Chronol. (ed. 3) 16 Under the Maccabaean princes, what did the Jews become?
1865 Sunday at Home 194/2 But at length one of the Maccabee princes..subdued them.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 131/1 The Vatican [MS] does not contain the Maccabee books.
1890 A. J. Church & R. Seeley (title) The hammer, a story of Maccabean times.
There are six primary references to the Maccabees in the 19th century.
1920 H. F. Henderson Relig. in Scotl. i. 16 The patriotism of the Jew, especially in the age of the Maccabees, was an ardent passion that enabled him to overcome enemies four times his number.
1920 Q. Rev. July 4 His [sc. Disraeli's] party reaped the benefit of his Maccabean courage.
1949 A. Koestler Promise & Fulfilm. i. xiii. 146 It was Jewry's V-day—the first since the time of the Maccabeans.
1952 H. H. Gerth & D. A. Martindale tr. M. Weber Anc. Judaism iv. xiv. 360 The high priest Onias, who in the confusion of Maccabean party struggles had escaped to Egypt..had not scrupled to build a temple there.
1959 Listener 20 Aug. 292/2 The Maccabees of this small but resolute movement..were the Aaronsohn family.
1965 N. Frye in C. F. Klinck Lit. Hist. Canada 829, I use a Jewish metaphor because there is something Hebraic about the Canadian tendency to read its conquest of a promised land, its Maccabean victories of 1812,..as oracles of a future.
1991 Classical Rev. 41 424 That Pharisaism existed long before the Maccabean era is evident from a number of texts, preserved as authoritative in rabbinic literature.
1992 G. Hancock Sign & Seal v. xi. 410 Like Josiah, I knew that Jeremiah had been credited in certain Jewish legends—and in the apocryphal book of Maccabees—with hiding the Ark.
There are eight primary references to the Maccabees in the 20th century.
Part the Third
We consider the Wycliff Bible a secondary source since the publication dates from the 19th century. We learn there were four Maccabean princes (1632) and Josephus wrote about the Maccabees (1702). We learn that there was a time between the captivity and the Maccabean Dynasty (1821).
In 1920, we read about the patriotism of Jews during Maccabean times. Pharisaism existed before the Maccabean era is demonstrated from the number of preserved texts (1991).
Conclusion
Fortunately, our previous experience researching Israelites and Hebrews has prepared us for our disappointment to date the Maccabees. The first reference to the Maccabees is from a concordance of the Bible from 1550 and there is no indication that the British Isles knew about the existence of the Maccabees before the publication of the Bible.
In our previous entry in "An Attempt To Date" series, Jews, Hebrews and Israelites were researched. While we were satisfied with the amount of data regarding the word "Jew", we were disappointed at the lack of citations for Hebrews and Israelites. Due to our disappointment, we doubled our efforts and decided to research what is arguably the most famous Jewish family of antiquity: the Maccabees. Since there was little information under the generic words (Jew and Hebrew), we will not be dissatisfied with little or no information on the Maccabees.
Part the First
The following citations are courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary. Secondary sources are in red. Although citations after the year 1800 are not generally included in our research, we have included all citations provided by the OED.
Maccabean
Forms: 16 Machabean, 18– Maccabaean, 18– Maccabean.
Etymology: < post-classical Latin Maccabaeus (see Maccabee n.) + -an suffix.
A. adj. Of, relating to, or characteristic of Judas Maccabaeus or the Maccabees.
1609 B. Jonson Key Keeper in M. Butler Re-presenting Ben Jonson (1999) 138, I could make ye more vpward allusions, as to the foure monarchies which wer a machabean, with an Alexandrian, & with a Cesaryan beard.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vi. 243 The Machabean Princes of Iury were onely foure.
1821 R. Laurence Bk. of Enoch 207 Between the period of the captivity, and the rise of the Maccabæan dynasty.
1840 J. H. Howlett Metrical Chronol. (ed. 3) 16 Under the Maccabaean princes, what did the Jews become?
1890 A. J. Church & R. Seeley (title) The hammer, a story of Maccabean times.
1920 Q. Rev. July 4 His [sc. Disraeli's] party reaped the benefit of his Maccabean courage.
1952 H. H. Gerth & D. A. Martindale tr. M. Weber Anc. Judaism iv. xiv. 360 The high priest Onias, who in the confusion of Maccabean party struggles had escaped to Egypt..had not scrupled to build a temple there.
1965 N. Frye in C. F. Klinck Lit. Hist. Canada 829, I use a Jewish metaphor because there is something Hebraic about the Canadian tendency to read its conquest of a promised land, its Maccabean victories of 1812,..as oracles of a future.
1991 Classical Rev. 41 424 That Pharisaism existed long before the Maccabean era is evident from a number of texts, preserved as authoritative in rabbinic literature.
B. n. A member or supporter of the Maccabees. rare.
a1831 Encycl. Metrop. IX. 643/2 Hence, all who fought under that standard were called Maccabees, or Maccabeans.
1949 A. Koestler Promise & Fulfilm. i. xiii. 146 It was Jewry's V-day—the first since the time of the Maccabeans.
Forms: lME Machabeie, lME Machabey, 15 Machabee, 16 Maccabee, 17 Macabee, 17 ...
Etymology: < post-classical Latin Maccabaeus < Hellenistic Greek Μακκαβαῖος, the epithet of the Jewish patriot Judas (see below), perhaps < Hebrew maqqeḇeṯ hammer.
Occurs in Old English as proper name in post-classical Latin form Machabeus (frequently with Latin case inflections) in biblical translations and other religious literature.
Jewish Hist.
A. n. 1. Usu. in pl. A member or supporter of a Jewish family, most notably Judas Maccabaeus, which led a religious revolt in Judaea against the Syrian Seleucid king Antiochus IV c167 b.c., as recorded in the Books of the Maccabees. Freq. in pl. with the. Cf. Hasmonean n. and adj.the First (Second, etc.) Book of the Maccabees : each of four books of Jewish history and theology, of which the first two are included in the Apocrypha.
a1425 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Arun.) Macc. (heading) Here biginnith the firste book of Machabeies.
1489 (▸a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 465 Yai war lik to ye Machabeys yat as men in ye bibill seys [etc.].
1550 Briefe & Compendiouse Table, Concordaunce Bible (title-page), The thirde boke of the Machabees.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. x. §1. 377 Then Modin the Natiue Citie of the Macchabees.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Wks. 1058 Flavius Josephus, his discourse of the Maccabees.
a1831 Encycl. Metrop. IX. 643/2 Hence, all who fought under that standard were called Maccabees, or Maccabeans.
1920 H. F. Henderson Relig. in Scotl. i. 16 The patriotism of the Jew, especially in the age of the Maccabees, was an ardent passion that enabled him to overcome enemies four times his number.
1992 G. Hancock Sign & Seal v. xi. 410 Like Josiah, I knew that Jeremiah had been credited in certain Jewish legends—and in the apocryphal book of Maccabees—with hiding the Ark.
2. In extended use. (In quot. 1751 colloq. = Methody n.).
1647 J. Cleveland Char. London-Diurnall 25 The Saints Monopolie, the zealous Cluster, Which like a Porcupine presents a Muster, and Shoots his quills at Bishops and their Sees, A devout litter of young Maccabees.
1751 J. Wesley Jrnl. 30 Aug. (1756) 104 They laid hold on a poor Chimney-sweeper they met, tho' no Maccabee, (as the common People call us here).
1959 Listener 20 Aug. 292/2 The Maccabees of this small but resolute movement..were the Aaronsohn family.
B. adj. Of or relating to the Maccabees. Now rare.
1865 Sunday at Home 194/2 But at length one of the Maccabee princes..subdued them.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 131/1 The Vatican [MS] does not contain the Maccabee books.
Obs. rare. Of or relating to the Maccabees.
a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 355 Another rest and station of the Jewish High Priests, is from the returne out of the Captivitie, to the Maccabeicall times.
Part the Second
The previous citations in chronological order.
1425a Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Arun.) Macc. (heading) Here biginnith the firste book of Machabeies.
1489 (▸a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 465 Yai war lik to ye Machabeys yat as men in ye bibill seys [etc.].
1550 Briefe & Compendiouse Table, Concordaunce Bible (title-page), The thirde boke of the Machabees.
1609 B. Jonson Key Keeper in M. Butler Re-presenting Ben Jonson (1999) 138, I could make ye more vpward allusions, as to the foure monarchies which wer a machabean, with an Alexandrian, & with a Cesaryan beard.
There is one primary reference to the Maccabees in the 16th century.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. x. §1. 377 Then Modin the Natiue Citie of the Macchabees.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vi. 243 The Machabean Princes of Iury were onely foure.
1641a R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 355 Another rest and station of the Jewish High Priests, is from the returne out of the Captivitie, to the Maccabeicall times.
1647 J. Cleveland Char. London-Diurnall 25 The Saints Monopolie, the zealous Cluster, Which like a Porcupine presents a Muster, and Shoots his quills at Bishops and their Sees, A devout litter of young Maccabees.
There are three primary references to the Maccabees in the 17th century.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Wks. 1058 Flavius Josephus, his discourse of the Maccabees.
1751 J. Wesley Jrnl. 30 Aug. (1756) 104 They laid hold on a poor Chimney-sweeper they met, tho' no Maccabee, (as the common People call us here).
There is one primary reference to the Maccabees in the 18th century.
1821 R. Laurence Bk. of Enoch 207 Between the period of the captivity, and the rise of the Maccabæan dynasty.
1831a Encycl. Metrop. IX. 643/2 Hence, all who fought under that standard were called Maccabees, or Maccabeans.
1840 J. H. Howlett Metrical Chronol. (ed. 3) 16 Under the Maccabaean princes, what did the Jews become?
1865 Sunday at Home 194/2 But at length one of the Maccabee princes..subdued them.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 131/1 The Vatican [MS] does not contain the Maccabee books.
1890 A. J. Church & R. Seeley (title) The hammer, a story of Maccabean times.
There are six primary references to the Maccabees in the 19th century.
1920 H. F. Henderson Relig. in Scotl. i. 16 The patriotism of the Jew, especially in the age of the Maccabees, was an ardent passion that enabled him to overcome enemies four times his number.
1920 Q. Rev. July 4 His [sc. Disraeli's] party reaped the benefit of his Maccabean courage.
1949 A. Koestler Promise & Fulfilm. i. xiii. 146 It was Jewry's V-day—the first since the time of the Maccabeans.
1952 H. H. Gerth & D. A. Martindale tr. M. Weber Anc. Judaism iv. xiv. 360 The high priest Onias, who in the confusion of Maccabean party struggles had escaped to Egypt..had not scrupled to build a temple there.
1959 Listener 20 Aug. 292/2 The Maccabees of this small but resolute movement..were the Aaronsohn family.
1965 N. Frye in C. F. Klinck Lit. Hist. Canada 829, I use a Jewish metaphor because there is something Hebraic about the Canadian tendency to read its conquest of a promised land, its Maccabean victories of 1812,..as oracles of a future.
1991 Classical Rev. 41 424 That Pharisaism existed long before the Maccabean era is evident from a number of texts, preserved as authoritative in rabbinic literature.
1992 G. Hancock Sign & Seal v. xi. 410 Like Josiah, I knew that Jeremiah had been credited in certain Jewish legends—and in the apocryphal book of Maccabees—with hiding the Ark.
There are eight primary references to the Maccabees in the 20th century.
Part the Third
We consider the Wycliff Bible a secondary source since the publication dates from the 19th century. We learn there were four Maccabean princes (1632) and Josephus wrote about the Maccabees (1702). We learn that there was a time between the captivity and the Maccabean Dynasty (1821).
In 1920, we read about the patriotism of Jews during Maccabean times. Pharisaism existed before the Maccabean era is demonstrated from the number of preserved texts (1991).
Conclusion
Fortunately, our previous experience researching Israelites and Hebrews has prepared us for our disappointment to date the Maccabees. The first reference to the Maccabees is from a concordance of the Bible from 1550 and there is no indication that the British Isles knew about the existence of the Maccabees before the publication of the Bible.