Captivity, Return, and Years of Silence A Remnant Shall Return Captivity, Return, and Years of Silence

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt Now represented by Syrian Empire (Seleucid kings). Direct affect upon the Jews.

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt Antiochus III – 6th Seleucid king – Father of Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) – Defeated Egypt in 198 B.C. to finally gain Judea – In battling Egypt further, he entered into an alliance with Philip of Macedon to divide the Ptolemies’ possessions outside of Egypt (namely, areas on Aegean Sea) – At the same time, Antiochus was asked to lend aid to Greek states on the Adriatic Sea who feared Roman involvement in their affairs

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt Antiochus III – Could never defeat Rome (who is on the rise) – In 188, Antiochus basically cedes Asia Minor, his navy & mercenary soldiers to Rome – He must also pay a huge indemnity – To ensure payment, Rome takes hostage Antiochus’ son, Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) – He is later “swapped” for another son – For the most part, Syria is now in shambles – Antiochus died in 187 in battling a revolt and attempting a raid for money to pay Rome

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) – Eventually gained his father’s throne in 175 – He saw his kingdom was in trouble (in a vise) – He was still paying debt money to Rome and could not enlarge himself to the West – There was also a new threat to his East...Parthia

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) – Eventually gained his father’s throne in 175 – He saw his kingdom was in trouble (in a vise) – He was still paying debt money to Rome and could not enlarge himself to the West – There was also a new threat to his East...Parthia

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) – Eventually gained his father’s throne in 175 – He saw his kingdom was in trouble (in a vise) – He was still paying debt money to Rome and could not enlarge himself to the West – There was also a new threat to his East...Parthia – This is where the history focuses re: Syria turning her attention to lands & peoples she still controlled e.g. Judea – He needed money and to further remind them he was still their ruler

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt The High Priesthood – Became a very important leadership position during “Years Of Silence” (no king, prophet) – However, it had gradually evolved into a political position, often going to highest bidder (a practice continued by Romans – Jn 18:13) Evidence of further eroding of Jewish identity and morphing into more & more Hellenism Ex 19:5-6. N.T. parallels Rom 12:1-2 1 Pet 2:9-11

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt The High Priesthood – Antiochus Epiphanes allowed one named Jason to become high priest in Jerusalem – Jason cultivated Hellenistic ways, recruited Jewish young men to adopt the culture – In 171, Jason’s tribute courier to Antiochus E. (Menelaus) courted Antiochus’ approval & was given the office of high priest – Menelaus allowed Antiochus E. to raid the temple for wealth to pay Rome Temple rituals were suspended. Sacred scriptures were burned. Observance of sabbath & festival days was forbidden. Circumcision was forbidden. Altar of Zeus was erected on top of altar of burnt offering.

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt The High Priesthood – Antiochus Epiphanes now demanded the Jews recognize him as manifestation of Zeus – These and other efforts only alienated him further from Judea and the Jews – This calls to mind the prophecy from Dan 8 – If he was the “little horn” (vv. 8-14, 21-26) then he was fulfilling what Daniel had declared some 380 years earlier – Antiochus Epiphanes died in 164 B.C.

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt The Maccabean Revolt (167 B.C.) – An attempt was made to force an aged priest Mattathias Hasmoneas to sacrifice to Zeus – He refused…Syrians found another Jew who was willing – Mattathias killed the Jew & Syrian officers – Mattathias & his 5 sons were forced to flee – Before his death, Mattathias appoints Judas as military commander – He was surnamed Maccabaeus (“Hammer”) – Fighting was guerilla warfare-type (skirmishes)

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt The Maccabean Revolt (167 B.C.) – Judas & his men eventually regained control of Jerusalem (Dec. 164 B.C.) – Cleansed the temple…removed Zeus – Built new altar – This “recovery” is still celebrated as Hanukkah by Jews today (“lights” from Jews burning candles in homes to celebrate temple’s rekindled lights)

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt The Maccabean Revolt (167 B.C.) – Syria eventually realized it could not succeed in defeating the Maccabees – Judea was officially granted independence from Syrian power & the Seleucid kings in 142 B.C.

Lesson 20: The Syrian Empire & Maccabean Revolt