Mattathias

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Mattathias (מתתיהו Matitiyahu or Matisyahu ben Yochanan HaCohen in Hebrew) was a Jewish priest depicted in the Books of the Maccabees, and the father of Judah Maccabee, the leader of the Maccabees. Mattathias was from a rural priestly family in Modiin, and served as a priest in Jerusalem. After the Seleucid persecutions began, he returned to Modiin. In 167 BC, when asked by a Seleucid Greek government representative under King Antiochus IV to offer sacrifice to the Greek gods, he not only refused to do so, but slew with his own hand the Jew who had stepped forward to do so. He then attacked the government official that required the act.

Everyone who has zeal for the law and maintains the testament, let him follow me! (Mattathias, after killing the government official, 1st Maccabees 2:27.)

Upon the edict for his arrest, he took refuge in the wilderness of Judea with his five sons, and called upon all Jews to follow him. Many responded to his call.

This was the first step in the war of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greeks, the result of which was Jewish independence, which had not been enjoyed for 400 years. The events of the war of the Maccabees form the basis for the holiday of Hanukkah, which is celebrated by Jews on the 25th of Kislev (on the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to Mid-November to Late-December on the Gregorian Calendar).

The story of the Maccabees can be found in the deuterocanonical books of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees, in Josephus, and in Talmudic references (Shabbat 21b, Shabbat 23a - related to the candles).

The "Al Hanisim" prayer, added into the Amidah and Grace after meals on Chanukah, refers to the story of the Maccabees and to Mattathias by name.

[edit] See also

• Jewish leadership
• Judas Maccabaeus
• Simon Maccabaeus
• Jonathan Maccabaeus
• Maccabees
• Hasmonean

[edit] External links

• Mattathias ben Johananentry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith

Mattathias House of Asamoneus
New title	Leader of the Maccabees c. 167 BC – 166 BC	Succeeded by Judas Maccabeus

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1907 edition of The Nuttall Encyclopædia.

[edit] References

• Weir, William. 50 Battles That Changed the World: The Conflicts That Most Influenced the Course of History. Savage, Md: Barnes and Noble Books. ISBN 0-7607-6609-6.