II Maccabees : a new translation with introduction and commentary
by Jonathan A. Goldstein (Translator), Jonathan A. Goldstein (Translator)
Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries (41A)
219 Members (4.00)
On This Page
Description
II Maccabees continues the chronicle of the "Time of the Troubles" (167-64 B.C.E.), begun in I Maccabees. It recounts the stories of conflict between militant Jews, led by Judas Maccabaeus, and their Hellenistic oppressors. Aside from the story of the struggle to control the temple and the holy city of Jerusalem, though, II Maccabees shares little in common with I Maccabees. The second volume of reflections of Jewry in the generation following the Maccabaean revolt presents and evaluates the show more experience from its own unique perspective. How these events came to be written, who told the stories, and what reasons motivated such divergent yet parallel interpretations are the questions Jonathan A. Goldstein, translator and commentator on both Maccabaean histories, addresses here. Goldstein utilizes the full array of scholarly tools to examine the critical issues raised by II Maccabees. By examining its language and style, its Hellenic yet Jewish flavor, its comparison and relationship to I Maccabees, its use of sacred writings (Torah and Prophets), its historical context, and the role of the miraculous, Goldstein thoroughly elucidates this powerful account of a pivotal period in Jewish history. As the commentary makes clear, II Maccabees focuses on certain themes: miracles as God's tools for shaping history; the holiness of the Jerusalem temple; the dynamic relationship between the Hasmonaean rulers and their pious opponents; praise of martyrdom; the doctrine of resurrection. An abridgment of Jason of Cyrene's work, II Maccabees advances its own theological perspective to its Greek-speaking audience, refuting the Hasmonaean partisan's view that pervades I Maccabees. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- II Maccabees : a new translation with introduction and commentary
- Original publication date
- 1983
- People/Characters
- Judas Maccabeus; Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC/BCE); Alcimus, High Priest of Judea (162&ndash | 159 BC); Alexander Jannaeus, King and High Priest of Judea; Antiochus III the Great (241? to 287 BC/BCE); Antiochus V Eupator (show all 29); Apollonius the Selucid Mysarch; Bacchides, Seleucid general; Demetrius I, Seleucid Emperor; Eleazar, the Martyr; Gorgias, Seleucid general; Heliodorus, Seleucid official; Hyrcanus, the Tobiad; Jason, of Cyrene; Jason, High Priest of Judea; John Hyrcanus I; Flavius Josephus (37-c.100); Lysias, Seleucid general; Mattathias; Menelaus, High Priest of Judea; Nicanor, Seleucid general; Onias III, High Priest of Judea; Onias IV; Philip, Seleucid official; Ptolemy VI Philometor; Ptolemy VIII Physcon; Seleucus IV, Seleucid Emperor; Simon Maccabee; Timotheus, Seleucid official
- Important places
- Akra of Jerusalem; Jerusalem; Antioch; Beth-Zur; Rome, Italy; Temple of Jerusalem
- Important events
- Maccabean Revolt
- Dedication
- In memory of my brother,
ALEXANDER M. GOLDSTEIN
(1935-1980)
and my teacher,
ELIAS J. BICKERMAN
(1897-1981) - First words
- PREFACE -- Like my volume 41 in the Anchor Bible, this volume 41A contains chiefly my own efforts to solve the problems of the First and Second Books of Maccabees, though I am aware of, and try to acknowledge, my deep indebte... (show all)dness to my predecessors.
I. THE CONTENT AND CHARACTER OF SECOND MACCABEES
The faithful Israelite living in Judaea under the Ptolemies and the Seleucids in the third and second centuries B.C.E. learned from childhood that the LORD's Chosen Peop... (show all)le had nothing to fear if they kept the LORD's commandments.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 219
- Popularity
- 149,623
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 1
