Maccabees, a word of uncertain meaning and origin, but the name Makkabi, originally given to Judas Maccabæus, is possibly connected with
Magqab, 'hammer.' The founder of the Maccabean dynasty, Matithjahu, or Mattathias, a priest (not, as generally supposed, 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. He and his family were called Hasmoneaus (Gr. Asamonaioi). At the beginning of the troubles he had retired, together with his five sons, Jonathan, Simon, Jehudah (Makkabi), Eleazar, and Jonathan, to Modiin, a small place between Jerusalem and Joppa, to mourn in solitude over the desolation of the holy city and the desecration of the Temple. But the Syrians pursued him thither. He being a person of importance, Apelles, a Syrian captain, endeavoured to induce him, by tempting promises, to relinquish his faith, and to embrace the Greek religion. He answered by slaying with his own hand the first renegade Jew who approached the altar of idolatry. This gave the sign for a sudden outbreak. His sons, together with a handful of faithful men, rose against the national foe, destroyed all traces of heathen worship, 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 Mattathias (166 B.C.), which took place a few years after, Judas Makkabi (166-161 B.C.) took the command of the patriots, and repulsed the enemy, notwithstanding his superior force, at Mizpah, Bethsur, and other places, reconquered Jerusalem, purified the Temple, and inaugurated the holy service (164 B.C.). Having further concluded an alliance with the Romans, he fell in battle against Bacchides (161 B.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 Antiochus, 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 recognised both by Demetrius, Tryphon's antagonist, and by the Romans as 'chief and ruler of the Jews.' He completely re-established the independence of the nation, and the year after his succession (141 B.C.) was 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.' But not long (seven years) after his accession to the supremacy, he was foully murdered (136 B.C.) by his own son-in-law, Ptolemy, who vainly hoped to succeed him. For the subsequent history of this family, see JEWS, HYRCANUS, and HEROD. The Feast of the Maccabees—i.e. both of the sons of Mattathias, and of the seven martyr children (2 Macc. vii.)—is found in the Roman martyrology under the date of the first of August. See De Saulcy, Histoire des Machabées (1880); Ewald, and Schürer.