Maccabees
Group of Jewish rebels in the Seleucid Empire
Summary
The Maccabees, also spelled Machabees, were a group of Jewish rebel warriors who re-took control of Judea, which at the time was occupied by the Seleucid Empire. Its leaders, the Hasmoneans, founded the Hasmonean dynasty, which ruled from 167 BC to 37 BC, being a fully independent kingdom from 104 to 63 BC. They reasserted the Jewish religion, freed Judea from the Syrian-Greek occupiers, and reduced the influence of Hellenism and Hellenistic Judaism.
Originally created by Tbarron
12/31/2002, 1:41:46 PM
Modified
4/30/2026, 11:58:26 AM
Recent revisions
Simplified syntax
Add preposition
Shortening hatnote
Missing "the"
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/* Background */
/* Background */
/* Etymology */
/* Etymology */ clarifying the clarification ;)
Maccabee fighters led the Jews to return to Judea (especially Jerusalem)
Reverting possible vandalism by [[Special:Contribs/~2025-41295-42|~2025-41295-42]] to version by ~2025-40380-03. [[WP:CBFP|Report False Positive?]] Thanks, [[WP:CBNG|ClueBot NG]]. (4461155) (Bot)
Clarification added
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/* Hasmonean dynasty */Deleted a small part of one sentence which is false and inconsistent with the article. The article mentions how traditional the Maccabees were in their faith; they would never seek to convert other peoples. That is not Jewish law and does not have to do with some of the Maccabees wanting to possibly extend their land boundaries.
Updated short description
