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Mattathias and His Sons

In those days Mattathi′as the son of John, son of Sim′eon, a priest of the sons of Jo′arib, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Mo′de-in. He had five sons, John surnamed Gaddi, Simon called Thassi, Judas called Maccabe′us, Elea′zar called Av′aran, and Jonathan called Apphus. He saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem, and said,

“Alas! Why was I born to see this,
    the ruin of my people, the ruin of the holy city,
and to dwell there when it was given over to the enemy,
    the sanctuary given over to aliens?
Her temple has become like a man without honor;[a]
    her glorious vessels have been carried into captivity.
Her babes have been killed in her streets,
    her youths by the sword of the foe.
10 What nation has not inherited her palaces[b]
    and has not seized her spoils?
11 All her adornment has been taken away;
    no longer free, she has become a slave.
12 And behold, our holy place, our beauty,
    and our glory have been laid waste;
the Gentiles have profaned it.
13     Why should we live any longer?”

14 And Mattathi′as and his sons rent their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly.

Pagan Worship Refused

15 Then the king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Mo′de-in to make them offer sacrifice. 16 Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathi′as and his sons were assembled. 17 Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathi′as as follows: “You are a leader, honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers. 18 Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.”

19 But Mattathi′as answered and said in a loud voice: “Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to do his commandments, departing each one from the religion of his fathers, 20 yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. 21 Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. 22 We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.”

23 When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice upon the altar in Mo′de-in, according to the king’s command. 24 When Mattathi′as saw it, be burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him upon the altar. 25 At the same time he killed the king’s officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. 26 Thus he burned with zeal for the law, as Phin′ehas did against Zimri the son of Salu.

27 Then Mattathi′as cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: “Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!” 28 And he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the city.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Maccabees 2:8 The text of this verse is uncertain
  2. 1 Maccabees 2:10 Other authorities read has not had a part in her kingdom

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