1 maccabees 1:10 - And there came forth out of them a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
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What does "1 maccabees 1:10" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 1:10 introduces the infamous Antiochus Epiphanes, a key figure in the Maccabean Revolt. Let's break it down:
"And there came forth out of them a sinful root...": This refers to the successors of Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death, his empire was divided among his generals, who established various Hellenistic (Greek-influenced) kingdoms. The "sinful root" implies that Antiochus Epiphanes emerged from this line of rulers and that his actions would be considered wicked and destructive by the author of 1 Maccabees.
"...Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king...": This identifies the person in question. He's Antiochus Epiphanes, the son of another king named Antiochus (Antiochus IV Epiphanes was actually the son of Antiochus III the Great). The "Epiphanes" title means "God Manifest" or "Illustrious," which he claimed for himself, demonstrating his arrogance and desire for divine status.
"...who had been a hostage at Rome...": This is an important detail about Antiochus's background. He spent time in Rome as a hostage as part of a treaty between the Seleucid Empire (which he would later rule) and the Roman Republic. This experience would have exposed him to Roman culture and power, likely influencing his worldview and policies. It also meant he wasn't initially in line to be king.
"...and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.": This provides a chronological marker. The "kingdom of the Greeks" refers to the Seleucid Empire, which originated from Alexander the Great's empire. The year is counted from the beginning of the Seleucid era (which started in 312 BC). Therefore, the 137th year corresponds to approximately 175 BC, marking the beginning of Antiochus Epiphanes's reign.
In essence, the verse sets the stage for the story of the Maccabean Revolt by:
Introducing the villain: Antiochus Epiphanes.
Highlighting his lineage and background.
Signaling that his reign would be characterized by sinfulness and oppression from the perspective of the Jewish authors of 1 Maccabees.
Placing him in the timeline of the Seleucid Empire.
Antiochus Epiphanes is portrayed as a figure who would desecrate the Temple in Jerusalem, outlaw Jewish practices, and force the Jewish people to adopt Hellenistic customs, leading to the Maccabean Revolt, a pivotal event in Jewish history.
1 maccabees 1:10 - And there came forth out of them a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
What does "1 maccabees 1:10" mean?
This verse from 1 Maccabees 1:10 introduces the infamous Antiochus Epiphanes, a key figure in the Maccabean Revolt. Let's break it down:
"And there came forth out of them a sinful root...": This refers to the successors of Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death, his empire was divided among his generals, who established various Hellenistic (Greek-influenced) kingdoms. The "sinful root" implies that Antiochus Epiphanes emerged from this line of rulers and that his actions would be considered wicked and destructive by the author of 1 Maccabees.
"...Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king...": This identifies the person in question. He's Antiochus Epiphanes, the son of another king named Antiochus (Antiochus IV Epiphanes was actually the son of Antiochus III the Great). The "Epiphanes" title means "God Manifest" or "Illustrious," which he claimed for himself, demonstrating his arrogance and desire for divine status.
"...who had been a hostage at Rome...": This is an important detail about Antiochus's background. He spent time in Rome as a hostage as part of a treaty between the Seleucid Empire (which he would later rule) and the Roman Republic. This experience would have exposed him to Roman culture and power, likely influencing his worldview and policies. It also meant he wasn't initially in line to be king.
"...and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.": This provides a chronological marker. The "kingdom of the Greeks" refers to the Seleucid Empire, which originated from Alexander the Great's empire. The year is counted from the beginning of the Seleucid era (which started in 312 BC). Therefore, the 137th year corresponds to approximately 175 BC, marking the beginning of Antiochus Epiphanes's reign.
In essence, the verse sets the stage for the story of the Maccabean Revolt by:
Introducing the villain: Antiochus Epiphanes.
Highlighting his lineage and background.
Signaling that his reign would be characterized by sinfulness and oppression from the perspective of the Jewish authors of 1 Maccabees.
Placing him in the timeline of the Seleucid Empire.
Antiochus Epiphanes is portrayed as a figure who would desecrate the Temple in Jerusalem, outlaw Jewish practices, and force the Jewish people to adopt Hellenistic customs, leading to the Maccabean Revolt, a pivotal event in Jewish history.