The verse "And the first month of the hundred and fifty and second year they encamped against Jerusalem:" from 1 Maccabees 9:3 refers to a specific point in time in the Maccabean period. Let's break it down:
"The first month": This likely refers to the Hebrew month of Nisan (around March/April in our calendar). The Jewish year begins in the fall (Tishrei), but religious festivals and historical events were often referenced using Nisan as the start.
"The hundred and fifty and second year": This is where it gets tricky. It's referring to the Seleucid Era (SE), a dating system used in the Hellenistic period. The Seleucid Era began in 312 BC (when Seleucus I Nicator established his kingdom after Alexander the Great's death). Therefore, the 152nd year SE corresponds to 312 - 152 = 160 BC.
"They encamped against Jerusalem": This refers to a military action. "They" in this context likely refers to a specific army or group involved in the ongoing conflicts of the Maccabean Revolt. Who "they" specifically are can be further clarified by reading the surrounding verses and chapters of 1 Maccabees. In this specific context, "they" refers to the Syrian (Seleucid) army under the command of Bacchides.
In summary, the verse indicates that in March/April of 160 BC, the army of Bacchides besieged Jerusalem.
Historical Context and Significance
This verse is important because it helps to:
Date events precisely: The Seleucid dating allows us to anchor the events of the Maccabean Revolt within a specific historical timeline.
Understand the ongoing conflict: It highlights the continued struggle between the Maccabees (Jewish rebels) and the Seleucid Empire for control of Jerusalem and the surrounding region.
Follow the narrative of 1 Maccabees: Knowing the date helps readers to follow the progression of the story and the changing fortunes of the various factions involved.
By reading the verses surrounding 1 Maccabees 9:3, you will be able to glean specific details about this particular siege and the events that led to it. It's also important to note that the information in 1 Maccabees is often interpreted differently by historians and theologians, and that archaeological evidence can provide additional context.
The verse "And the first month of the hundred and fifty and second year they encamped against Jerusalem:" from 1 Maccabees 9:3 refers to a specific point in time in the Maccabean period. Let's break it down:
"The first month": This likely refers to the Hebrew month of Nisan (around March/April in our calendar). The Jewish year begins in the fall (Tishrei), but religious festivals and historical events were often referenced using Nisan as the start.
"The hundred and fifty and second year": This is where it gets tricky. It's referring to the Seleucid Era (SE), a dating system used in the Hellenistic period. The Seleucid Era began in 312 BC (when Seleucus I Nicator established his kingdom after Alexander the Great's death). Therefore, the 152nd year SE corresponds to 312 - 152 = 160 BC.
"They encamped against Jerusalem": This refers to a military action. "They" in this context likely refers to a specific army or group involved in the ongoing conflicts of the Maccabean Revolt. Who "they" specifically are can be further clarified by reading the surrounding verses and chapters of 1 Maccabees. In this specific context, "they" refers to the Syrian (Seleucid) army under the command of Bacchides.
In summary, the verse indicates that in March/April of 160 BC, the army of Bacchides besieged Jerusalem.
Historical Context and Significance
This verse is important because it helps to:
Date events precisely: The Seleucid dating allows us to anchor the events of the Maccabean Revolt within a specific historical timeline.
Understand the ongoing conflict: It highlights the continued struggle between the Maccabees (Jewish rebels) and the Seleucid Empire for control of Jerusalem and the surrounding region.
Follow the narrative of 1 Maccabees: Knowing the date helps readers to follow the progression of the story and the changing fortunes of the various factions involved.
By reading the verses surrounding 1 Maccabees 9:3, you will be able to glean specific details about this particular siege and the events that led to it. It's also important to note that the information in 1 Maccabees is often interpreted differently by historians and theologians, and that archaeological evidence can provide additional context.
