The Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims — 1 Machabees

Annotated History & Bibliography

Read 1 Maccabees 1:1

Overview

1 Maccabees (DRB: 1 Machabees) recounts the Hasmonean revolt and early rule (175–134 B.C.). It was likely composed in Hebrew around 100 B.C., and survives in an early Greek translation noted for its Hebraisms [1] [2].

Canon & Use

Received in the Catholic canon [3]; central for the narrative of resistance and the Temple’s purification/rededication after its profanation [4].

Key Themes

Faithfulness under persecution; Temple and right worship; covenant leadership and national renewal [1] [4].

Annotated Bibliography

  1. USCCB, “The First Book of Maccabees.” Intro (date ≈100 B.C.; Hebrew original; Greek translation; scope 175–134 B.C.). bible.usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/0 ↩︎ ↩︎
  2. Jewish Encyclopedia, “Maccabees, Books of.” Notes on Hebrew original and Hebraisms in the Greek text. jewishencyclopedia.com ↩︎
  3. Council of Trent, Fourth Session — Decree on the Canonical Scriptures. Formal canon list including Machabaeorum primus. papalencyclicals.net ↩︎
  4. USCCB, 1 Maccabees 4. Account of the purification and rededication of the Temple. bible.usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/4 ↩︎ ↩︎