Analyzing the contents of the Books of the Maccabees (1-2Macc canonical and 3-4Macc apocryphal) it can be noted that their authors – on the canvas of the story associated with the revolt of the Maccabees and the persecution of the Jewish community – also touched upon issues of the presence and role of women in the religion and culture of ancient Israel in Hellenistic times. Although women mentioned by the authors women are anonymous, one can, however, learn a lot about their lives in this period. The authors in fact give different information about the women of different status: young girls, virgins/unmarried maidens, wives, mothers, widows, grandmothers as well as prostitutes. Of particular note are women who demonstrated heroism in defense of God’s Law. The mother of seven sons, presented in 2Macc and 4Macc, stands out in this respect as – for the fidelity to the Law – she suffered a martyr’s death, encouraging earlier her own sons to assume the same attitude. To sum up, one can conclude that women in the Jewish community of the time, which was clearly dominated by men, played important roles and in certain circumstances were able to do heroic deeds.
“The Song of praise” in honor of Judas Maccabeus is one of the poetic fragments of 1Macc. As shown by exegetes, the original version of the song was created in Hebrew, therefore one can perceive characteristic features of Hebrew poetry in it. Looking at the message of the song, the author of the song – praising the person and deeds of Judas Maccabeus – shows him as the savior of Israel sent by God, who fought in defense of the Law, the covenant and the Jewish people. The final result of actions taken by Judas was reversal of God’s wrath from the Jewish community (1Macc 3:8). As emphasized by the author of the song, Judas Maccabeus coveredhis name with glory, which “resounded to the ends of the earth” (1Macc 3:9), and “extended the fame of his people” (1Macc 3:3).
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