ABSTRACT
. “If it was a piece of higher good fortune that the insurrection broke out undesignedly and was set on foot by a holy man of such blameless character, it was no less so that on his death he left behind him a heroic band of five sons, who all shared his principles and were ready to carry on the contest without an instant’s delay” (Ewald). These five sons, John, Simon, Judas, Eleazar, and Jonathan, were known as the “Maccabees,” from the surname of Judas, who was called Maccabeus, that is, “the hammerer,”—though this interpretation, as well as every other, has been questioned, — and as the “Hasmoneans” from Hasmon, their grandfather. These Mattathias gathered about him just before his death, and in words which are outlined for us in I. Maccabees ii. 49–69, urged upon them courageous fidelity to the law. Simon, the second-born, because of his wisdom was commended by the father to the position of chief, and Judas, the third son, was named as their general. It is a notable characteristic of these five men that without jealousy they threw themselves into the earnest work committed to their hands. Judas at once assumed command and proved himself one of the greatest warriors ever known in Israel. In him the spirit of a Joshua lived again. He was, indeed, a “warrior of God.” His exalted enthusiasm, sagacious methods, and vigorous, decisive action soon inspired his small army, enabling it to win victories which are little short of marvellous.
