Judah Maccabee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judah Maccabee
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Judah from "Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum"
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| Born | Modiin, Judea |
| Died | March 160 BCE Elasa, near modern day Ramallah |
| Allegiance | Hasmonean |
| Service/ |
Maccabees |
| Years of service | 167–160 BCE |
| Battles/wars | Maccabean revolt |
| Relations | Father – Mattathias Brothers – Jonathan, John, Simon, Eleazar |
Judah Maccabee was a brave Jewish leader and a son of the priest Mattathias. He led a big fight called the Maccabean Revolt. This revolt was against the Seleucid Empire, a powerful kingdom that ruled over the Jewish people from 167 to 160 BCE.
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is celebrated because of Judah. It remembers when Jewish worship was brought back to the temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE. Judah Maccabee helped clean the temple and remove statues of Greek gods.
Judah did not agree with the Seleucid Emperor's plans. The emperor wanted to stop Jewish traditions and make Jewish people more like the Greeks. Judah was seen as a great hero, much like those found in the Old Testament.
Judah died fighting, but the rebellion he started kept going. His fight helped bring back the kingdom of Judah. Judah Maccabee is remembered as a warrior and a liberator. He has inspired many writers, artists, and musicians throughout history.
Judah's Early Life
Judah was the third son of Mattathias. His family, the Hasmoneans, were Jewish priests from Modiin. In 167 BCE, Mattathias and his sons began a revolt. His brothers were Eleazar, Simon, John, and Jonathan.
They fought against Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the ruler of the Seleucid Empire. Since 175 BCE, Antiochus had made rules that stopped Jewish religious practices.
Leading the Revolt
After Mattathias died in 166 BCE, Judah took over as the leader. This was what his father wanted. The book called First Book of Maccabees talks about Judah's bravery. It also mentions his great skill as a military leader. These qualities made him the clear choice to lead the fight.
Images for kids
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Judah from Die Bibel in Bildern
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Judea under Judah Maccabee
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Judas Maccabeus before the army of Nicanor, by Gustave Doré
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Vision of Judas Maccabee, 1860 woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld
See also
In Spanish: Judas Macabeo para niños
