Does 1 Maccabees Critique the Hasmoneans?
Last week we were reading 1 Maccabees in one of my classes. We began to discuss the work's bias. As anyone who has even a passing acquaintance with the text knows, it is highly pro-Hasmonean. It constantly praises the activities--and, at times, the excesses--of Judah Maccabee and his brothers. But we also began to discuss some underlying critiques. Or, if one is writing a history of the Maccabean Revolt while under Hasmonean rule, perhaps as the court historian, how could one possibly offer a critique? It would have to be in allusions and hints throughout. For example, throughout the text, the Hasmoneans are likened to Phinehas from Numbers 25:1-15 for their zeal, which is often how some rather excessively violent episodes are justified. In response to his zeal, Phinehas receives a perpetual priesthood (Num. 25:13). Likewise, so does Simon, the brother of Judah Maccabee, "The Jews and their priests have resolved that Simon should b...