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Mattathias Priest of Modin, Father of the Maccabees
About Mattathias
Mattathias was a priest of the line of Joarib who left Jerusalem and settled at Modin with his five sons. When the officers of Antiochus Epiphanes came to force the town to sacrifice to idols, he refused, killed the apostate and the king's officer, and pulled down the altar. Calling all who were zealous for the law to follow him, he fled to the mountains and began the revolt. On his deathbed he named Judas captain of the people, and he was buried at Modin.
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Mattathias's Character Traits
Mattathias's Life Timeline
Lament for Jerusalemc. 167 BC
Seeing the sanctuary handed over to strangers, he and his sons tear their clothes, put on sackcloth and mourn: "Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people?"
1MA 2:6-14Refusal to Sacrificec. 167 BC
When the king's officers come to Modin and promise him honours if he sacrifices first, he answers aloud that he, his sons and his brothers will walk in the covenant of their fathers.
1MA 2:15-22Zeal at the Altarc. 167 BC
When a Jew steps forward to sacrifice on the pagan altar, Mattathias kills him and the king's commissioner and pulls down the altar; the book compares his zeal to that of Phinehas.
1MA 2:23-26Flight to the Mountainsc. 167 BC
He cries out, "Whosoever is zealous of the law, let him follow me," and flees to the mountains with his sons, leaving everything behind in the town.
1MA 2:27-28Fighting on the Sabbathc. 167 BC
After a thousand faithful are slaughtered without resisting on the Sabbath, Mattathias and his friends decide to defend themselves if attacked on that day; joined by the Hasideans, they pull down the pagan altars.
1MA 2:29-48
Mattathias's Key Relationships
Mattathias's Key Locations
Spiritual Lessons from Mattathias
Faithfulness Has a Cost
The king's officers offered Mattathias the title of friend of the king, silver and gold. He refused and left everything he owned in Modin. Faithfulness to God sometimes means giving up comfort and position.
Key Verses about Mattathias
Frequently Asked Questions
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