Maccabean

[ mak-uh-bee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the Maccabees or Judas Maccabaeus.

Maccabean

/ ˌmækəˈbiːən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Maccabees or to Judas Maccabaeus, the Jewish leader of a revolt (166–161 bc ) against Seleucid oppression

Word History and Origins

Origin of Maccabean¹

First recorded in 1815–25; Maccabe(es) + -an

Example Sentences

According to National Geographic, the Talmud, a Jewish holy text, states that Hanukkah acknowledges the Maccabean revolt the Hebrews led against the Hellenistic influence that was being imposed by Greco-Syrian Seleucid rulers.

From Fox News

Hanukkah, which begins Sunday evening, is celebrated for eight days to mark a miraculous batch of consecrated oil used in the Second Temple after the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the second century BCE.

From Washington Times

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Jews celebrate the holiday to commemorate the miracles performed during the Maccabean revolt against Israel's Greek king.

From Fox News

His historical thinking goes back to the destruction of the last Jewish sovereign nation, the Maccabean kingdom at the end of the Second Temple era 2,000 years ago.

From Slate

Years before the Maccabean victory, a fierce woman named Judith who understood the power of food and drink saved her village by plying the invading general with salty cheese, which then made him thirsty for wine.

From Washington Post