Topical Encyclopedia Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a significant figure in the history of the Jewish people, was a Hellenistic Greek king of the Seleucid Empire who reigned from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC. He is often remembered for his aggressive Hellenization policies and his persecution of the Jewish faith, which played a pivotal role in the events leading up to the Maccabean Revolt.Historical Context Antiochus IV was the son of King Antiochus III the Great and ascended to the throne after the murder of his brother, Seleucus IV. His reign is marked by attempts to consolidate and expand his empire, as well as to impose Greek culture and religion upon his subjects. This was part of a broader Hellenistic trend, but Antiochus IV's methods were particularly forceful and intrusive. Antiochus IV and the Jewish People Antiochus IV's interactions with the Jewish people are of particular interest to biblical history. His reign is noted for the severe persecution of the Jews, which is documented in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, part of the Apocrypha. These texts, while not part of the Protestant canon, provide valuable historical insights into the period. Antiochus IV's policies included the desecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where he erected an altar to Zeus and sacrificed pigs, an act considered abominable by the Jewish people. This event is often referred to as the "abomination of desolation," a term that appears in the Book of Daniel. Daniel 11:31 states, "His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation." The Maccabean Revolt The oppressive measures of Antiochus IV led to the Maccabean Revolt, a significant uprising led by the Jewish priest Mattathias and his sons, most notably Judas Maccabeus. This revolt is celebrated in the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Prophetic Significance From a conservative Christian perspective, Antiochus IV is often seen as a foreshadowing of the Antichrist, a future figure prophesied in the New Testament. The actions of Antiochus IV, particularly the desecration of the temple, are viewed as a type of the ultimate abomination that will occur in the end times. This typology is drawn from the Book of Daniel and the eschatological teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, where He refers to the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Matthew 24:15). Legacy Antiochus IV's legacy is one of tyranny and religious persecution, yet his actions inadvertently strengthened Jewish identity and faith. The Maccabean Revolt not only restored Jewish worship in the temple but also set the stage for the Hasmonean dynasty, which ruled Judea until the Roman conquest. His reign serves as a historical backdrop for understanding the intertestamental period and the socio-political climate leading up to the New Testament era. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Antiochus IvANTIOCHUS IV; ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES (Epiphanes, e-pif'-a-naz, "Illustrious"): Son of Antiochus III who became king after his brother, Seleucus IV, had been murdered by Heliodorus. As a boy Antiochus lived at Rome as a hostage. The Pergamene monarchs, Eumenes and Attalus, succeeded in placing upon the throne the brother of Seleucus, although Heliodorus had wished to ascend the throne himself. The young king was even more enterprising than his father. He was called in to settle a quarrel between Onias III and his brother, Jason, the leader of the Hellenizing faction in Jerusalem, and Onias was driven out (2 Maccabees 4:4-6). Jason became high priest in his stead (2 Maccabees 4:9-16; 1 Maccabees 1:10-15; Ant, XII, v, 1). Antiochus himself afterward visited Jerusalem and was signally honored (2 Maccabees 4:22). On the death of Ptolemy VI in 173, Antiochus laid claim to Coelesyria, Palestine and Phoenicia; whereupon war broke out between Syria and Egypt. In this war Antiochus was victorious. Ptolemy Philometor was taken prisoner, and Antiochus had himself crowned king of Egypt (171-167 B.C.) at Memphis; whereupon Alexandria revolted and chose Ptolemy's brother as their king. The Roman ambassador, Popilius Laenas, demanded the surrender of Egypt and the immediate withdrawal of its self-constituted king. Antiochus yielded; gave up Pelusium and withdrew his fleet from Cyprus, but retained Coelesyria, Palestine and Phoenicia. Library Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ... The Attack on the Scriptures In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ... Letter clxviii. To Antiochus. The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ... The Absurdity and Shamefulness of the Images by which the Gods are ... How Basil: Letters and Select Works Daniel When He had Left the Manich??ans, He Retained his Depraved ... Resources What happened in the intertestamental period? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the prophecy of 2,300 days in Daniel? | GotQuestions.org Who was Judas Maccabeus? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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