A question from the talk on the Maccabees:
Did I understand correctly that Herod was a Jew of the line of Maccabees? Will you clarify the lineage of Mattathias both back toward time of Moses and forward to time of Christ?
Thank you for all you do!!!
Kathleen Kossey
Tecumseh, MI
Kathleen
Answer:
Thank you for your question and for regularly watching the programs on-line. The simple answer to your question is NO. Herod was not of the Maccabean line. In fact, Herod was not a Jew at all. He was an Edomite (Descendants of Israel's brother Esau). During the Maccabean reign of John Hyracanus (134 - 104) the southern boarder of Judea was extended and Edom was conquered. John Hyracanus decreed the forced circumcision of the Edomite men and their conversion to Judaism. About one hundred years later, during the reign of John's grandson, Hyracanus II (64 - 40), the counselor to Hyracanus II was a man named Antipater, father of Herod the Great. It is believed that Herod murdered his father, Antipater, and murdered Hyracanus II and then fled to Rome where he was crowned as King of the Jews. In order to legitimize his throne, Herod married Mariam, granddaughter of Hyracanus II.
1 Macc. 2:1 tells us that Mattathias was of the priestly line (i.e. a Levite).
1 Macc. 2:1 tells us that Mattathias was of the priestly line (i.e. a Levite).
For more information, I would recommend Dr. Warren Carroll's vol. 1 of his history series.
Also, you may enjoy the ICC's audio recording of Salvation History from Adam to Jesus.
Deacon Sabatino
