Does The Bible Mention The Book Of Maccabees?
Specifically, Does It Mention The Book Of Maccabees In Hebrews Chapter 11?
Hebrews 11:35-38…
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
When examining the claim about Hebrews 11:35 to 38 mentioning the book of Maccabees, it’s important to clarify a few points:
These verses describe the sufferings and faith of various figures, but they do not explicitly mention the book of Maccabees. The references are generally interpreted as alluding to events or figures from Jewish history that were well known to the audience, but not necessarily citing the book of Maccabees directly.
The Canon of Scripture: The Protestant Reformation led to the establishment of a canon that excludes the deuterocanonical books. Martin Luther and other Reformers rejected these books because they did not meet the criteria of the Hebrew Scriptures and were not universally accepted as authoritative by early Christians. This decision was part of a broader effort to return to what Reformers believed to be the original, pure teachings of Scripture.
Historical Context: The books of Maccabees were part of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), which was used by many early Christians. However, the Reformers decided to adhere to the Hebrew canon, which did not include these books. The New Testament does not explicitly reference the books of Maccabees in a way that would imply their inclusion in the canon. — HD