The Use and Function of Scripture in 1 Maccabees (Library of Second Temple Studies)

by Dongbin Choi

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2020

Overview

Dongbin Choi offers a philological and thematic analysis on the scriptural language in the book of 1 Maccabees, a text that is written with a linguistic technique that utilizes earlier Jewish texts in order to promote the religiopolitical agendas of its author. Choi engages in the dialogue between the traditional view that treats 1 Maccabees as a religious writing, and the radical view that considers it as political propaganda.

Choi suggests that the author of 1 Maccabees deploys scriptural language in such a nuanced way that he both promotes the legitimacy of the Hasmonean rule in Judea under John Hyrcanus I, and shows his appreciation of conservative Jewish sensitivity toward their traditions relating to Deuteronomic covenant, biblical judges, and Jewish messianism. By discussing past scholarly literature on the use and function of Scripture in 1 Maccabees, analyzing various literary, political, and cultural aspects that influenced the creation of the text, and finally exploring philological and conceptual parallels between Scripture and 1 Maccabees and the use of Scripture in the eulogies of the Hasmoneans, Choi has created a singular reinterpretation of both text and author.

Key Features

• Seeks to re-assess the controversies and disagreements concerning the interpretation of 1 Maccabees through a close analysis on the ways in which Scripture is used in the book and its function within the author’s compositional purpose
• Argues that, through dynamic ways of using Scripture, the author demonstrates the Hasmonean triumph as a proof of continuous divine providence for the covenant people of YHWH
• Contributes to on-going studies on the use of Scripture in early Judaism and early Christianity

Contents

• Introduction
• The Contribution of the Literary, Social and Cultural Milieus on the Appropriation of Scripture in 1 Maccabees
• The Use of Scripture in 1 Maccabees: Philological Parallels
• The Use of Scripture in 1 Maccabees: Conceptual Parallels
• The Use of Scripture in 1 Maccabees: Conceptual Parallels
• Scripture and the Role of the Hasmoneans: A Study on the Eulogies of Judas and Simon
• Final Conclusion

Product Details

• Title: The Use and Function of Scripture in 1 Maccabees
• Author: Dongbin Choi
• Series: Library of Second Temple Studies
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Pages: 288
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• ISBNs: 9780567696458, 0567696456
• Resource ID: LLS:SFNCTNSCR1MCCBS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-03-02T22:13:15Z

About Dongbin Choi

Dongbin Choi graduated with a PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK.

Sample Pages from The Use and Function of Scripture in 1 Maccabees (Library of Second Temple Studies)