Antiochus IV Antiochus IV is the most important of all the Seleucid rulers as far as the biblical literature is concerned and is known as one of the cruelest tyrants of all time. He was an enthusiastic believer in the Olympian god Zeus and hoped to unify his territories by spreading Hellenistic culture, law, and religion. In so doing, he came into violent conflict with the Jews in Judea. Antiochus IV, born in 215 BC with the name Mithradates, was a son of Antiochus III but was not the designated heir of the Seleucid kingdom. After the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC, Mithradates went to Rome as a hostage to guarantee payment of his father’s debts to Rome. His brother, Seleucus IV, then began to reign in 187 BC, but Mithradates used intrigue to get himself released from bondage and when his brother was murdered, he usurped the Seleucid throne, becoming Antiochus IV. He called himself Epiphanes, which means “god manifest.” But his unstable temper led critics to use the pejorative nickname Epimanes, which means “manifestly insane.” Antiochus’s drive for Hellenization and his need for finances created a ripe environment for him to sell the Jewish high priesthood to the highest He...

Hellenistic Kingdoms During the 300 years following the death of Alexander in 323 BC, Greek kings continued to rule in the lands he conquered, and Hellenistic religion, culture, and values expanded across civilization. Hellenism provided a context for both Jewish and Greek learning to flourish. But Hellenism also came into conflict with Jewish faith, causing a time of great tribulation for the Jews, especially in the 160s BC. Greek culture eventually combined with Roman rule to set the stage for the coming of the Messiah, as Daniel foresaw. The history of this era is accurately portrayed in several of Daniel’s prophecies (see 7:6; 8:8-14, 21-26; 11:4-45). Successors (Diadochoi), 323–301 BC After Alexander died suddenly in 323 BC, a struggle for power and dominance ensued among several of his top generals (Greek diadochoi, “successors”). Ptolemy I was one of Alexander’s strongest and most capable Macedonian generals. He became satrap of Egypt in 323 BC, the year of Alexander’s death, and he successfully ruled Egypt until his death in 285 BC. Antigonus was a leading general in Alexander’s army and served as the energetic regent of a large portion of Alexander’s empire....

Maccabees The Maccabees (meaning, “hammers”) successfully led a revolt against Antiochus IV in response to his persecution of the Jews. They and their descendants (called Hasmoneans) ruled Judea for nearly a hundred years and helped form Jewish society as we see it in the time of Jesus. The Maccabean Revolt (166–142 BC) When Antiochus IV made the practice of Judaism punishable by death in 167 BC, many Jews acquiesced, while others passively resisted and paid with their lives. Soon, more active resistance arose. When a representative of Antiochus IV came to the town of Modein to require the Jews to perform a pagan sacrifice, a priest named Mattathias killed him and then said, “Everyone who is zealous for the law of Moses and wants to obey the covenant, follow me!” (1 Maccabees 2:27). He then fled to the mountains with his sons and some other followers. Mattathias, who was very old, soon died, but before his death, he appointed his son Judas to lead the revolt. Judas was a tactical genius and charismatic commander. He, his brothers, and their followers succeeded in defeating Seleucid attacks and liberating most of Judea. After gaining control of Jerusalem, Judas and his b...