Alcimus’ Last Command

Updated by: 
Neta Rozenblit
Research notes: 
NR\Reader checked\09/12/2014
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Lanzinger, Daniel
year: 
2014
Full title: 

Alcimus’ Last Command

Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Journal for the Study of Judaism (online)
Publisher: 
Brill
Work type: 
Essay/Monograph
Abstract: 

The note in 1 Maccabees 9:54 that the high priest Alcimus ordered the destruction of the wall of the inner temple court is taken by most scholars as a description of a historical event. This paper, however, suggests that the note should rather be read as part of a pro-Maccabean propaganda which serves to defame Alcimus. It is argued that, from a historical perspective, it was not Alcimus but Judas who was responsible for serious damage at the temple precinct as a result of his unsuccessful military operation against the Seleucid Acra (6:18-54). The author of 1 Maccabees tries to downplay this event and to villainise Alcimus by calling destruction what was actually restoration. The paper ends with a comparison to two other passages in 1 Maccabees (4:44-46 and 5:55-62) which shows that the suggested understanding of 9:54 fits well the strategies of legitimisation and delegitimisation that can be found throughout the book.

Primary Texts: Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha: 
Composition / Author: 
1 Maccabees
Passage: 
9:54
URL: 
http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/15700631-12340095
Label: 
29/12/2014
Record number: 
99 418