maccabees
LowFormal, Academic, Religious/Historical
Definition
Meaning
A term referring to a Jewish family, the Maccabees, who led a revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE, establishing an independent Jewish kingdom.
Often used to denote the Jewish historical and religious texts associated with this period, specifically the deuterocanonical books of 1 and 2 Maccabees in some Christian Bibles, or more broadly to symbolize resistance against religious oppression.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a proper noun referring to specific historical figures and texts. Usage outside religious, historical, or academic contexts is very rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Carries strong historical and religious connotations in both varieties, associated with Jewish history, revolt, and the Hanukkah story.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, encountered mainly in theological, historical, or cultural studies.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The Maccabees + verb (led, revolted, established)Book/Books of + the MaccabeesHistory/revolt of + the MaccabeesVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
Referenced in studies of Second Temple Judaism, biblical archaeology, and ancient history.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in theology, biblical studies, and historiography to refer to specific texts and the historical period.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The story of the Maccabees is central to the Hanukkah celebrations.
- Scholars debate the historical accuracy of First Maccabees.
American English
- The Maccabees are celebrated for their defiance against Hellenization.
- We studied the Maccabees in our ancient history class.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The Maccabees fought for Jewish independence.
- The Books of the Maccabees provide a detailed, if biased, account of the revolt.
- Maccabean historiography often blends theological interpretation with political narrative, reflecting the authors' didactic aims.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember MACCAbees: 'Mighty Antique Champions of Courage Against religious Ban, Eventually Establishing a State.'
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MACABEES ARE A BEACON OF RESISTANCE (source domain: LIGHT/GUIDANCE; target domain: POLITICAL/RELIGIOUS STRUGGLE).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'макака' (macaque/monkey). The Russian equivalent is 'Маккавеи' (Makkavei).
Common Mistakes
- Using as a common noun (e.g., 'a maccabee').
- Misspelling (e.g., 'Maccabeas', 'Macabees').
- Mispronouncing the stress (e.g., /məˈkɑːbiːz/).
Practice
Quiz
What are the 'Maccabees' primarily known for?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are considered deuterocanonical or apocryphal. They are included in Catholic and Orthodox Old Testaments but not in the Hebrew Bible or most Protestant canons.
The Maccabean Revolt's victory and the subsequent rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem (the 'Miracle of the Oil') is the historical event commemorated by the Hanukkah festival.
It is not a modern surname but an epithet or title meaning 'hammerer' applied to Judas, the leader. His family is known as the Hasmonean dynasty.
In British English, it's /ˈmakəbiːz/ (MAK-uh-beez). In American English, it's /ˈmækəˌbiz/ (MAK-uh-beez with a flatter 'a' sound).