Francis Borchardt - The Torah in 1Maccabees: A Literary Critical Approach to the Text

Throughout the process of preparing this book I have received invaluable guidance from various professors in the department of Biblical Studies at the University of Helsinki. Professor Raija Sollamo has overseen the work from the beginning, and shepherded me through the entire doctoral process. I owe her many thanks. Professor Anneli Aejmelaeus has, especially in the context of meetings and colloquia, offered great support and insightful comments on various issues within the text. Her input was always highly valued as I worked through the details of my argument. Professor Martti Nissinen has been extraordinarily supportive in a variety of ways, even preceding the commencement of my doctoral studies. I am happy to have him as a professor and friend. Special thanks must be extended to Professor Christoph Levin of Ludwig Maximilian University in Mnchen, who willingly and skillfully took up the task of forming my kernel of an idea into a workable and pertinent thesis. Without his aid, the literary critical sections of this study would have been far more daunting.

Dr. Juha Pakkala has been helpful and supportive in countless ways throughout this process. From helping me to wind my way through the foreign university bureaucracy to providing me with funding through the European Young Investigator (EURYI) award he received for the Birth and Transmission of Holy Tradition project. This allowed me opportunities to travel, research, and participate in conferences that would have been otherwise impossible. More important than the funding, however, was the opportunity Dr. Pakkala offered to participate in the dynamic research group he formed. The members of the Birth and Transmission of Holy Tradition project helped me to entirely change my perspective on some of the most fundamental questions in biblical studies, and I always treasure their input.

I received further financial support from the University of Helsinki in the form of research and travel grants that helped to bring this study to completion.

My family, however, has been my greatest strength and most valuable asset throughout my period of study. The support offered first by my mother, father and brother, and later by my wife and children has never waned. I especially must thank my wife Nele, and my daughters Alexandra and Sophia, for being so eager to lead a life of continent hopping and library visiting. Its not always easy, but they constantly greet this life with a smile. It is to them that this book is dedicated.

On To Fung Shan (the Christian mountain), Hong Kong, March 2012

F. B.

Appendix: Text and Translation of the Strata

Chapter 1

1MaccG

1 After Alexander son of Philip the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim defeated Darius, king of the Persians and Medes, he reigned in his place, previously having ruled over Greece. 2 He joined many battles and seized fortresses and slew the kings of the earth. 3 And he marched to the ends of the earth and he seized plunder from many peoples. And the earth became quiet before him, and he was exalted, and his heart was uplifted. 4 And he gathered a force of exceeding strength and ruled over countries, peoples and tyrants, and they became tributary to him. 5 And after this he fell upon his bed and knew that he was dying. 6 And he called for his honored servants, who had been brought up with him from their youth, and distributed his kingdom to them while he was still living. 7 And Alexander reigned for twelve years and died. 8 And his servants took power, each in his own region. 9 And they all put on crowns after he died, as did their sons after them for many years, and they increased evils on the earth. 10 And a sinful root came from them, Antiochus Epiphanes son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage in Rome. He became king in the one hundred thirtyseventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

1MaccO

11 In those days outlaws came out from Israel and persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a pact with the peoples around us, because since we separated from them much evil has found us. 12 And the idea seemed good in their eyes; 13 so some of the people were inspired and went to the king, and he gave them the authority to follow the ordinances of the peoples. 14 And they built a gymnasium in Hierosolyma according to the customs of the peoples, 15 and they uncircumcised themselves and apostatized from the holy covenant and joined themselves to the peoples and sold themselves to do evil.

1MaccG

16 And the kingdom was established before Antiochus, and he attempted to become king of the land of Egypt so that he might reign over the two kingdoms. 17 And he invaded Egypt with a heavily armed host, with chariots, elephants, cavalry, and a great fleet. 18 And he made war against Ptolemy, king of Egypt, and Ptolemy turned from before him and fled, and many fell wounded. 19 And they seized the fortified cities in the land of Egypt, and he took the spoils of the land of Egypt.

20 And Antiochus returned after the victory over Egypt in the one hundred fortythird year and went up against Israel and entered Jerusalem with a heavily armed host. 21 And he entered the sanctuary arrogantly and took the golden altar and the lamp stand for the light, all its utensils 22, the table of offering, the libation bowls, the saucers and the golden censers, and the veil and the crowns. And he pried off all the gold decorations on the face of the temple.

23 And he took the silver and the gold and the precious utensils, and he took the secret treasures, which he found. 24 And seizing everything, he departed

for his own land
and he made a massacre
and spoke with great arrogance.
25 And there was great mourning in Israel, in every place of theirs.
26 And rulers and elders groaned,
maids and youths weakened,
and the beauty of the women faded.
27 Every bridegroom took up lamentation;
she who sat in the bridal chamber was in mourning.
28 And the land shuddered for its inhabitants,
and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame.

29 After two years the king sent a commisioner of tribute to the cities of Judea, and he entered Jerusalem with a heavily armed host. 30 And he spoke peaceful words to them with deceit, but they trusted him. And he attacked the city suddenly and dealt it a great wound, and he destroyed many people from Israel. 31 And he took the spoils of the city and ignited it with fire and demolished its houses and the walls around it. 32 And they abducted the women and the children and took possession of the livestock. 33 And they reconstructed the city of David with a large fortified wall and fortified towers, and it became a citadel for them. 34 And they stationed a sinful people there, outlaw men, and they grew strong by it. 35 And they stockpiled weaponry and provisions, and gathering the plunder of Jerusalem, they stored it there and became a great snare.