Bible Dictionaries
Hasmonean

Holman Bible Dictionary

(hass moh nee' uhn) Name given to the dynasty that ruled ancient Judea for almost a century, from the Maccabean wars (that ended in approximately 145 B.C.) until Roman occupation of ancient Palestine, in 63 B.C. See Intertestamental History.

The Books of Maccabees refer to the heroes of Jewish resistance that fought against Syrian-Greek occupation of Judea in approximately 167 B.C. The initial rebellion against hellenizing policies of the Syrian-Greeks was led by Mattathias, a priest, and his sons. One son, Judas, gained particular reputation as fighting like a lion. He was given the title Judas Maccabeus (from maqqaba “hammer”) for his fighting enthusiasm and style. Maccabee was the nickname given to the early warriors, and Hasmonean, a variant to Asmoneus the great-grandfather of Mattathias, was used as a reference for the sons and grandchildren of Mattathias who would rule as governors, kings, and queen of ancient Palestine. Their reign provided a relative period of peace and prosperity. Fundamental developments were established during this period that influenced Judaism as it moved from a localized religious system in a particular geographic region to an emerging world religion. Also, the Hasmohynean period immediately predated the beginnings of Christianity, and thus it was the religious, political, social, and economic environment out of which early Christianity emerged.

One of the most interesting developments of the Hasmonean regime was the coming together of the offices of high priest and kingship in the same person. Although Judas and Jonathan played important leadership roles, the Hasmonean dynasty clearly emerged under Simon, who was widely recognized as secular and religious leader of homeland Judaism. Indeed, it was Simon who initially assumed the office of high priest and combined it with his role as governor/general of Judea. He had a solid reputation of piety and justice, and managed to gain the right of hereditary succession for his heirs (1 Maccabees 14:41-49 ). He eventually extended his sphere of influence to include Samaria.

His son, John Hyrcanus I, succeeded Simon and continued to hold dual offices of governor and high priest. Hyrcanus substantially expanded his territorial claim to include regions east of the Jordan river, and Idumea (Edom) to the south. He forcibly converted the Idumeans, who were traditional enemies of ancient Judaism, by demanding circumcision, and he profoundly alienated Judean Jews and Samaritan Jews by attacking Samaria and the Samaritan Temple at Mount Gerizim. The territorial claims of John Hyrcanus have been compared to those of King David, and the zenith of the Hasmonean dynasty was realized with his emerging kingship. However, not all segments of the Judean society were satisfied with Hyrcanus. He managed to alienate seriously the Pharisaic party. In other quarters, there would appear to have been substantial dissatisfaction with him. Many scholars estimate that the separation of the Qumranites (who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls) from general society was in protest to some of the policies of John Hyrcanus. These included embracing some forms of Hellenism (he changed the name of his three sons from Judas, Mattathias, and Jonathan, all names of Maccabean heroes, to Aristobulus, Antigonus, and Alexander Janneus).

John Hyrcanus' sons were not of the political integrity or religious piety of their father. Their policies progressively alienated substantial portions of the populous. Judas Aristobulus I successfully challenged his widowed mother and claimed the title king. Although he expanded his administrative territory to include Galilee, his chaotic one-year reign included conflicting policies of Hellenism and active proselytizing of Gentiles, as well as imprisoning his mother and brothers. Aristobulus was followed by Alexander Janneus who ruled for some 28 years. His expansionist ambitions, that resulted in a kingdom equal to that of David and Solomon, put severe strain on the resources of Judea. Part of the general resistance was particularized in open animosity between the Hasmohynean priesthood, represented by Alexander Janneus and the Pharisees. Public demonstrations broke out, and Josephus records that hundreds of Jews were executed, including 800 Pharisees and their families. Portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls may reflect criticisms leveled against Alexander Janneus. Tradition tells us that while on his deathbed, he advised his wife to seek reconciliation with the Pharisees when she assumed the Judaean throne as queen. It seems that Salome Alexandria invited the Pharisees to take an active role in policy-making as members of the Sanhedrin. Because priesthood was exclusively male dominated, Salome Alexandra appointed Hyrcanus II, her eldest son, to be high priest. At this point the religious and secular offices of priest and king were vested in two persons. This circumstance would continue until 70 A.D. when the priesthood was neutralized as a result of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple by the Romans. When Salome died in 67 B.C., the ensuing struggle over succession between her sons, Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II, led to the immediate consequence of Roman control of Judea being imposed by Pompey. Although Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II would continue as players in the Judean drama, the Hasmonean dynasty effecively came to an end with the death of Salome Alexandra. Herod the Great executed the last of the Hasmonean dynasty, even though he had married an Hasmonean princess. Ironically, the intervention of Pompey may have been invited by Judeans who were tired of the Hasmohynean rule. Once the Romans took control of Judea, they maintained it for over four centuries.

Wayne McCready