Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication, is celebrated by Jews around the world to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt. But how did this festival get started?
Most people are familiar with Hanukkah because it’s a popular holiday that many non-Jewish families celebrate as well. However, few people realize that Hanukkah is actually one of the lesser-known festivals in the Jewish calendar—and that its roots lie in ancient Israel.
It’s hard to imagine now, but before Jesus’ birth there were no Christmas trees or holiday cards; instead, Jews celebrated Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah) with lights and gifts. This festival honors religious freedom and unity among all people.
Right here on Churchgist, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on hanukkah in the catholic bible,feast of dedication in the bible, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Introduction
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that commemorates the rededication of Jerusalem’s Holy Temple (the Second Temple) and the miracle in which a one-day supply of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. The holiday begins on the 25th day of Kislev, which means that it can fall between November 28 and December 26. However, since Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Bible or the Torah, people who rely solely on these two sources might wonder where Hanukkah comes from. However, upon closer inspection, both books actually do mention Hanukkah—albeit briefly—and only through an alias. In this article, I’ll discuss what exactly is said about Hannuka in the Bible and how it fits into other parts of scripture.
Hanukkah in Maccabees
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that begins on the 25th day of Kislev and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of a one-day supply of oil lasting for eight days. The festival is celebrated over several nights at home by lighting a special menorah called a Hanukkah lamp or chanukiah.
The word Hanukkah () means “dedication” or “consecration” in Hebrew and refers to the rededication of the Temple after it had been desecrated by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who sacrificed pigs on its altar in 167 BCE.
Hanukkah in the Old Testament.
The first mention of the festival of Hanukkah is in 1 Maccabees, which was written by a Jewish author around 100 B.C. The book tells how Mattathias, a priest in Jerusalem, led a rebellion against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and restored religious freedom to his people. It also explains some important details about Hanukkah: “After this sacrifice [of Thanksgiving] they kept festival eight days with joy; then they established an eternal custom for themselves that every year at that season each man should set aside time to bewail his dead relatives” (1 Maccabees 9:27). This passage implies that there was already an established custom of celebrating or remembering something special about the Feast of Dedication during those eight days. That “something special” was probably associated with oil lamps or lighting lamps on the 25th day of Kislew (December).
Hanukkah in the Book of John.
The Book of John is the first book of the New Testament. It’s written by an apostle named John who was with Jesus during His ministry on earth. The feast of Hanukkah is described in John 10:22-23: “At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus walked in Solomon’s Colonnade.” This passage refers to two different things called Hanukkah:
- The Feast of Dedication (also known as Chanukah, Channukah, or Hannuka) refers to a Jewish festival which celebrates how Jewish soldiers recaptured their temple after it had been defiled by Greeks who worshipped idols there.
- The “Feast” mentioned here is actually a reference to what we call “Hanukkah” today—the eight-day holiday that commemorates this event 6th century B.C.; however some scholars believe that this passage from John may also be describing an event from even earlier than 6th century B.C., possibly even biblical times
In John 10:22, him they beholding said, Is not this he that in the temple the Jews were seeking to stone?
In John 10:22, him they beholding said, Is not this he that in the temple the Jews were seeking to stone?
They were right. Jesus was the Christ. He was blaspheming by claiming to be God and thereby making himself equal with God (John 5:18). He claimed to be a prophet (Luke 7:16), but only the true prophets of God spoke for Him through their words and actions (Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Matthew 7:15-27).
In John 10:23, it was the feast of Hanukkah in Jerusalem; and it was winter.
In John 10:23, it was the feast of Hanukkah in Jerusalem; and it was winter.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that marks the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes IV in 168 BCE. The Maccabean Revolt ended with Judas Maccabeus (or Judah Maccabee) taking control over Judea, rededicating the temple and establishing more religious freedom for Israelites than they had under Greek occupation.
The Bible only refers to Hanukkah briefly and when it does, it’s called the Feast of Dedication. Also known as Channukah, Chanukah, or Hannuka.
The Bible only refers to Hanukkah briefly and when it does, it’s called the Feast of Dedication. Also known as Channukah, Chanukah, or Hannuka.
The Talmud says that King Antiochus (also known as Antiochus Epiphanes) set out to destroy Judaism and force his own Hellenistic religion on the Jews in Jerusalem. He ordered an altar to Zeus be erected in their Temple (the Jewish Temple is also known as the Second Temple). When he did this, the Maccabees rebelled against him by fighting back with whatever they had at their disposal: potsherds (broken pieces of ceramic), which they used to light oil lamps that would burn for eight days instead of one day—a miracle that was thought to have occurred due to God’s intervention. Today we celebrate Hanukkah by lighting candles each night for eight days until all eight nights have been completed; then we eat foods fried in oil such as potato pancakes or sufganiyot (doughnuts).
Conclusion
The Bible only refers to Hanukkah briefly and when it does, it’s called the Feast of Dedication. Also known as Channukah, Chanukah, or Hannuka.
