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5 Maccabees

A later Jewish work, probably written in Arabic, covering the history of the Maccabees and the Hasmonean dynasty. Also known as the Arabic 2 Maccabees.|||Survives in Arabic and Syriac.|||Composed in the 2nd century CE or later. Probably written in Hebrew or Aramaic, translated into Arabic.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Covers the Maccabees and the Hasmonean dynasty, including John Hyrcanus and Alexander Jannaeus.|||Charlesworth, J. H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 2. Doubleday, 1985.|||5 Maccabees — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Maccabees|Background and scholarly discussion.;; 5 Maccabees — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/5maccabees.html|Indexed translation and scholarly resources.|||" And the kingdom of the Hasmoneans was established in Israel." — 5 Maccabees (paraphrase)

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Composed in the 2nd century CE or later. Probably written in Hebrew or Aramaic, translated into Arabic.

Language & Manuscripts

Survives in Arabic and Syriac.

Why It Matters for Study

Covers the Maccabees and the Hasmonean dynasty, including John Hyrcanus and Alexander Jannaeus.

" And the kingdom of the Hasmoneans was established in Israel." — 5 Maccabees (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " And the kingdom of the Hasmoneans was established in Israel." — 5 Maccabees (paraphrase) " And the kingdom of the Hasmoneans was established in Israel." — 5 Maccabees (paraphrase)

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Charlesworth, J. H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 2. Doubleday, 1985.
5 Maccabees — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Maccabees|Background and scholarly discussion.;; 5 Maccabees — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/5maccabees.html|Indexed translation and scholarly resources.
" And the kingdom of the Hasmoneans was established in Israel." — 5 Maccabees (paraphrase)