Maccabees

plural noun

Mac·​ca·​bees ˈma-kə-(ˌ)bēz 

1

: a priestly family leading a Jewish revolt begun in 168 b.c. against Hellenism and Syrian rule and reigning over Palestine from 142 b.c. to 63 b.c.

2

singular in construction : either of two narrative and historical books included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha see Bible Table

Maccabean

ˌma-kə-ˈbē-ən 

adjective

Examples of Maccabees in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabees' unlikely victory over the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Dec. 2024

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after it was destroyed by the Syrians while keeping everyone safe and healthy. —Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 9 Dec. 2024

The Maccabees were led by Judah and rededicated the temple to their god. —Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024

Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of one day's worth of oil lasting for eight days after Syrian Greeks defiled the Jerusalem Temple before the Maccabees, a group of Jewish soldiers, defeated them. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 Dec. 2024

The Maccabees will perform their first live show in eight years at London’s All Points East festival in Victoria Park on August 24, 2025. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024

The Jewish festival celebrates the revolt of the Maccabees against Greek rule. —Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2023

But the more historic recounting of the Hanukkah story is told in the Book of Maccabees. —TIME, 11 Dec. 2023

After the Maccabees recaptured ancient Jerusalem, the lamp in the temple only had enough oil for one night, yet miraculously burned for eight nights. —Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek Makkabaioi, from plural of Makkabaios, surname of Judas Maccabaeus 2nd century b.c. Jewish patriot

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Maccabees

• Knight of the Maccabees

Kids Definition

Maccabees

noun

Mac·​ca·​bees ˈmak-ə-bēz 

: either of two narrative and historical books included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha see bible

Biographical Definition

Maccabees

biographical name

Mac·​ca·​bees ˈma-kə-ˌbēz 

Judas or Judah died 161 b.c. surname Maccabaeus ˌma-kə-ˈbē-əs  Jewish patriot