• The Battle of Emmaus and 1 Maccabees' Creative Use of Martial Law

    Author(s):
    Francis Borchardt (see profile)
    Date:
    2015
    Group(s):
    Ancient Jew Review, Biblical Studies, Jewish Studies
    Subject(s):
    Bible
    Item Type:
    Book chapter
    Tag(s):
    Biblical studies
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M6JH3D
    Abstract:
    Forty thousand infantry prepared for battle slowly march south toward Judea from the Seleucid capital in Antioch. They are joined by seven thousand cavalry with a single command: destroy Judea. Upon reaching the land they make camp at Emmaus and wait for a rather small band of Judean rebels to respond. Such is the opening scene of the battle of Emmaus, one of the many skirmishes descri- bed in 1 Maccabees. Typically, the invading force led by Seleucid courtiers, is im- mense, well-armed, and seemingly invincible. The point is underlined by the ar- rival of slavers and mercenaries from the nations roundabout seeking to earn a share of the spoils of victory that will surely present themselves. The small force of three thousand Judeans is presented as poorly armed and frightened, as usual. Yet, by tactical superiority and implied divine assistance Judas Maccabeus and his followers rout the invading army and enrich themselves by plunder, again as usual. This set of events, richly described in 1 Macc 3:38–4:25 will be the basis of our discussion of the interpretation of martial law in 1 Maccabees. We will seek to show that the description of this battle is rich with examples of both the realization of legal text in narrative and the understanding of narra- tive text as law.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Published as:
    Book chapter     Show details
    Pub. Date:
    2015
    Book Title:
    The Reception of Biblical War Legislation in Narrative Contexts
    Author/Editor:
    Christoph Berner and Harald Samuel
    Page Range:
    169 - 181
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    6 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved
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