Definition

Proper noun 1. A book of the Apocrypha: "II Maccabees" is the title of a deuterocanonical book of the Old Testament, included in the Apocrypha. It is a historical and theological work that describes events surrounding the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire, focusing on the leadership of Judas Maccabaeus and his family.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The story of the martyrdom of the seven brothers is found in II Maccabees.
  • Scholars compare the historical accounts in II Maccabees with those in the first book.
  • The doctrine of resurrection is explicitly mentioned in II Maccabees.

Advanced Usage

• "The Second Book of Maccabees": This is the full, formal title of the work.
  • Theological debates often reference The Second Book of Maccabees.

Variants and Related Words

• Maccabees: The name for the family of Jewish patriots, led by Judas Maccabaeus, who revolted against Syrian rule. Also the collective name for the books (I Maccabees, II Maccabees, etc.).
• I Maccabees: The preceding book, which provides a different historical account of the same period.
• Deuterocanonical: A term for books included in the canon of Scripture by some Christian traditions (e.g., Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox) but not by others (e.g., Protestant, Jewish).
• Apocrypha: A collection of ancient Jewish writings, including II Maccabees, that are not part of the Hebrew Bible but are included in some Christian Old Testaments.

Synonyms

• The Second Book of the Maccabees: The formal, alternative title.

Noun

1. an Apocryphal book describing the life of Judas Maccabaeus