Feast of Dedication

The Feast of Dedication is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In Judaism, it is known as Hanukkah (חֲנֻכָּה‎), a Hebrew word meaning “offering” or “dedication.” The festival originated in the 2nd century BC, when the Jews revolted against Hellenistic rule and reclaimed the Jerusalem Temple.

Historical Background

During the 2nd century BC, the Jewish people lived under the rule of the Hellenistic Empire, a vast realm established by Alexander the Great, who conquered the Medes and Persians and extended control across the Middle East. After Alexander’s death, his empire was divided among four of his generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy. Initially, Palestine was governed by the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, but about a century later, authority passed to the Seleucid dynasty, which ruled over Syria and large parts of Asia. Thus, the Jewish people, once under the Ptolemies, came under Seleucid rule.

Under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175–163 BCE) of the Seleucid dynasty, a campaign of forced Hellenization was imposed on the Jews. Antiochus prohibited Jewish practices such as circumcision, the Sabbath, and religious festivals, and set up a statue of Zeus in the Temple courtyard. Those who refused to participate in idol worship were executed.

This persecution prompted a Jewish resistance movement led by Judas Maccabeus, who achieved several military victories against Seleucid forces. Around 165 BCE, Judas and his followers recaptured Jerusalem, purified the Temple of defilement, and on the 25th day of Kislev (corresponding to November–December), rededicated a new altar to God.

The rededication of the Temple became the foundation of the Feast of Dedication. While significant in Jewish history, scholars note that Hanukkah differs from the appointed feasts commanded by God through Moses, such as the Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles.

A National Jewish Holiday

Jewish people commemorate this national holiday by lighting candles on a nine-branched candelabrum called a Hanukkiyah.

Hanukkah is observed for eight days, beginning on Kislev 25, to commemorate the purification and rededication of the Temple. Like Purim, it is a national Jewish holiday, not a divine commandment or feast. The biblical feasts commanded by God include the weekly Sabbath and seven annual feasts in three times.

In the New Testament, the Feast of Dedication is mentioned once, in John 10:22–23, where it records that Jesus walked in Solomon’s Colonnade during the winter, identifying the time as the Feast of Dedication.

External links

• "Feast of Dedication". bible.watv.org.

See also

• Purim
• The Feasts of God