Zion im 1. Makkabäerbuch

What is it about?

Florian Oepping explores the role of Zion in 1 Maccabees as well as the other mentions of the mountain (1 Macc 4:46; 11:37; 13:52 and 16:20). He identifies three main motifs associated with Zion: train to Zion, fortification, and proclamation. Zion’s theological meaning is less emphasized in 1 Maccabees compared to the Hebrew Bible, instead serving as a specific geographical reference tied to the Temple Mount. The authors use Zion to reinforce Hasmonean legitimacy and military strength, aligning it with their political and religious agenda. The text avoids explicit connections to earlier traditions, such as the portrayal of Zion as David’s stronghold, reflecting the distinct historical and cultural context of the Hasmonean period. The article also highlights editorial elements in 1 Maccabees, such as variations in terminology (e.g., “holy mountain” or “mountain of the sanctuary”), suggesting narrative or theological reasons for these choices. Overall, Zion functions primarily as a symbol of place and power rather than deep theological concepts in the Hasmonean narrative. However, the article not only sheds light on the use of the term in 1 Maccabees, but also places it in the basic developmental scheme that is assumed in research for Zion.

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