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Difference between First and Second books of Maccabees
The books of the First and Second Maccabees express vastly different accounts. The author of each book has considerably different beliefs, thus each book’s narrative is shaped and told in a dissimilar manner. First, there are differences on the inclusion and beliefs of martyrdom from both authors. In First Maccabees, the author does not mention the value of martyrdom; he is completely silent on the subject. He insinuates that martyrdom was useless. In the First Maccabees, Pious Jews’ martyrdom does not stimulate God to take action in the Maccabean revolt. Pious Jews, in the author’s eyes, had to obey the Hasmoneans, whom he believed were favored by God. Religious devotion was not sufficient enough to bring emancipation to the Jews. In contrast, Jason of Cyrene, the author of the Second book of Maccabees, believed that martyrs were heroes and had power. In his narrative, Jason depicts Onias III and other martyrs alongside Judas Maccabaeus as champions; divine favor as a result martyrdom was pivotal to Judas' victories, according to the author. He bitterly denies the notion that Pietist martyrs were less favored to the Hasmoneans by God. Furthermore, the tone of each record is in contrast. The author of First Maccabees presents an objective and sober account, taking influence from the authors of the Hebrew Bible. On the other hand, Second Maccabees is particularly subjective and emotional. For instance, Jason of Cyrene has an emotional outburst in his narrative, where he powerfully supports the belief in resurrection, which is denied in First Maccabees. He continues, providing proof how Judas held the same belief, too. In regards to composition, these two books are unalike. First Maccabees begins with the rise and legitimacy of the Hasmonean dynasty, originating with a narrative of the Jewish priest Mattathias, a forefather to the Maccabean revolt. On the other hand, Second Maccabees begins with two letters, Epistle I and Epistle II. These letters are insubstantial aspects in relation to the narrative.