This video titled “The Real Tomb of the Maccabees?” by Israel National News - Arutz Sheva provides the viewer with some very interesting information if you have ever wondered what an ancient tomb looked like and/or are invested in the history of the Maccabees. For some context, if you are not very familiar with the Maccabees here is just a little bit of what the Britannica has to say as a definition. “Maccabees, priestly family of Jews who organized a successful rebellion against the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV in Judaea and restored the defiled Temple of Jerusalem.”
So from that bit of information, I think you will be able to understand that they played a very important part in Jewish History and why to this day people are interested in learning more about them. Of course, with all the time that has gone by we won’t have the perfect picture of the tomb, but there is enough remains to give us a pretty good idea of what the structure would have looked like back in the day. I think this tomb looks pretty large and that makes sense if it was a shared tomb.
I remember reading many statements in the Bible about. “And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. Then Jehoram his son reigned in his place.” 2 Chronicles 21:1 and “When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. He died there and was buried in the family tomb.” 2 Samuel 17:23. So it seems that families sharing a burial place was common.
Although some are pretty sure this is the grave for Maccabees there is an image on the site you will learn about in the video that calls that thought into question in some minds but that very same mark seems to confirm that it was in the minds of others. You can watch the video and find out more and decide what to believe for yourself.
While we may not know everything for sure one thing is clear, and that is that the owners of tombs will come out. The question we need to focus on is will we have God’s blessing when this happens. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.” Psalm 116:15 “But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Those who live in the dust will wake up and shout for joy! For your dew is like the dew of dawn, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Come, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.” Isaiah 26:19-20 If you trust in the blood of Yeshua like the Passover lamb God’s wrath will pass you by. May we be ready when that day comes.
Reference:
“Maccabees | Meaning, History, Significance, Revolt, & Facts” from www.britannica.com/topic/Maccabees
