Texts · 25 · The Soldier

'Let us die bravely for our kin'

In 1 Maccabees, Judas refuses to flee a vastly larger army. He falls, and the nation mourns: 'How the mighty have fallen, the savior of Israel!'

Martyrdom celebrated, outside the Hebrew canon.

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1 Maccabees was left out of the Jewish canon.

Bible reference: 1 Maccabees 9:10, 21

Source: Why the Bible Began, pp. 397

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