Outline.

1 Maccabees opens with Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE) and concludes with the murder of Simon (134 BCE). The first c.150 years are dealt with in only nine verses ( 1:1–9 ), so that the major parts are:

• Introduction: From Alexander to the Revolt ( 1:1–64 )

  • Acts of Antiochus IV ( 1:10–64 )

• The Revolt Under Mattathias ( 2:1–70 )

• The Exploits of Judas Maccabaeus ( 3:1–9:22 )

  • The First Battles of Judas Maccabaeus ( 3:1–4:35 )
  • The Rededication of the Temple ( 4:36–61 )
  • The Wars with the Surrounding Peoples (ch. 5 )
  • More Wars of Judas (ch. 6–7 )
  • Rome and the Treaty between Rome and the Jews (ch. 8 )
  • The Last Stand of Judas ( 9:1–22 )

• Jonathan's exploits ( 9:23–12:53 )

  • The First Years of Jonathan ( 9:23–10:17 )
  • Jonathan High Priest and Ruler of Judea ( 10:18–12:53 )

• Simon's Rule ( 13:1–16:24 )

On the various proposed divisions of 1 Macc see Martola (1984) and Williams (1999 ).