What is 3 Maccabees?
The book of the '''3 Maccabees''' is found in most [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[Bibles]]. The book actually has nothing to do with the [[Maccabees]]. It does not have anything to do with their [[wikt:revolt|revolt]] against the [[Seleucid Empire]], either (as described in [[1 Maccabees]] and [[2 Maccabees]]). Instead, it tells the story of [[persecution]] of the [[Jew]]s under [[Ptolemy XIV Philopator|Ptolemy IV Philopator]] (222-205 BC). The name of the book seems to come from the similarities between this book and the stories of the [[martyr]]dom of [[Eleazar]] and the [[Woman with seven sons|Maccabeean youths]] in 2 Maccabees. The High Priest Shimon is also mentioned. <!-- Add to --> {{religion-stub}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Maccabees 3}} [[Category:Books of the Bible]]