Chanukah I: Introduction

Chanukkah (or Hanukkah) is is a festival derived from the history of Israel. It lasts eight days, from Kislev 24 to Tevet  2 (in the Roman calendar this year, it begins in the eve of December 12 to morning of December 20).

The feast of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after it was profaned by the Greek (in the times of the Maccabees). This is the reason why it is known as “Festival of Dedication” [Heb. Chanukah: establishing or dedication]. It is also known as “Festival of Lights”, because of the tradition of lighting the candles every day as part of the celebration. 

Chanukah is not one of the "biblical festivals" related to the plan of redemption (on Leviticus 23). However, it is mentioned in the Bible (the New Testament), when Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate it:

(John 10:22-23)  At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 

Jesus lived in Galilee, at first in Nazareth with his family, and later in Capernaum during his ministry years. Every time he would go to Jerusalem was to celebrate the festivals, including this one. 

HISTORICAL AND PROPHETIC FESTIVAL

The events related to the feast of Chanukah took place during the historical time known as the “Intertestamental Period” (that is, the approximately 400-year period between the Old Testament and the New Testament).  During this time, the Greek had conquered the Promised Land, and had control over the whole region. 

The story of Hanukkah is described in the two books of the Maccabees. The Septuagint version of the Bible includes these two books in its canon (deuterocanon). However, the Jews and the Protestant church only recognize these as historical books. 

Chanukah is not a festival that is celebrated because it is commanded in the Bible. It is a historical celebration in which the miraculous salvation of God is recognized, during a difficult moment in the history of Israel. Nonetheless, Chanukah is more than just history, because it also has prophetic significance. What happened in the past will again happen in the last days, as it was prophesied in the books of Daniel and Revelation. (We will expand on this in later posts...)

In the next few entries we will be learning more about Chanukah…


more posts on: Biblical Feasts