Christians often think of Hanukkah as an Old Testament Jewish holiday, but the events that inspired the festival did not happen until after the last book of the Old Testament was written. As the eight days of Hanukkah begin at nightfall on the 18th of December this year, Christians would do well to reflect on the history of this special holiday.
The History of Hanukkah
The Feast of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in the second century B.C. After the death of his father Antiochus III, a man called Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of Syria, gained control of Israel. He outlawed the practice of the Jewish religion, forced the people to worship Greek gods, and desecrated the Temple by offering a pig sacrifice to Zeus on the altar. A small band of Jewish rebels lead by Mattathias and his son Judas Maccabeus fought back. They eventually succeeded and drove the Syrian Army out of Israel. Their first act was to cleanse and rededicate the Temple.
According to the Talmud, the central text of Rabbinic Judaism, when the Jewish rebels came to light the Menorah of the Temple (the seven-branched candelabrum described in Exodus 25:31-40), there was only one small jar of holy oil left to light it. Although there was only enough oil left for one day, the little jar’s supply miraculously burned for eight days, until more holy oil could be made. In celebration of this miraculous event, the Jewish people proclaimed an annual eight-day festival, beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, on the Jewish calendar.
Other Names for Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for dedication, and therefore Hanukkah is also called the Feast of Dedication. It celebrates the rededication of the temple by the Maccabees, but also the rededication of hearts to love and worship God. Another name for Hannukah is the Festival of Lights, in celebration of the holy oil that burned for eight days.
Hanukkah is also not the only way to spell or pronounce this holiday. The first letter of the word Hanukkah (חנוכה) is pronounced like either a “h” or a “ch” sound in English. There is also dispute over whether the word should include one or two of the letter “k”. Although the spelling “Hanukkah” is most common today, “Chanukah” is more traditional.
Hanukkah in the Bible
Because the Maccabean Revolt occurred after the writing of Malachi, during the Intertestamental Period, Hanukkah does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament. It was still celebrated at the time of Christ in Israel, however, while under Roman occupation. John 10:22 says, “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” Jesus came to Jerusalem for the observance of Hanukkah, celebrating the festival in the same temple that was cleansed by the Maccabees in the second century B.C.
Two chapters before, in John 8:12, Jesus says that “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” Just as the little jar of holy oil lit the temple for the Jewish people in the second century, Jesus is the light that shines against all odds in the darkness of this world. If we keep our eyes on Him, we will not walk in darkness but in his life-giving light.
Celebrating Hanukkah Today
In the celebration of Hanukkah, for each of the eight days, a new candle on the nine-branched menorah is lit. The ninth candle is used to light the others. Typically, during the lighting of each day’s candle, blessings are recited, and the menorah is placed in a window for all passersby to see.
As another remembrance of the jar of holy oil, the traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufganiyot (jam donuts) are served. It is also customary to exchange gifts and spin special tops called dreidels.
Remembering Hanukkah
As we enter the Hanukkah celebration, whether you personally celebrate or not, pause to remember the history of the holiday and its significance. This is an important time to rededicate yourself to worshiping God and walking in the light of Christ. Just like the miraculous jar of holy oil, we too are called to be shining lights in a dark world this holiday season. Happy Hanukkah!
FAQs
It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon's Colonnade. Jesus, the light of the world, was celebrating Hanukkah with his people in Jerusalem at the Temple. As Christians, the story of Hanukkah invites us to consider our own rededication, renewal, and consecration to Jesus.
How do you explain Hanukkah to Christians? ›
Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for dedication, and therefore Hanukkah is also called the Feast of Dedication. It celebrates the rededication of the temple by the Maccabees, but also the rededication of hearts to love and worship God.
Is it okay for Christians to celebrate Hanukkah? ›
HANUKKAH AND PURIM ARE FOR CHRISTIANS, TOO!
They're throughout the bible in both the Old and New Testaments, and if you're paying attention, you'll see them in your life and those around you.
What do I need to know about Hanukkah? ›
Hanukkah — also spelled Chanukah or other transliterations from Hebrew — is Judaism's "festival of lights." On eight consecutive nightfalls, Jews gather with family and friends to light one additional candle in the menorah — a multi-branched candelabra.In Hebrew, Hanukkah means "dedication," and the holiday marks the ...
Did Jesus observe Hanukkah? ›
Thus, the gospels presents Jesus as a regular Jew who observed Jewish customs, and therefore, it is not surprising to see him celebrating the festival of Hanukkah. [John 2:13-17 RV] And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Does the Bible say to celebrate Hanukkah? ›
The Hanukkah story is not recorded in the canon of Scripture (what we call the Bible). At its core, it is a celebration of casting Greek influences out of Jewish life and returning to God's instructions for life and worship. In a word, it is re-dedication.
What is the deeper meaning of Hanukkah? ›
Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Jewish people in 164 BCE, after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks. The Temple was re-dedicated by lighting the eight-branched candelabra (or Menorah in Hebrew).
What is forbidden during Hanukkah? ›
It is customary for women not to work for at least the first half-hour of the candles' burning, and some have the custom not to work for the entire time of burning. It is also forbidden to fast or to eulogize during Hanukkah.
Is the menorah mentioned in the Bible? ›
The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai.
Should you wish Happy Hanukkah? ›
To greet your Jewish loved ones during these eight days, you can simply say “Happy Hanukkah” or use one of these options in Hebrew. Hanukkah — or Chanukah, both are common spellings — is taking place between Dec. 7 and Dec. 15.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday which celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the larger Greek army. It also celebrates a miracle that happened during this time, where just a day's supply of oil allowed the menorah (Hanukkiah or Hanukkah Menorah) in the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem to remain lit for eight days.
Why is Hanukkah a big deal? ›
Each year the dates for Hanukkah changes, but thanks to its proximity to Christmas it's become a popular holiday. It celebrates a miracle of light and marks the anniversary of the Maccabean revolt to reclaim the temple of Jerusalem.
What is the most important thing in Hanukkah? ›
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival.
What book in the Bible is Hanukkah? ›
There is no mention either of the holiday of Hanukkah, nor of the historical events that led to its establishment, in the Bible. The most detailed account of the story of Hanukkah is contained in the First and Second Books of Maccabees.
Was Jesus born during Hanukkah? ›
In summary, in this section we have verified that the Nativity Day of the Christian tradition could coincide with Kislev 25, first day of the Hebrew feast Hanukkah. Indeed, astronomical software allows to reconstruct ancient luni-solar calendars.
Why do Christians celebrate Christmas and not Hanukkah? ›
Christmas of course celebrates the birth of Jesus, the modest entrance of the Messiah into the world. Hanukkah appears completed unrelated. The basic outline of the Hanukkah story is that in 175 BCE Judea was invaded by the Seleucid emperor Antiochus Epiphanes IV.
How do you explain Hanukkah to someone? ›
Often referred to as “the Festival of Lights,” Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration of the miracle that occurred when the victorious Jews rededicated the Temple, which had been desecrated by the invading Syrians who sought to prevent Jews from practicing their faith.
What is Hanukkah in a nutshell? ›
This miracle gave birth to Hanukkah, the festival of lights commemorating the miracle of the oil in the second temple. Jews all around the world celebrate eight nights, one for each miraculous night that the oil continued to burn.
What is the short definition of Hanukkah? ›
What is Hanukkah? Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival.
Where is Hanukkah described in the Bible? ›
There is no mention either of the holiday of Hanukkah, nor of the historical events that led to its establishment, in the Bible. The most detailed account of the story of Hanukkah is contained in the First and Second Books of Maccabees. However, these books are not included in the Hebrew Bible.
