Obraz Boga w Pierwszej Księdze Machabejskiej

Abstract

The First Book of Maccabees – although belongs to the historical books of the Old Testament – also has an important theological value. The issue ofthe image of God, outlined in this article, is one out of the many theological themes presented in that work. This image – as it is clear from the analysis of the text of 1 Macc – was presented by the biblical author in the context of historical events which constituted, for the hagiographer, ​​ the space of God’s activity, through which God let Himself known. The featured image of God is undoubtedly an expression of faith of the hagiographer and of the community to which he belonged. This is evidenced by terms referring to God (Heaven, He, You etc.), which very strongly emphasize His transcendence. As it is clear from the analysis of texts, the biblical author explicitly referred to the entire theological tradition of the Old Testament and therefore presented God, who helped Israel in the whole history, also in Hellenistic times as punishing for unrighteousness, listening to prayers, supporting and saving His people from its enemies, as well as taking vengeance on them.