Bacchus, often identified with the Greek god Dionysus, is explicitly mentioned in 2 Maccabees 6:7.
Bacchus in 2 Maccabees
The mention of Bacchus occurs within the historical context described in the book of 2 Maccabees, a deuterocanonical work. This book details a period when heathen worship and its associated immoral practices significantly infiltrated Jewish religious life.
Specifically, during a feast dedicated to Bacchus (Dionysus), the Jews were subjected to immense pressure and compulsion:
- They were forced to participate in processions honoring Bacchus.
- These events were characterized by revelry and a general atmosphere of debauchery.
- As part of their forced participation, they were made to wear wreaths of ivy, which was recognized as a prominent emblem of the god Bacchus (Dionysus).
This act was a deliberate attempt to enforce pagan customs and desecrate Jewish religious practices, highlighting the challenges faced by the Jewish people during that era.
The Book of 2 Maccabees and the Bible
It is important to note the status of 2 Maccabees within different Christian traditions:
- Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles include 2 Maccabees as part of their Old Testament canon, referring to these books as "deuterocanonical."
- Protestant Bibles generally do not include 2 Maccabees in their canon, classifying it as part of the Apocrypha, which is often printed separately or not at all.
Therefore, while Bacchus is mentioned in a book that is part of the Bible for many Christians, its inclusion varies across different traditions.
