Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Modin
Subjects in this Topic:
MODIN.—A village in the Shephçlah, never mentioned in the OT, but of great importance as the home of the Maccabees. Here Mattathias, by slaying a Jew who conformed to the paganizing commands of Antiochus, struck the first blow for Jewish religious freedom (1Ma_2:1-28). He was buried at Modin (1Ma_2:70), as were his illustrious sons Judas (1Ma_9:19) and Jonathan (1Ma_13:25). Simon here built an elaborate monument with seven pyramids, commemorative of his father, mother, and four brethren, with great pillars around, and bas-reliefs of military and naval triumphs. This splendid monument could be seen at sea. It stood for about 500 years, after which it seems to have disappeared; and with it was lost all recollection of the site of Modin. This has been recovered in recent years in the little village of el-Medyeh, near Lydd. There are numerous rock-tombs about, some of them traditionally known as Qabûr el-Yehûd, or ‘the Jews’ tombs,’ but nothing is to be seen in any way suggestive of the Maccabæan mausoleum.
R. A. S. Macalister.