Antiochus IV Epiphanes — The Tyrant Who Tried to Erase the Hebrew Way

He Attacked Obedience — Not a Holy Temple

By the time of Antiochus IV, the so-called “Second Temple” was already:

• Built by human permission, not YHWH’s command
• Controlled by political priests serving empire
• Filled with man-made rituals and feast systems YHWH never gave

YHWH said clearly: “I did not command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices, but this is what I commanded them: Obey My voice.” (Jeremiah 7:22–23)

His Attacks

• 1. Circumcision Outlawed

✅ Circumcision — the covenant sign from Genesis 17 — was made illegal.

✅ Mothers who obeyed YHWH were killed.

This was a direct attack on the everlasting covenant.

• 2. Shabbat Banned

✅ The true 7th-day rest — commanded in Genesis 2 and Exodus 20 — was criminalized.

❌ The Greek rulers didn't just ban false priestly feasts — they banned the true set-apart rhythm YHWH gave at creation.

• 3. Torah Erased

✅ Scrolls were burned — but many were already corrupted.

✅ The faithful remnant preserved the truth in oral memory and Paleo-Hebrew scrolls, not temple rituals.

• 4. Temple Was Already Rejected by YHWH

❌ YHWH never asked for the Second Temple

❌ YHWH never asked for another altar

❌ YHWH never needed blood or sacrifice to forgive

Isaiah 1:11–16 — “I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls or lambs... Wash yourselves and be clean.”

The altar they “cleansed” was built by men, not by command from YHWH. It was not holy — it was a stage for priestly power.

The Maccabean Revolt — National, Not Spiritual

The sons of Mattathias resisted Greek domination — but:

• They fought for survival, not for covenant truth
• They restored their altar, not YHWH’s ways
• They later became kings and priests — a role YHWH never allowed to be joined
• There were no prophets, no voice from YHWH, and no restoration of righteousness

The Faithful Remnant

Those who truly followed YHWH:

• Did not defend the temple
• Did not fight to restore sacrifices
• Did not trust in altars or rituals

They kept:

• YHWH’s name
• YHWH’s voice
• YHWH’s command to obey
• The 7th-day Shabbat
• The covenant written on the heart (Jeremiah 31:33)

Final Truth

Antiochus IV tried to erase YHWH’s covenant — not a religion.

But the Temple was already rejected.

The altar meant nothing.

What mattered — then and now — is obedience.

“To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Hosea 6:6)

YHWH never needed a building — He wanted your heart.