King of Israel: John Hyrcanus

For the first several years of his rule, John Hyrcanus was little more than a pawn in the hands of Antiochus VII. With the death of Antiochus VII in 128 BC, however, the people of Judea again proclaimed -- and managed to achieve -- their independence. Thus began the famous Hasmonean Dynasty (although some scholars insist it actually began with John's father Simon).

During the years of his reign, John Hyrcanus concentrated on extending the borders of the new Jewish nation. He also believed in compelling the peoples he conquered to become proselytes to the Jewish religion. He would forcibly circumcise all non-Jews, and demand that the people of entire cities and regions comply with Mosaic Law. In each location where foreign peoples were subdued, he would leave scribes to oversee the religious affairs of the people. these scribes were descended from the Hasidim (the "pious ones" among the Jews who had inspired the Maccabean Revolt). The scribes were not really interested in political or military power, they simply sought to impose religious purity and strict observance of the Law. They were strict, uncompromising legalists. In time they would come to be known as the Pharisees.

Another group, also descended from the Hasidim, but who chose to live a somewhat monastic existence, were known as the Essenes. They lived a quiet, withdrawn life near the Dead Sea. It was this group of pious, committed Jews who would become responsible for producing the now famous Dead Sea Scrolls.

Those Jews who were more interested in political power, and who favored a more Hellenistic form of Judaism, came to be known as the Sadducees. They believed one could successfully compromise with the Greek teachings and way of life and still remain loyal to God. They objected to the strictness and legalistic mindset of the Pharisees, did not believe in the Oral Law, and believed that the control of the religious affairs of the people should reside only in the hands of the priests. It was this group which controlled the priesthood. Antagonism between these two factions of Judaism, the Pharisees and the Sadducees, would later become so great that it would result in the destruction of the Hasmonean Dynasty, and it would bring an end to Jewish freedom.

John Hyrcanus was a great lover of God's Law, and also a devout Pharisee. Although he did seek to force his religious beliefs on others, he was nevertheless a good man and a competent ruler. He did what he did because he honestly believed it would be to the benefit of the people he conquered and ruled. He truly felt that by forcing his religious beliefs upon them he was improving their prospects in life.

His children, however, were an entirely different matter! Being raised in a luxurious palace, they regarded themselves as aristocrats; as superior to other people. Their schooling was more in the Greek than the Hebrew areas of study, and they came to regard the Pharisees with outright loathing. Although their father was a devout Pharisee, they sided more with the Hellenistic Sadducees.