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Biblical Significance Of Feast Of Dedication

The Feast of Dedication, also known as Hanukkah, is mentioned in the canonical Scriptures only once, in John 10:22 [3, 5]. This festival commemorates the purification of the Temple and the rebuilding of the altar after Judas Maccabeus drove out the Syrians in 164 B.C. [3, 7, 8]. The pollution of the Temple occurred in 167 B.C. by Antiochus Epiphanes, who had taken Jerusalem by storm and killed many inhabitants [3, 7].

The feast began on the 25th of the month Chisleu (December) and lasted for eight days [1, 3, 7]. This period was often marked by heavy rains [1]. Unlike the major Mosaic feasts, attendance at Jerusalem was not required, though it was an occasion of great festivity [3, 4]. The institution of this feast by Judas Maccabeus marked a significant event in Jewish history, celebrating the rededication of sacred space after desecration [1, 8].

The concept of "dedication" or "consecration" in a broader biblical sense refers to the setting apart of something for the worship or service of God [2, 6]. This could apply to people, like the race of Abraham or the tribe of Levi, or to objects such as fields, cattle, or spoils of war [2]. The Mosaic law included the consecration of the first-born of both humans and animals to God [2]. In the New Testament, Christians are considered consecrated to the Lord [2].

The act of dedication was central to various biblical practices, including the dedication of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 8:1-63) and the Second Temple (Ezra 6:16-17) [1, 6]. The Talmud discusses the implications of dedicated items, particularly whether they are designated for Temple maintenance or for priests, referencing Leviticus 27:21 and 27:28 [10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. These discussions highlight the importance of proper designation for items set apart for sacred use. Augustine, in his City of God, also touches on the concept of dedication, noting Enoch as the seventh from Adam, a number significant for the consecration of the Sabbath [9].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Dedication, Feast of the — (John 10:22, 42), i.e., the feast of the renewing. It was instituted B.C. 164 to commemorate the purging of the temple after its pollution by Antiochus Epiphanes (B.C. 167), and the rebuilding of the altar after the Syrian invaders had been driven out by Judas Maccabaeus. It lasted for eight days, beginning on the 25th of the month Chisleu (December), which was often a period of heavy rains (Ezra 10:9, 13). It was an occasion of much rejoicing and festivity. But there were other dedications of the temple. (1) That of Solomon's temple (1 Kin”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Consecration — The devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service of God. The race of Abraham and the tribe of Levi were thus consecrated (Ex. 13:2, 12, 15; Num. 3:12). The Hebrews devoted their fields and cattle, and sometimes the spoils of war, to the Lord (Lev. 27:28, 29). According to the Mosaic law the first-born both of man and beast were consecrated to God. In the New Testament, Christians are regarded as consecrated to the Lord (1 Pet. 2:9).”
  3. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Dedication, Feast Of The — the festival instituted to commemorate the purging of the temple and the rebuilding of the altar after Judas Maccabbeus had driven out the Syrians, B.C. 164. 1 Macc. 4:52-59. It is named only once in the canonical Scriptures. (John 10:22) It commenced on the 25th of Chisleu (early in December), the anniversary of the pollution of the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes, B.C. 167. Like the great Mosaic feasts, it lasted eight days, but it did not require attendance at Jerusalem. It was an occasion of much festivity, and was celebrated in nearly the”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Feast — As a mark of hospitality (Gen. 19:3; 2 Sam. 3:20; 2 Kings 6:23); on occasions of domestic joy (Luke 15:23; Gen. 21:8); on birthdays (Gen. 40:20; Job 1:4; Matt. 14:6); and on the occasion of a marriage (Judg. 14:10; Gen. 29:22). Feasting was a part of the observances connected with the offering up of sacrifices (Deut. 12:6, 7; 1 Sam. 9:19; 16:3, 5), and with the annual festivals (Deut. 16:11). "It was one of the designs of the greater solemnities, which required the attendance of the people at the sacred tent, that the oneness of the nation might be maintained”
  5. John “It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. -- John 10:22”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Dedication — Consecration of a place of worship -- 2Ch 2:4. Solemn confirmation of a covenant -- Heb 9:18. Devoting any thing to sacred uses -- 1Ch 28:12. Subjects of Tabernacle. -- Nu 7:1-89. Temple of Solomon. -- 1Ki 8:1-63; 2Ch 7:5. Second temple. -- Ezr 6:16,17. Persons. -- Ex 22:29; 1Sa 1:11. Property. -- Le 27:28; Mt 15:5. Spoils of war. -- 2Sa 8:11; 1Ch 18:11. Tribute from foreigners. -- 2Sa 8:10,11. Walls of cities. -- Ne 12:27. Houses when built. -- De 20:5; Ps 30:1. By idolaters in setting up idols -- Da 3:2,3. Things dedicated to God Esteemed holy. -- Le 2”
  7. John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 10:22: The feast of the dedication - This was a feast instituted by Judas Maccabeus, in commemoration of his purifying the temple after it had been defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes. This feast began on the twenty-fifth of the month Cisleu, (which answers to the eighteenth of our December), and continued for eight days. When Antiochus had heard that the Jews had made great rejoicings, on account of a report that had been spread of his death, he hastened out of Egypt to Jerusalem, took the city by storm, and slew of the inhabitants in three days forty thousand persons; and fort”
  8. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 10:22: DISCOURSE AT THE FEAST OF DEDICATION--FROM THE FURY OF HIS ENEMIES JESUS ESCAPES BEYOND JORDAN, WHERE MANY BELIEVE ON HIM. (John 10:22-42) it was . . . the feast of the dedication--celebrated rather more than two months after the feast of tabernacles, during which intermediate period our Lord seems to have remained in the neighborhood of Jerusalem. It was instituted by Jude Maccabeus, to commemorate the purification of the temple from the profanations to which it had been subjected by Antiochus Epiphanes 165 B.C., and kept for eight days, from the twen”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 19.--THE SIGNIFICANCE OP ENOCH'S: TRANSLATION. For that line also of which Seth is the father has the name "Dedication" in the seventh generation from Adam, counting Adam. For the seventh from him is Enoch, that is, Dedication. But this is that man who was translated because he pleased God, and who held in the order of the generations a remarkable place, being the seventh from Adam, a number signalized by the consecration of the Sabbath. But, counting from the diverging point of the two lines, or from Seth, he was the sixth Now i”
  10. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68a.57:2: § The mishna teaches: Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says dedications donated without specification are designated for Temple maintenance, as it is stated: “Every dedicated item is most sacred to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:28). And the Rabbis say they are designated for priests, as it is stated: “As a field dedicated; its possession shall be to the priest” (Leviticus 27:21), whereas the verse cited by Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira teaches that dedication takes effect on offerings of the most sacred order and offerings of lesser sanctity. The Gemara asks: Granted, the opi”
  11. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68b.57:2: § The mishna teaches: Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says dedications donated without specification are designated for Temple maintenance, as it is stated: “Every dedicated item is most sacred to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:28). And the Rabbis say they are designated for priests, as it is stated: “As a field dedicated; its possession shall be to the priest” (Leviticus 27:21), whereas the verse cited by Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira teaches that dedication takes effect on offerings of the most sacred order and offerings of lesser sanctity. The Gemara asks: Granted, the opi”
  12. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 29a.2: § The mishna teaches: Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says dedications donated without specification are designated for Temple maintenance, as it is stated: “Every dedicated item is most sacred to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:28). And the Rabbis say they are designated for priests, as it is stated: “As a field dedicated; its possession shall be to the priest” (Leviticus 27:21), whereas the verse cited by Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira teaches that dedication takes effect on offerings of the most sacred order and offerings of lesser sanctity. The Gemara asks: Granted, the opinio”
  13. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68b.56:11: And the Rabbis say: Dedications dedicated without specification of their purpose are designated for priests, as it is stated with regard to one who consecrated a field and did not redeem it: “As a field dedicated; its possession shall be to the priest” (Leviticus 27:21), indicating that a non-specific dedication belongs to the priest. If so, why is it stated: “Every dedicated item is most sacred to the Lord”? This comes to teach that dedication takes effect on offerings of the most sacred order and offerings of lesser sanctity. If one consecrated an animal”
  14. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68a.56:11: And the Rabbis say: Dedications dedicated without specification of their purpose are designated for priests, as it is stated with regard to one who consecrated a field and did not redeem it: “As a field dedicated; its possession shall be to the priest” (Leviticus 27:21), indicating that a non-specific dedication belongs to the priest. If so, why is it stated: “Every dedicated item is most sacred to the Lord”? This comes to teach that dedication takes effect on offerings of the most sacred order and offerings of lesser sanctity. If one consecrated an animal”
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