feast of dedication Summary and Overview

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. #Joh 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 same manner as the feast of tabernacles, with the carrying of branches of trees and with much singing. In the temple at Jerusalem the "Hallel" was sung every day of the feast.

Also called the Feast of Lights (Called today Hanukkah). John 10:22. In "winter," about our December (1 Maccabees 4:52-59; 2 Maccabees 10:5). Commemorating the purging of the temple and rebuilding of the altar after Judas Maccabaeus had driven out the Syrians, 164 B.C. It began on the 25th of Chisleu (December), the anniversary of Antiochus Epiphanes' pollution of the temple 167 B.C. Lasted eight days. Celebrated like the feast of tabernacles with much joy and singing, and with carrying of branches. The Hallel was sung in the temple daily. The feast was called "lights," and there was much illumination of houses. The "dedication of the second temple" was on the 3rd of Adar (Ezra 6:15-16); that of Solomon's temple at the feast of tabernacles (1 Kings 8:2; 2 Chronicles 5:3).