Dictionaries :: Dedication, Feast of The

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Dedication, Feast of The:

(Jhn 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 (Ezr 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 (1Ki 8:2; 2Ch 5:3); (2) the dedication in the days of Hezekiah (2Ch 29); and (3) the dedication of the temple after the Captivity (Ezr 6:16).

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 Maccabees 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 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.