Antiochus IV Epiphanes’ harsh decrees had the effect of accelerating Jewish resistance to Greek customs rather than the intended opposite. In his belief that the Jewish nation was ready for Hellenization, he forbade religious practice and dedicated the Jewish temple to a Greek deity. This and other acts of religious persecution led to the uprising in 167 bce.
The Seleucids had counted on Mattathias, son of John and a leader of the community to accept the king’s rulings. Mattathias, however, refused and, seeing one of his own people offer a pagan sacrifice, he killed the blasphemer. Thus began the Jewish struggle for freedom that lasted for over two decades and ushered in the Hasmonean kingdom.