Hanukkah and the 9 candles

The Jewish holiday near Christmas is Hanukkah or Chanukah. Hanukkah is observed in celebration of the rededication of the Second Temple during the Maccabean revolt in about 165 BC.

The Hebrew word "חנכה" (ha-na-kah) ≈ "Hanukkah, Chanukah".

There are 9 candles where one candle is special, sometimes thicker, or a different height, etc. Some candle configurations have all candles in one line.

More: Oil lamps and candles

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. [kjv]

חנך … [he]

proverbium … [v]

The word Hanukkah is based on a root meaning to "train" (as in educate). חנך - to train, dedicate

Proverbs 22:6

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KJV: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Hebrew: חנך לנער על פי דרכו גם כי יזקין לא יסור ממנה׃

Latin: proverbium est adulescens iuxta viam suam etiam cum senuerit non recedet ab ea

Note: There are many explanations of "Hanukkah" using aspects of the words, letters, acronyms, etc., but these are omitted here. There are also spelling variations, not covered here.

The difference between "Hanukkah" and "Chanukah" is in how the Hebrew letters are transliterated. Hanukkah tends to be more widely used while Chanukah is somewhat more traditional.

How did Hanukkah originate?

Hanukkah is also known as the "Festival of Lights". Josephus records the festival by this name and not the name of "Hanukkah".

More: Flavius Josephus

For 8 days and nights another candle is lit each night, in a manner similar to the Advent Christmas candles where an additional candle is lit each week leading up to Christmas Eve and day.

Note that a typical table with Hanukkah candles looks more like a typical Advent candle wreath setup than the Menorah configuration.

The unique candle is called the "שמש" (sha-mash) ≈ "attendant" and is used to light the other candles each night. שמש - attendant

Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. [kjv]

και σπερματα εξ αυτου αναστησονται και βεβηλωσουσιν το αγιασμα της δυναστειας και μεταστησουσιν τον ενδελεχισμον και δωσουσιν βδελυγμα ηφανισμενον [lxx]

Daniel tells us of the events leading to Hanukkah centuries before and Jesus refers to Daniel's reference as something to look for as a sign of the his second coming.

Daniel 11:31

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KJV: And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

Hebrew: וזרעים ממנו יעמדו וחללו המקדש המעוז והסירו התמיד ונתנו השקוץ משומם׃

Greek: και σπερματα εξ αυτου αναστησονται και βεβηλωσουσιν το αγιασμα της δυναστειας και μεταστησουσιν τον ενδελεχισμον και δωσουσιν βδελυγμα ηφανισμενον

This happened hundreds of years later by Antiochus (IV) Epiphanies, king of Syria. This is recorded in Maccabees. It started a revolt. Israel got independence, for a while. The time of year of the re-dedication of the temple is called Hanukkah - the feast of dedication (of the temple).

A detailed history of these events is recorded in the books of Maccabees in the Apocrypha.

The city of Antioch was named for an ancestor of Antiochus Epiphanies.

Acts 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. [kjv]

ταυτα δε αυτου απολογουμενου ο φηστος μεγαλη τη φωνη φησιν μαινη παυλε τα πολλα σε γραμματα εις μανιαν περιτρεπει [gnt]

His original name was "Mithridates". Daniel refers to him in prophecy about 400 years before, Jesus refers to him about 200 years later as a sign for the end times, and his actions led to the revolt and re-dedication of the temple during the Maccabean revolt and called "Hanukkah".

The ancient Greek word "ἐπιφάνεια" ≈ "appearance, manifestation".
Since Antiochus Epiphanies was a mad tyrant who considered himself "illustrious", a common pun (not to his face) was to call him "Antiochus Epimanes", "mad one" as in the ancient Greek word "μανία" ≈ "madness, frenzy" and is the English word "mania" .

Thus, the play on words way goes between the phi «φ» ("f" sound) and the mu «μ» ("m" sound).

More: Pun: Antiochus Epiphanies

Acts 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. [kjv]

Acts 26:24

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KJV: And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

Greek: ταυτα δε αυτου απολογουμενου ο φηστος μεγαλη τη φωνη εφη φησιν μαινη παυλε τα πολλα σε γραμματα εις μανιαν περιτρεπει

Latin: haec loquente eo et rationem reddente Festus magna voce dixit insanis Paule multae te litterae ad insaniam convertunt

Wycliffe: Whanne he spak these thingis, and yeldide resoun, Festus seide with greet vois, Poul, thou maddist; many lettris turnen thee to woodnesse.

The Latin word "insaniam" ≈ "mad, insane" is the source of the English word "insane".

The Middle English word "woodness" ≈ "mad, insane" which came from the Old English word "wodnes" ≈ "mad, insane" and has the connotation of a "fierce anger".

It appears that this old term is not related to the more modern term of "wokeness" (being aware of social justice issues, real or perceived).

Numbers 25:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. [kjv]

και ειπεν κυριος τω μωυση λαβε παντας τους αρχηγους του λαου και παραδειγματισον αυτους κυριω απεναντι του ηλιου και αποστραφησεται οργη θυμου κυριου απο ισραηλ [lxx]

Numbers 25:4

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KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.

Hebrew: ויאמר יהוה אל משה קח את כל ראשי העם והוקע אותם ליהוה נגד השמש וישב חרון אף יהוה מישראל׃

Greek: και ειπεν κυριος τω μωυση λαβε παντας τους αρχηγους του λαου και παραδειγματισον αυτους κυριω απεναντι του ηλιου και αποστραφησεται οργη θυμου κυριου απο ισραηλ

Latin: ait ad Mosen tolle cunctos principes populi et suspende eos contra solem in patibulis ut avertatur furor meus ab Israhel

Wycliffe: and seide to Moises, Take thou alle the princes of the puple, and hange hem ayens the sunne in iebatis, that my wodnesse, `that is stronge veniaunce, be turned awai fro Israel.

Back to Antiochus Epiphanies. Jesus refers to his act that started the Maccabean revolt and led to the rededication of the temple that is known as Hanukkah.

Daniel continues with what is taken as end-time prophecy.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. [kjv]

και δυναμωσει διαθηκην πολλοις εβδομας μια και εν τω ημισει της εβδομαδος αρθησεται μου θυσια και σπονδη και επι το ιερον βδελυγμα των ερημωσεων και εως συντελειας καιρου συντελεια δοθησεται επι την ερημωσιν [lxx]

Daniel 9:27

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KJV: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Hebrew: והגביר ברית לרבים שבוע אחד וחצי השבוע ישבית זבח ומנחה ועל כנף שקוצים משמם ועד כלה ונחרצה תתך על שמם׃

Greek: και δυναμωσει διαθηκην πολλοις εβδομας μια και εν τω ημισει της εβδομαδος αρθησεται μου θυσια και σπονδη και επι το ιερον βδελυγμα των ερημωσεων και εως συντελειας καιρου συντελεια δοθησεται επι την ερημωσιν

Latin: confirmabit autem pactum multis ebdomas una et in dimidio ebdomadis deficiet hostia et sacrificium et in templo erit abominatio desolationis et usque ad consummationem et finem perseverabit desolatio

Wycliffe: Forsothe o wouk`of yeeris schal conferme the couenaunt to many men, and the offryng and sacrifice schal faile in the myddis of the wouke of yeeris; and abhomynacioun of desolacioun schal be in the temple, and the desolacioun schal contynue til to the parformyng and ende.

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand: ) [kjv]

οταν ουν ιδητε το βδελυγμα της ερημωσεως το ρηθεν δια δανιηλ του προφητου εστος εν τοπω αγιω ο αναγινωσκων νοειτω [gnt]

Matthew 24:15

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KJV: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand: )

Greek: οταν ουν ιδητε το βδελυγμα της ερημωσεως το ρηθεν δια δανιηλ του προφητου εστος εν τοπω αγιω ο αναγινωσκων νοειτω

Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand, ) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: [kjv]

οταν δε ιδητε το βδελυγμα της ερημωσεως εστηκοτα οπου ου δει ο αναγινωσκων νοειτω τοτε οι εν τη ιουδαια φευγετωσαν εις τα ορη [gnt]

Mark 13:14

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KJV: But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand, ) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Greek: οταν δε ιδητε το βδελυγμα της ερημωσεως το ρηθεν υπο δανιηλ του προφητου εστος εστηκοτα οπου ου δει ο αναγινωσκων νοειτω τοτε οι εν τη ιουδαια φευγετωσαν εις τα ορη

John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. [kjv]

εγενετο τοτε τα εγκαινια εν τοις ιεροσολυμοις χειμων ην [gnt]

… encenia … hiemps … [v]

… зима. [rus]

John refers the this "Feast of Dedication" known as Hanukkah (in December) in John 10:22. The origin of the "Feast of Dedication" is recorded in Maccabees. These history books were removed by the Protestant Church and placed in what is called the Apocrypha.
The Latin word "hiems" ≈ "winter" which is related to the modern Greek word "χειμώνας" (hee-MO-nas) ≈ "winter". The Russian word "зима" (zeem-ya) ≈ "winter" is related via a PIE (Proto Indo-European) connection.

More: Apocrypha: Silent years

John 10:22

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KJV: And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

Greek: εγενετο δε τοτε τα εγκαινια εν τοις ιεροσολυμοις και χειμων ην

Latin: facta sunt autem encenia in Hierosolymis et hiemps erat

Wessex: Þa waeron tempel-halgunga on ierusalem aend hyt waes winter.

Wycliffe: But the feestis of halewyng of the temple weren maad in Jerusalem, and it was wyntir.

Tyndale: And it was at Ierusalem ye feaste of the dedicacion and it was wynter:

Luther: Es war aber Kirchweih zu Jerusalem und war Winter.

Russian: Настал же тогда в Иерусалиме праздник обновления, и была зима.