The Festival of Lights, also known as Hanukkah, is a significant celebration in the Jewish faith, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt. While Hanukkah is not directly mentioned in the Bible, its roots and significance can be found in biblical accounts and principles.
One of the most relevant biblical verses related to Hanukkah is found in the book of 1 Maccabees, which, although not part of the Protestant Bible, is included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox biblical canon. However, for those looking for a connection within the more universally accepted canonical texts, the themes of dedication, light, and the struggle for faith can be found in various passages.
A key verse that resonates with the spirit of Hanukkah, particularly in terms of the miracle of the oil and the triumph of faith over oppression, is from the book of Psalms:
“For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” - Psalm 36:9 (NRSV)
This verse speaks to the idea of God as the source of light, a theme central to Hanukkah. The miracle of the oil, which burned for eight days in the rededicated Temple, symbolizes the divine light and guidance that sustains believers through times of darkness and challenge.
Another relevant passage is from the prophet Zechariah, which foretells a time of redemption and peace:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” - Zechariah 4:6 (NRSV)
This verse underscores the miraculous nature of the Maccabees’ victory and the rededication of the Temple, highlighting that it was not solely by human strength but by divine intervention that the Jewish people were able to overcome their oppressors and restore their place of worship.
In the New Testament, the Gospel of John contains a passage where Jesus attends the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem:
“It was the festival of the Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.” - John 10:22-23 (NRSV)
This account in John’s Gospel shows Jesus participating in a Hanukkah celebration, emphasizing the importance of this festival in the religious life of the Jewish community and, by extension, in the background of Christianity.
While these verses do not directly tell the story of Hanukkah, they encapsulate the theological and spiritual themes that underpin the celebration: the miracle of divine provision, the importance of faith over force, and the rededication to God’s will. They serve as a reminder of the enduring power of faith and the light that guides through darkness, themes that are at the heart of the Hanukkah narrative.
