The spelling of the word "Assidean" can be confusing due to its unconventional pronunciation. As per IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as əˈsaɪdiən. The first syllable is pronounced as "uh" sound, followed by a long "i" sound, and then "dee" and "un" sounds. The ending is "-an," pronounced with a short "a" sound. "Assidean" refers to a member of an ancient Jewish sect characterized by strict adherence to religious and cultural traditions.
Assidean is an adjective referring to a member or characteristic of a Jewish sect known as the Assideans. The term "Assidean" derives from the Hebrew word "Hasidim," meaning "pious ones" or "faithful ones." The Assideans were a religious and political group active during the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, primarily in the second century BCE.
The Assideans were devoutly religious Jews who strove to maintain the purity and integrity of Jewish beliefs, practices, and traditions. They adamantly opposed Hellenistic influences and Greek cultural assimilation that threatened the authenticity of Jewish faith and identity. The Assideans placed great emphasis on upholding the laws of the Torah and resisting any foreign rule, particularly the occupation of Judea by the Seleucid Empire.
Led by figures like Mattathias and his sons, most notably Judah Maccabee, the Assideans played a pivotal role in the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire, also known as the Hasmonean revolt. They fought to secure religious freedom and political autonomy for the Jewish people, ultimately leading to the rededication of the Second Temple and the establishment of the Hasmonean dynasty.
In summary, "Assidean" refers to a member or attribute of the Jewish sect known as the Assideans, who were fervently devoted to the preservation of Jewish faith and customs during the Second Temple period.
The word "Assidean" or "Hasmonean" is derived from the Hasmonean dynasty, which was a ruling dynasty in Judea during the second and first centuries BCE. The term "Hasmonean" comes from the Greek word "Hasmoneios", which was used to refer to the family name of the dynasty's founder, Mattathias the Hasmonean. The family name could possibly be derived from the Hebrew word "hasmon", which means "strong" or "mighty". Hence, the word "Assidean" or "Hasmonean" primarily relates to this historical dynasty.