To the casual observer, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that occurs around Christmas-time and has something to do with lighting a menorah-like candelabra, and somehow relates to some important event that occurred a long time ago in Jewish history. Some Bible teachers even claim that Hanukkah is pagan-based holiday that in some way honors the demonic sun god of antiquity. But as we shall see below, there is a hidden truth behind the Hanukkah holiday that the devil doesn’t want people to know about. In fact, by the end of this study, you will hopefully see that Hanukkah celebrates the truth of the Messiah’s incarnation better than Christmas ever did and minus all the pagan trappings. You’ve probably never heard this before and wonder how this could be, so read on.
Anyone who has barely scratched the surface of the historical origins of Christmas’ realizes that they are profane and unbiblical. Christmas is the Christianization of some vile pagan traditions based on celebrating the winter solstice in honor of the demonic sun god through lewd and drunken, orgiastic and satanic rituals. Though the tradition of the Christmas tree came later, it is rooted in pre-Christian sex worship rituals that come straight out of demonic sun god worship, and is something that the Bible in many places condemns and forbids the saints from practicing.
Hanukkah, on the other hand, doesn’t share Christmas’ pagan origins. Rather, this holiday links back directly to one of YHVH’s seven commanded biblical festivals. Though Hanukkah isn’t a commanded biblical holiday, and is of man’s creation, it still has prophetic implications that are worth noting. What’s more, it doesn’t carry the pagan baggage the Christian holidays like Christmas, Easter, Lent, All Saints Day (i.e. Halloween) and the others all do.
In our study of the origins of Hanukkah, let’s first demonstrate that a correlative link exists between the biblical fall festival of Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:33–43) and Hanukkah. How is this? Interestingly, both Hanukkah and Sukkot along with the Eighth Day last for eight days. According to the intertestamental book of Maccabees, Hanukkah was a second, belated Feast of Tabernacles (Heb. Sukkot and the Eighth Day (Heb. Shemini Atzeret; see 1 Macc 4:44–59; 2 Macc 1:7–9; 10:1–8). After the Jews defeated the Greeks’ attempt to destroy Judaism and the Jewish people, the Jews had to cleanse and reconsecrate their temple from pagan defilement before again worshipping YHVH there. The temple wasn’t ready to be rededicated at the biblically prescribed time of Sukkot in the seventh month of the biblical calendar (in September/October), which is when Solomon dedicated the first temple (2 Chr 5:3; 7:8–9). Instead, the Jews rededicated the cleansed temple roughly two months later in the ninth month (in December), and they celebrated a belated or second Sukkot roughly two months later after the temple was finally cleansed.
Moreover, the extra biblical tradition of lighting of giant menorahs was a major aspect of Sukkot’s joyous celebration for the second temple Jews (The Temple, p. 224ff, by Alfred Edersheim). Yeshua seems to make reference to this celebration of light involving menorahs when he entered the temple on the last great day or seventh day of Sukkot (called Hoshana Rabbah). At this very time, Yeshua refers to himself as the (true) light of the world (John 8:12 cp. John 7:12).The lighting of an eight-branched candelabra at Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, seems to reflects this Jewish tradition of lighting menorahs during Sukkot. It also speaks of the miracle of the light of YHVH’s Torah-truth being preserved in Israel despite the heathen’s attempt to stamp it out.
Interestingly, the timing of Hanukkah also relates to Yeshua who is the light of the world (John 8:12). There is strong biblical evidence to suggest that Yeshua was born at the biblical festival of Sukkot in the early fall. If this is the case, Yeshua would have been conceived in the virgin Mary’s womb by the Spirit of Elohim nine months earlier in our month of December at the time of Hanukkah. The Bible teaches that human life begins at conception (Exod 21:22; Ps 139:13–16; Jer 1:5; Luke 1:15, 41, 44), not at birth as we in the West typically view it. Therefore, Yeshua’s life really started when he was conceived in Mary’s womb, not when he was born. Therefore, in Hebraic thought, Christmas isn’t really celebrating the beginning of Yeshua’s life or incarnation. Hanukkah does!
Despite the fact that Christmas misses the mark in celebrating the beginning of Yeshua’s life, Hanukkah and Christmas share something in common. They both celebrate the coming of Yeshua, the Word of Elohim from heaven to this earth to be the light of the world to show man the way to the Father in heaven. Sadly, Christmas is the Christianization of some horrific pagan holidays to arrive at this truth. Hanukkah, however, carries none of this ungodly baggage, as we have attempted to demonstrate so far in this short study.
Why did the Jews choose the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month on which to rededicate the temple? Did this timing have something to do with the winter solstice as the December 25 timing of Christmas does and as some Bible teachers suggest? Absolutely not. There is actually a connection between the timing of Hanukkah (which by the way usually starts well before the winter solstice) and an important historical event that occurred in Israel’s history. It also relates to a Messianic prophecy having to do with the coming of the promised Messiah into the world. This we see in the biblical book of Haggai. This tiny book records that on the day just before what would later become known as Hanukkah or the Feast of Dedication (i.e. the twenty-fourth day of the biblical ninth month, which is called Chislev or Kislev), the cornerstone to the second temple was laid (Hag 2:19). This is the same temple that the idolatrous Greeks would desecrate some 350 years later. Therefore the Maccabeean Jews had solid biblical precedence for choosing the date of Kislev 25 to start celebrating the eight day holiday of Hanukkah or the Feast of Dedication, for this was the day after the prophetic decree went out to lay the cornerstone for that very temple 350 years earlier. Therefore, it appears that the Maccabeean Jews merged the timing of the commencement of the second temple’s construction with the idea that the Solomon’s temple was dedicated on Sukkot. But since temple has been defiled by the Greeks and was not in a purified state to be able to celebrate Sukkot in the fall, they first purified it, then they celebrated a belated Sukkot-type celebration in the ninth month starting on Kislev 25, which became known as the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah.
Furthermore, when Haggai the prophet records the laying of the cornerstone for the second temple, he also speaks about the Desire of All Nations—another name for Yeshua the Messiah—coming to that very temple and filling it with his glory (Hag 2:7). This is the greater reason why this temple had to be built! The Messiah needed a temple to come to, so that many biblical prophecies about him could be fulfilled. Moreover, in verse nine, Haggai prophesies that the glory of the second temple would be greater than that of Solomon’s temple. How is this? From a physical perspective this is hard to understand, since Solomon’s temple contained billions of dollars worth of gold alone. The second temple could hardly compare to the glorious and extravagant riches of the first temple. Yet considering that this would be the temple to which the Messiah, the Son of Elohim, would come, YHVH through the prophet could indeed predict that “the glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former” (Hag 2:9), since Yeshua the Messiah and Creator of all things is infinitely greater than any temple made by men.
Finally, John, the Gospel writer, in a sense, confirms Haggai’s prophecy when he records a curious double entendre statement that Yeshua made. While at the second temple, Yeshua predicted the temple’s destruction and its raising up again in three days. Those around him thought he was referring to the destruction and rebuilding of the actual physical second temple. John, however, informs us that Yeshua’s prophecy was instead referring to the temple of his body, which would be destroyed at his crucifixion and then raised up or resurrected after three days in the grave (John 2:19–22). As the cornerstone for the second temple (the very temple to which Yeshua came on the Feast of Dedication in John 10:22) was laid at Hanukkah time, so Yeshua who is the Rock of our salvation (Deut 32:15; Pss 62:2; 89:26) and our Chief Cornerstone (Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:6) was miraculously conceived at this very time by Elohim in the womb of the virgin Mary. He was then born nine months later at Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles. It was at Sukkot, nine months after Hanukkah, that Yeshua the Messiah or Immanuel (or El [God] with man) was born in human likeness and came to dwell or tabernacle with men in a human body (1 John 1:1, 14).
This then is the greater and glorious story behind the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah that has been hidden for millennia!
The Light of the world who opens the eyes of the blind!
Happy Hanukkah to all-may we all continue in His Light 🙂
And rededicate our temples 🙂
Shalom Natan
lots to think & pray about here. Yesterday I was just reading about the rebuilding of the Temple in Ezra which was completed on Darius’ command after reading Cyrus memorandum on the 3rd day of Adar in the 6th year of Darius’ reign. Ezra 6:15.
I have been seeing it as extra biblical and that the hannukiahs were a twist of the Holy Manorah being utilised as well which didn’t sit so well with me.
I have read Maccabees and it doesn’t record the miracle of the oil..If I understand correctly John refers to it as the new festival where Yeshua is walking on the porch though.
Seems that the oil story may have been added later to give a bit of authority to the minds of the people as a sign of it being legitimate to make into a Holiday. May be wrong………
I am a bit skeptical about it for it taking away from Sukkot’s water pouring and light ceremonies & taking so many twists these days that make it the ‘Jewish Christmas’.
I definitely admit the timing of conception is very compelling though but does that make it something that was intended to be Holy by God as it seems to have become more popular than other feasts.
Perhaps though God has hidden Yeshua in it this way for the Jews to find Him even more attractive when they actually believe and realise the Hannukah celebrating had many depths of meaning.
Lots to ponder
.
Praise our King
Tahnkyou
Love to all.
FJ
Hello F.J. & all who read Hoshanah Rabbah blog…Only this morning I received this notification into my inbox re the real story of Hanukkah – Feast of Dedication -Yeshua stood in Solomons porch it was Winter. [video link edited out by Natan Lawrence]
there is an embedded video.. short not long ..interesting in Light of everything.. I believe Yeshua was conceived during time of Hanukkah: month of Kislev= December and born 9 months later.. to Mary & Joseph.in the town of Bethlehem.
I think this short video will answer your questions, concerns.
Natan here——I had to edit out the video link. The rules of this blog state that commenters can’t post links to anything without my approval first. Why is this rule in place? As I’ve stated numerous times before, we run a tight ship here. Anything that gets linked is a potential reflection YHVH Elohim primarily and secondarily on this ministry and its reputation for being biblically accurate and promoting high holy and righteous standards. In order to insure that these high standards are met, I must review every video first. If anyone has a video or link that they’d like to share, please email me first, so that I can review it, and then we can go from there. I appreciate folks wanting to share good info that they think will help other people and answer their questions, but please run it through me first. Thank you for understanding, and please respect.
Natan..so Sorry! ..I think I remembered after I sent the link to the video that we need to run it past you first.. I certainly understand & appreciate that Natan..
I am sometimes spontaneous and had sent the video link before I remembered the correct order of things.. Apologise for my Knee jerk response !
Blessings to you all. and thank you for understanding. Enjoyed reading your post Natan.
Appreciate this thread and post from Natan. There seems there is so much information out there nowadays it takes a veritable detective to sift through it all and try and come to an understanding that will somehow help us to model to others our walk in the truth, based upon what we learn… In other words, how do we apply our understanding of truth in a way that would be the most pleasing to our Abba Father and Savior/Lord Son? One of the things I wish Natan would have addressed is this very good article is: how do we celebrate Hanukkah in a way that best models these truths? Practically, how should we celebrate it? While, I am not in the camp that wants to forgo the significance of Hanukkah, I am not comfortable in the camp of the way it usually gets celebrated. All of your points are well taken Natan, and they are great things to think about this season. But, I am still left with far too many questions. Are gifts given at Hanukkah (or at Hanukkah parties) a good way to celebrate the Holy Day? (many of us, myself included feel strange leaving our pagan gift giving days of Christmas and moving right on over to doing it for Hanukkah. Again the modeling thing… I don’t feel our relatives still giving gifts at Xmas would comprehend the difference of a party with almost all the same components a few days later) Also, If it isn’t mentioned as a Holy Day (Holiday) in scripture, I understand how many people feel it is adding to the commandments by celebrating it similar to a Holy Day… thoughts? And what about the fact that there is no biblical support for the original idea of 2 months after the season of Sukkot celebrating a temple cleansing like Sukkot? Jeroboam decided to make a feast according to his own heart (1Ki 12:33) and it was not looked upon well by God. Sorry, but this article is not a ‘slam dunk’ in my mind to go out and celebrate Hanukkah, especially in the very fleshy-like way I see it celebrated so often. You may not have meant that it SHOULD be celebrated in this manner, but addressing some of these very real concerns that are held by me and many others would be oh, so very helpful! Again, this is not trying to detract from your effort Nathan, just wish there was some more practical advice as to HOW we can celebrate it, especially in a way that doesn’t add more confusion to the world. Blessings and Shalom!
Hi Natan, I see since my post has not gone up yet that you review them before posting…please don’t worry about responding to my last post, as I think it in itself will just add more confusion to the world (LOL)!!! Your article obviously caught me in the middle of a struggle with whether to attend a Hanukkah celebration. With some further contemplation I think people newer to this walk (like me) struggle with it for a few years and people longer in this walk see it clearer and have reclaimed the right to celebrate it despite some similarities to the pagan counterfeit. I appreciate your thoughts in the article to ponder and am sure I will figure it out. Be blessed and thanks for what you do!
No worries. Thanks for sharing. Your post is a good example of the struggle that many of us have gone through or are going through in trying to get back to biblical truths.
I pretty much agree with everything you said.
You’re also correct that I didn’t make the case that we should do Hanukkah. This was purposeful. It’s not a biblical command to do so. In my mind, it’s no different than celebrating Thanksgiving Day, Independence Day, a birthday or anniversary. It’s fun thing to do, and can be meaningful and a major Jewish tradition, but it’s still not a biblical command.
The reason I posted the articles on Hanukkah is mostly for those folks who have just left Christmas and feel the need to replace it with something, even though Hanukkah isn’t a Christmas substitute.
You want to know the truth? We did Hanukkah when our four kids were young, and we had a Hanukkah party each year at the congregation I pastored for 18 years because it was fun and meaningful. We lit the Hanukkiah’s, made latkes, sang songs, had a teaching, played the dridal game and so on. However, since I retired from pastoring and since our kids are now grown up, my wife and I don’t celebrate Hanukkah anymore at all in our home. There you have it. Of course, we still keep the Sabbath and do the biblical feasts, but not Hanukkah.
As far as what to do on Hanukkah, since the Bible doesn’t command it, and since all we have is extra-biblical Jewish tradition to go on, pick the traditions you want to do, that are meaningful to you, and/or make up your own as a way to celebrate it. That’s about all there is to that.
Yeshua will raise up the new temple in three days (within 3000 years?)
On Hanukka we celebrate only within remembrance only.
John