Modin

MODIN - In the Talmud Modhe'im. A village in the Shephelah, never mentioned in the OT, but of great importance as the home of the Maccabees. Here Mattathias, by slaying a Seleucid official and a Jew who conformed to the paganizing commands of Antiochus, struck the first blow for Jewish religious freedom (1 Mac.2.1-28). He was buried at Modin (2.70), as were his sons Judas (9.19) and Jonathan (13.25). Simon here built an elaborate monument with seven pyramids, commemorative of his father, mother, and four brethren, with great pillars around, and bas-reliefs of military and naval triumphs. This splendid monument could be seen at sea. It stood for about 500 years, after which it seems to have disappeared; and with it was lost all recollection of the site of Modin. Guerin rightly identified it with el-Midyeh, near Lidd. There are numerous rock-tombs about, some of them traditionally known as Qubur el- Yehud, or 'the Jews' tombs,' but nothing remains of the Maccabaean mausoleum. Hatred of the Maccabees or of the Jews as such will have led to its obliteration. [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963 - R.A.S.M. - E.G.K.]