hasmonean

/hæzməˈniːən/

Etymology

From Latin Asmonaeus (latinized name of the family's founder) + English -an, from (Hellenic) Ancient Greek Ἀσαμωναῖος (Asamōnaîos), from Hebrew חַשְׁמוֹנַאי (ḥašmōnay).

Why this word is great

HASMONEAN — [Adjective] Of or relating to the patriotic Jewish family to which the Maccabees belonged. From Latin Asmonaeus (Latinized name of the family's founder) + English -an, from Ancient Greek Ἀσαμωναῖος (Asamōnaîos), from Hebrew חַשְׁמוֹנַאי (ḥašmōnay). Unlike "Maccabean" (which narrows to the martial triumphs of Judas and his brothers) or "Herodian" (which evokes the foreign-imposed rule of Herod’s line), "Hasmonean" carries the weight of a dynasty—both priestly and royal—that briefly restored Jewish sovereignty. It is the golden menorah relit in the desecrated Temple, the crumbling walls of Jericho rebuilt by John Hyrcanus, the last coins struck before Rome’s shadow swallowed Judea whole: a name for what endures when the fight is over, and the slow work of governance begins.

adj

Of or relating to the patriotic Jewish family to which the Maccabees belonged; Maccabean.“Herod tried to bolster the legitimacy of his reign by marrying a Hasmonean princess, Mariamne, and planning to drown the last male Hasmonean heir at his Jericho palace.^([Wikipedia])”

noun

A member of the patriotic Jewish family to which the Maccabees belonged.“I begin this chapter showing that Hasmonean policies, especially military campaigns, were supported by the Judaeans, and that the Hasmoneans acted on behalf of what they considered the basic interests and welfare of their Jewish subjects.”