Old Testament · Deuterocanonical
The Second Book of Maccabees
The Second Book of Maccabees is the forty-sixth of the 46 books of the Old Testament, and one of its 7 deuterocanonical books: 15 chapters and 558 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it 2 Machabees.
About 2 Maccabees
About 2 Maccabees · Theological history
The second book of Maccabees retells the same persecution independently, condensing a longer work by Jason of Cyrene, and it cares less for campaigns than for meaning: the martyrdoms of the aged Eleazar and of seven brothers with their mother are its heart. A deuterocanonical book of the Catholic canon, it was written to strengthen faith under persecution with the clearest Old Testament teaching on resurrection, and its scenes of prayer and sacrifice for the dead ground the Church's practice of praying for the departed.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 46 of 46, 46 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Deuterocanonical |
| Chapters | 15 |
| Verses | 558, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | 2 Machabees |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 15 chapters · 36 notes |
| Catechism | 5 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 15 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
2 Maccabees 1
36 versesLetters of the Jews of Jerusalem to them that were in Egypt. They give thanks for their delivery from Antiochus: and exhort their brethren to keep the feast of the dedication of the altar, and of the miraculous fire.
2 Maccabees 2
33 versesA continuation of the second letter. Of Jeremias' hiding the ark at the time of the captivity. The author's preface.
2 Maccabees 3
40 versesHeliodorus is sent by king Seleucus to take away the treasures deposited in the temple. He is struck by God, and healed by the prayers of the high priest.
2 Maccabees 4
50 versesOnias has recourse to the king. The ambition and wickedness of Jason and Menelaus. Onias is treacherously murdered.
2 Maccabees 5
27 versesWonderful signs are seen in the air. Jason's wickedness and end. Antiochus takes Jerusalem, and plunders the temple.
2 Maccabees 6
31 versesAntiochus commands the law to be abolished, sets up an idol in the temple, and persecutes the faithful. The martyrdom of Eleazar.
2 Maccabees 7
42 versesThe glorious martyrdom of the seven brethren and their mother.
2 Maccabees 8
36 versesJudas Machabeus gathering an army gains divers victories.
2 Maccabees 9
29 versesThe wretched end, and fruitless repentance of king Antiochus.
2 Maccabees 10
38 versesThe purification of the temple and city. Other exploits of Judas. His victory over Timotheus.
2 Maccabees 11
38 versesLysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.
2 Maccabees 12
46 versesThe Jews are still molested by their neighbours. Judas gains divers victories over them. He orders sacrifice and prayers for the dead.
2 Maccabees 13
26 versesAntiochus and Lysias again invade Judea. Menelaus is put to death. The king's great army is worsted twice. The peace is renewed.
2 Maccabees 14
46 versesDemetrius challenges the kingdom. Alcimus applies to him to be made high priest: Nicanor is sent into Judea: his dealings with Judas: his threats. The history of Razias.
2 Maccabees 15
40 versesJudas encouraged by a vision gains a glorious victory over Nicanor. The conclusion.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, 2 Maccabees is read at the principal Mass on 0 days in the US calendar. The next 3 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| computed | Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 |
| computed | St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious | First Reading | 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31 |
| computed | Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.