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longed to them was a hundred and seven years. Some of these were the political governors
of the people under the reign of Herod, and under the reign of Archelaus his son, although,
after their death, the government became an aristocracy, and the high priests were intrusted
with a dominion over the nation. And thus much may suffice to be said concerning our high
priests." (Book 20, Chapter 10).

Significant change in the long-established Temple system was wrought in the year 167
BCE -- when the Hellenistic ruler Antiochus (or Antiochus Eupator -- as listed above) assumed
control of the Temple. It was in this year (167 BCE) that Antiochus altered the prescribed sched-
ule for offering sacrifices. Essentially, Antiochus is indicated to have ended the Temple's adher-
ence to Mosaic law. The fact that Antiochus IV changed the Jewish law (and abolished Jewish
observance of the religious calendar) is alluded to in certain passages of the Bible (specifically
the Book of Daniel).

Some of the specific actions of Antiochus are rather well related in the Apocryphal Books
of Maccabes, and also in the writings of Josephus. 1 Macc. 1:45 confirms that the royal policy [of
Antiochus] involved profaning sabbaths and festivals...2 Macc. 6:6 says: "People could neither
keep the sabbath, nor observe the festivals of their ancestors" ( Calendars in the Dead Sea
Scrolls: Measuring Time, Vanderkam, p. 114).

Thus, it was about the year 167 BCE when a significant change of the Temple system oc-
curred. It was at this time that Hellenistic legislation replaced the formerly practiced Mosaic
laws). It is somewhat evident that the former custom of Sabbath observance was abolished under
Antiochus IV. The ultimate Jewish adoption of a different Sabbath cycle (not lunar-based) then
seems to have either directly or indirectly occurred as a result of changes in the Temple system
(enacted by Antiochus IV). Whatever change Antiochus made pertaining to the Sabbath does not
appear to have been in effect for very long, as it appears that his administration of the Temple was
rather short (a time-span of only 3 years).

The actions of Antiochus did, however, bring about certain long-lasting changes in the es-
tablished Temple order. Very significantly, Antiochus is indicated to have suspended, or made an
end-of, the lineage of the Israelite high-priesthood. This continuous order of high-priests (the line
of Zadok) is indicated to have remained unbroken for a long number of centuries. It is then highly
significant that this important lineage was abruptly ended by Antiochus.

Soon after Antiochus assumed administration of the Temple his rule was shaken-off by
Jewish mercenaries (headed by the Maccabes). Thus, the Jews again rather quickly regained con-
trol of the Temple (in only about 3 years of time). Upon the regaining of Temple under Jewish con-
trol, it is significant that the previous order of the high-priests was not reinstated. Instead, this
very important office was taken-over by the lineage of the family of the Maccabes. Essentially, the
previous order of the high-priesthood ended under Antiochus -- and a new order of high-priests
was thereafter enrolled.

Thus, following the time of Antiochus, there grew a widespread mistrust of the Temple
system among the Jews. As cited above, foreign rule soon again intervened to decide who would

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