John Gaddi

John Gaddi (Hebrew: Johanan or Yohanan) (d. 160–159 BCE) was a son of Mattathias the Hasmonean and brother of Judas Maccabeus. The Hasmonean family lead the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire which ruled Judea in the 160s BCE. John's activities are not as well-documented as his other brothers. He is usually considered to have been the eldest of Mattathias's five sons. He died around 160 or 159 BCE.

Quotes about

• Jonathan sent his brother to act as leader of the multitude and to ask the Nabateans, with whom he was friendly, for permission to store with them the great quantity of baggage that they had brought with them. 36 However, the sons of Jambri made a sortie from Medeba, captured John, and carried off the baggage Some time afterward the news was reported to Jonathan and his brother Simon: “The sons of Jambri are celebrating a great wedding, [...] Remembering how their brother John had been slain, they went up and hid themselves under the cover of a mountain. As they kept watch, they observed a tumultuous procession come into sight carrying a great amount of baggage. [...] The Jews sprang on them from their place of ambush and began to slay them. [...] Having thereby gained revenge for the blood of their brother, the Jews returned to the marshes of the Jordan.
  • 1 Maccabees 9:37-40;42 NCB.