<p>Yehuda HaMaccabee (Judah) was the third son of Matitiyahu, a Kohen who lived in the village of Modiin. In 167 b.c.e. Matitiyahu and his sons started a revolt against the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. After his father's death, Yehuda assumed leadership of the revolt in accordance with his father's wishes. The First Book of Maccabees praises Yehuda's military talent. The name Maccabee is an acronym for Yehuda's battle-cry, the verse (Ex. 15:11) "Mi kamokha ba'elim Hashem - Who among the gods is like You, O G-d?"</p>