ASSIDEANS, in Greek Άσιδαίοι, is a transcription of the Hebrew chasîdîm, pious ones, a word frequent in the Psalms (xxxvii. 28, lxxix. 2, <fcc,,—E.V. generally saints'). In the first book of Maccabees the name of Assideans appears as the designation of a society of men zealous for the law (1 Mac. ii. 42, according to the correct text as given by Fritzsche), and closely connected with the scribes (1 Mac. vii. 12,13). It is plain from these passages that this society of “pious ones,” who held fast to the law under the guidance of the scribes in opposition to tho “godless” Hellenising party, was properly a religious, not a political organisation. For a time they joined the revolt against the Seleucids. But the direct identification of the Assideans with the Maccabee party in 2 Mac. xiv. 6 is one of the many false statements of that book, and directly contradictory to the trustworthy narrative of 1 Mac. vii., which shows that they were strictly a religious party, who scrupled to oppose the legitimate high priest even when he was on the Greek side, and who withdrew from the war of freedom as soon as the attempt to interfere with the exercise of the Jewish religion was given up. Under the Asmonean rule the Assideans developed into the better known party of the Pharisees, and assumed new relations to the ruling dynasty. It appears, however, from the Psalter of Solomon that the party continued to affect the title of “pious ones.” Most recent inquirers hold that the Essenes as well as the Pharisees sprung from the Assideans (Ewald’s Geschichte, vol. iv.; Wellhausen, Die Pharisäer und die Sadducder, 1874).

by some named Chasideans, from _chasidim_, “merciful, pious.” They were a kind of religious society among the Jews, whose chief and distinguishing character was, to maintain the honour of the temple, and observe punctually the traditions of the elders. They were therefore not only content to pay the usual tribute for the maintenance of the house of God, but charged themselves with farther expense upon that account; for every day, except that of the great expiation, they sacrificed a lamb, in addition to the daily oblation, which was called the sin offering of the Assideans. They practised greater hardships and mortifications than others; and their common oath was, “By the temple;” for which our Saviour reproves the Pharisees, who had learned that oath of them, Matt. xxiii, 16. From this sect the Pharisees sprung. The Assideans are represented as a numerous sect, distinguished by its valour, as well as by its zeal for the law, 1 Mac. ii, 42. A company of them resorted to Mattathias, to fight for the law of God, and the liberties of their country. This sect arose either during the captivity, or soon after the restoration, of the Jews; and were probably in the commencement, and long afterward, a truly pious part of the nation; but they at length became superstitious.