The Term ἀντίψυχος as an Expiatory Sacrifice of Martyrs in the Light of The Fourth Book of Maccabees and Other Ancient Extra-Biblical Literature

The Fourth Book of Maccabees (4 Macc) in the description Eleazar's prayer, before he suffered a martyr’s death (6:29) as well martyrdom seven brothers and their mother who for nation (17:21), term ἀντίψυχος (which means “given exchange life”) is used twice. This adjective appears only twice Septuagint (LXX), to be precise, 4 Macc context both passages suggests broader meaning term, translated with reference sacrifice life having propitiatory, expiatory, vicarious voluntary character, even atonement sins Jewish people. In this article, subject expiatory will taken biblical, apocryphal other ancient texts, flow ideas terminology Greco-Roman religion, poetry philosophy. addition, possible translations analyzed, included Greek terminologies, so show connections between idea ​​expiatory described New Testament.