Footnote

c Their fraternity descended from that of the Hasidim, a group that arose centuries earlier to combat Greek influence. The Hasidim took their name from the Hebrew word chasi·dhimʹ, meaning “loyal ones” or “pious ones.” Perhaps they felt that scriptures mentioning Jehovah’s “loyal ones” applied to them in some special way. (Psalm 50:5) They, and the Pharisees after them, were fanatic, self-appointed defenders of the letter of the Law.