A heroic family, whose patriotism and valor form bright pictures in the Jewish annals.
The name is generally supposed to be derived from the letters M. C. B. I. which were inscribed upon their banners was the initials of the following words in the Hebrew sentence, Mi Camocha, Baalim, Jehovah, meaning, Who is like unto thee among the gods, O Jehovah.
The Hebrew sentence has been appropriated in some of the advanced Degrees as a significant term.
– Source: Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry