Jason (High Priest)
Jason (
Jason's tenure came during a turbulent period, and ancient sources such as the book of 2 Maccabees are hostile to him as a moderate Hellenizer, even if he was not as extreme as his successor. The new king of the Seleucid Empire which ruled Judea at the time, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, apparently started to auction off the position of High Priest to the highest bidder: whoever offered the most yearly tribute from the Temple in Jerusalem to the Seleucid government in Antioch could have it. It is unknown to what extent such corruption was simply an accusation by Jason's enemies and how much was real. Regardless, Jason apparently outbid his brother for the position in 175 BCE, and a newcomer named Menelaus outbid Jason in 171 BCE, resulting in his dismissal from the position. He later attempted to forcibly retake his old position in 168 BCE, but failed, and was forced into exile.
Biography
During his reign, Jason was given permission to start a Greek-style polis (or city) and a gymnasium at or near Jerusalem, called Antioch or Antiochia. Residents there would presumably raise their children in the style of the Greeks and learn the Greek language; such Greek settlements were scattered across the Empire. Jason was given authority to choose which citizens would be eligible and control the politics of such a suburb. Regardless, these changes did not immediately appear to rouse any particular complaint from the majority of the citizenry in Jerusalem, and Jason presumably he still kept the basic Jewish laws and tenets.[2][3] By Hellenistic norms, this would have established Jason as a statesman and benefactor of Jerusalem.[4] Other than this, during his term he apparently sent representatives to a duplication of the Olympian games celebrated in the presence of Antiochus IV at Tyre, and presented 300 drachmas for a sacrifice to Heracles, to whom the games were dedicated.[5]
Jason's time as High Priest was brought to an abrupt end in 171 BCE when he sent Menelaus, the brother of Simon the Benjamite, to deliver money to Antiochus IV at the Seleucid capital Antioch. Menelaus took this opportunity to "outbid" Jason for the priesthood, resulting in Antiochus confirming Menelaus as the High Priest. Still, Menelaus's rule was clearly unsteady, as Jason's supporters had been appointed to key leadership positions during his time.[6][7]
In 170–168 BCE, the
Jason fled after the Seleucids attacked Jerusalem, and traveled from place to place. According to 2 Maccabees, he first went to the Ammonites of
Later assessment
Ancient Jewish sources are hostile to Jason, calling him impious. According to
See also
References
- ^ Jewish Antiquities Book 12, chapter 5, §239
- ^ Tcherikover 1959, p. 170–190
- ^ Hengel 1973, p. 277
- ^ ISBN 9780802870834.
- ^ Emil G. Hirsch; Isaac Broydé; Richard Gottheil; Samuel Krauss (1901–1906). "Jason (Jeshua or Jesus)". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
- ^ Grabbe 2010, p. 11–16
- ^ Cohen 1988, p. 46–53
- ^ Hengel 1973 p. 280–281; 286–297.
- ^ Rappaport, Uriel (2007). "Jason". In Skolnik, Fred (ed.). Encyclopaedia Judaica. Vol. 11 (Second ed.). Macmillan Reference USA.
- ^ 2 Maccabees 5:5–10
Bibliography
- ISBN 978-0-664-23904-6.
- ISBN 9780567552488.
- ISBN 0334007887.