ALCIMUS, or Jacimus, or Joachim, High Priest of the Jews, was established in this office in 3842. and died in 3844. before J. C. 156. before the vulgar Æra 160. He was of the race of the Priests, but not of a family of the first rank, nor of any, the ancestors whereof had enjoyed the High-Priesthood1. Besides, he had been polluted with acts of Idolatry, during the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes, 2 Macc. xiv. 3. and obtained this supreme dignity by very irregular methods. He was confirmed in this office by King Antiochus Eupator, after the death of Menelaus. Alcimus did not perform the functions of it till after the death of Judas Maccabæus. He therefore seeing that it was not in his power to enter upon the exercise of his dignity as High-Priest, no sooner had intelligence that Demetrius the Son of Antiochus Epiphanes, had stolen privately from Rome, and was arrived in Syria, but he went to wait on him, and putting himself at the head of the apostate Jews, who were at Antioch, he threw himself at the feet of this new King, and besought him to defend them from the violences of Judas Maccabæus, whom he accused as one that oppressed those who adhered to the King’s Party, and had dispersed and driven them out of their country. At the same time he intreated him to send somebody into Judæa to examine into the mischiefs and disorders committed by Judas Maccabæus, and to chastize his insolence.
In the Year of the World 3843.Demetrius immediately sent Bacchides thither at the head of an army, and confirming Alcimus in his office of High-Priest, he commanded him to accompany Bacchides, and charged them both jointly with the care of carrying on this war. As soon therefore as they came into Judæa, they endeavoured in the first place to surprize Judas and his brethren; and believed that under the pretence of treating with them, they might be able with fair words to persuade them to an interview; and this opportunity they proposed to take of seizing on their persons. But Judas and his brethren discovered or suspected that a snare was laid for them, and so happily avoided it. Others who were not so prudent fell into it, and perished; among the rest, sixty Assideans, and many Scribes and Doctors of the Law, who not imagining that a Priest of Aaron’s race was capable of so deceiving them, were satisfied with his swearing to them that no injury should be offer’d, and went to him; but as soon as he had them in his power, he gave directions that they should be all murdered. After which instance of his perfidiousness no one would ever trust him.
2 Macc. xiv. 3, 4. 1 Macc. xxv. 26, &c. 1 Macc. vii. 19, 20.Bacchides having thus established Alcimus by force in Judæa, marched out of Jerusalem with his army, and incamped at Bezeth, with a design of returning into Syria. From thence he sent and apprehended several of those who had deserted his party, and certain of the people likewise whom he commanded to be killed, and thrown into a great pit. After which having once more committed the whole province to the care of Alcimus, and left troops sufficient to support him, he returned to King Demetrius. Alcimus for some time kept his ground with good success; deserters came over to him in great numbers, with whom he made terrible havock throughout the country. But Judas soon recovered a superiority over him, and restrained Alcimus and his people from continuing their incursions; who thereupon finding himself to be in no condition to resist Judas, returned to Court, with a present to the King of a gold Crown, a palm-tree and golden branches; which in all probability he had taken out of the Temple; and watching his opportunity renewed his complaints against Judas, and represented to the King, that as long as this Man lived his authority would never be well settled in Judæa. All who had the King’s ear were continually insinuating the same thing; and at last so wrought upon him, that he sent a new army against Judas, under the command of Nicanor his old enemy, with particular orders to kill him, disperse his party, and establish Alcimus in the full possession of his dignity.
In the Year of the World 3843. 1 Macc. vii. 1--- 20. In the Year 3842Nicanor, who was very well acquainted with think it convenient to attack him by the way of arms, but proposed a treaty to him; whereupon articles were agreed on. But 1 Macc. vii. 26, &c. 2 Macc. xiv. 26—29.Alcimus, who thought sufficient care was not taken of his interests in these conferences, went to the King, and prejudiced him so strongly against the treaty, that he refused to ratify it, and sent Nicanor positive orders to continue the war till he had killed Judas, or taken him, and sent him prisoner to Antioch. Nicanor therefore was obliged, against his inclination, to begin hostilities again against Judas and his brethren.
Nicanor attempted to secure the person of his enemy at an interview which passed 2 Macc. vii. 27—32.between them at Jerusalem; but Judas perceiving there was treachery intended, withdrew, and re-commenced the war. Nicanor was beaten at Capharsalama; and in a second battle which he fought with Judas he was killed, and his army routed. 1 Macc. ix. 1—22.Demetrius being informed of this, sent Bacchides again, and Alcimus, into Judæa, with a powerful army, composed of the choice of all his troops. Judas had no more than three thousand men; and this little body was much lessened by the terror which had seized them, and the effect of it, desertion, so that he had not above eight hundred remaining with him. With this small force he ventured to attack the enemy, killed abundance of them, and after having performed prodigies of valour, died overwhelmed with numbers.
In the Year of the World 3843.By his death Alcimus and his party were delivered from a formidable enemy. The apostates and male-contents began to raise their heads, and became the strongest. They had the advantage every where throughout the country; Alcimus began to exercise the sacrilegious offices of the High-Priesthood, which he had purchased with a sum of money. But having undertaken to pull down the wall of the inner court, which had been built formerly by the Prophets2, that probably 1 Macc. vii. 9. ix. 54.which separated the altar of burnt-offerings from the Priest’s court, God punished him for it, by striking him with a palsy, whereof he died, after having enjoyed the Pontificate three or four years; in the year of the World 3844. See our Dissertation on the High-Priests of the Hebrews, prefixed to our Comment on the book of Judith.
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