Jaddua

JADDUA, or Jaddus, High-Priest of the Jews in the time of Alexander the Joseph. Antiq. l. ii. c. 8.Great¹. Josephus relates, that Alexander being imployed in the siege of Tyre, sent to demand succours and provisions of the High-Priest Jaddus, and required him to acknowledge him, and pay the same obedience to him, as he had paid before to the Persians. Jaddus excused himself on the score of the fidelity, which he owed to Darius, whom he had always owned as his Sovereign. Alexander was incensed at his answer, but dissembled his resentment, in order to take his revenge after the reduction of Tyre. Then he marched against Jerusalem, and the High-Priest perceiving that he was not strong enough to resist him, had recourse to God by Sacrifices, Fastings, and publick Prayers, which he appointed to be observed by all the people. The Lord appeared to him in the night, and encouraged him, telling him that he had nothing to do but to open the city-gates to Alexander, to go and meet him with all the ornaments of his Dignity, to direct the Priests and People to appear in white habits, and covered as usual upon some festival, whereby he would soften the King’s heart, and incline him to be favourable to the Jews.

Jaddus the next day gave an account to the people of the vision which he had seen, and disposed them to receive Alexander. When this Prince was come pretty near the city, Jaddus at the head of his Priests and People went out of Jerusalem, and presented himself before Alexander. Every one expected that the King would load the High-Priest with reproaches, and make the inhabitants feel the effects of his indignation. But it happened quite otherwise. Alexander threw himself at the High -Priest’s feet, as if in his person he had seen some God; and as Parmenio asked him the reason of such an extraordinary behaviour, he answered, that while he was deliberating whether he should undertake his expedition into Asia, God had appeared to him in the form of this High-Priest, and exhorted him to fear nothing, but boldly to pursue his enterprize, telling him that he would give him all manner of assistance: that the honour which he seemed to shew the High-Priest, he paid to God himself, whose image he was. After this, he made his entry into the city, offered Sacrifices to God in his Temple, granted the Jews both in Palestine, and beyond the Euphrates, the privilege of governing themselves according to their own Laws, and an exemption from tribute every seventh year, wherein the Jews did not cultivate their lands, and had no harvest. See the Article of ALEXANDER the Great. There are some Criticks, who Rab. Azarias in Meor enaim. 3 par. & alii quidam.believe, that what Josephus relates of Alexander and Jaddus, is mere fable.

Jaddus was succeeded by Onias I. his son. He had a brother, whose name was Manasseh, who having married Nicaulis, the daughter of Sanballat the Cuthæan or Samaritan, was obliged to retire to his father-in-law, and obtained permission of Alexander to build a Temple, on Mount Gerizim, whereof he was the first See Joseph. Antiq. l. ii. c. 8. p. 383. Antiq. l. 8. c. 3. p. 277.High-Priest.

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