Onias (II)

II. ONIAS, Son of Simon the Just, High Priest of the Jews, did not immediately succeed his Father, who died in the Year of the World 3711, because of his Minority. Eleazar his Uncle by the Father’s Side succeeded Simon the Just, and held the High-priesthood for near thirty Years. He died in the Year of the World 3744, and had for his Successor, not Onias II. his Nephew, who was lawful Heir to this Dignity, but Manasseh his Great Uncle, who was established in 3745, and died in 3771. Then Onias II. at last enjoyed the High-priesthood, and held it from the Year of the World 3771, to 3785, before Christ 215, before the Vulgar Æra 219. Josephus says¹, that this Onias was a Man of a mean Spirit, and so sordidly covetous, that he had like to have lost his Country by it. For the High Priests his Predecessors having been us’d to pay out of their own Money the Tribute that the Country was to pay to the King of Egypt, and which was but twenty Talents, that is, about six thousand eight hundred and-forty four Pounds of our Money, taking the Talent at three hundred forty-two Pounds three Shillings and nine Pence apiece; he refus’d to continue this Custom.

Ptolemy Euergetes King of Egypt incens’d against Onias, sent a Messenger to him with Threats, that if he did not speedily pay what he ow’d to the King’s Treasury, he would give up Judea to his Soldiers, and send thither other Inhabitants instead of the Jews. The People were terrified at these Threats; but the Avarice of the High Priest still made him insensible. Josephus Nephew of Onias, and Son of one Tobias, and of a Sister of the High Priests, obtained Leave of him to go in his Name, and in the Name of the People, to make their Remonstrances to the King of Egypt. Josephus coming to Court, knew so well how to work upon the Tempers of the King and the Queen, that he obtained from them all he desired. He took to farm the King’s Tributes in Palestine and Syria, and gave as much again as any other offer’d.

Onias II. had for Successor Simon II. his Son, raised to the High Priesthood in 3785. There are some that think that ‘tis Onias II. whose Commendation is given by Jesus the Son of Sirach, and whom he calls Simon in the first Chapter of his Book. They will also have it to be him, to whom the Lacedemonians writ the Letter mentioned by Josephus in Book xii. c. 5. of his Antiquities. But others with more Reason refer it to Onias III. of whom we shall now speak.

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