II. SIMON, High-priest of the Jews, Son of Onias II. He was advanced to the High-priesthood in the Year of the World 3785, and died in the Year 3805, before Christ 195, before the vulgar Era 199. ‘Twas in his Time, and in the Year of the World 3787, that Ptolemy Philopator came to Jerusalem, and attempted to penetrate into the inward Parts of the Temple, where none but the High-priest alone should enter. But Simon, with the other Priests, oppos’d him, and God struck the King of Egypt, and would not suffer him to execute his Design. See the third Book of the Maccabees. We think it to be of this Simon the High-priest, that the Author of the Book of Ecclesiasticus gives the following Ecclus. i. 1, 2, 3.Encomium. Simon the High-priest the Son of Onias, who in his Life repaired the House again, and in his Days fortified the Temple. And by him was built from the Foundation the double Height, the high Fortress of the Wall about the Temple. In his Days the Cistern to receive Water, being in Compass as the Sea, was covered with Plates of Brass. He took Care of the Temple that it should not fall, and fortified the City against besieging. How was he honoured in the midst of the People, in his coming out of the Sanctuary! He was as the Morning Star in the midst of a Cloud, and as the Moon at the Full. As the Sun shining upon the Temple of the most High, and as the Rain-bow giving Light in the bright Clouds, &c.
The Author goes on with his Character, representing the High-priest Simon in all the Splendor of his Dignity, adorn’d in his priestly Habit, surrounded by his Priests, and offering a solemn Sacrifice of Thanksgiving. ‘Tis thought that Jesus the Son of Sirach intended to describe the Sacrifice that the High-priest Simon II. offer’d in the Presence of Ptolemy Philopator, as a Thanksgiving for the Victory he had then obtain’d over Antiochus the Great, near Raphia. Simon II. had for Successor Onias III.