IV. SIMON, of the Tribe of Benjamin, who had the Superintendence of the Temple1. He attempted to perform some unjust Enterprize in the City; and not being able to succeed in it, because of the Opposition of the High-priest Onias III; he apply’d himself to Apollonius, Son of Thraseas, at that Time Governour of Celo-syria, and told him there were great Riches in the Temple of Jerusalem, which might easily be put into the Hands of Seleucus the King of Syria. He prevail’d so far, as that the King sent Heliodorus to Jerusalem, to fetch away their Treasures. But God did not suffer him to succeed. See HELIODORUS. Simon seeing his wicked Design baffled,2 publish’d every-where, that it was Onias himself who had discover’d to the King the Treasures of the Temple; and the Friends of the High-priest opposing these Calumnies, the Dispute grew up to such a Height between the two Parties, that even Murders were committed by the Partisans of Simon, who were supported by Apollonius Governor of Phenicia. This obliged Onias the High-priest to take a Journey to Antioch, to vindicate himself to King Seleucus: For he found, that nothing but the Royal Authority itself was sufficient to prevail with Simon, to desist from his foolish and unjust Enterprizes.
While this Matter was in Agitation, King Seleucus dies,3 and Antiochus Epiphanes succeeding him, Jason the Brother of Onias III. bought the High-priesthood of this Prince; and some Years after he sent Menelaus, Brother to Simon now mention’d, to carry to Antioch some of the Money to the King. But Menelaus took this Opportunity to buy the High-priesthood for himself, and to cheat Jason of his Money and Bargain4. This Circumstance gives Reason to suspect, that neither Simon nor his Brother Menelaus could be of the Tribe of Benjamin, since ‘tis known this Tribe could have nothing to do with the Priesthood; and consequently Simon could not regularly be Governor or Captain of the Temple, and much less could Menelaus be High-priest. But they might however pretend to be of the sacerdotal Line, tho’ in effect they were not. Or else perhaps the Word Benjamin is a Corruption of the Text. The Scripture does not acquaint us what became of Simon.
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Footnotes
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2 Macc. iii. 4, 5. In the Year of the World 3828, before Christ 172, before the vulgar Era 176. ↩
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2 Macc. iv. 1, 2, 3. In the same Year. ↩
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2 Macc. iv. 7, 8, 9. In the Year of the World 3829, before Christ 171, before the vulgar Era 175. ↩
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2 Macc. iv. 23, 24, &c. In the Year of the World 3832, before Christ 168, before the vulgar Era 172. ↩