I. SIMON, surnamed the Just, High-priest of the Jews, promoted to this Dignity in the Year of the World 3702, or 3703, and died in 3711, before Christ 289, before the vulgar Era 293. He was Son Joseph. Antiq. l. 12. c. 2.and Successor of Onias I. He left a Son behind him, call’d Onias II. who being but a Child at the Death of his Father, and not in a Capacity of exercising the sovereign Priesthood, it was committed to Eleazar, his Uncle by the Father’s Side, who dying, left it to his great Uncle Manasseh, the Brother of Jaddus, to whom Onias II. Son of Simon the Just succeeded, in the Year of the World 3771. Several refer to Simon the Just the Character that Jesus the Son of Sirach makes of Simon Son of Ecclus. l. 1, 2, &c.Onias: But we rather think it should be referr’d to Simon II. Son of Onias II. of whom we shall speak in the next Article. We do not reject the Opinion of those who think, that Simon the Just is the same as old Simeon, who received Jesus Christ in the Temple.
The Jews tell us very extraordinary Things of this High-priest. It is said in the Talmud of Jerusalem,1 that during the whole Time of his Pontificate, the Goat Azazel, or the Scape-goat, was already all fall’n to Pieces, before he could fall half way the Height of the Precipice, down which he was thrown. But after the Death of this great Man, the Goat made his escape into the Desart, where he was caught, and eaten by the Saracens; which was look’d upon as a great Misfortune. And moreover, during his whole Life, when upon the Day of solemn Expiation the High-priest drew Lots for the two Goats, one of which was to be sacrificed to God, and the other set at Liberty; or Levit. xvi. 7, 8, 9, &c.thrown down a Precipice in the Desart, the Lot which he drew with his Right-hand, had always upon it the Inscription, Pray to God; and those which he drew with his Left-hand were always for the Azazel, or Scape-goat; whereas after his Death this was varied, and the High-priest sometimes drew the Lot for the Azazel with his Right-hand: And this was look’d upon as an evil Omen.
Isai. i. 18.Besides, the Scarlet Ribbon2 which was ty’d to the Head of the Goat Azazel, appointed to be precipitated, always appear’d White the whole Time of the Pontificate of Simon the Just; which was look’d upon as a certain Proof of the Remission of the Sins of the People, which was obtained by the Prayers of the High-priest according to those Words of Isaiah; Though your Sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as Snow. But after the Death of Simon, this was also varied, and the scarlet Ribbon appear’d sometimes red, and sometimes white. While he lived, the western Lamp of the golden Candlestick was always burning; but after his Death it sometimes went out. While he continued alive, the Fire of the Altar burn’d clear; and after a Billet or two were put on it in the Morning, there was no Occasion of putting on any more Wood the whole Day; but when he was dead, the Fire languish’d, and required a continual Supply to keep it in.
While he lived, the Blessing of God multiply’d the two Loaves of First-fruits, which were offer’d on the Day of Pentecost, Lev. xxiii. 15, 21.and the twelve Loaves of Shewbread which were set upon the golden Altar in the Sanctum, and which was left there for the whole Week till the Sabbath following, when others were put there in their Lev. xxiv. 5, 9.stead. These Loaves, I say, were multiply’d in such a manner under the Pontificate of Simon the Just, that when they were distributed to all the Priests that waited in the Temple, as a kind of Blessing, every one had, at least, one as big as an Olive, which was enough for their Refreshment, and some had to spare. But when he was dead, this Blessing ceased, and the Shares that were distributed to the Priests were so small, that the more modest return’d their Thanks, and the others still held out their Hands. This is what the Hebrews inform us concerning Simon the Just.
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