gically positioned Judea as a potential asset to both contenders. Jonathan
exploited the situation, eventually siding with Balas, who appointed him
high priest and friend of the king. Alexander’s final victory over Demetrius
in 152 or 151 further strengthened Jonathan’s authority as a Seleucid ap-
pointee, securing him immunity from domestic rivals. Subsequent strug-
gles for the Seleucid throne over the next decade replayed this scenario. For
Jonathan, the downfall of one monarch merely meant the prospect of new
honors from the next. Local “renegades” occasionally attempted to stir up
trouble for him, but they could be dealt with by bribery. In short, Jonathan
maintained his legitimacy through exactly the same methods employed by
his high-priestly predecessors — Jason, Menelaus, and Alcimus. Jonathan is
often thought to be the “Wicked Priest” referred to in the biblical commen-
taries(pesharim)from Qumran. The “wickedness” in question, however,
has to do with his opposition to the sectarian leader known as the Teacher
of Righteousness, not with his political machinations.
In 143, Jonathan fell victim to the game of kings in which he had em-
broiled himself. His brother Simon took up his mantle by rejoining the
fray, obtaining the high priesthood from Demetrius II, son of the monarch
whom Judas had fought against. Like other Seleucids before him, Deme-
trius sweetened the deal with numerous concessions, releasing Judea from
tribute, acknowledging Simon’s possession of all Maccabean strongholds,
and inviting Jewish troops to enroll in the royal forces. For these achieve-
ments, Simon was credited with the “removal of the yoke of the Gentiles”
(1 Macc. 13:41). Notably though, Demetrius’s concessions did not cede con-
trol over the Akra. But by June of 141, Simon had starved its inhabitants
into submission, thus bringing all of Jerusalem under his power. The last
memorial of Antiochus IV’s infamy had been swept away.
The following year, a great assembly of the Jewish people commemo-
rated Simon, who had “fought off the enemies of Israel and established its
freedom” (1 Macc. 14:26). In recognition of these achievements, a resolu-
tion was passed that Simon... should be their leader and high priest indefinitely (until a trustwor-
thy prophet should arise), and that he should be their general, and that
he should be given custodianship of the sanctuary and that he should
appoint men over its functions and over the countryside and over the
weapons and over the fortresses, and that he should be obeyed by all,
and that all contracts in the country should be written in his name, and
that he should wear purple and gold. And it shall be forbidden for any-
44chris seeman and adam kolman marshakEERDMANS -- Early Judaism (Collins and Harlow) final text
Tuesday, October 09, 2012 12:03:51 PM