Boethus (family)

The family of Boethos (or Boethus) produced many High Priests of Israel. They may have been related to the Boethusians.

Sacredotal family members


  • Joazar, son of Simon Boethus, was High Priest twice (4 BCE and before 6 CE). He was unpopular and an advocate of compliance with the Census of Quirinius.[4]


  • Eleazar, son of Simon Boethus (4-3 BCE)[5].



  • Elioneus, son of Simon Cantheras.[7]


Public opinion

The hatred of the Pharisees toward this high-priestly family is shown by the words of the tanna Abba Saul ben Batnit, who lived about the year 40 CE at Jerusalem.[9] "The house of Boethus" heads the list of the wicked and sinful priestly families enumerated by Abba.

References

  1. ↑ Shmuel Safrai; M. Stern (1988). The Jewish People in the First Century, Volume Two: Historical Geography, Political History, Social, Cultural and Religious Life and Institutions. Uitgeverij Van Gorcum. pp. 605–. ISBN 978-90-232-1436-6.
  2. ↑ Josephus, "Antiquitates", 15:9§3; 19:6§2.
  3. ↑ Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus, W. Whiston translation at Project Gutenberg
  4. ↑ Josephus, "Antiquitates", 18:1§1.
  5. ↑ Josephus, "Antiquitates", 17:13§1
  6. ↑ Josephus, "Antiquitates", 19:6§2.
  7. ↑ Josephus, "Antiquitates", 19:8§1.
  8. ↑ Yevamot 6:4
  9. ↑ Pesachim 57a; Tosefta, Menachot 12:23