Boethus (family)
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The family of Boethos (or Boethus) produced many High Priests of Israel. They may have been related to the Boethusians.
Sacredotal family members
- Simon son of Boethus from Alexandria,[1] was made a high priest about 23 BCE by Herod the Great, in order that Herod's marriage with Boethus's daughter, Mariamne, might not be regarded as a mésalliance (a marriage with a person thought to be unsuitable or of a lower social position).[2] He thus became the great-grandfather of Salome.[3]
- Joazar, son of Simon Boethus, was High Priest twice (4 BCE and before 6 CE).[4][5] He was unpopular and an advocate of compliance with the Census of Quirinius.[6]
- Eleazar, son of Simon Boethus[7] (4-3 BCE)[8] independently attested in the Mandaean Book of John.
- Joshua ben Gamla (64 CE), whose wife Martha, daughter of Simon Boethus,[13] belonged to the house.[14]
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.[15] "The house of Boethus" heads the list of the wicked and sinful priestly families enumerated by Abba.