Simon II (High Priest)

Simon II depicted from Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)

Simon II (219–199 or 196 BCE ) was the High Priest of Israel during the Second Temple period. He was the son of Onias II. Some writers identify him with Simeon the Just.

Simon is praised at length by Joshua ben Sirah, in chapter 50 of the Book of Sirach in a hymn of Hebrew parallel verse:

The leader of his brothers and the pride of his people was the high priest, Simon son of Onias, who in his life repaired the house, and in his time fortified the temple. He laid the foundations for the high double walls, the high retaining walls for the temple enclosure. In his days a water cistern was dug, a reservoir like the sea in circumference. He considered how to save his people from ruin, and fortified the city against siege. How glorious he was, surrounded by the people, as he came out of the house of the curtain. Like the morning star upon the clouds, like the full moon at the festal season, like the sun shining on the temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming in splendid clouds..." (Book of Sirach 50:1-7, New Revised Standard Version)

The chapter goes on to describe a festival led by the High Priest Simon II and the celebrations of the people of Jerusalem.

Ben Sirach was a contemporary of Simon II, and this description of him comes after a long versified walk through the traditions and revered ancestors of the Jewish people (Sirach 44-49). He is the last leader or ancestor mentioned and was highly revered by Ben Sirach.

Simon is also mentioned in 3 Maccabees, chapter 2.

References

• Josephus ("Antiquities") (xii. 4, § 10)