4.. JASON, THE HIGH-PRIEST, was the second son of Simon II., and the brother of Onias III. His proper name was Jesus, but Ile had changed it to that of Jason eIno-as 'Icicrova gaurov p.ercov6 itacev, Joseph. Antiq. xii. 5. I). Shortly after the accession of Antiochus IV. Epiphanes, Jason offered to the king 44o talents of yearly tribute if he would invest him with the high-priesthood, to the exclusion of his elder brother. Josephus says that Onias III. was dead on the accession of Jason to the high-priesthood, and that Jason received this post in consequence of his nephew, Onias IV., the son of. Onias III., being as yet an infant (Antiq. xii. 5. r). Jason also offered a further 150 talents for the license to set him up a place of exercise, and for the training up of youth in the fashions of the hea then' (2 Maccab. iv. 7-9 ; Joseph. Antiq. xii. 5. t). This offer was immediately accepted by Antiochus, and Jason built a gymnasium at Jerusalem. The effect of this innovation was to produce a stronger tendency than ever for Greek fashions and heathen ish manners, and they so increased under the super intendence of the wicked Jason that the priests despised the Temple and hastened to be partakers of the unlawful allowance in the place of exercise, after the game of Discus [Discvs] called them forth' (2 Maccab. iv. 14). Some of the Jews even made themselves uncircumcised' that they might appear to be Greeks when they were naked Or Maccab. 15 ; Joseph. Antiq. xii. 5. 1). At last, as was the custom of the cities who used to send embassies to Tyre in honour of Hercules (Curt. iv. 2 ; Polyb. Reliq. xxxi. 20, 12), Jason sent spe cial messengers (Occepotis) from Jerusalem, who were the newly-elected citizens of Antioch C Av rtoxeis 6vras, cf. 2 Maccab. iv. 9), to carry three hundred drachms of silver to the sacrifice of that god. The money, however, contrary to the of the sender, was not used for the sacrifice of IIer cules, but reserved for making triremes, because the bearers of it did not think it proper (a,a. Ta
tcaNxetv) to employ it for the sacrifice (2 Maccab. iv. 19, 20) [HERcuLEs]. In B.C. 172 Jason also gave a festival to Antiochus when he'visited Jeru salem, Jason and the citizens leading him in by torchlight and with great sboutings (2 Maccab. iv. 22). Josephus nientions this visit, but says that it was an expedition against Jerusalem, and that Antiochus, upon obtaining possession of the city, slew many of the Jews, and plundered it of a great deal of money (Antig. xii. 5. 3). The crafty Jason, however, soon found a yet more cunning kinsman, who removed him from his office in much the same manner as he had done with his brother Onias III. Menelaus, the son of Simon (Joseph. An lig. xii. 5. ; Simon's brother, 2 Maccab. iv. 23), govemor of the Temple, having been sent by Jason to Antiochus, knew how through flattery, and by offering three hundred talents more than Jason, to gain the favour of the king. Antiochus immedi ately gave him the office of high-priest, and Jason was forced to flee into the country of the Ammo nites (2 Maccab. iv. 26) [MENELAus]. LI B.C. 170 Antiochus, having undertaken his second expedition into Egypt, there was a rumour that he was dead, and Jason made an attack upon Jerusalem, and committed many atrocities. He was, however, forced again to flee into the country of the Ammo nites (2 Maccab. v. 5-7). At length, being accused before Aretas, kirag of the Arabians, he was com pelled to flee from city to city, pursued of all men, and being held in abomination as an open enemy of his country and countrymen,' and even tually retired into Egypt (2 Maccab. v. 8). He afterwards retired to take refuge among the Lace dxmonians, thinking there to 'find succour by reason of his kindred' '(2 Maccab. v. 9 ; cf. Mac cab. xii. 7. 21; Joseph. Anliy. xii. 4. ro ; Pri deaux, Connection, voi. p. 14o), and perished miserably in a strange land.' His body remained without burial, and he had none to mourn for him' (2 Maccab. v. 9, to).