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Jason
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Jason

Hebrew priest
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Also known as: Joshua
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Article History
Quick Facts
Hebrew:
Joshua
Flourished:
2nd century bce
Also Known As:
Joshua
Flourished:
c.200 BCE - 101 BCE
See all related content

Jason (flourished 2nd century bce) was a Hellenistic Jewish high priest (175–172 bce) in Jerusalem under the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes. By promising greater tribute to Antiochus, he obtained the high priesthood and, scorning the traditional Jewish monotheism of the Pharasaic party, promoted Greek culture and religion throughout Judaea in Palestine. When Antiochus retired to Jerusalem after his expulsion from Egypt by the Romans and began a violent purge of all Judaic practices, Jason was displaced by Menelaus, another Hellenizing Jew. After an unsuccessful attempt to regain the high priesthood by capturing Jerusalem (c. 170 bce), Jason was forced to flee to Asia Minor.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.