Hanameel the Egyptian
Encyclopedia
Hanameel the Egyptian was a Jewish High priest
in the 1st century BCE. He was appointed by Herod
to fill the office of high priest made vacant by the ignominious death of Antigonus (37 BCE). Hanameel was an Egyptian according to the Mishnah (Parah 3:5), and a Babylonian according to Josephus ("Ant." xv. 2, § 4). Though of priestly descent, he was not of the family of the high priests.
But Hanameel's incumbency was of short duration. Prudence compelled Herod to remove him, and to fill his place with the Hasmonean Aristobulus
(35 BCE). The youthful Hasmonean, however, was too popular with the patriotic party; though he was a brother of Mariamne, Herod's beloved wife, he was treacherously drowned at Herod's instigation (35 BCE), and Hanameel was restored to the high position. How long he continued in office historians do not state; but it could not have been for many years, since after the execution of Mariamne (29 BCE) Herod remarried, and appointed his second father-in-law, Simon ben Boethus
, to the high-priesthood, removing Joshua ben Fabi. Hanameel is credited with having prepared one of the total of seven "red heifers" (see Number 19) which were provided in all the centuries from Ezra's restoration to the final dispersion of the Jews (Parah 3:5).
Kohen Gadol
The High Priest was the chief religious official of Israelite religion and of classical Judaism from the rise of the Israelite nation until the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem...
in the 1st century BCE. He was appointed by Herod
Herod the Great
Herod , also known as Herod the Great , was a Roman client king of Judea. His epithet of "the Great" is widely disputed as he is described as "a madman who murdered his own family and a great many rabbis." He is also known for his colossal building projects in Jerusalem and elsewhere, including his...
to fill the office of high priest made vacant by the ignominious death of Antigonus (37 BCE). Hanameel was an Egyptian according to the Mishnah (Parah 3:5), and a Babylonian according to Josephus ("Ant." xv. 2, § 4). Though of priestly descent, he was not of the family of the high priests.
But Hanameel's incumbency was of short duration. Prudence compelled Herod to remove him, and to fill his place with the Hasmonean Aristobulus
Aristobulus III of Judea
Aristobulus III was the last scion of the Hasmonean royal house, brother of Herod the Great's wife Mariamne, and paternal grandson of Aristobulus II. He was a favorite of the people on account of his noble descent and handsome presence, and thus became an object of fear to Herod, who at first...
(35 BCE). The youthful Hasmonean, however, was too popular with the patriotic party; though he was a brother of Mariamne, Herod's beloved wife, he was treacherously drowned at Herod's instigation (35 BCE), and Hanameel was restored to the high position. How long he continued in office historians do not state; but it could not have been for many years, since after the execution of Mariamne (29 BCE) Herod remarried, and appointed his second father-in-law, Simon ben Boethus
Boethusians
The Boethusians were a Jewish sect closely related to, if not a development of, the Sadducees.-Origins according to the Talmud:The post-Talmudic work Avot de-Rabbi Natan gives the following origin of the schism between Sadducees and Boethusians: Antigonus of Sokho having taught the maxim, "Be not...
, to the high-priesthood, removing Joshua ben Fabi. Hanameel is credited with having prepared one of the total of seven "red heifers" (see Number 19) which were provided in all the centuries from Ezra's restoration to the final dispersion of the Jews (Parah 3:5).