Simeon the Just, High Priest

There is some uncertainty about his identity. He is either Simon I (310–291 or 300–273 BCE), son of Onias I, and grandson of Jaddua, or Simon II (219–199 BCE), son of Onias II. The line here follows Josephus, who said he is son of Simon I.

Sources

• Nehemiah 12:10-11
• "Simeon the Just", Jewish Encyclopedia
• Wikipedia: Simeon the Just and שמעון הצדיק

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Sirach 50. 1-14

1 It was the High Priest Simon son of Onias who repaired the Temple during his lifetime and in his day fortified the sanctuary.
2 He laid the foundations of double depth, the high buttresses of the Temple precincts.

3 In his day the pool was excavated, a reservoir as huge as the sea.

4 Anxious to save the people from ruin, he fortified the city against siege.

5 How splendid he was with the people thronging round him, when he emerged from the curtained shrine,

6 like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon at the full,

7 like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming against brilliant clouds,

8 like a rose in springtime, like a lily by a spring, like a branch of the incense tree in summer,

9 like fire and incense in the censer, like a massive golden vessel encrusted with every kind of precious stone,

10 like an olive tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress soaring to the clouds; 11 when he took his ceremonial robe and put on his magnificent ornaments, when he went up to the holy altar and filled the sanctuary precincts with his grandeur;

12 when he received the portions from the hands of the priests, himself standing by the altar hearth, crowned with the circle of his brothers, as a cedar of Lebanon is by its foliage, as though surrounded by the trunks of palm trees. 13 When all the sons of Aaron in their glory, with the offerings of the Lord in their hands, stood before the whole assembly of Israel,

14 while he completed the rites at the altars, nobly presenting the offerings to the Almighty, Most High!