Onias, Jason and Menelaus

Simon spread lies about Onias, even though Onias had helped the city, guarded his people, and cared deeply about their laws. The conflict became dangerous, with killings carried out through Simon’s side. Onias appealed to the king, seeking peace and the good of everyone, because he could see the trouble would not stop by itself.

After King Seleucus died, Jason, Onias’s brother, replaced him as high priest by promising large payments to the new king, Antiochus Epiphanes. He also asked for permission to set up a gymnasium and to register Jerusalem’s inhabitants as citizens of Antioch. Once in office, he pushed his people towards Greek customs and away from lawful ways of living.

The writer says this change led to deep unfaithfulness. Priests neglected the altar and hurried to athletic contests instead. Jason even sent sacred envoys to the games at Tyre with silver intended for the sacrifice of Hercules, though the messengers thought that use was wrong, and the money was spent on warships instead.

Three years later, Jason sent Menelaus to the king, but Menelaus offered more money and took the high priesthood for himself. Jason fled, and Menelaus still failed to pay what he had promised. Later, when the king had gone away and left Andronicus as deputy, Menelaus stole gold vessels from the temple and sold some of them. Onias rebuked him and withdrew to sanctuary at Daphne.

Menelaus asked Andronicus to kill Onias. Andronicus tricked him with friendship and oaths, brought him out of the sanctuary, and killed him. Many Jews and many others were angry at this unjust murder. When the king returned and heard the case, he grieved for Onias and punished Andronicus.

Back in Jerusalem, more temple treasures were stolen with Menelaus’s consent. When the people rose up, Lysimachus attacked them, but he was killed near the treasury. Menelaus was then accused, yet he bought influence through Ptolemy and escaped condemnation. The three delegates sent by the senate were sentenced to death instead, and Menelaus stayed in office, growing more wicked.