Boethus (family)

The family of Boethos (or Boethus) produced many High Priests of Israel. They may have been related to the Boethusians.

• Simon, son of Boethus from Alexandria, was made a high priest about 25 BCE by Herod the Great, in order that his marriage with Boethus's daughter, Mariamne, might not be regarded as a mésalliance, a marriage with a person thought to be unsuitable or of a lower social position.[1]

• Joazar, son of Boethus (4 BCE and before 6 CE), unpopular and an advocate of compliance with the Census of Quirinius[2]

• Eleazar, son of Boethus (4-3 BCE)[3] independently attested in the Mandaean Book of John.

• Simon Cantheras, son of Boethus (41-42 CE)[4]

• Elioneus, son of Simon Cantheras[5]

• Joshua ben Gamla (64 CE), whose wife Martha belonged to the house[6]

The hatred of the Pharisees toward this high-priestly family is shown by the words of the tanna Abba Saul ben Batnit, who lived about the year 40 CE at Jerusalem.[7] "The house of Boethus" heads the list of the wicked and sinful priestly families enumerated by Abba.