ALCIMUS (the Greek for ‘valiant,’ suggested by the Hebrew Eliakim , ‘God sets up’) was son or nephew of Jose ben-Joeser, pupil to Antigonus of Socho (b.c. 190). Antiochus V. (Eupator), king of Syria, appointed him high priest (b.c. 162). Either because he was not of high priestly family (though of the stock of Aaron, 1Ma 7:14 ), or, more probably, from his Hellenizing tendencies, his appointment was stoutly opposed by Judas Maccabæus, and received hut scanty recognition at Jerusalem. Demetrius Soter, cousin and successor to Antiochus, in response to Alcimus’s solicitations, reinstated him by the means of Nicanor, the Syrian general. He now received, moreover, considerable local support from the Hellenizing party. It was not, however, till the defeat and death of Judas at Elasa that he was in a position to commence his Hellenizing measures, and shortly afterwards he died of paralysis (b.c. 160).
A. W. Streane.
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