John Hyrcanus

John was the son of Simon Thassi, who put him in command of the army (1 Maccabees 13:53). He escaped the plot in which his father was killed and succeeded him as high priest. 1 Maccabees ends by referring the reader to the chronicles of his high priesthood, which have not survived (1 Maccabees 16:19–24).

The rest is known only from Josephus, writing some two centuries later. Early in his rule Antiochus VII besieged him in Jerusalem and made terms (Josephus, Antiquities 13.236–248). Later he took Shechem and Mount Gerizim and subdued the Idumeans, who were allowed to remain if they were circumcised and kept the Jewish law (Josephus, Antiquities 13.254–258). He left the Pharisees, urged on by a Sadducee friend, after a guest at his table challenged his right to the high priesthood (Josephus, Antiquities 13.288–298). Josephus gives him thirty-one years of rule and says that he was thought to have the gift of prophecy (Josephus, Antiquities 13.299–300). See Judea Gains Independence under the Hasmoneans.