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Orias II high priest, stops paying taxes to Ptolemy III in anticipation of loss in battle. However victorious Ptolemy transfers power to House of Tobias, Jerusalem supporter of Hellenism with roots in Transjordan.
Tobais maintains economic and political influence for a century.
Joseph, son of Tobais, turns Jerusalem into a commercial center, enhancing its Hellenistic character.
Simon the Just serves as last undisputed high priest in Jerusalem. Reputation as defender of Jewish faith. Fortified Jerusalem, attempted to stem flow of Hellenism.
Judean population has probably trebled under the Ptolemies.
Agricultural advance: device for planting seeds during plowing.
Antiochus III restores much of N. Israel, Jordan valley and Transjordan to his rule, only to be defeated (217) at Raffia by Ptolemy
(1. Daniel 11:10-13)
Antiochus III regains Israel from Ptolemies.
Jerusalem suffers from war between Ptolemies and Seleuicids. Antiochus III reduces taxes, plans to refurbish the Temple. He encourages the Jews to maintain ancestral law and to govern autonomously.
Jewish entrepeurnal class emerges. Foreign slaves abound.
Jerusalem high priest Orias III refuses to pay funds from Jerusalem temple to Seleucid IV.
Antiochus Epiphanies extends citizenship to Jews who adopt Greek life style (Hellenists). Some undo their circumcision in order to play in gymnasium games. |