Joezer, Son of Boethus

JOEZER, SON OF BOETHUS, high priest (23–5 B.C.E.), appointed shortly before *Herod's death, as successor to *Mattathias b. Theophilus. The latter had been deposed for his part in tearing down the golden eagle which Herod had ordered to be placed over the Temple gate. He was a brother of Mariamne, Herod's wife, and of Eleazar, who also served as high priest. Joezer played an important role in pacifying the people when they resisted the attempts of *Quirinius, governor of Syria, to conduct a census in Judea, after the deposition of Archelaus in 6 C.E. Though Joezer ensured the cooperation of the people, Quirinius nevertheless deposed him soon after.

Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2008 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.