Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

JASON

(Gk. Iásōn)

1. Son of a certain Eleazar whom Judas Maccabeus sent with Eupolemus in 161 b.c.e. to seek a treaty with Rome (1 Macc. 8:17).

2. The father of Antipater, sent by Jonathan as an ambassador to Rome in 144 b.c.e. (1 Macc. 12:16).

3. A Cyrenian historian who composed a five-volume work on the Maccabean revolt which forms the basis for 2 Maccabees. Completed sometime after 160 b.c.e., Jason’s work records battles against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and his son Antiochus V Eupator as well as the divine interventions that enabled the faithful Jews to overcome all odds (2 Macc. 2:19-23).

Benjamin C. Chapman

4. High priest from 174-171 b.c.e. who was responsible for establishing certain Hellenistic “reforms” in Jerusalem. Through bribery he got Antiochus IV Epiphanes to appoint him high priest shortly after 175. He also received permission to establish a gymnasium and an educational institution in Jerusalem and to enroll “the people of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch” (2 Macc. 4:9). This led the author of 2 Maccabees to blame Jason for the excessive hellenization of Jerusalem (2 Macc. 4:11-17). Jason also sent envoys to the Olympic games at Tyre with money for sacrifices to Hercules. In 171 he lost the high priesthood to Menelaus. Later, acting upon a rumor that Antiochus IV had died, Jason invaded Jerusalem and attempted to drive Menelaus out of power (2 Macc. 5:5-6). Menelaus was rescued by Antiochus upon his return from an unsuccessful Egyptian campaign. Jason became an exile and died in Egypt.

John Kampen

5. A Jewish Christian who entertained and aided Paul and Silas at Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9). He was among those arrested because of their association with the missionaries and later released.

6. A companion and “relative” of Paul who sent greetings to the church at Rome (Rom. 16:21). He may be the same as 5 above.

Benjamin C. Chapman

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

JASON

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)