REL/JSP 302 Second Temple Judaism

High Priests and Kings

Readings questions on Vanderkam 11-32; Schiffman 151-169, 240-247

These readings describes the political history of Judea in the Hellenistic Period. As you read, ask yourself:

1. Why would the high priest, rather than the governor, emerge increasingly as the key leader of the Jews?
2. Why would imperial rulers care who served as the Jewish high priest and how they ran the Jerusalem temple?