Boethus (family)

The family of Boethos (or Boethus) produced many High Priests of Israel. They may have been related to the Boethusians.


 * Simon, son of Boethus from Alexandria, was made a high priest about 25 BCE by Herod the Great, in order that his marriage with Boethus's daughter, Mariamne, might not be regarded as a mésalliance, a marriage with a person thought to be unsuitable or of a lower social position.


 * Joazar, son of Boethus (4 BCE and before 6 CE), unpopular and an advocate of compliance with the Census of Quirinius


 * Eleazar, son of Boethus (4-3 BCE) independently attested in the Mandaean Book of John.


 * Simon Cantheras, son of Boethus (41-42 CE)


 * Elioneus, son of Simon Cantheras


 * Joshua ben Gamla (64 CE), whose wife Martha belonged to the house

The hatred of the Pharisees toward this high-priestly family is shown by the words of the tanna Abba Saul ben Batnit, who lived about the year 40 CE at Jerusalem. "The house of Boethus" heads the list of the wicked and sinful priestly families enumerated by Abba.