Simon leads Judea toward independence
Simon was a son of the priest Mattathias. The people chose him to lead them in place of his brothers Judas and Jonathan. He strengthened Jerusalem's walls and secured Joppa as a seaport. His family led the fight to free Judea from the Seleucid kings, foreign rulers based in Syria (1 Maccabees 13; Thomas L. Constable, Notes on Daniel 11:32).
Historical source1 Maccabees 13:34-42open excerpt
Deuterocanonical in Catholic and Orthodox traditions. BibleTimescape presents this text for historical context under its 66-book canon default. About canon labels →
34Simon chose men, and sent to King Demetrius with a request that he grant the country an immunity, because all that Tryphon did was to plunder.
35King Demetrius sent to him according to these words, and answered him, and wrote a letter to him, as follows:
36“King Demetrius to Simon the high priest and friend of kings, and to the elders and nation of the Jews, greetings.
37The golden crown and the palm branch, which you sent, we have received. We are ready to make a steadfast peace with you, yes, and to write to our officers to release you from tribute.
38Whatever things we confirmed to you, they are confirmed. The strongholds, which you have built, let them be your own.
39As for any oversights and faults committed to this day, we forgive them, and the crown tax which you owed us. If there were any other tax collected in Jerusalem, let it be collected no longer.
40If any among you are qualified to be enrolled in our court, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.”
41In the one hundred seventieth year, the yoke of the Gentiles was taken away from Israel.
42The people began to write in their instruments and contracts, “In the first year of Simon, the great high priest and captain and leader of the Jews.”
World English Bible Classic · Public domain. Source text.