Simon Thassi

Simon the Maccabee

Simon Thassi (died 135) was the second son of Mattathias and the first prince of the Hasmonean dynasty. He reigned from 141 to 135 BCE.

Quotes

• He exhorted them in these words: “You yourselves are fully aware of what I and my brothers and the house of my father have done for the laws and the sanctuary. You also know about the battles we have fought and the hardships we have endured. As a result, all of my brothers have perished for the sake of Israel, and I alone am left. Far be it from me, then, to give priority to my own life in any time of oppression, for I am not of any greater worth than my brothers. Rather, I will avenge my nation and the sanctuary and your wives and children, for all the nations have united to destroy us because of their hatred for us.”
  • 1 Maccabees 13:3-6 NCB.

Quotes about

• Simon was allotted three thousand men for the march on Galilee, while eight thousand men were assigned to Judas for the march on Gilead.

Simon advanced into Galilee and engaged in many battles with the Gentiles, who were crushed before him. He pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais. About three thousand of the Gentiles were slain, and he gathered their spoils. Then he took back with him the Jews who were in Galilee and Arbatta, with their wives and children and all their possessions, and he brought them to Judea with great rejoicing.

• • 1 Maccabees 5:20-23 NCB:

• And he saw that the people were trembling with fear, he went up to Jerusalem. Assembling the people, he exhorted them [...]These words rekindled the spirit of the people and they replied by shouting, “You are our leader in place of Judas and your brother Jonathan. Fight our battles, and we will do whatever you tell us.”
  • 1 Maccabees 13:2-3;7-9.