The family of Boethos (or Boethus) produced many High Priests of Israel. They may have been related to the Boethusians.
Sacredotal family members
Simon son of Boethus from Alexandria,Shmuel Safrai; M. Stern (1988). The Jewish People in the First Century, Volume Two: Historical Geography, Political History, Social, Cultural and Religious Life and Institutions. Uitgeverij Van Gorcum. pp. 605–. ISBN 978-90-232-1436-6. was made a high priest about 23 BCE by Herod the Great, in order that Herod's 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).Josephus, "Antiquitates", 15:9§3; 19:6§2. He thus became the great-grandfather of Salome.Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus, W. Whiston translation at Project Gutenberg
Joazar, son of Simon Boethus, was High Priest twice (4 BCE and before 6 CE). He was unpopular and an advocate of compliance with the Census of Quirinius.Josephus, "Antiquitates", 18:1§1.
Eleazar, son of Simon Boethus (4-3 BCE)Josephus, "Antiquitates", 17:13§1.
Simon Cantheras, son of Simon Boethus. (41-42 CE)Josephus, "Antiquitates", 19:6§2.
Elioneus, son of Simon Cantheras.Josephus, "Antiquitates", 19:8§1.
Joshua ben Gamla (64 CE), whose wife Martha, daughter of Simon Boethus, belonged to the house.Yevamot 6:4
Public opinion
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.Pesachim 57a; Tosefta, Menachot 12:23 "The house of Boethus" heads the list of the wicked and sinful priestly families enumerated by Abba.
References