Eleazar

Who was Eleazar?

Eleazar was a Jewish High Priest during the time of the Second Temple. He was the son of Onias I and brother of Simon I.

Eleazar was the high priest involved in communication with Ptolemy II Philadelphus discussed in the Letter of Aristeas or Pseudo-Aristeas. According to the letter, Eleazar sent seventy two scholars, six from each of the tribes of Israel to the island of Pharos provide the Library of Alexandria with a Greek translation of the Hebrew Law, also called the Septuagint.

He was succeeded by his uncle Manasseh.