Hanameel the Egyptian

Who is Hanameel the Egyptian?

Hanameel the Egyptian was a Jewish High priest in the 1st century BCE. He was appointed by Herod to fill the office of high priest made vacant by the ignominious death of Antigonus. Hanameel was an Egyptian according to the Mishnah, and a Babylonian according to Josephus. Though of priestly descent, he was not of the family of the high priests.

But Hanameel's incumbency was of short duration. Prudence compelled Herod to remove him, and to fill his place with the Hasmonean Aristobulus. The youthful Hasmonean, however, was too popular with the patriotic party; though he was a brother of Mariamne, Herod's beloved wife, he was treacherously drowned at Herod's instigation, and Hanameel was restored to the high position. How long he continued in office historians do not state; but it could not have been for many years, since after the execution of Mariamne Herod remarried, and appointed his second father-in-law, Simon ben Boethus, to the high-priesthood, removing Joshua ben Fabi. Hanameel is credited with having prepared one of the total of seven "red heifers" which were provided in all the centuries from Ezra's restoration to the final dispersion of the Jews.