Mention of the Gerousia in Official Letters
1 Maccabees 12:5–6
5This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans: 6“The high priest Jonathan, the senate [gerousia] of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people to their brothers the Spartans, greetings.”
2 Maccabees 1:10
The people of Jerusalem and of Judaea and the senate [gerousia] and Judah,
To Aristobulus, who is of the family of the anointed priests, teacher of King Ptolemy, and to the Jews in Egypt,
Greetings and good health.
Translation from the New Revised Standard Version.
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New Revised Standard Version Bible copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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2 Maccabees 4:44
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Jewish Antiquities 13.165–169
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Herod’s Conflict with the Sanhedrin and His Revenge
Jewish Antiquities 14.168–169; 15.173
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Related Guide
Communal Organization and Leadership: The Gerousia
1st–2nd Centuries
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Moses Establishes the Gerousia
Jewish Antiquities 4.216–218
For it is not fit that causes should be openly determined out of regard to gain or to the status of the suitors, but rather, the judges should esteem what is right before all other things. For…
Letter from Antiochus III to Ptolemy Mentioning the Gerousia
Jewish Antiquities 12.138
Since the Jews, upon our first entrance into their country, demonstrated their friendship toward us, and when we came to their city [Jerusalem], received us in a splendid manner, and came to meet us…
The Gerousia Sends Representatives to Antiochus IV Epiphanes
2 Maccabees 4:44
When the king came to Tyre, three men sent by the senate [gerousia] presented the case before him.
Translation from the New Revised Standard Version.…
Letter from Antiochus V to the Gerousia and the Jews
2 Maccabees 11:27
To the nation the king’s letter was as follows:“King Antiochus to the senate [gerousia] of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.”
Letter from Jonathan on Behalf of the Gerousia to the Lacedaemonians (Spartans)
Jewish Antiquities 13.165–169
The [Roman] Gerousia then confirmed what had been formerly decreed concerning their friendship with the Jews and gave them letters to convey to all the kings of Asia and Europe, and to the governors…
Herod’s Conflict with the Sanhedrin and His Revenge
Jewish Antiquities 14.168–169; 15.173
When Hyrcanus heard this, he complied with them. The mothers of those who had been slain by Herod further raised his indignation, for those women continued appealing to the king and the people every…