ALCIMUS ăl’ sĭ məs (̓́Αλκιμος). High priest in Jerusalem from 163 to 161 b.c. Knowledge of him is derived chiefly from three sources: (1) 1 Maccabees 7:4-50; 9:1-57; (2) 2 Maccabees 14:1-27; (3) Jos. Antiq. XII. 7.

Although he was a descendant of Aaron, Alcimus was not of the priestly family and was the first such to be so appointed.

At the time Alcimus was ousted by the Jews of Jerusalem who were led by Judas Maccabaeus, he led a group of wicked men to join King Demetrius who reigned after Antiochus. Alcimus also accused the followers of Judas Maccabaeus, saying to Demetrius that Judas and his brothers had slain all of Demetrius’s friends.

Demetrius then sent Bacchides with Alcimus to take vengeance on Judas and the children of Israel. At first Bacchides sought to deceive Judas into thinking that he was on a peaceful mission, but Judas did not believe him.

Some who did believe Bacchides, about sixty, were treacherously killed by Bacchides. Alcimus contended for the high priesthood and when some went over to Alcimus’s side, Judas began to punish these traitors. Alcimus retreated to King Demetrius once again.

Nicanor was sent next to destroy Israel. He too sought to deceive Judas who at first trusted him. When Judas learned the true nature of Nicanor’s visit, battle ensued. Five thousand of Nicanor’s army were killed and he himself died in battle.

Demetrius, hearing of Nicanor’s defeat, sent Bacchides and Alcimus again. A huge army accompanied Bacchides and Judas’s forces deserted him. In battle Judas was killed and Jonathan his brother was chosen as his successor.

Jonathan and his forces left Jerusalem and finally Alcimus was established in Jerusalem as high priest. However, it was a short-lived victory. He ordered the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary torn down, and also destroyed the works of the prophets. While doing this he was smitten by a plague and lay paralyzed. He died shortly in great torment. After that, there was peace for two years in the land.

In 2 Maccabees, Nicanor is portrayed as more friendly to Judas than in 1 Maccabees. It should be noted also that Josephus contradicts 1 Maccabees in teaching that Alcimus died before Judas was killed.

Josephus called those who followed Alcimus renegades and said plainly that Alcimus was smitten by God in the plague that took his life.

Bibliography A. Edersheim, History of the Jewish Nation (1896), 13; Oesterly and Robinson, An Introduction to the Books of the Old Testament (1958), 423; Margolis and Marx, A History of the Jewish People (1958), 143, 144, 146, 153; E. Young, An Introduction to the Old Testament (1958), 296; F. Bruce, Israel and the Nations (1963), 156-161.