Jason (Hebrew: Yason, יאסון; Greek: Ἰάσων, Iásōn) was the High Priest of Israel from around 175 BCE to 171 BCE during the Second Temple period of Judaism. He was of the Oniad family and was brother to Onias III, his predecessor as High Priest. Josephus records that his name was originally Jesus or Joshua (Hebrew יֵשׁוּעַ Yēshua`) before he changed it.[1]
Jason's tenure came during a turbulent period, and ancient sources such as the book of 2 Maccabees are hostile to him as a moderate Hellenizer, even if he was not as extreme as his successor. The new king of the Seleucid Empire which ruled Judea at the time, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, apparently started to auction off the position of High Priest to the highest bidder: whoever offered the most yearly tribute from the Temple in Jerusalem to the Seleucid government in Antioch could have it. It is unknown to what extent such corruption was simply an accusation by Jason's enemies and how much was real. Regardless, Jason apparently outbid his brother for the position in 175 BCE, and a newcomer named Menelaus outbid Jason in 171 BCE, resulting in his dismissal from the position. He later attempted to forcibly retake his old position in 168 BCE, but failed, and was forced into exile.