JOSHUA (Jesus), SON OF SAPPHAS

JOSHUA (Jesus), SON OF SAPPHAS, patriot leader at the outset of the first revolt against Rome. When, after the defeat of cestius gallus in the late summer of 66 C.E., the Jewish defense forces were reorganized, Joshua, together with Eleazar son of Neus (Ananias?), was appointed to the command of Idumea, with niger the Perean serving under him. According to Josephus, Joshua was one of the "chief priests," which possibly may only mean that he belonged to one of the families from which high priests were chosen, since this name is not found in any of the lists of high priests. Nothing further is known of him. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jos., Wars, 2:566; Schuerer, Hist, 250; Klausner, Bayit Sheni, 5 (19512), 163. (Edna Elazary)