JESUS BEN ZAPPHA (perhaps Zopha; compare I Chron. vii. 35):
General (στρατηγός) of Idumæa in the first century, appointed by the revolutionary government of Jerusalem after Cestius Gallus had been driven away. Jesus' companion was Eleazar b. Neos; and both belonged to high-priestly families (Josephus, "B. J." ii. 20, § 4). Niger of Peræa, who had been until then governor of Idumæa, was commanded to place himself under the orders of the two generals (ib.). Jesus is perhaps identical with a former high priest of the same name, who, together with other nobles, fled from Jerusalem to the Romans shortly before the destruction of the Temple (ib. vi. 2, § 2).
