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Jacob ben Sosa

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

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Idumean leader. In the great war against Rome, 67-70, when Simon bar Giora went on a raid through Idumæa to take provisions, the Idumeans gathered together to defend their country, and then 20,000 of them went to Jerusalem. One of their four leaders was Jacob ben Sosa (Josephus, "B. J." 4:4, § 2), who succeeded in betraying the Jews to Simon (ib. 9, § 6). The Zealots called the Idumeans to Jerusalem as a protection against the aristocrats, who were suspected of favoring the Romans. Some 5,000 of these Idumeans, whose chief leaders were Jacob b. Sosa and Simon ben Kathla, joined the party of Simon bar Giora (ib. 5:6, § 1). The Romans were repulsed in an attack on the citadel of Antonia, one of the most prominent in the defense being Jacob b. Sosa (ib. 6:1, § 8). He was equally conspicuous when the Romans tried to storm the Temple (ib. 2, § 6).

The Idumeans finally grew tired of the unequal conflict, and secretly opened negotiations with Titus for surrender. When Simon bar Giora heard of this he had their leaders seized and imprisoned, among them Jacob b. Sosa (ib. 8, § 2).