Simeon Bar-Kokhba

by Steve Hale

Toward the end of Trajan's reign, the Jews started to rebel. Revolts sprung in Cyrenaica (115) and Mesopotamia (116). The Romans determined to erase these set these down under the leadership of a Roman Moor, Quietus. But, the flames of rebellion stayed very much alive. When Hadrian (117-138) outlawed circumcision as a form of castration, the Jews were deeply stirred. Thus in about 132 Simeon Bar-Kokhba appears.
For many years, the Jews viewed this man as merely legendary, a Robin Hood type of hero. But, archaeologists have found him to be a real man, and it seems the real man was more colorful than the legend!
By 132, Bar-Kokhba had raised an army sufficient enough to challenge the Romans. His 'Robin Hood' ingenuity is seen in how he gathered the weapons, even under the watchful eyes of the Romans.
He arranged for some of his leaders to the suppliers of weapons to the Roman commanders. In his plan, many of them were of inferior quality and predictably rejected by the Romans. Strategic caves were readied for hiding them until Bar-Kokhba was ready for their use.
Bar-Kokhba was a charismatic person, and many of the Jews thought that he was the Messiah. Among these was Akiba, the most learned of the Rabbis in the tradition of Shammai, Hillel, and Gamaliel. Even Akiba thought that Bar-Kokhba (the name means 'Son of a Star') was the Messiah ( Numbers 24:17).
Bar-Kokhba was a military genius and strategist. His tough discipline and leadership caused an army 400,000 to be a formidable opposition to the Romans.
Hadrian thought this would be easily put down, and sent the proud 22nd Deioterana legion against Bar- Kokhba's army. Hadrian was very wrong, as this proud Roman legion was completely obliterated by Bar-Kokhba.
Victory-after-victory ensued, and soon, the Jews had control of Jerusalem again! Animal sacrifices were restored, and Bar-Kokhba was proclaimed the leader. Eleazar was the High Priest, and Akiba became the leader of the Sanhedrin.
The Christians of Jerusalem had nothing to do with Bar-Kokhba. Since they would not help him, Bar- Kokhba sentenced Christians if they did not renounce Christ and blaspheme him.
Hadrian finally awoke and understood he was dealing with not only a full-scale rebellion, but a military genius. He despatched the governor of Britain, Julius Severus, to put down the Jews. With all the might of Rome, Severus engaged the Jews.
Still, Severus wisely avoided battles with Bar- Kokhba along the countryside. Instead, he sieged the city and cut foodlines. Yet, it still took the mighty Romans three years to defeat Bar-Kokhba.
The Romans wreaked vengeance! Nearly 1000 Jewish towns and cities were destroyed. 580,000 Jews lost their lives. Bar-Kokhba was killed by a Samarin who cut-off his head, and sent it to Hadrian. Thus ended the life of this fascinating man.

June 20, 1993

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Simeon Bar-Kokhba by Steve Hale Toward the end of Trajan's reign, the Jews started to rebel. Revolts sprung in Cyrenaica (115) and Mesopotamia (116). The Romans determined to erase these set these down under the leadership of a Roman Moor, Quietus. But, the flames of rebellion stayed very much alive. When Hadrian (117-138) outlawed circumcision as a form of castration, the Jews were deeply stirred. Thus in about 132 Simeon Bar-Kokhba appears. For many years, the Jews viewed this man as merely legendary, a Robin Hood type of hero. But, archaeologists have found him to be a real man, and it seems the real man was more colorful than the legend! By 132, Bar-Kokhba had raised an army sufficient enough to challenge the Romans. His 'Robin Hood' ingenuity is seen in how he gathered the weapons, even under the watchful eyes of the Romans. He arranged for some of his leaders to the suppliers of weapons to the Roman commanders. In his plan, many of them were of inferior quality and predictably rejected by the Romans. Strategic caves were readied for hiding them until Bar-Kokhba was ready for their use. Bar-Kokhba was a charismatic person, and many of the Jews thought that he was the Messiah. Among these was Akiba, the most learned of the Rabbis in the tradition of Shammai, Hillel, and Gamaliel. Even Akiba thought that Bar-Kokhba (the name means 'Son of a Star') was the Messiah ( Numbers 24:17). Bar-Kokhba was a military genius and strategist. His tough discipline and leadership caused an army 400,000 to be a formidable opposition to the Romans. Hadrian thought this would be easily put down, and sent the proud 22nd Deioterana legion against Bar- Kokhba's army. Hadrian was very wrong, as this proud Roman legion was completely obliterated by Bar-Kokhba. Victory-after-victory ensued, and soon, the Jews had control of Jerusalem again! Animal sacrifices were restored, and Bar-Kokhba was proclaimed the leader. Eleazar was the High Priest, and Akiba became the leader of the Sanhedrin. The Christians of Jerusalem had nothing to do with Bar-Kokhba. Since they would not help him, Bar- Kokhba sentenced Christians if they did not renounce Christ and blaspheme him. Hadrian finally awoke and understood he was dealing with not only a full-scale rebellion, but a military genius. He despatched the governor of Britain, Julius Severus, to put down the Jews. With all the might of Rome, Severus engaged the Jews. Still, Severus wisely avoided battles with Bar- Kokhba along the countryside. Instead, he sieged the city and cut foodlines. Yet, it still took the mighty Romans three years to defeat Bar-Kokhba. The Romans wreaked vengeance! Nearly 1000 Jewish towns and cities were destroyed. 580,000 Jews lost their lives. Bar-Kokhba was killed by a Samarin who cut-off his head, and sent it to Hadrian. Thus ended the life of this fascinating man. June 20, 1993 Related Articles: Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM