LISIMACHUS. - Brother of the high priest Onias (v.). When the latter, together with Sostratus, was summoned by Antiochus Epiphanes (v.) to deliver the sums promised in exchange for ceding the high priesthood to his brother L. (2 Macc. 4:29), it must have been a provisional transfer, not a true succession, as the Vulgate supposes.
In agreement with his brother, he continued the plundering of the Temple, provoking the rebellion of the people. He attempted to suppress it by arming 3,000 men under the command of Auranus (the Vulgate writes Tyrannus), but was defeated and ended up being killed by stones and clubs near the treasure chamber of the temple in Jerusalem (2 Macc. 4:32-42).
BIBL.: G. Ricciotti, Storia d'Israele, II, Torino 1934, nn. 232-235. Pietro De Ambroggi