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'''Simon bar-Kokhba''' ("Son of a star"; originally named "bar-Koziba"; later referred to by Jews as "bar-Kosiba", "son of a lie") was the last significant false [[Messiah]].  In 130 AD, Emperor [[Hadrian]] forbade Jews from visiting [[Jerusalem]] and ordered that a temple to the idol [[Jupiter]] be constructed on the site of the [[Second Temple]], ruined since the revolt of 70 AD.<ref name="liv">http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/jwar07.html</ref>. Two years later, bar-Kokhba began a revolt.

'''Simon bar-Kokhba''' ("Son of a star"; originally named "bar-Koziba"; later referred to by Jews as "bar-Kosiba", "son of a lie") was the last significant false [[Messiah]].  In 130 AD, Emperor [[Hadrian]] forbade Jews from visiting [[Jerusalem]] and ordered that a temple to the idol [[Jupiter]] be constructed on the site of the [[Second Temple]], ruined since the revolt of 70 AD.<ref name="liv">http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/jwar07.html</ref>  Two years later, bar-Kokhba began a revolt.

Bar-Kokhba was himself descended from [[King David]] <ref name="jvl">http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Kokhba.html</ref>, and the influential [[Rabbi Akiba]] proclaimed him to be Messiah:

Bar-Kokhba was himself descended from [[King David]],<ref name="jvl">http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Kokhba.html</ref> and the influential [[Rabbi Akiba]] proclaimed him to be Messiah:

{{quotebox|Akiba used to expound, A star ‫ (כוכב)‬goes out from Jacob [Num 24:17], ‘Koziba (כוזבא‬) goes out from Jacob.’ When R. Akiba saw Bar Koziba, he said, “This is the king messiah.” (‫דין הוא מלכא משיחא‬) R. Yohanan b. Torta said to him, “Akiba, grass will come up between your cheeks and still the son of David will not have come.” <ref>y. Taʿan. 4:8/27; parallel at Lam. Rab. 2:2 §4</ref>}}

{{quotebox|Akiba used to expound, A star ‫ (כוכב)‬goes out from Jacob [Num 24:17], ‘Koziba (כוזבא‬) goes out from Jacob.’ When R. Akiba saw Bar Koziba, he said, “This is the king messiah.” (‫דין הוא מלכא משיחא‬) R. Yohanan b. Torta said to him, “Akiba, grass will come up between your cheeks and still the son of David will not have come.” <ref>y. Taʿan. 4:8/27; parallel at Lam. Rab. 2:2 §4</ref>}}

Bar-Kokhba called himself "Nasi," or "Prince," a term used to describe Messiah<ref>E.g. Ezekiel 34:24</ref>. Coins were even minted with his picture on them, showing him holding [[Aaron]]'s rod that had budded.  He persecuted Christians who would acknowledge only Jesus as Messiah<ref>Justin Martyr, ''First Apology'' 31:6</ref>.

Bar-Kokhba called himself "Nasi," or "Prince," a term used to describe Messiah.<ref>E.g. Ezekiel 34:24</ref>  Coins were even minted with his picture on them, showing him holding [[Aaron]]'s rod that had budded.  He persecuted Christians who would acknowledge only Jesus as Messiah.<ref>Justin Martyr, ''First Apology'' 31:6</ref>

Bar-Kokhba was a detail-oriented administrator, taking charge of even such details as the distribution of individual donkeys and ensuring adherence to the [[Mosaic Law]]<ref name="jvl" />  His Jewish state lasted for almost three years and covered most of Judea.  He reconviened the [[Sanhedrin]] at his headquarters in Betar (southwest of Jerusalem), making Rabbi Akiba its president.

Bar-Kokhba was a detail-oriented administrator, taking charge of even such details as the distribution of individual donkeys and ensuring adherence to the [[Mosaic Law]]<ref name="jvl" />  His Jewish state lasted for almost three years and covered most of Judea.  He reconviened the [[Sanhedrin]] at his headquarters in Betar (southwest of Jerusalem), making Rabbi Akiba its president.