Simon, High Priest – Uncommon Apocrypha Priest | Bible TCG
Updated: 16 hours ago
Genesis Set Card 249/250
Simon, High Priest is an Uncommon Priest Being from the Apocrypha, with a printed Cost of 12 Faith, 6 Strength, 7 Hope, 5 Reach, and 2 Move. This Verse costs 1 less Faith to Play for each Verse in your Hand.
The Bible Story Behind Simon, High Priest
Ecclesiasticus praises Simon the high priest for his service, leadership, and care for the sanctuary during his lifetime. He repaired the temple, strengthened its defenses, and appeared before the people in the splendor of Israel's appointed priesthood. Simon, High Priest presents him standing beside the altar while the other priests surround him during the solemn worship of the LORD.
Simon received the portions from the priests' hands and stood at the hearth of the altar as the offerings were arranged. The surrounding sons of Aaron are compared to palm trees gathered around a young cedar of Lebanon, creating an image of dignity, strength, and ordered service. The high priest stood prominently among his brethren, yet every priest participated according to the place God had assigned within Israel's worship.
Ecclesiasticus 50:12 — “When he tooke the portions out of the priests hands, he himselfe stood by the hearth of the altar, compassed with his brethren round about, as a yong cedar in Libanus, and as palme trees compassed they him round about.”
The cedar was known for height, strength, and majesty, while palm trees suggested beauty and uprightness. These images emphasize the impressive appearance of Simon and the priests gathered around the altar, but the ceremony wasn't intended merely to display human splendor. Their ordered service directed Israel toward the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the need for sacrifice before a sinful people could draw near to Him.
Simon served within the Levitical priesthood and repeatedly stood beside an altar where sacrifices continued to be offered. Jesus Christ belongs to a greater and everlasting priesthood. He didn't offer an animal brought by another worshipper, but presented His own sinless body and shed His own blood as the complete sacrifice for our sins.
Every earthly high priest was surrounded by weakness, required sacrifices to be repeated, and eventually surrendered his office through death. Jesus rose from the grave and continues forever, possessing an unchangeable priesthood. The church doesn't approach God through Simon, Aaron, an earthly altar, or Israel's temple order. Believers draw near through Christ alone, whose one offering has perfected forever those who are sanctified.
Simon, High Priest Bible TCG Strategy
Simon, High Priest rewards you for building a large Hand. Although his printed Cost is 12 Faith, every Verse currently in your Hand reduces that Cost by 1. Simon himself counts while determining his Cost because he is still a Verse in your Hand before you Play him. Once the Cost is determined and paid, he is Created with powerful 6 Strength, 7 Hope, and 5 Reach.
Synergies
Large-Hand strategy: Holding several Verses can reduce Simon's Cost enough to Play him much earlier than his printed Cost suggests.
Draw engines: Abilities that repeatedly Draw Verses make it easier to maintain the Hand size needed for a major Cost reduction.
Control finisher: A slower Deck can build its Hand while answering threats, then Play Simon as a powerful midgame Being.
Questions and Answers
Q: Does Simon count himself in my Hand?
A: Yes. Determine and pay his Cost before he leaves your Hand. With seven Verses including Simon and no other Cost modifiers, his Cost is 12 minus 7, or 5 Faith.
Q: What happens when my Hand contains more than seven Verses?
A: All of them count. Temporary Hands above seven are legal; the Hand limit is enforced in End of Turn cleanup after triggers, with a final cleanup if later effects add cards.
Q: How do Judith and other taxes combine with his reduction?
A: Use printed Cost minus Hand size plus all applicable increases and reductions, then apply the minimum of 0 once. With one Judith, a Hand of 12 makes Simon Cost 1; a Hand of 13 makes him Cost 0.
Q: How do Joyful Expectation and Voice Of Creation change Simon's Cost?
A: If fully resolved without other Hand changes, Joyful Expectation removes itself and the Verse Placed as Faith, reducing your Hand by two and making Simon Cost two more before the minimum. Voice Of Creation leaves Hand and Draws two, a net gain of one, making him Cost one less before the minimum.
Q: Does a final Cost of 0 remove the Faith requirement?
A: No. You must still have an Apocrypha Faith Verse present. It may already be used when the Cost is 0. If the final Cost is positive, payment must include matching Apocrypha Faith.
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