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The Works of Flavius Josephus

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turnorburn

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I thought those of you that have a cyber library might like having the Works Of Flavius Josephus on one of its shelves..

The Works
of
Flavius Josephus
William Whiston, Translator [1737]


Josephus was born Joseph ben Mattathias in 37 C.E. in Jerusalem of a priestly and royal family. He excelled in his studies of Jewish law and studied with the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Essenes, eventually aligning himself with the Pharisees. In 62 C.E. he went to Rome to free some imprisoned priests. After accomplishing this mission through the intercession of Nero's wife, Poppaea, he returned to Jerusalem in 65 C.E. to find the country in revolt against Rome.

Although Josephus had deep misgivings about the revolt, it became inevitable, due to reasons he discusses in his history, primarily the abuses of the Romans; this spurred the growth of fanatical Messianic Jewish movements which believed that the world was coming to an end shortly. In 66 C.E. the Masada was seized by the Zealots and the Romans were on the march; Josephus was appointed the commander of Galilee.

Josephus had to fight a defensive war against overwhelming force while refereeing internecine squabbles in the Jewish ranks. In 67 C.E. Josephus and other rebels were cornered in a cave during the siege of Jotapata and took a suicide pact. However, Josephus survived, and was taken hostage by the Romans, led by Vespasian.

Josephus shrewdly reinterpreted the Messianic prophecies. He predicted that Vespasian would become the ruler of the 'entire world'. Josephus joined the Romans, for which he was branded a traitor. He acted as consultant to the Romans and a go-between with the revolutionaries. Unable to convince the rebels to surrender, Josephus ended up watching the second destruction of the Temple and the defeat of the Jewish nation.

His prophecy became true in 68 C.E. when Nero committed suicide and Vespasian became Ceasar. As a result, Josephus was freed; he moved to Roman and became a Roman citizen, taking the Vespasian family name Flavius. Vespasian commissioned Josephus to write a history of the war, which he finished in 78 C.E., the Jewish War. His second major work, the Antiquities of the Jews, was completed in 93 C.E. He wrote Against Apion in about 96-100 C.E. and The Life of Josephus, his autobiography, about 100. He died shortly after.

Despite his ambivalent role, Josephus was an eyewitness to history, and his writings are considered authoritative. These texts are key to understanding a pivotal point in world history, which has tragic repercussions even to this day.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/

tob
 
I thought those of you that have a cyber library might like having the Works Of Flavius Josephus on one of its shelves..

Many years ago I was given an older bound copy of Josephus' works and it's great to have on a shelf (I'm sure it's even more convenient in digital format for keyword searches). Aside from his Antiquties of the Jews I love Josephus' apologetic style in his book Against Apion. It makes for good reading!

Thanks for posting.

~Josh
 
I already have. its found on bible gateway. I use his works to debate on eschatology. the jews believe then and today that that day was a judgement of god. they still don't think that the jesus is the moshiac.
 
Thank you all for some great references. I have Complete works of Flavius Josephus in hard bound. and on E-Sword from BibleSupport.com.
But the on line reference will help in searching key words.
I am an OLD book nut, I have 6000 hard bound old books on BIBLE TOPICS. and 18 gigs of books on my computer.
I never pass up an old book I think they all need a loving home.
 
Thank you all for some great references. I have Complete works of Flavius Josephus in hard bound. and on E-Sword from BibleSupport.com.
But the on line reference will help in searching key words.
I am an OLD book nut, I have 6000 hard bound old books on BIBLE TOPICS. and 18 gigs of books on my computer.
I never pass up an old book I think they all need a loving home.
WOW a lot of books! Just maybe someone with your resources and background could drum up so interest in Christian History... God did not stop working/moving when John died... :)
 
WOW a lot of books! Just maybe someone with your resources and background could drum up so interest in Christian History... God did not stop working/moving when John died... :)
Can I say that I heard it said in a matter of words that God was more or less done in 70 AD. Didn't Josephus say "I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it," and “A supernatural apparition was seen, too amazing to be believed. What I am now to relate would, I imagine, be dismissed as imaginary, had this not been vouched for by eyewitnesses, then followed by subsequent disasters that deserved to be thus signalized. For before sunset chariots were seen in the air over the whole country, and armed battalions speeding through the clouds and encircling the cities.” I could have this all wrong???
 
The interesting thing about Josephus was his ability to be objective and impartial in his reports to the three emperors he served under as advisor and historian Vespasian Titus and Domitian respectively .As a devout Jew it one would have been expected of him to to downplay the resurrection of Christ in his reports .But look here how he confirms the resurrection to the Romans "Now there was about this time Jesus , a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.He drew over him both many of the Jews and...Gentiles.He was [the} Christ ...when Pilate , at the suggestion of the principle men amongst us , had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold ...And the tribe of Christians , so named from him, are not extinct at this day."(Antiquities.Book 18, Chap.3. para 3)

Even John the Baptist (Antiquities. Book 18, Chap 5, para 2) also James , the brother of Jesus .And of course that ever notorious Ananias the High Priest Acts 23:2.But I wont say much more .Have some joy researching and digging into history.
 
Most of the Jewish community consider him to be a"traitor".
I find that odd because of his position in Jerusalem during the revolt.

But his writing has many key bits of information .
 
The interesting thing about Josephus was his ability to be objective and impartial in his reports to the three emperors he served under as advisor and historian Vespasian Titus and Domitian respectively .As a devout Jew it one would have been expected of him to to downplay the resurrection of Christ in his reports .But look here how he confirms the resurrection to the Romans "Now there was about this time Jesus , a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.He drew over him both many of the Jews and...Gentiles.He was [the} Christ ...when Pilate , at the suggestion of the principle men amongst us , had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold ...And the tribe of Christians , so named from him, are not extinct at this day."(Antiquities.Book 18, Chap.3. para 3)

Even John the Baptist (Antiquities. Book 18, Chap 5, para 2) also James , the brother of Jesus .And of course that ever notorious Ananias the High Priest Acts 23:2.But I wont say much more .Have some joy researching and digging into history.

Tony,

Bob Seidensticker has written a provocative article that questions the reliability of Josephus as an historian, 'Josephus: A Reliable Source?' (Patheos, November 7, 2012). Bob has given reasonable reasons why Josephus cannot be depended on for historical information.

Some of the Christian interpolations in Josephus are highly questionable concerning their authenticity. Through my years of reading and teaching Christian history, I have learned to treat Josephus's information with great discernment. He is not reliable because of his Jewish/Roman affinities and Christian pretensions.

Oz
 
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