FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS
ON THE PHARISEES

A Composition-Critical Study

STEVE MASON

Brill Academic Publishers, Inc.
Boston • Leiden
2001

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mason, Steve, 1957–.

Flavius Josephus on the Pharisees: a composition-critical study/by Steve Mason.

p. cm.

Originally published: Leiden; New York: E.J. Brill, 1991. Studia post-

Biblical v. 39.

With additional material.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-391-04154-1

1. Josephus, Flavius—Views on Pharisees 2. Pharisees—

Historiography. I. Title

DS115.9.J6 M37 2001

296.8’12—dc21

2001043340

ISBN 0-391-04154-1

© Copyright 1991 try E.J. Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or translated in any form, try print, photoprint, microfilm, microfiche or any other means without written permission from the publisher.

Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by Brill provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. Fees are subject to change.

For my parents,
Terry and Grace Mason

Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

PART I
INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1. Method in the Study of Pharisaic History

I. The Goal of Research on the Pharisees

II. The Sources for Research on the Pharisees

III. The Procedure of Research on the Pharisees

Summary and Conclusion

Chapter 2. Scholarly Interpretations of Josephus’s Pharisees

H. Paret and E. Gerlach

G. Hölscher

B. Brüne, R. Laqueur, H. Rasp

A. Schlatter

M. Smith and J. Neusner

E. Rivkin

D. Schwartz

Conclusion to Part I

The Need for a New Study of Josephus’s Pharisees

Aims of the Study

Procedure of the Study

Excursus: A Preliminary Assessment of Josephus as an Author

I. The Source Problem

II. Josephus’s Literary Assistants

III. Christian Influence on the Text

PART II
THE PHARISEES IN THE JEWISH WAR

Chapter 3. Purpose and Outlook of the Jewish War

I. Historical Approaches

II. Exegesis of the Prologue to War

III. Josephus and the Ἀκρίβεια of History

Chapter 4. War 1:107–114: The Pharisees and Alexandra Salome, I

I. Context

II. Key Terms

III. Interpretation

IV. Source Analysis

Chapter 5. War 1:571: The Pharisees at Herod’s Court, I

I. Context

II. Key Terms

III. Interpretation

IV. Source Analysis

Summary

Chapter 6. War 2:162–166: The Pharisees among the Jewish Schools, I

I. Context

II. Five Statements About the Pharisees

A. Reputation for Exegetical Prowess

B. “The First School”

C. Fate and Free Will

1. Key Terms

2. Interpretation

D. The Soul

1. Terms and Concepts

2. Interpretation

E. Promotion of Harmony

1. Key Terms

2. Interpretation

III. Interpretation of War 2:162–166

IV. Source Analysis

PART III
THE PHARISEES IN THE JEWISH ANTIQUITIES

Chapter 7. The Purpose and Outlook of Antiquities

I. Preface and Dominant Themes

II. Relationship Between War and Antiquities

III. The Pharisees in Antiquities

Summary and Conclusion

Chapter 8. Ant. 13:171–173: The Pharisees among the ...

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About Flavius Josephus on the Pharisees: A Composition-Critical Study

Refocusing our attention from the personal character and psychological motives of Josephus (which we cannot know) to the work itself (which is before us), Steve Mason brings this crucial narrative to life in new historical and literary contexts. He shows that it is a carefully structured appendix to Josephus’ magnum opus, the Judean Antiquities, and that Josephus uses it to unashamedly celebrate his character according to the values and standards of his time. In the process, Josephus explains much about the geography of Galilee and about the social and political world of Judea in crisis. Most importantly, however, he emerges as a Judean statesman trying to communicate with his peers from other Mediterranean centers.

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