The demise of Joshua according to Josephus

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Authors

Begg, Christopher T.

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Reformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria

Abstract

This article focuses on Josephus' account of the end of Joshua in his Ant. 5.115-119. It offers a detailed comparison between that account and its biblical source (Jos 23-24) on the one hand, and two other postbiblical narrations of Joshua's demise, that is those of Pseudo-Philo in Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum 23-24 and the "Samaritan Chronicle No. II," on the other. As compared with Joshua 23-24, Josephus' version appears highly abbreviated, leaving aside, for example, the whole of Joshua 23 as well as 24:16- 28, 31-32, even while also introducing various new elements. Josephus shares his non-reproduction of Joshua 23 and 24:31-32 with Pseudo-Philo and the Chronicle, for example, but deviates from these other witnesses in his downplaying of the role / activities of the dying Joshua.

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Samaritan Chronicle

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Begg, CT 2007, 'The demise of Joshua according to Josephus', HTS Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, vol. 63, no. 1, pp. 129-145. [http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_hervorm.html]