The writings of Josephus

**Tickle Me Goody** · April 29th 2004, 05:35 PM

I think that is the correct place to post this. If not please redirect me.

I came across a very interesting site where the complete writings of Flavius Josephus are presented. the site is:

http://www.ccel.org/j/josephus/works/JOSEPHUS.HTM

In his first chapters expouning on the Bible, Josephus makes the following remarks:

1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. But when the earth did not come into sight, but was covered with thick darkness, and a wind moved upon its surface, God commanded that there should be light: and when that was made, he considered the whole mass, and separated the light and the darkness; and the name he gave to one was Night, and the other he called Day: and he named the beginning of light, and the time of rest, The Evening and The Morning, and this was indeed the first day. But Moses said it was one day; the cause of which I am able to give even now; but because I have promised to give such reasons for all things in a treatise by itself, I shall put off its exposition till that time.

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2. Moreover, Moses, after the seventh day was over (1) begins to talk philosophically; and concerning the formation of man, says thus: That God took dust from the ground, and formed man, and inserted in him a spirit and a soul.(2) This man was called Adam, which in the Hebrew tongue signifies one that is red, because he was formed out of red earth, compounded together; for of that kind is virgin and true earth.

I found these comments to be interesting and I wonder how they might be interpreted.

**Leroy** · April 30th 2004, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by goodygoody

[I found these comments to be interesting and I wonder how they might be interpreted.

I would interpret them with the Bible disregard all that doesn’t align with the bible and all the bits that are not spoken of in scripture consider purely conjecture.

How would you interpret it?

**Tickle Me Goody** · April 30th 2004, 10:05 PM

Originally posted by Leroy

I would interpret them with the Bible disregard all that doesn’t align with the bible and all the bits that are not spoken of in scripture consider purely conjecture.

How would you interpret it?

I am guessing but it sounded like he felt that a "day" was not 24 hours and that that the writings about Adam were "philosophical" rather than literal. Maybe that is incorrect.

I am not certain since I do not know what Josephus' background is. On the surface I would think that he is conveying how the Jews at time of Jesus viewed the scriptures --- but maybe that is wrong. He certainly seems to follow the Bible fairly closely in the little that I have read so far and he provides other backup to justify it's credibilty.

Goody

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RC · May 1st 2004, 01:09 AM

Josephus was a jewish historian. He was known for a little bit or artistic liberty or exaggeration and for selling out to the Romans. His complete works can be very helpful, but like everything else should be viewed in relation to the Bible.

**Tickle Me Goody** · May 1st 2004, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by RC

Josephus was a jewish historian. He was known for a little bit or artistic liberty or exaggeration and for selling out to the Romans. His complete works can be very helpful, but like everything else should be viewed in relation to the Bible.

I am not sure what that means. Can you be specific in the area I quoted?

Goody