1 Samuel 4 in Josephus’ Antiquities 5.355-362

This paper explores Josephus’ exegetical skills in elucidating the biblical text, taking his retelling of 1 Samuel 4 in Antiquities 5.355-362 as a test case. Recording the fall of Elides and the destruction of the Shiloh sanctuary, Josephus’ retelling is twice as long as the biblical narrative. While acknowledging his apologetic tendencies in the Antiquities, this article seeks to demonstrate that his hermeneutical motives are just as significant. First analyzing the biblical passage and its textual difficulties and gaps, it then examines Josephus’ additions, omissions, and changes, as well as the question of his Vorlage.