Josephus’ and Philo’s Retelling of Numbers 31 Compared

Research notes: 
Reader Checked 03/12/2012 SE
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Begg, Christopher T.
year: 
2007
Full title: 

Josephus’ and Philo’s Retelling of Numbers 31 Compared

Translated title: 
Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses
Volume: 
83
Issue / Series Volume: 
1
Number of volumes: 
0
Series Title: 
Abbreviated Series Name: 
Collaborating Author: 
Place of Publication: 
Publisher: 
Pages: 
81-106
Chapter: 
Work type: 
Abstract: 

Num 31 relates Israel’s God-decreed, victorious campaign against the Midianites and its various sequels. The episode is retold at some length by both Josephus ( Ant . 4.159-164) and Philo ( Mos . 1.305-318). Our study compares their two versions both with the biblical source and with each other. From this double comparison it emerges that the Josephan and Philonic retellings share a number of common features, e.g., both eliminate the Bible’s explicit mentions of God’s role in the proceedings, while likewise highlighting the military aspect of the happening. At the same time, their renderings differ in many other respects, Josephus, for instance, presenting a more reduced account, Philo a considerably more expansive one.

Notes: 
Language: 
Alternative title: 
Date: 
Hebrew bible: 
Book: 
Numbers
Chapter(s): 
31
Verse(s): 
Edition: 
Original Publication: 
Reprint edition: 
URL: 
http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2021742&journal_code=ETL
DOI: 
10.2143/ETL.83.1.2021742
ISBN: 
Accession number: 
Call num: 
Label: 
03/12/2007
Record number: 
16 137