Bibliography
| Title: The Death of Josiah. Josephus and the Bible Secondary Title: EThL Volume: 64 Pages: 157-163 Type: Journal Article Year: 1988 Abstract: "La comparaison de 2 Chr 35, 20-25 avec Ant X, 74-78 montre à la fois la fidélité et la liberté de Josèphe face au texte biblique; Josèphe conserve l'épisode in extenso mais fait de Josias une victim du "destin" aveugle".
"Investigating Josephus' presentation of Josiah's death in Ant. 10,74-78 in comparison with his Biblical source of two versions given in 2 Kgs 23,29-30a and 2 Chr 35,20-25, the author furnishes evidence that Josephus motivated by a concern for Josiah's reputation, "recasts the whole episode in such a way as to uphold his reputation: Josiah dies, not in punishment for his Opposing God" (so chronicles), but as the innocent victim of a capriciously malevolent "Destiny".
"This study concentrates on comparing Josephus' account of Josiah's death in Antiquities 10:74-78 with that found in 2 Chr 35:20-25 (cf. 2 Kgs 23:29-30a) to point up the interplay of "traditionalism" and freedom in Josephus' handling of the scriptural data. Josephus evidences his fidelity to the givens of Scripture by citing extensively from the episode in 2 Chronicles, which calls into question his own concern for Josiah's reputation. But he also recasts the whole episode in such a way as to uphold Josiah's reputation. One might speak of reversal of roles that Josephus effects in his retelling of the Chronicler's presentation of Josiah and Neco". - C.R.M. Keywords: Antiquities |