Bibliography
| Title: Women in rewritten Bible. Studies in "Liber antiquitatum biblicarum" and Josephus' "Antiquities of the Jews" Type: Thesis Year: 1989 Abstract: "This study focuses on Pseudo-Philo's (Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum) and Josephus' (Antiquities of the Jews) portrayal of women biblical figures. Both authors, contemporaries, communicate their ideas by rewriting the Bible. Portraits of Deborah, Jephthah's daughter, Hannah and the witch of Endor serve as a basis for evaluating each author's portrayal of women. These are compared with biblical narratives, parallel traditions in Judaism and Christianity, and literature of the Graeco-Roman world to determine elements unique to each author. On the whole, Ps-Philo portrays women more positively than Josephus. Deborah becomes an apocalyptic visionary, a ruler over Israel, and a covenantal preacher; as a prophetess, she becomes counterpart to Moses'. Jephthah's daughter, an exemplary martyr whose sacrifice is acceptable to God, is counterpart to Isaac as portrayed in the Akedah doctrine. Hannah is a model of faith and piety. Moreover, they take on a typological aspect. Deborah as a mother figure, nurtures, guides, and consoles her children. The sacrifice of Jephthah's daughter becomes a symbol of the sacrifice of Jerusalem. Hannah's plight typifies the struggle between the righteous and the wicked, and her motherly role of nursing typifies that of Wisdom. Ps-Philo portrays the witch of Endor as a Gentile magician, who has served Israel's enemies for forty years. But he portrays her negatively only because of her idolatrous profession. Josephus portrays all but the witch less positively than the Bible; Hannah and Deborah conform to his opinions about women. Deborah is only a spiritual leader; Hannah is weak-minded and under male supervision. Jephthah's daughter is a model daughter according to Roman values. The witch of Endor stands out as Josephus' most interesting figure. He intentionally enhances her kindness to Saul to present her as an exemplary character and even eulogizes her at length. Overriding concerns--apologetic, homiletic, parenetic--sometimes shape both authors' portraits, but these cannot fully account for Josephus' negative portrayals. Ps-Philo's intentional highlighting and upgrading of women figures suggests that women played a significant role in his community. Thus, LAB particularly provides a perspective that must be considered in evaluating the role of women in religion in antiquity". Keywords: Specific Examinations of Josephus, collections of Josephus |