Bibliography
| Title: Josephus' Portrait of Ahab Secondary Title: EThL Volume: 68 Pages: 368-384 Type: Journal Article Year: 1992 Abstract: "Of the kings of Judah and Israel who emerge from the Bible as thoroughly wicked none is treated at greater length by Josephus than Ahab is (see Ant. 8:316-392, 398-420). After discussing the rabbinic portrait of Ahab, the article considers Josephus' portrayal of Ahab's wickedness and positive qualities as well as the apologetic dimensions and Hellenizations in his account. In portraying Ahab Josephus tread a tightrope between his ideal of fidelity to the biblical narrative and his extended apology for the Jews. Josephus sought to exculpate Ahab at several points, stressed his remorse, and presented him as a shrewd tactician, brave leader, and skilled diplomat". - D.J.H.
"In his portrait of Ahab Josephus treads a tightrope. On the one hand, he could not deny the negative traits assigned to him in the Bible and expanded upon in the rabbinic tradition. On the other hand, like the rabbis, he saw positive virtues in Ahab. In particular, Josephus shifts more of the blame to Ahab' s role-model Jeroboam and to his wife Jezebel".
"In his portrait of Ahab Josephus treads a tightrope. On the one hand, he could not deny the negative traits assigned to him in the Bible and expanded upon by the rabbinic tradition. On the other hand, like the rabbis, he saw positive virtues in Ahab. In particular, Josephus shifts more of the blame to Ahab' s role-model Jeroboam and to his wife Jezebel. Even in the incident with Naboth Ahab is at least partly exculpated because he had used mild words with Naboth and yet had been insulted. Moreover, as with his portrait of Saul and of David, Josephus stresses Ahab's remorse". Keywords: Antiquities |