Bibliography
| Title: Josephus' Portrait of Balaam Secondary Title: The Studia Philonica Annual Volume: 5 Pages: 48-83 Type: Journal Article Year: 1993 Abstract: Harrington, Daniel J.: "In Antiquities 4:102-158 Josephus gave a relatively unbiased picture of Balaam. He shifted the focus from Balaam's personality to the historical, political, and military confrontation between the Israelites and their enemies. He employed Balaam's prophetics to present in veiled form his vision of the future of the Jewish people".
"Josephus was clearly in a dilemma in his portrait of Balaam in that if he gave too positive a portrayal he would not only be going against the simple meaning of the biblical text but he would also be praisin one who sought to curse the Jews. On the other hand, Josephus wished to avoid the charge that Jews look down upon non-Jewish men of wisdom. The result is a relatively unbiased portrait in sharp contrast with the negative picture painted by Philo, the New Testament, and the rabbis. He does not this by shifting the focus from Balaam's personality to the historical, military, and political confrontation between Israel and her enemies". Keywords: Antiquities |