The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged, New Updated Edition (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author, Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This renowned reference book has served scholars, pastors, students, and those interested in the background of the New Testament for years. The insight given into the Essene community, the destruction of Jerusalem and the interpretations and traditions of the Old Testament in first century Judaism is invaluable. The outlook of Josephus, a late first century Pharisee and historian, on Jesus and the New Testament documents is enlightening and provocative. As an original reference, The Works of Josephus is essential to a full understanding of the first century, the time of Christ and the New Testament.

Complete and unabridged, this is the best one-volume edition of the classic translation of JosephusÂ’ works. The entire text has been reset in modern, easy-to-read type; numbering corresponding to that used in the Loeb edition has been added to the text; and citations and cross-references have been updated from Roman numerals to Arabic numbers.

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 800 pages
• Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers; Updated edition (September 1, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913573868
• ISBN-13: 978-0913573860
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,277 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Have" Standard Resource, January 8, 2005

By	Timothy Kearney (Hull, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

People spend a great deal of time interpreting scripture, and for good reason. For believers, the Bible is not just a historical document, but the living word of God. Still, as we research scripture, we want to know what life was like in the days of Jesus, and how the people of Jesus' day lived and interpreted scripture so we can better understand scripture in our own day. Perhaps the most important tool for such a task would be the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus.

Josephus himself was an interesting figure. He was born to a well to do Jewish family of the priestly class. He was a religious seeker and studied under the Pharisees and spent some time living an ascetic life. He later developed connections with Rome, and tried unsuccessfully to end the Jewish rebellion. His association with the Romans made him a bit of a turncoat to many people, but his involvement in many spheres of life in the years of the Jewish revolt gave him the opportunity to write a thorough history of his times, understanding the religious, political, and social dimensions of the day. It is largely through the writings of Josephus we understand the world of Jesus' day, and ultimately Jesus himself, even though there is only one questionable reference to Jesus in the writings (modern scholars belive this was probably a patristic insertion or at least a reworking by patristic writers).

This edition of the writings of Josephus is an excellent tool for non-scholarly Biblical study. Whiston's translation has been a standard for years and provides a good translation for preparation for preaching, Bible studies, and people who have an interest in scripture that would be deeper than the interest of a casual reader. I know I have used this volume with Bible study groups over the years, and from time to time research topics in the book for homilies. While there are updates in this edition, this is probably not the best resource for people engaged in scholarly studies, except as a source for background information or a basic familiarity with the historian and his writings. There are newer translations that would be preferred by most instructors on the college level, but for everyday use this volume is a great find at a reasonable price.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for so many interests, May 23, 2004

By	Stuart Berman (Grand Rapids, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For the student of history what could be more compelling than the statements and opinions of a fellow from almost 2000 years ago who considered himself a historian?
This compilation of his works include a variety of his significant literature. One of his books, 'Antiquities' could be considered his version of a modern Bible a paraphase of the 'old testament' meant for the Greek reader without benefit of typical Judaic upbringing. What is most intriguing is the contemporary commentary that he intersperses (such as Adam being called such because he was 'red' [adom being the color red in Hebrew]).
His heart breaking 'Jewish Wars' gives you a real sense of the carnage inflicted upon Jerusalem by the Roman conquest in 70 AD - and the folly of vicious sectarian fighting while a greater enemy was at the gates.
For a much more scholarly and in depth study of Jewish life at this time see Phillip Sigal's 'Foundation of Judaism' series.

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome for the researcher, March 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Works of Josephus (Paperback)

This book is a valuable collection to anyone who wants to study ancient history. It is not for an average reader. It is a collection of all the works of Josephus -- a Jewish historian around the late first century AD. The Antiquities of the Jews is my favorite work by Josephus. He starts from Adam and Eve and follows Jewish history all the way to Josephus's time, all the time quoting other ancient historians (most of whose works are lost).

If you are as enthusiastic about ancient history as I am, you would definitely love this collection. The Jewish Wars are full of very descriptive details (much of which is exageration), which make reading the history alot easier than textbooks, but still a little too hefty for someone who is looking for a simple plot to follow.

The index in the back is most useful in finding out where Josephus talks about Jesus or Pontius Pilate or whatever you are looking for. The essays in the back are also useful for the scholar, but very dry reading.

So, if you want to read some Jewish history or even some Roman history, this book would help in your studies. You will also be surprised to find a whole autobiography of Josephus himself -- you'll find out that he wasn't a very brave fellow.

ENJOY!