Who
A Jewish priest, Pharisee and historian who fought in the revolt against Rome and then wrote its history (the Jewish War) and a history of his people (the Antiquities) for Roman readers. He is the most important first-century witness to Jewish life outside the New Testament.
What Pitre quotes
- Antiquities 3.134 — the Ark made of wood 'naturally strong and could not be corrupted' (p 46)
- Jewish War 5.219 — the Holy of Holies in Jesus' day: 'In this there was nothing at all' (p 52)
- Jewish War 2.160–61 — married Essenes who abstained from relations for years at a time (p 99)
- Jewish War 6.356–57 — 'brothers' (adelphoi) and 'relatives' (syngeneis) used as synonyms (pp 106–107)
- Antiquities 1.344 — Rachel died 'in childbirth'; Benjamin named 'because of the suffering (odynē) which he had caused his mother' (pp 146, 151)