There is recent discussion and proposals that there is interpolation or emendation of a passage in Antiquites 20.9.1
There has been discussion elsewhere that other Josephean passages are doctored -Carrier, R (2012) Origen, Eusebius, and the Accidental Interpolation in Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 20.200.
- the Journal of Early Christian Studies 20:4, pp489-514.
- Abstract: Analysis of the evidence from the works of Origen, Eusebius, and Hegesippus concludes that the reference to “Christ” in Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 20.200 is probably an accidental interpolation or scribal emendation and that the passage was never originally about Christ or Christians.
Is there evidence other passages were edited or doctored?Sid Green, a net-acquaintance, argues that Hippolytus in Refutation of All Heresies copied his information on the Essenes from Josephus, and the way that he presents the information indicates that Josephus has undergone editing by Christians.
It's important to note that Hippolytus normally follows Josephus faithfully, line by line, sometimes even preserving interesting words or language from Josephus. There are, however, several interesting, and Green argues, telltale, differences.
- <snip>
First, Josephus writes:...while Hippolytus, normally faithful to Josephus, suddenly veers from the Josephean text:
- then, that he will maintain just actions toward humanity; that he will harm no one, whether by his own deliberation or under order; that he will hate the unjust and contend together with the just;
Clearly the description in Hippolytus makes the Essenes more "Christian" in their outlook than the extant Josephus text does, since Hippolytus has the Essenes praying for their enemies. Did a Christian editor change the text of Josephus to make it less Christian, or did Hippolytus make the Essenes more Christian? If the latter, what could possibly have been his motive?
- next, that he will observe just dealings with men, and that he will in no way injure any one, and that he will not hate a person who injures him, or is hostile to him, but pray for them.
continues ...
http://michaelturton2.blogspot.tw/2012/ ... stian.html