VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! 

Flavius Josephus

The great Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, known simply as Josephus, left an indelible influence on the history of the Jewish people, particularly around the time of Christ. Josephus was a contemporary of Jesus, yet wrote from a Roman persuasion. One of the major criticisms of Josephus is that he cozied up to the Roman elite, leaving behind his Jewish brethren. At one time a Pharisee, another a Jewish general, and yet another a Roman patron, Josephus was a man of 

Interestingly enough, Josephus is earliest author outside of the Bible to mention Jesus. In his seminal work, Antiquities of the Jews, written in about 94 CE Josephus talks about Jesus. The passage in which he refers to Jesus is commonly known as the Testimonium Flavianum. 

3. (63) Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works-a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; (64) and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.

(The Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Chapter 3. From The Works of Josephus, translated by William Whiston Hendrickson Publishers, 1987)

Josephus also believed in the theory that the Nephilim were fallen angels. This is clearly stated in Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews. Josephus, unknowingly, also attacked the theory which supposes the "sons of God" were descendants of Seth. In chapter 3 of The Antiquities Josephus talks of the sons of Seth.

He praises Seth himself in chapter 3 saying; "Now this posterity of Seth continued to esteem God..".

However, Flavius Josephus goes on to talk of Seth's descendants straying from the path of their forefathers.

"...but in process of time they were perverted, and forsook the practices of their forefathers; and did neither pay those honors to God which were appointed them, nor had they any concern to do justice towards men."

Immediately after his depiction of the degradation of Seth's line, Josephus talks about the incident in Genesis.

"For many angels of God coupled with women, and begat sons that proved unjust, and despisers of all that was good, on account of the confidence they had in their own strength; for the tradition is, that these men did what resembled the acts of those whom the Grecians call giants."

A fascinating comparison is made in this passage to the Greek gods. Josephus states the Nephilim performed acts which were equivalent to the acts associated to the gods of Greek mythology.

The obvious question raises a very interesting scenario.

Were the Greek gods and Greek mythology grounded in historical stories of those Nephilim who had migrated to ancient Greece in the days of Noah?

The evidence may suggest just such a thing.

By all accounts, the Nephilim possessed divine, almost magical, powers. They were extremely powerful, smart and very influential. The Nephilim ruled over man while cohabitating with humanity. They took human women as their own and established their own offspring.

The Nephilim are strikingly similar to the Greek mythological gods, and seem to provide a foundation upon which such myths may have been built. They were certainly half-divine, half-human beings.

Josephus pictures Noah standing up to the Nephilim of his day, urging them to change their ways and pursue God. However, Josephus states the Nephilim did not listen to Noah. Noah eventually fled the land with his family in fear of his life. Perhaps it was during this exiled period which Noah built the ark.

In any case, Flavius Josephus makes his opinion clear on the subject. The writings of Josephus were also in line with the prevailing opinions of ancient Israel .

The opinion was the "sons of God" in Genesis were, in fact, fallen angels. The offspring they produced, the Nephilim, were of such a wicked nature, all of mankind was corrupted by them.

Josephus also believed the Nephilim were remarkably powerful and intelligent, and that they provided a historical basis for the Greek mythological belief system.

Though the accuracy of Flavius Josephus has often been debated, as he often wrote to please certain audiences, he does provide valuable insights into the culture and beliefs of his era.

Share Your Thoughts on Josephus' View of the Nephilim. Do you study Josephus? Are you interested in his works? What are your thoughts about the Nephilim? Click on the link above to give us your insight, thoughts, comments, and questions!




FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS STUDY RESOURCES


The Flavius Josephus Home Page - josephus.org



Back to Flavius Josephus

Back to the Nephilim

Back to Home Page


A print of Flavius Josephus. Josephus was unpopular among many Jews of his time because he switched allegiance to Rome. Josephus eventually moved to Rome where he died.

Recent Articles

  1. The History of Ancient Israel

    Dec 25, 23 02:16 PM

    The Ancient Near East as it stands today.
    An easy to read history of ancient Israel from Old Testament times to today.

    Read More

  2. The Ancient City of Jericho

    Dec 18, 23 11:21 PM

    The Battle of Jericho and the Southern Campaign
    The city of Jericho is one of the most ancient cities on earth. The city played a crucial role in a number of Bible stories.

    Read More

  3. Story of Cain and Abel

    Dec 17, 23 01:20 PM

    CainLeadsAbel
    The story of Cain and Abel is a tragic story of jealousy, rage and fratricide. It is the first murder in recorded history.

    Read More

  4. The Twelve Tribes of Israel

    Dec 17, 23 12:13 AM

    12TribesofIsraelMap
    The twelve tribes of Israel originated with the twelve sons of Jacob.

    Read More

  5. The Tribe of Gad

    Dec 16, 23 11:54 PM

    Gad-Tribal-Map-Topographical
    The Tribe of Gad was a fierce tribe that participated in many of Israel's battles. They settled land east of the Jordan River.

    Read More

  6. Life of Adam and Eve

    Dec 11, 23 10:50 PM

    AdamAndEveExpelled
    The life of Adam and Eve was a blessed life meant to be lived eternally in Paradise. They lost Paradise, and ever since man has been looking for Eden.

    Read More

  7. In the Days of Noah

    Dec 11, 23 10:05 PM

    Noah's Ark.
    Jesus stated that in the last days it will be as in the days of Noah. The days of Noah were some of the strangest the world has ever seen.

    Read More

  8. The Nephilim

    Dec 11, 23 12:05 AM

    RomanJupiterGreekZeus
    Were the Nephilim byproducts of fallen angels and women? Enoch wrote it was so, as did Moses. What mysteries lie buried in the pages of the Old Testament?

    Read More

SAMUEL the SEER 

Now Available in Print & eBook on Amazon!!

Click to Buy Now on Amazon

POPULAR TOPICS

Learn more about these popular topics below. The Bible is full of fascinating stories, characters and mysteries!

King David of Israel

The Tower of Babel

The Book of Isaiah

The Sons of Noah

BIBLE MAPS

Explore the land of the Old Testament! View these maps of the Bible.

Map of Palestine

Map of Ancient Mesopotamia

Old Testament Map

MORE OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE MAPS

The Battle of Jericho