JEWISH-GENTILE RELATIONS
S.J.D. Cohen, "Respect for Judaism by Gentiles according to Josephus",
Harvard Theological Review 80 (1987), 409-430. - While Josephus often
emphasizes the benevolence of Gentile rulers towards the Jews, he usually
plays down the fact and implications of Gentile conversion to Judaism. The
exclusivity of Judaism with the consequent rejection of pagan worship is
hardly mentioned, nor are converts shown to prosper as a result of their
new faith. Evidently Josephus was attempting to allay Roman fears about
Jews in their midst being a subversive influence. Only in Contra Apionem,
probably based on an earlier Alexandrian tract, is Josephus more forthright
about the number of Gentiles converting to Judaism and its Consequences.
(G.J.W.)
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