Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-45l2p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T21:53:30.952Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

7 - The Gentiles in Judaism 125 bcece 66

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2008

Morton Smith
Affiliation:
Columbia University
William Horbury
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
W. D. Davies
Affiliation:
Duke University, North Carolina
Get access

Summary

‘JEWS’ AND ‘GENTILES’: TERMINOLOGY

By Hasmonaean times the people of Palestine had survived and been increased by two thousand years of invasions. The Israelite invasion had been only one in a long series. The series had produced a stock of untraceable complexity, diversified by many small groups with recognizable local characteristics. Such groups were more conspicuous than the population's general uniformity, hence classical Hebrew had no word equivalent to our ‘Palestinian’; Pelishtim means ‘Philistines’, another peculiar group of invaders. ‘Canaanite’ was sometimes pressed into service for the whole non-Israelite population, but properly speaking the Canaanites were only one of the many little peoples whom the Israelites had found living in the land. According to the stories of the Israelite invasion they had shared possession with Perizzites, Hivites, Amorites, Jebusites, etc.

Such peoples the Israelites called ‘the goyyim’. Goy (the singular) refers to ‘an ethnic group considered as a political rather than a biological entity’; it was therefore rendered by the King James translators as ‘nation’. In this sense it was occasionally used for ‘Israel’ (the Israelites considered as a single group). More frequently, however, goy and goyyim were used of non-Israelite groups, often by antithesis to Israel, and pejoratively. Both singular and plural referred to ‘nations’ only; the classical Hebrew terms for a single alien, qua alien, were nokhri and zar. There was no term whatever for an individual who worshipped gods other than Yahweh, much less for all such persons. It was taken for granted that other nations worshipped their own gods (though individuals among them might also worship Yahweh), but until the end of the monarchy the Israelites thought of aliens primarily as strangers and as members of other nations, not as worshippers of other gods; there was no term for, nor concept of, ‘the heathen’ as such.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abel, F., Histoire de la Palestine, 2 vols (Paris 1952).
Alt, A., ‘The God of the Fathers’, in Essays on Old Testament History and Religion, trans. Wilson, R. A. (New York 1968).Google Scholar
Aujac, G. and Lasserre, F. (eds.) Strabon Géographie (Paris 1969)
Avi–Yonah, M. with Kloner, A., ‘Mareshah’, in Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land, ed. Avi-Yonah, M. and Stern, E., vol. 3 (Jerusalem 1977).Google Scholar
Avi–Yonah, M., ‘Mount Carmel and the God of Baalbek’, Israel Exploration Journal 2 (1952).Google Scholar
Büchler, A.The Political and Social Leaders of the Jewish Community of Sepphoris in the Second and Third Centuries, Jews' College Publications 1 (London 1909).
Baron, S. W.A Social and Religious History of the Jews2, vols. 12 (Philadelphia 1952).
Baron, S., A Social and Religious History of the Jews. 2nd edn, vols. 13 (New York 1953).
Bartlett, J.The First and Second Books of the Maccabees, Cambridge Bible Commentary (Cambridge 1973).
Bickerman, E. and Smith, M.. The Ancient History of Western Civilization (New York 1976).
Bousset, W.Die Religion des Judentums. 3rd edn (Tübingen 1926).
Bousset, W.Die Religion des Judentums im späthellenistischen Zeitalter, ed. Gressmann, H. (Handbuch zum Neuen Testament, no. 21; Tübingen 3rd edn 1926).
Burchard, C.Die Nebenüberlieferung von Josephus' Bericht über die Essener, Bell. II. 119–61 bei Hippolyt, Porphyrius, Josippon, Niketas Choniates und anderen in Josephus-Studien, Betz, O. et al. (eds.) (Göttingen 1974).
Byatt, A.Josephus and Population Numbers in First Century Palestine’, Palestine Exploration Quarterly 105 (1973).Google Scholar
Byatt, A.Josephus and Population Numbers’, Palestine Exploration Quarterly 105 (1973).Google Scholar
Cary, M. and Scullard, H.. A History of Rome Down to the Reign of Constantine, 3rd edn (New York 1975).
Cary, M. and Scullard, H. H.. A History of Rome Down to the Reign of Constantine, 3rd edn (New York 1975).
Christ, Wilhelm, Schmid, Wilhelm and Stählin, Otto, Wilhelm von Christ's Geschichte der griechischen Litteratur, 6th edn (Munich 1924).
Cohen, S. J. D.The Origins of the Matrilineal Principle in Rabbinic Law’, AJS Review 10 (1985).Google Scholar
Cohen, S. J. D., ‘Conversion to Judaism in Historical Perspective’, Conservative Judaism 36 (1983).Google Scholar
Cohen, S. J. D., ‘Respect for Judaism by Gentiles according to Josephus’, Harvard Theological Review 80 (1987).Google Scholar
Cohen, S. J. D., ‘Was Judaism in Antiquity a Missionary Religion’ in Jewish Assimilation, Acculturation, and Accomodation, ed. by Mor, M. (Lanham, MD 1992).Google Scholar
Cohen, S. J. D., Josephus in Galilee and Rome: His Vita and Development as a Historian, CSCT 8 (Leiden 1979).
Dancy, J. C.A Commentary on I Maccabees (Oxford 1954).
de Vaux, R.Palestine in the Early Bronze Age’, in The Cambridge Ancient History, 3rd edn, ed. by Edwards, I. E. S., Gadd, C. J. and Hammond, N. G. L., vol. 1, pt. 2 (Cambridge 1971).Google Scholar
Feldman, L. H.Jew and Gentile in the Ancient World: Attitudes and Interactions from Alexander to Justinian (Princeton 1993).
Fraser, P. M.Ptolemaic Alexandria, 3 vols (Oxford 1972).
Freyne, S.Galilee from Alexander the Great to Hadrian, 323 BCE to 135 CE (Notre Dame 1980).
Freyne, S.Galilee from Alexander the Great to Hadrian (Wilmington/Notre Dame 1980).
Gi(c)hon, M.Edom-Idumea and the Herodian Limes,’ in Doron, Katz, Festschrift B., ed. by Perlman, S. et al. (Tel Aviv 1967).Google Scholar
Goldstein, J. A. I Maccabees, Anchor Bible (New York 1976).
Goodenough, E. R.Jewish Symbols in the Greco–Roman Period, 13 vols. (New York 19551968).
Goodenough, E. R.Jewish Symbols in the Greco-Roman Period, Bollingen Series, 37; 13 vols. (New York 19531968).
Goodman, M.Judaea’, in Cambridge Ancient History 10, 2nd edn, ed. by Bowman, A. K., Champlin, E., Lintott, A. (Cambridge 1996).Google Scholar
Goodman, M.State and Society in Roman Galilee, AD 132–212 (Totowa 1983).
Goodman, M.The Ruling Class of Judaea: The Origins of the Jewish Revolt Against Rome AD 66–70 (Cambridge 1987).
Graetz, H.Geschichte der Juden. 5th edn, 11 vols. (Leipzig 19051908).
Gundel, H.Ventidius (5)’, RE 2R 8 (1955).Google Scholar
Hölscher, G.Levi’, RE 12 (1925).Google Scholar
Hanson, R. S.Tyrian Influence in the Upper Galilee, Meiron Excavation Project 2 (Cambridge, Mass. 1980).
Harding, G.An Index and Concordance of Pre-Islamic Arabian Names (Toronto 1971).
Harvey, G.The True Israel: Uses of the Names Jew, Hebrew and Israel in Ancient Jewish and Early Christian Literature, Arbeiten zur Geschichte des antiken Judentums und des Urchristentums 35 (Leiden 1996).
Hengel, M.Jews, Greeks and Barbarians: Aspects of the Hellenization of Judaism in the Pre-Christian Period, trans. Bowden, J. (Philadelphia 1980).
Hengel, M.Judaism and Hellenism: Studies in Their Encounter in Palestine during the Early Hellenistic Period, trans. Bowden, J., 2 vols. (Philadelphia 1974).
Hengel, M.Judentum und Hellenismus, Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 10 (Tübingen 1969, 2nd edn 1973); English translation, Judaism and Hellenism. 2 vols. (Philadelphia 1974).
Hengel, Martin, Also tr. Bowden, John, Jews, Greek and Barbarians (London 1980).
Hobsbawm, E. J.Bandits 2nd edn (New York 1981).
Horsley, R. A. and Hanson, J. S.. Bandits, Prophets and Messiahs. Popular Movements in the Time of Jesus (Minneapolis 1985).
Jacobson, D.A New Interpretation of the Reverse of Herod's Largest Coin’, American Numismatic Society Museum Notes 31 (1986).Google Scholar
Kasher, A.Jews in Hellenistic Cities in Eretz-Israel: Relations of the Jews in Eretz–Israel with the Hellenistic Cities during the Second Temple Period, Texte und Studien zum Antiken Judentum 21 (Tübingen 1990).
Kasher, A.Jews, Idumaeans and Ancient Arabs: Relations of the Jews in Eretz–lsrael with the Nations of the Frontier and the Desert during the Hellenistic and Roman Era, Texte und Studien zum Antiken Judentum 18 (Tübingen 1988).
Laughlin, J. C. H.The Remarkable Discoveries at Tel Dan’, British Archaeological Reports 7, 5 (1981).Google Scholar
Launey, M.Recherches sur les armées hellénistiques, 2 vols. (Paris 19491950).
Luck, G.Der Akademiker Antiochos, Noctes Romanae 7 (Berne 1953).
Mader, E.Mambre (Freiburg 1958).
McLean, M. D.The Initial Coinage of Alexander Jannaeus’, American Numismatic Society Museum Notes 26 (1981).Google Scholar
Meshorer, Y.Jewish Coins of the Second Temple Period, trans. Levine, I. H. (Tel Aviv 1967).
Meyer, E.Ursprung und Anfänge des Christentums, 3 vols. (Stuttgart 1921).
Minc, H.Coins of Alexander Yannai’, Journal of the Society for Ancient Numismatics 12 (1981).Google Scholar
Minear, P. S.The Obedience of Faith (London 1971).
Moore, G. F.Judaism in the First Centuries of the Christian Era, 3 vols. (Cambridge, MA 19271930).
Mourterde, R.Antiquités de l'Hermon’, Mélanges de l'Université Saint–Joseph 29 (19511953).Google Scholar
Mouterde, R., ‘Antiquit.s de l'Hermon’, , M.langes de l'Universit. Saint-Joseph 29 (1951-3)Google Scholar
Munck, J.Discours d'adieu dans le Nouveau Testament et dans la littérature biblique’ in Aux Sources de la Tradition Chrétienne. Festschrift Goguel, M. (Neuchâtel 1950).Google Scholar
Netzer, E.Herod's Building Projects’ in The Jerusalem Cathedra, vol. 1, ed. by Levine, L. I. (Jerusalem 1981).Google Scholar
Noth, M.Geschichte Israels. 4th edn (Göttingen 1959), English translation The History of Israel, 2nd edn (London 1960).
Ollendorff, L.Livia (37)’, RE 13.1 (1926).Google Scholar
Rajak, T.The Jews under Hasmonean Rule’, in Cambridge Ancient History 9, 2nd edn, ed. by Crook, J. A., Lintott, A. and Rawson, E. (Cambridge 1994).Google Scholar
Rappaport, U.Jewish–Pagan Relations and the Revolt against Rome in 66–70 CE‘ in The Jerusalem Cathedra, vol. 1, ed. by Levine, L. I. (Jerusalem 1981).Google Scholar
Rappaport, U.La Judée et Rome pendant le règne d'Alexandre Jannée’, Revue des études juives 127 (1968).Google Scholar
Rappaport, U.Les Iduméens en Egypte', Revue de Philologie 43 (1969).Google Scholar
Rappaport, U.Jewish Religious Propaganda and Proselytism in the Period of the Second Commonwealth (Jerusalem 1965) (in Hebrew).
Richard, Steiner, Jonckheere, ‘La circoncision des anciens Egyptiens’Centaurus, citing 1 3(1951)Google Scholar
Schürer, E.Geschichte des jüdischen Volkes im Zeitalter Jesu Christi, 3 vols. (Leipzig 19011909).
Schalit, A.Der Schauplatz des letzten Kampfes zwischen den aufständischen Pharisäern und Alexander Jannäus (Ant 13,379f.; Bell 1,96)’, in Josephus–Studien, ed. by Betz, O. et al. (Göttingen 1974).Google Scholar
Schalit, A.König Herodes. Der Mann und sein Werk, SJ 4 (Berlin 1969).
Schwartz, D. R.Josephus and Nicolaus on the Pharisees’, Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period 14 (1983).Google Scholar
Schwartz, S.The Composition and Publication of Josephus's Bellum Iudaicum Book 7’, Harvard Theological Review 79 (1986).Google Scholar
Schwartz, S.Josephus and Judaean Politics, Columbia Studies in the Classical Tradition 18 (Leiden 1990).
Sherwin-White, A. N.Lucullus, Pompey and the East’ in Cambridge Ancient History 9, 2nd edn, ed. by Crook, J. A., Lintott, A. and Rawson, E. (Cambridge 1994).Google Scholar
Sievers, J.The Hasmoneans and their Supporters from Mattathias to the Death of John Hyrcanus I, USF Studies in the History of Judaism 6 (Atlanta 1990).
Singer, S.The Winter Palaces of Jericho’, British Archaeological Reports 3, 2 (1977).Google Scholar
Smallwood, E. M.Philonis Alexandrini Legatio ad Gaium (Leiden: 1961).
Smallwood, E. M.The Jews under Roman Rule from Pompey to Diocletian: A Study in Political Relations (Leiden 1976).
Smith, M.Palestinian Judaism in the First Century’ in Israel: Its Role in Civilization, ed. by Davis, M. (New York 1956). Reprint in Smith, M., Studies in the Cult of Yahweh, ed. by Cohen, S. J. D., vol. 1 (Leiden 1996).Google Scholar
Smith, M.Jesus the Magician (New York 1981).
Smith, M.Palestinian Parties and Politics that Shaped the Old Testament, 2nd corr. edn (London 1987).
Stern, M.Judea and her Neighbors in the Days of Alexander Jannaeus’ in The Jerusalem Cathedra, vol. 1, ed. by Levine, L. I. (Jerusalem 1981).Google Scholar
Stern, M.Nicholas of Damascus as a Source for Israelite History in Hasmonean and Herodian Times’ in Studies in Bible and Jewish History, Liver, Festschrift J. (Tel Aviv 1971) (in Hebrew).Google Scholar
Stern, M.Social and Political Realignments in Herodian Judaea’ in The Jerusalem Cathedra 2, ed. by Levine, L. I. (Jerusalem/Detroit 1982).Google Scholar
Stern, M.Trachides – Surname of Alexander Janai in Josephus and Syncellus’, Tarbiz 29 (1960) (in Hebrew).Google Scholar
Toombs, L. and Wright, G.. ‘The Third Campaign at Bâlaah’, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 161 (1961).Google Scholar
Vermes, G., Millar, F. and Goodman, M.The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (175 BC–AD 135) by Schürer, Emil. Revised edition. 3 parts in 4 volumes (Edinburgh 19731987).
Volkmann, H.Ptolemaios (60) Sohn des Mennaios’, RE 23 (1959).Google Scholar
Wellhausen, J.Israelitische und jüdische Geschichte, 8th edn (Berlin 1921).
Windisch, H.Ἕλληυ’, in Theologisches Wörterbuch zum Neuen Testament, ed. by Kittel, G., vol. 2; trans. by Bromiley, G. W., Kittel, G. and Friedrich, G. (eds.), Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids 1964ff); ET of Kittel, G. and Friedrich, G. (eds.), Theologisches Wörterbuch zum Neuen Testament (Stuttgart 1933ff), vol. 2.Google Scholar
Yavetz, Z.Judeophobia in Classical Antiquity’, Journal of Jewish Studies 44 (1993).Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×