Viewing Samaritans Jewishly: Josephus, the Samaritans, and the Identification of Israel

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Josephus offers one of our most extensive sources for the study of ancient Judaism, and his treatment of the Samaritans is no exception. In this article, I synchronize attention to Josephus’ representations of Samaritans with the turn in Biblical Studies and Jewish Studies towards the contestation of ancient “Israel” throughout antiquity. First, I argue that we see more clearly how Josephus actively constructs Samaritan identity by comparison to shared contestation of Israelite genealogy and geography in the Martyrdom of Isaiah, 4 Baruch, Pseudo-Philo, and Megillat Taʿanit. Second, I suggest that such an approach develops an alternative way to write ancient Jewish history with Josephus, incorporating his work into discussions of ancient Jewish self-representation beyond the choice between historical reality check or self-sustaining rhetoric.</jats:p>

Samaritans, Biblical Studies, and Ancient Judaism: Recent Trends

“…While site surveys and excavations do suggest settlement decline in parts of Samaria, there is little evidence of total displacement (Knoppers 2013: 40; Zertal 2003). Moreover, while scholars have sifted the work of the historian for decisive events, it may make more sense to situate his work within a complex array of Second Temple attempts to work through Samaritan difference (Chalmers 2020a). There is little compelling reason to read 2 Kings 17, or the reference to the enemies of the Exilic returnees in Ezra 4, as a historical reference to the Samaritan Israelites.…”

“…The production of such an image implies the opposite, in fact; a more significant enmeshing of the two groups. Admittedly, this conversation still so far revolves around how far Josephus permits us to reconstruct a realist historical narrative about Samaritans, but it also raises the possibility of reading Josephus other than as a window into reality (Chalmers 2020a).…”