The Temple Experience of Jaddus in the Antiquities of Josephus: A Report of Jewish Dream Incubation
The Jewish Quarterly Review 1993 DOI: 10.2307/1455158 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 16 |
| Key points | Argues that Josephus's depiction of Jaddus's dream (Ant. 11.326-328) draws on biblical dream-incubation theophanies, especially 1 Kings 3, allowing Josephus to present divine guidance of the Jews without implying God was manipulated. Proposes a typology of biblical dream incubation: intentional, incidental unintentional, and accidental unintentional. |
Abstract
Josephus describes the dream experience of the high priest Jaddus (Ant. 11.326-328) in a manner reminiscent of dream incubation theophanies in the biblical tradition, especially that of Solomon in 1 Kings 3. In using this nuanced mode of recording incubation dreams, Josephus was able to communicate that the Jews received divine direction under Jaddus without implying that God was manipulated to provide a revelation in this crisis. One might observe the same circumspect treatment of dream reports in Genesis 28, 46; 1 Samuel 3; and 1 Kings 3, all of which stand in contrast to typical ancient Near Eastern and Hellenistic dream reports. The author also provides a typology of biblical dream incubation reports: intentional (1 Kings 3, Ant. 11.326-328), incidental unintentional (Genesis 45, 1 Samuel 3), and accidental unintentional (Genesis 28)