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A Treatise on the Life of Moses, that is to say, On the Theology and Prophetic Office of Moses, Book II.
I. (1) The first volume of this treatise relates to the subject of the birth and bringing up of Moses, and also of his education and of his government
II. (8) And first of all we must speak of the matters which relate to his character and conduct as a lawgiver. I am not ignorant that the man who desi
III. (12) But that he himself is the most admirable of all the lawgivers who have ever lived in any country either among the Greeks or among the barba
IV. (17) But this is not so entirely wonderful, although it may fairly by itself be considered a thing of great intrinsic importance, that his laws we
V. (25) And that beauty and dignity of the legislation of Moses is honoured not among the Jews only, but also by all other nations, is plain, both fro
VI. (31) He, then, being a sovereign of this character, and having conceived a great admiration for and love of the legislation of Moses, conceived th
VII. (37) Therefore, being settled in a secret place, and nothing even being present with them except the elements of nature, the earth, the water, th
VIII. (45) Now what has been here said is quite sufficient for the abundant praise of Moses as a lawgiver. But there is another more extensive praise
IX. (49) Now of all other lawgivers, some the moment that they have promulgated positive commands as to what it is right to do and what it is right no
X. (52) At all events if any one were inclined to examine with accuracy the powers of each individual and particular law, he will find them all aiming
XI. (59) But in the great deluge I may almost say that the whole of the human race was destroyed, while the history tells us that the house of Noah al
XII. On which account everything was now made obedient to Noah and even beasts, which up to that time had been savage, became gentle, and being tamed
XIII. (66) We have already, then, gone through two parts of the life of Moses, discussing his character in his capacity of a king and of a lawgiver. W
XIV. (68) But, in the first place, before assuming that office, it was necessary for him to purify not only his soul but also his body, so that it sho
XV. (71) And while he was still abiding in the mountain he was initiated in the sacred will of God, being instructed in all the most important matters
XVI. (76) Therefore the general form of the model was stamped upon the mind of the prophet, being accurately painted and fashioned beforehand invisibl
XVII. (84) Moreover the architect surrounded the tabernacle with very beautiful woven work of all kinds, employing work of hyacinth colour, and purple
XVIII. (88) Moreover, he chose the materials of this embroidery, selecting with great care what was most excellent out of an infinite quantity, choosi
XIX. (91) And the situation was as follows. In the middle was placed a tent, being in length thirty cubits and in width ten cubits, including the dept
XX. (95) But the ark was in the innermost shrine, in the inaccessible holy of holies, behind curtains being gilded in a most costly and magnificent m
XXI. (101) And in the space between the five pillars and the four pillars, is that space which is, properly speaking, the space before the temple, bei
XXII. (104) And the table, on which bread and salt are laid, was placed on the northern side, since it is the north which is the most productive of wi
XXIII. (109) After these things the architect of the tabernacle next prepared a sacred dress for him who was to be appointed high priest, having in it
XXIV. (117) Such, then, is the dress of the high priest. But we must not omit to mention the signification which it conceals beneath both in its whole
XXV. (127) And this logeum is described as double with great correctness for reason is double, both in the universe and also in the nature of mankind
XXVI. (131) Such then are the figurative meanings which he desires to indicate by the sacred vestments of the high priest and instead of a diadem he
XXVII. (136) Again, outside the outer vestibule, at the entrance, is a brazen laver the architect having not taken any mere raw material for the manu
XXVIII. (141) And when he had been taught the patterns of the sacred tabernacle, and had in turn himself taught those who were gifted with acute compr
XXIX. (146) And when he had thus furnished them with proper vestments, he took very fragrant ointment, which had been made by the skill of the perfume
XXX. (152) Accordingly, he first of all anointed the three parts before mentioned of the bodies of the priests with the unmixed blood of one of the vi
XXXI. (159) And as many sacrifices were of necessity offered up every day, and especially on all days of solemn assembly and festival, both on behalf
XXXII. (167) And when he came into the middle of the camp, and marvelled at the sudden way in which the multitude had forsaken all their ancient habit
XXXIII. (174) But, since there is not one order only of consecrated priests, but since to some of them the charge is committed of attending to all the
XXXIV. (180) And the fruit were almonds, which is a fruit of a different character from any other. For in most fruit, such as grapes, olives, and appl
XXXV. (187) Since, therefore, I have now stated that in the absolutely perfect governor there ought to be four things, royal power, the legislative di
XXXVI. (192) And we must here begin with the promise. There are four places where the oracles are given by way of question and answer, being contained
XXXVII. (196) Accordingly, this man of mixed race, having had a quarrel with some one of the consecrated and well-instructed house of Israel, becoming
XXXVIII. (205) But, as it seems, he is not now speaking of that God who was the first being who had any existence, and the Father of the universe, but
XXXIX. (209) Moreover, in accordance with the honour due to the Creator of the universe, the prophet hallowed the sacred seventh day, beholding with e
XL. (217) On this day, then, the man who had done this deed of impiety was led away to prison and Moses being at a loss what ought to be done to the
XLI. (221) Therefore both those instances which I have mentioned comprise the punishments of wicked men, appointed and confirmed by question and answe
XLII. (228) When he heard this he saw that the justification which they alleged was not inconsistent with reason and truth, and that the excuse which
XLIII. (233) Having now, then, given this account of those who were too late to sacrifice the festival of the passover with the rest of the nation by
XLIV. (243) And having given his divine directions respecting the petitions which the orphan maidens had preferred, he proceeds to lay down a more gen
XLV. (246) Having now, as I was forced to do, gone through the entire account of those sacred commands referring to a mixed possession of an inheritan
XLVI. But when the prophet saw that the whole nation was now enclosed like a shoal of fish, and in great consternation, he no longer remained master o
XLVII. (258) This is the beginning and preface of the prophecies of Moses under the influence of inspiration. After this he prophesied about the first
XLVIII. (263) He gave a second instance of his prophetical inspiration not long afterwards in the oracle which he delivered about the sacred seventh d
XLIX. (270) Such then are the predictions which he delivered, under the influence of inspiration, respecting the food which came down from heaven but
L. (275) I have also another still more marvellous and prodigy-like oracle to report, which indeed I have mentioned before, when I was relating the ci
LI. (288) And some time afterwards, when he was about to depart from hence to heaven, to take up his abode there, and leaving this mortal life to beco
