Ebook The Works of Flavius Josephus, the Learned and Authentic Jewish Historian and Celebrated Warrior

We may hence correct the error of the Latin cepy of the second book against Apion. Sect. 7, 8. (for the Greek 18 there lost) which says there were then only four tribes or courses of the priests, instead of twenty four. — Nor is this testimony to be disregarded, as if 10 sephus there contradicted what he had affirmed here, because even the account there given, better agrees to twenty-four than to four courses, while he says that each of these courses contained above 5000 men, which multiplied by only four. Will make not more than priests; whereas the number as multiplied by 24, seems much the most probable, they being about one-tenth of the whole people, even after the captivity. See Ezra ii. 36 — 39. Neh. Vii. 39 — 49. 1 Esd. V. 24. 95. With Ezra ii. 64. Neh. Vii. 66. 1. Esd. V. Nor will this common reading or notion of but four courses of priests. Agree with Josephus's own farther assertion elsewhere. Antiq. B. Vii. Ch. Xiv. Sect. 7. That David's partition of the priests into twenty-four courses had continued to that day.