"Josippon" in England

<plain_text><page sequence="1">as *?&lt; q -in "Sr ^&gt; i?? sit c cu S S I o 'So ?2 I S .2 3 s (U 2 ."TS 8 cu 3 W g &amp; ? ?etil ? o ^-&amp;3o5e,i'&amp;I'i 5*i o _ p a. o X CO O w H w a: H ?x O X a, O o ? Q &lt; a &lt; a, CO E o fx. cx c/) o</page><page sequence="2">"JOSIPPON" IN ENGLAND. By LUCIEN WOLF. However much the Sepher J osippon may have been derided by the critics of a former generation as a clumsy and unhistorical forgery, it has played a considerable part in the external history of the Jewish people, only second in importance, indeed, to the Bible itself. It was the first post-biblical history of the Jews that was read by the common people of Europe. Its inconsiderable bulk, and especially its popular style and strong legendary flavour, gave it a decided advantage over the genuine Josephus, which, in all its early translations, was produced in cumbrous folios and was unknown beyond a narrow circle of scholars and clerics. J osippon was essentially a Volksbuch. If we consider how important a factor in the dissipation of anti-Jewish prejudice was the popular apprehension of the identity of the Jews with the* people of the Bible, we shall see what was the particular service rendered by the Sepher Josippon. It supplied the first connecting link in the Gentile mind between the Bible and the Ghetto. It sowed the seeds of that benevolent Christian interest which eventually enabled orthodoxy to join hands with rationalistic political Liberalism in the emancipation of the Jews. What the pre-Reformation bourgeois thought of the Jews we know pretty well; but what he knew of their historic origin we can only dimly gather from the homiletic literature of his day. He knew that they were heretics, a " monument of divine wrath," and especially " the slayers of the Son of God "; but that they were the spiritual fathers of Christianity, and belonged to the same seed of David as the Christ himself, he was profoundly ignorant. It was the translation of the Sepher J osippon which first opened his eyes to this fact?a fact of decisive importance in settling the social and political destinies of the Jewish people. 277</page><page sequence="3">278 uJOSIPPON" IN ENGLAND. The circumstances under which Josippon was first translated into English are particularly interesting at this moment, when the Tercentenary of the Authorised Version is being celebrated. We hear a great deal about the influence of the Authorised Version in popu? larising the Bible, but very little about the hold the Great Book had already obtained upon the popular imagination through Caxton's Golden Legend and the translations of Coverdale and Cranmer. As a matter of fact it was already a popular book, and the best proof of it is supplied by Josippon, which was translated in deference to the demand for a sequel to the Bible at a time when the Bible was a new book which, as we should say to-day, 44 had taken the town by storm." I once heard a little anecdote which illustrates admirably the frame of the popular mind which rendered the Englishing of Josippon necessary. In the early days of South African colonisation the late Baron Mosenthal once paid a visit to an up-country Boer farmer, whom he found intently poring over a huge family Bible. Looking up at his travelled visitor, the Boer asked him earnestly, 44 Do you think there are any of that blessed people, the Jews, still living ? " 44 Of course there are," answered Mosen thai, 441 have seen them myself." 44 Then," rejoined the simple Dutchman, 441 will give you fifty pounds if you will procure me a sight of one of them." Something of the same spirit prevailed in England when the Old Testament was first made known to the reading public, through Coverdale's and Cranmer's translations. An impetus had perhaps been given to this interest by the long dis? cussions of Jewish customs involved in Henry VIII.'s divorce from Catherine of Aragon. The first attempt to cater for it was made in a little ethnographical work, called The Fardle of Facions, published in 1555. It was a translation by William Watreman of John Bcemus's Omnium Gentium Mores, and, in addition to a short chapter 44 Of Jurie and of the lyfe, maners, and lawes of the Jewes," it contained, in an appendix, a bald summary of 44 the ordres and lawes of the Jewes commune wealth," extracted from Josephus. This was manifestly inadequate to meet the public demand; and an enterprising London publisher, Richard Jugge, printer to the Queen, looked about for a scholar who would supply him with a more extensive book on the subject. He found the man he wanted in Peter Morvyn, a zealous reformer,</page><page sequence="4">"JOSIPPON" IN ENGLAND. 279 whose learning had earned for him a perpetual fellowship of Magdalen College, Oxford, and who was afterwards appointed a Canon of Lich field, when Bentham was promoted to the bishopric. Morvyn had lived in Germany, where he had, doubtless, become acquainted with Sebastian Minister's Historiarum Josephiy a curtailed Latin translation of Josippon. As this work only commenced with the Gesta Macha beorum it was well suited to supply the book of which Jugge was in need, and accordingly Morvyn set himself to turn it into - English. Early in 1558, the translation, in the shape of a fat little black-letter duodecimo, was placed on sale in Jugge's shop in St. Paul's Church? yard. The book was a literal version of M?nster, although its author pretended to derive it direct from the Hebrew. To the bibliographer, however, the most interesting feature in it is an " Epistle to the reader," in which its raison d'etre is fully set forth. We are told that the object is to supply a 44 history of ye Jewes, to the intent that as there is emongst us already in our native tong, the originall beginninge of that nacion, and the continuance also for a long space, in the Bible, and annexed to the same : so there might be likewise an understand? ing and declaration to al men in the English tong, as well as in other, of the destruction of so famous a commune weal." The demand for the book is indicated by the inquiry, 44 Who woulde not be very muche delited and desierous to understand the ende, and what became at lengthe uppon suche a people, that he hathe hearde so muche of, as everye man hathe reade and hearde of the Jewes in the Bible and other wyse." Like all the scholars of his day, and for many a long day after him, Morvyn firmly believed that Josippon was the work of Josephus, 44 although he name him self in thys, Ben Gorion, that is the sonne of Gorion, and in the other, the Sonne of Mattathias : whiche is a thynge so commune in the Jewes genealogies, yt men nede not sicke far for the like." No biographical information is, however, vouchsafed concerning Ben Gorion beyond a reference to him on the title-page as 44 a nobleman of the same countrey [Judea] who sawe the most thynges [he relates] himself, and was auctour and doer of a great part of the same." The book was apparently very successful. Jugge issued a second edition in 1561, a third in 1567, and a fourth in 1575. His successors, John Wallie and Thomas Adames, published further editions in 1579.</page><page sequence="5">280 4 JOSIPPON ". IN ENGLAND. 1593, 1596, 1602, 1608, and 1615, making ten editions in a little more than fifty years, a considerable circulation for a comparatively un? lettered age. After 1615, however, all interest in it seems to have died away, and we hear of no reissue until thirty-seven years later. It is possible that the sudden subsidence of Judeophil feeling which this indicates was brought about by the alleged treason of Queen Elizabeth's Jewish physician, Rodrigo Lopez. For some years the public were in no mood to dwell sympathetically on the "latter times, of the Jewes communeweall." They preferred to devour sensational tracts relating to the " perjured and murdering traitor and Jewish doctor," or to pass their evenings hooting at Barabbas in the then popular performances of Marlowe's " Jew of Malta." The book was revived in the full tide of the Puritan agitation for the readmission of the Jews into England. The year 1652 was very prolific in works on the Jewish question; but, strange to say, the object of the republication of the English Josippon was not to con? tribute in any way to the solution of that problem. It w7as practically a Royalist tract, issued by James Stafford, the publisher of Fuller's sermons and other works, and edited by James Howel, the most versatile author of his day, and formerly Clerk to the Council at White? hall. Howel, who had passed many years on the Continent, and whose notebooks were full of quaint memoranda about the Jews, prefixed to it an " epistle dedicatory," consisting of an interesting ethnographical and historical sketch of the Israelitish people which practically com? pleted the book as a post-Biblical history. Still it was only intended to serve a political and temporary end. Its object was to take advantage of the prevailing interest in the Jews to impress upon the citizens of the metropolis that, just as Jerusalem was ruined by sedition, so London would have to pay a similar penalty for her adhesion to the Puritan cause. This was fully explained in a subsequent edition, after the fall of the Commonwealth. The book was, however, much better than its professions. It sold well, and new editions wrere repeatedly called for. Stafford, as an astute publisher, nursed his little property and added attractions to it. He illustrated it and got Thomas Fuller to write additional chapters to it. The famous Royal Chaplain had already given some attention to the Jews, and in his Church History of Britain had included a fairly accurate sketch of pre-Expulsion history.</page><page sequence="6">"JOSIPPON " IN ENGLAND. 281 To Stafford's Josippon he contributed a chatty account of Jewish manners and customs and an eloquent prayer for mercy to the Jews apart from their conversion. This prayer deserves to be better known. It is a striking testimony to the influence exerted by the English trans? lation of the Sepher Josippon when, in its final redaction, we find the concluding pages occupied by a prayer in which the foremost preacher of his day?not a Puritan, but a Royalist and an Episcopalian?asks : " How long, 0 Lord, holy and true ? How long, 0 Lord ? Wilt Thou be angry for ever ? Thine anger is said to endure but a moment; but Lord, how many, many millions of millions of moments are con? tained in sixteen hundred years since Thou hast first cast off Thy first and chosen people, the Jews ?" In this composite form?translated originally by Morvyn from M?nster, edited and annotated by Howel, with a preface by Stafford and additions by Fuller?the English Josippon regained all its old popularity. It retained its hold on the reading public until Taylor's translation of Basnage inaugurated a more sys? tematic study of Jewish history.</page><page sequence="7">A LIST OF ENGLISH EDITIONS OF J08IPP0N. 1558. The first edition of the English translation of Josippon (1558) is only known to us by a reference to it in Anthony ? Wood's Aihence Oxonienses (vol. i. sub voce Morwyn). This is confirmed by the following entry in the Stationer's Eegisters :? " 19 July 1557?9 July 1558. The entrynge of all suche copyes as be lycensed to be prynted by the master and wardyns of the mystery of stationers as followeth that ys to saye . . . To master JUGGE to prynte this boke of Josephus and for his lycense he gaveth to the howse . . . iiijd." (A Transcript of the Registers of the Company of Stationers of London. 1554 1640 a.D. Edited by Edward Arber. Vol. I. p. 23?1. 77 ) An imperfect copy of this edition without title page is in the posses? sion of the present writer. It is a thick 12mo Black Letter throughout; ff. VI + cclxxviii, and has the following Colophon :? " Imprinted at London by John Daye for Richarde Jugge, dwellynge at the Northe dore of Paules, at the signe of the Bible. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum sol urn." 1561. A Compendious and moste marueylous History of the latter times of the Jewes commune weale, beginnyng where the Byble or Scriptures leaue, and continuyng to the utter subueision and last destruction of that countrey and people. Written in Hebrewe by Joseph Ben Gorion, a nobleman of the same countrey, who sawe the most thynges hymselfe and was auctour and doer of a great part of the same. Translated into Englyshe by Peter Morwyng of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford, and now newly corrected and amended by the sayde translatour. Anno 1561. Colophon ; Imprinted at London in Powles Churche yarde by Richard Jugge, Printer to the Queenes Maiestie. 1561. Cum priuilegio Regise Maiestatis. 12mo. Black Letter, ff. 8 + cclix. 282</page><page sequence="8">"JOSIPPON" IN ENGLAND. 283 1567. A compendious and most marueilous Historie of the latter tymes of the Jewes common weale, begynnyng where the Byble or Scriptures leaue, and continuyng to the vtter subuertion and laste destruction of that countrey and people. Written in Hebrne by Joseph Ben Gorion, a noble man of the same countrey, who sawe the most thynges hymselfe, and was aucthour and doer of a great part of the same. Translated into Englyshe by Peter Morwyng, of Magdalen Colledge in Oxforde. And nowe newly corrected and amended by the sayde translatour. 1567. Colophon: Imprinted at London in Powles Church yarde by Richarde Iugge, Printer to the Queenes Maiestie. 1567. Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis. 12mo. Black Letter, ff. 4 + 357. 1575. A compendious and most marueilous Historie of the latter times of the Jewes common weale, begynnyng where the Bible scriptures leaue and con? tinuing to the utter subuertion and last destruction of that countrey and people. Written in Hebrue by Joseph Ben Gorion, a noble man of the same countrey, who saw the most thinges himselfe, and was aucthor and doer of a great part of the same. Translated into Englisbe by Peter Morwyng of Magdalen Colledge in Oxforde. And nowe newely corrected and amended by the sayde translatour. 1575. Colophon: Imprinted at London by Newgate marget next vnto Christes Churche, by Richarde Jngge, printer to the Queenes Maiestie. 1575. Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis. Cogita Mori. Love kepythe the lawe, obeyeth the kynge, and is good to the common welthe. PRO LEGE, REGE, ET GREGE. 12mo. Black Letter, ff. 4 + 357. 1579. A compendious and most marueilous Historie of the latter tymes of the Jewes common weale, begynnyng where the Bible scriptures leaue and continuing to the utter subuertion and last destruction of that countrey and people. Written in Hebrue by Joseph Ben Gorion, a noble man of the same countrey, who saw the most thinges himselfe, and was aucthor and doer of a great part of the same. Translated into Englysh by Peter Morwyng of Magdalen Colledge, Oxforde. And nowe newely corrected and amended by the sayde translatour. 1575. Colophon: Imprinted at London by John Wallie. 1579. Cum Privilegio.</page><page sequence="9">284 " JOSIPPON " IN ENGLAND. Cogita Mori. Love kepythe the lawe, obeyth the kynge, and is good to the common welthe. PRO LEGE, REGE, ET GREGE. 12mo. Black Letter and Roman, ff. 4 + 357. 1593. A Compendious and most meruailous Historie of the latter times of the Jewes common Weale. Beginning where the Bible or scriptures leaue, and continuing to the vtter subuertion and last destruction of that Countrey and people. Written in Hebrue by Joseph Ben Gorion, a noble man of the same Countrey, who sawe the most things himselfe, and was authour and doer of a great part of the same. Translated into English by Peter Morwyn, of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford. And now newly corrected and amended by the said translatour. At London, Printed for Thomas Adames, dwelling in Paules Church-yarde, ouer against the great North doore. An. Do. 1593. 12mo. Black Letter and Roman, ff. 4+232+4. 1596. A compendious and most maruellous Historie of the latter times of the Jewes common weale. Beginning where the Bible or scriptures leaue, and continuing to the vtter subuersion and last destruction of that countrey and people. Written in Hebrue, by Joseph Ben Gorion, a noble man of the same Countrey, who sawe the most things himselfe, and was authour and doer of a greater part of the same. Translated into English by Peter Morwyn of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford. And now newly corrected and amended by the said translator. At London, Printed by V. Sims, for Thomas Adams, dwelling in Paules Church-yard, ouer against the great North doore. An..Do. 1596. 12mo. Black Letter and Roman, pp. 8 + 449. 1602. A Compendious and most maruelous History of the latter times of the Jewes common-weale. Beginning where the Bible, or Scriptures leaue and continuing to the vtter subuersion and last destruction of that countrey and people. Written in Hebrue by Joseph Ben Gorion, a noble man of the same CountreV, who sawe the most things himselfe, and was Author and dooer of a greater part of the same. Translated into English, by Peter Morwyn of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford. And now newly corrected and amended by the said Translator. At London Printed lor Thomas</page><page sequence="10">'?' JOSIPPON " IN ENGLAND. 285 Adams, dwelling in Paules Church-yarde, ower against the great North doore. 1602. Sm. 8vo. Black Letter and Roman, pp. 8 + 435. 1608. A Compendious and most maruelous History of the latter times of the Jewes common-weale beginning where the Bible or Scriptures leaue, and continuing to the utter subuersion and last destruction of that country and people. Written in Hebrue by Joseph Ben Gorion, a nobleman of the same Countrey, who sawe the most things himselfe, and was the Author and dooer of a great part of the same. Translated into English by Peter Morwyn of Magdalen Oolledge in Oxford. And now newly corrected and amended by the said Translator. At London Printed for Thomas Adams, dwelling in Paules Church-yard, ouer against the great North doore. 1608. Sm. 8vo. Black Letter and Roman, pp. 5 + 435. 1615. A compendious and most maruellous Historie of the latter times of the Jewes common weale. Beginning where the Bible or scriptures leaue, and continuing to the utter subuersion and last destruction of that countrey and people. Written in Hebrue, by Joseph Ben Gorion, a Nobleman of the same Countrey, who sawe the most things himselfe, and was authour and doer of a greater part of the same. Translated into English by Peter Morwyn of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford. And now newly corrected and amended by the same translator. London, Printed for Thomas Adams, dwelling in Pauls Church-yard, at the signe of the Bell. 1615. Sm. 8vo. Black Letter and Roman, pp. 8 + 435. 1652. The Wonderful and most deplorable History of the Latter times of the Jews, and of the City of Hierusalem. Beginning where the Holy Scriptures do end. Written first in Hebrew and now made more methodical and corrected of sundry errors. Perditio tua ex Te Israel. London, Printed for John Stafford and are to be sold at the George at Fleet Bridge and by Humphrey Moseley at the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yarde. 1652. [Introduction by James Howell.] Sm. 8vo. pp. IB+ 432+ 8. 1653. The Wonderful and most deplorable History of the Latter Times of the Jews, and of the City of Hierusalem. Beginning where the Holy Scriptures</page><page sequence="11">286 " JOSIPPON " IN ENGLAND. do end. Written first in Hebrew, and now made more Methodical, and corrected of sundry Errors. Perditio tua ex Te Israel. London, Printed by J. L. for John Stafford, and are to be sold at the George at Fleet-bridge, 1653. Sm. 8vo. pp. 18 + 432 + 8. 1662. The Wonderful and Most deplorable History of the latter times of the Jews : With the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem, which History begins where the Holy Scriptures do end. By Josephus Ben Gorion. Where unto is added a Brief of the ten Captiuities ; with the Pourtrait of the Roman Rams, and Engins of Battery &amp;c. As also of Jerusalem ; with the fearfull, and presaging Apparitions that were seen in the Aire before her Ruins. Moreover, there is a parallel of the late Times, and Crimes in London, with those in Jerusalem. London, Printed for Christopher Eccleston, and are to be sold at his shop in St. Dunstance Church-yard. An. Dom. 1662. Sm. 8vo. pp. 376+8. Roman. 1669. The Wonderful and Most deplorable History of the latter times of the Jews : With the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem, which History begins where the Holy Scriptures do end. By Josephus Ben Gorion. Whereunto is added a Brief of the ten Captiuities ; with the Pourtrait of the Roman Rams, and Engins of Battery &amp;c. As also of Jerusalem ; with the fearfull, and presaging Apparitions that were seen in the Aire before her Ruins. Moreover, there is a parallel of the late Times, and Crimes in London, with those in Jerusalem. London, Printed for John Syms and are to be sold at his shop in Bishops-gate-Street at the Entrance into Gresham Colledge. 1669. Sm. 8vo. Roman, pp. 376+8, 1673. The Wonderful and most Deplorable History of the Later Times of the Jews: with the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem. Which History begins where the Holy Scriptures do end. By Josephus Ben Gorion. Whereunto is added a Brief of the ten Captivities ; with the Pourtrait of the Roman Rams, and Engins of Battery, etc. As also of Jerusalem ; with the fearful and presaging Apparitions that were seen in the air before her Ruins. Moreover, there is a Parallel of the late Times and Crimes in</page><page sequence="12">JOSIPPON " IN ENGLAND. 287 London, with those in Jerusalem. London, Printed for William Thackeray in Duck-Lane, near Smith-Field, 1673. Sm. 8vo. pp, 18 + 376 + 15. 1682. The Wonderful and most Deplorable History of the Later Times of the Jews : with the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem. Which History begins where the Holy Scriptures do end. By Josephus Ben Gorion. Whereunto is added a Brief of the ten Captivities; With the Pourtrait of the Roman Rams, and Engins of Battery, &amp;c. As also of Jerusalem ; with the fearful and presaging Apparitions that were seen in the air before her Ruins. Moreover, there is a Parallel of the late Times and Crimes in London, with those in Jerusalem. London, Printed for Edward Yize, next door but one to Popes-head-alley over against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill; And Jos. Phillips at the seven stars in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1682. Sm. 8vo. pp. 22 + 344+12. 1684. The wonderful and most Deplorable History of the Later Times of the Jews with the Destruction of the city of Jerusalem. Which History begins where the Holy Scriptures do end. By Josephus Ben Gorion. Whereunto is added a Brief of the ten Captivities ; with the Portrait of the Roman Ranis, and Engins of Battery, &amp;c. As also of Jerusalem ; with the fearful and presaging Apparitions that were seen in the air before the Ruins. Moreover, there is a Parallel of the late Times and Crimes in London, with those in Jerusalem. London, Printed for William Thackeray in Duck Lane, near Smithfield, 1684. Sm. 8vo. pp. 20 + 343 + 15. 1689. The Wonderful and most Deplorable History of the Later Times of the Jews : with the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem. Which History begins where the Holy Scriptures do end. By Josephus Ben Gorion. Whereunto is added a Brief of the Ten Captivities ; with the Pourtrait of the Roman Rams, and Engines of Battery, &amp;c. As also of Jerusalem ; with the fearful and the presaging Apparations that were seen in the Air before her Ruins. Moreover, there is a Parallel of the late Times and Crimes in London, with those in Jerusalem. London, Printed for W. Thackeray, and</page><page sequence="13">288 " JOSIPPON " IN ENGLAND. are to be Sold by James Gilberson at the Sun and Bible on London-Bridge. Mdelxxxix. Sm. 8vo. pp. 20+342 + 8. 1699. The wonderful and most Deplorable History of the Later Times of the Jews with the Destruction of the city of Jerusalem. Which History begins where the Holy Scriptures do end. By Josephus Ben Gorion. Whereunto is added a Brief of the ten Captivities; with the.Portrait of the Roman Rams, and Engins of Battery, &amp;c. As also of Jerusalem ; with the fearful and presaging Apparitions that were seen in the air before the Ruins. Moreover, there is a Parallel of the late Times and Crimes in London, with those in Jerusalem. London, Printed by W. Wilde for H. Rhodes, at the Star, the Corner of Bride-Lane in Fleet Street. 1699. Sm. 8vo. pp. 20+341 + 9. 1706. ^SSDV Josippon sive Josephi Ben-Gorionis. Historic Judaicse Libri Sex. Ex Hebraeo Latine vertit, Prefatione &amp; Notis illustravit Johannes Gagnier, A.M. Oxonii E Theatro Sheldoniano. Anno Domini MDCCVI. Back of Title page: Imprimatur, Guil. Delaune, Vice-Can. Oxon. 14 Nov. 1705. 4?. pp. 4+L+14 + 458 + 13.</page><page sequence="14"></page></plain_text>