Rome, the Greek World, and the East, Vol. 3 - The Greek World, the Jews, and the East

 Jews and Others

bel founded the Theobelians, nowadays called Iberians. The Mesche-

nians, founded by Meschos, are to-day called Cappadocians, but a clear

trace of their ancient designation survives; for they still have a city of

the name of Mazaca, indicating to the expert that such was formerly the

name of the whole race. Theires called his subjects Theirians, whom the

Greeks converted into Thracians. So numerous are the nations founded

by the sons of Japheth.^16

Genesis –: Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and Ishmael:

The Covenant and the Obligation of Circumcision at Eight Days

At this point, Genesis (:) notes only that Ishmael, born (:) before
the Covenant was given, was aged thirteen when circumcised. Josephus also
(Ant. , , –) makes no systematic editorial comment except to prom-
ise () a discussion of circumcision elsewhere.

Genesis :–: Birth of Isaac to Sarah, and His Circumcision at Eight Days

It is here that Josephus makes his most significant intervention in, or extrapo-
lation of, the biblical text. Anticipating an exposition of genealogy which
he has not yet provided (see below), he expounds the significance of the two
moments of circumcision, at eight days and at thirteen years:

Eight days later they promptly circumcised him; and from that time

forward the Jewish practice has been to circumcise so many days after

birth. The Arabs defer the ceremony to the thirteenth year, because

Ishmael, the founder of their race, born of Abraham’s concubine, was

circumcised at that age.^17

Josephus is thus alluding to a proposition, not yet established in his narrative,
that Ishmael was the founder (ktistēs)oftherace(ethnos) of the ‘‘Arabes’’ and
offers this as his explanation of a custom currently observed by them.

Genesis :–: The Descendants of Ishmael

Genesis records: ‘‘These are the descendants of Ishmael, son of Abraham,
whom Hagar the Egyptian woman, the maidservant of Sarah bore to Abra-
ham.’’ (The Egyptian origin of Hagar had been indicated in :–.) Twelve

. Josephus,Ant. , –, Loeb trans.

. Josephus,Ant. , , Loeb trans.