From the Exodus Out of Egypt to the Rejection of That Generation - Flavius Josephus
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
those who wear <strong>the</strong> sacerdotal garments are without spot, and eminent for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir purity and sobriety: nor are <strong>the</strong>y permitted <strong>to</strong> drink wine so long as <strong>the</strong>y<br />
wear those garments. (2) Moreover, <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>fer sacrifices that are entire, and<br />
have no defect whatsoever.<br />
3. And truly Moses gave <strong>the</strong>m all <strong>the</strong>se precepts, being such as were<br />
observed during his own lifetime; but though he lived now in <strong>the</strong> wilderness,<br />
yet did he make provision how <strong>the</strong>y might observe <strong>the</strong> same laws when <strong>the</strong>y<br />
should have taken <strong>the</strong> land <strong>of</strong> Canaan. He gave <strong>the</strong>m rest <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> land from<br />
ploughing and planting every seventh year, as he had prescribed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong><br />
rest from working every seventh day; and ordered, that <strong>the</strong>n what grew <strong>of</strong> its<br />
own accord out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> earth should in common belong <strong>to</strong> all that pleased <strong>to</strong><br />
use it, making no distinction in that respect between <strong>the</strong>ir own countrymen<br />
and foreigners: and he ordained, that <strong>the</strong>y should do <strong>the</strong> same after seven<br />
times seven years, which in all are fifty years; and that fiftieth year is called<br />
by <strong>the</strong> Hebrews The Jubilee, wherein deb<strong>to</strong>rs are freed from <strong>the</strong>ir debts, and<br />
slaves are set at liberty; which slaves became such, though <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
same s<strong>to</strong>ck, by transgressing some <strong>of</strong> those laws <strong>the</strong> punishment <strong>of</strong> which<br />
was not capital, but <strong>the</strong>y were punished by this method <strong>of</strong> slavery. This year<br />
also res<strong>to</strong>res <strong>the</strong> land <strong>to</strong> its former possessors in <strong>the</strong> manner following: -<br />
When <strong>the</strong> Jubilee is come, which name denotes liberty, he that sold <strong>the</strong> land,<br />
and he that bought it, meet <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r, and make an estimate, on one hand, <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> fruits ga<strong>the</strong>red; and, on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> expenses laid out upon it. If<br />
<strong>the</strong> fruits ga<strong>the</strong>red come <strong>to</strong> more than <strong>the</strong> expenses laid out, he that sold it<br />
takes <strong>the</strong> land again; but if <strong>the</strong> expenses prove more than <strong>the</strong> fruits, <strong>the</strong><br />
present possessor receives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> former owner <strong>the</strong> difference that was<br />
wanting, and leaves <strong>the</strong> land <strong>to</strong> him; and if <strong>the</strong> fruits received, and <strong>the</strong><br />
expenses laid out, prove equal <strong>to</strong> one ano<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> present possessor<br />
relinquishes it <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> former owners. Moses would have <strong>the</strong> same law obtain<br />
as <strong>to</strong> those houses also which were sold in villages; but he made a different<br />
law for such as were sold in a city; for if he that sold it tendered <strong>the</strong><br />
purchaser his money again within a year, he was forced <strong>to</strong> res<strong>to</strong>re it; but in<br />
61