Josephus Antiquities of the Jews 1.3.1
Classical
1 This lineage of Seth initially regarded God as the Master of the universe and held virtue in high esteem for seven generations; but over time they were corrupted and forsook the conduct of their ancestors, neglecting the reverence for God that was required of them, and failing to be just to one another. In place of the devotion they once showed, they embraced double the degree of wrongdoing, causing God to become their adversary. For many of God’s angels joined with women and had sons who proved to be arrogant, unjust, and dismissive of all that was good, because of their confidence in their strength. According to tradition, their actions resembled those whom the Greeks call Giants. However, Noah was deeply troubled by their behavior, and, dissatisfied with their deeds, he tried to persuade them to change their intentions and lifestyles for the better. But seeing they did not obey and were enslaved by their wicked appetites, he feared they might murder him, together with his wife, children, and their spouses, so he left that land.
Date: 93-94 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
2 Peter 2:5
New Testament
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them into Tartarus16 and locked them up in chains in utter darkness, to be kept until the judgment, 5 and if he did not spare the ancient world, but did protect Noah, a herald of righteousness, along with seven others, when God brought a flood on an ungodly world, 6 and if he turned to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when he condemned them to destruction, having appointed them to serve as an example to future generations of the ungodly, 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man in anguish over the debauched lifestyle of lawless men, 8 (for while he lived among them day after day, that righteous man was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) 9 —if so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials, and to reserve the unrighteous for punishment at the day of judgment, 10 especially those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority. Brazen and insolent, they are not afraid to insult the glorious ones,
Date: 120-130 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Notes and References
"... 2 Peter 2:5 calls Noah, δικαιοσύνης κήρυκα, a herald of righteousness. There are no biblical texts that narrate Noah proclaiming righteousness to others; however, there are extra-biblical traditions that do. Sibylline Oracles 1.128–9 narrates God’s command to Noah, “Noah, embolden yourself, and proclaim repentance to all the peoples, so that all may be saved.” Here the proclamation of repentance results from the direct command of God. Sib. Or. 1.149–70, 173–198 contain the message of repentance that Noah preached. In other texts, Noah proclaims repentance, but there is no indication that he does so at the command of God. In Ant. 1.74, Josephus writes, “But Noah was very uneasy at what they did; and, being displeased at their conduct, persuaded them to change their dispositions and their acts for the better; but seeing they did not yield to him, but were slaves to their wicked pleasures, he was afraid they would kill him, together with his wife and children, and those they had married; so he departed out of that land.” Josephus does not use κῆρυξ or κηρύσσω here to speak of Noah’s actions. Rather, this text is another example of the tradition regarding the time that God gave for repentance before the flood arrived. In b. Sanhedrin 108a, Noah urges, “‘Repent; for if not, the Holy One, blessed be He, will bring a deluge upon you and cause your bodies to float upon the water like gourds.’” ..."
Devivo, Jenny
2 Peter 2:4-16: The Redaction of the Biblical and Intertestamental References Dependent on Jude 5-11 and Their Overall Significance
(p. 70) Loyola University Chicago, 2014
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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