Portents of War and Destruction

Josephus

The Jewish War 6.290–299

ca. 75

And then, before the revolt and the upheaval leading to war, when the people were gathering for the feast of Unleavened Bread on the eighth of the month Xanthicus [in spring, 66 CE], so brilliant a light shone round the altar and the sanctuary at the ninth hour of the night that it seemed like broad day, and this lasted for half an hour. Laymen…

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Josephus here recounts several omens that bode ill for the fate of the Temple and notes that at least one of them is misinterpreted by the common people as a sign that God has “opened the gate to their happiness.” The last of the omens is reminiscent of the prophet (and priest) Ezekiel’s vision of God’s presence leaving the First Temple, exposing it to destruction (Ezekiel 10–11).

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