[Ads-l] "members of the tribe"

[Stephen Goranson]

Taking a break from writing a review of two books that deal with the question whether Josephus, in Antiquities book 18, mentioned Jesus.
There are three general camps on this:
Josephus did;
Josephus did not;
Josephus did (or did not) but a Christian or Christians later wrote or rewrote it, interpolating, adding and maybe changing a mere mention to a complimentary one.
The Greek word φυλή, usually, but not always, translated as tribe, comes up in this.

"Members of the tribe," or MOT, is, as far as I know, a fairly recent (?) self-designation, but earlier than 2005, as a quick check takes it, but earlier, if my Brandeis days memory might suggest so.
In recent usage, apparently, not specifying one of twelve tribes.
(A student years ago told me she was told she was of the tribe of Benjamin, but that, I guess, had a different source.)
Tribe can seem neutral or negative or positive—"Abu ben Adhem, may his tribe increase!"
Anyway how old, say ye?

SG




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