15. More Pious Fraud

The miracles and anecdotes recorded in the Hebrew Bible and Josephus were rewritten and ascribed to Jesus.
Hannah was childless before she gave birth to Samuel. To show her gratitude to G-d for blessing her with a son, "she brought him to the House of the L-rd," "along with three bullocks," to be sacrificed. 1 Samuel 1:2,24

Mary is said to have been childless prior to the birth of Jesus and that after she bore him, "they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the L-rd," "and to offer a sacrifice." Matthew 1;18,  Luke 2:22,24

In both narratives, the families were greeted at the Temple by holy people. Eli the High Priest received Samuel, and "Simeon, a man righteous and devout," together with a "prophetess," were on hand to sing the praises of Jesus. Interestingly, her name is given as Anna which in Hebrew is Hannah. 1 Samuel 1:25,  Luke 2:25,36

The description of Jesus' spiritual progress is curiously similar to Samuel's:
"Now the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature, and in favor with the L-rd and with men." 1 Samuel 2:26
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with G-d and man." Luke 2:52

The account of John the Baptist's birth was derived from the chronicles of Samson.
Both their mothers are described as being barren and childless when an angel appears announcing the forthcoming birth of an illustrious son." Judges 13:2, 3  Luke 1:7,13

Samson's mother was warned that she must "drink no wine or strong drink," Similarly:
The angel said that John "shall drink no wine or strong drink." Judges 13:4,  Luke 1:15,
The reason for this abstention in both instances was identical:
"The child [Samson] shall be a Nazirite to G-d from the womb."
"... he [John] shall be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb." Judges 13:7,  Luke 1:15

The closing statements of both narratives are also strikingly similar:
"And the child [Samson] grew, and the L-rd blessed him." Judges 13:24
"And the child [John] grew and became strong in the spirit." Luke 1:80

The probability that Jesus resurrected a man is reduced when one compares the details of this report with the miracle performed by Elijah the Prophet.
Both episodes begin with the words:
"As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold,..." They then both continue to relate that a widow's son had died, and subsequently was resurrected, one by Elijah and one by Jesus.
Each, in turn, then "gave him to his mother." 1 Kings 17:10-23,  Luke 7:12-15

Elisha the Prophet fed a large group of people with a small quantity of food consisting of first fruits, 20 loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain. His disciples at first expressed disbelief that this would suffice for so many people. However, not only was it enough, but food was left over.
Jesus is said to have fed a large group of people with a small quantity of food consisting of seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. His disciples at first expressed disbelief that this would suffice for so many people. However, it is claimed that not only was it enough, but food was left over. 2 Kings 4:42-44,  Matthew 15:32-37

The Prophet Elijah abstained from all food and drink in the wilderness for a 40 day period. The writers of Jesus' biography knew that this feat clearly proved Elijah's unique holiness. Therefore, billions of people during the past 2,000 years were misled into believing that Jesus also fasted for 40 days in the desert! Luke 4:2,  1 Kings 19:4,8

The writings of Josephus, published prior to 100 C.E. were also a source for the compilers of the New Testament.
From his autobiography, we read:
"When I was 14 years old, I was commended by everyone for the love I had for learning. Because of this, the high priests, and learned men of the city [Jerusalem] came often to me to enquire about the accurate understanding of points of the Law."Life, Section 2

The New Testament is mysteriously silent about what transpired during Jesus' life from the age of 12-30. Therefore, the insertion of a similar passage insinuating that he was a recognized child prodigy filled this void. Thus, we read:
When he was 12 years old, they went up according to custom [to Jerusalem],... After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.Luke 2:42-47

Josephus recounts that during the Roman war against Jerusalem when escape by a Jew was nearly impossible, the following scheme was put into effect:
"And now Simon, thinking he might be able to scare and delude the Romans, put on a white robe,... and appeared out of the ground.... Those who saw him were greatly horrified, and remained motionless."Wars, Book 7, Chapter 2

To add dramatic effect to the "resurrection" story, elements from Simon's adventure were blended into it:
"An angel of the L-rd descended from heaven and rolled back the stone,... his clothing was white as snow. And for the fear of him, the guards trembled, and became like dead men." Matthew 28:2-4

After Josephus betrayed his people and deserted to the Roman side he tells the following:
"I saw many captives crucified; and I remembered three of them as my former acquaintances.... I went to Titus, and told him of them. He immediately commanded them to be taken down. Two of them died under the physician's hands, while the third recovered."Life, Section 75
Similarly:
"And with [Jesus] they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.... Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council,... went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus." Mark 15:27,43

It is peculiar that on separate occasions two prominent individuals both viewed a set of three men being crucified. Both then went to a Roman official to plea that his friend(s) might be taken down. After their request was granted, in each case, two of the crucified men died, and one survived.
In the New Testament's account the two robbers died, and Jesus survived by means of "resurrection."

In addition to this, the very name Joseph of Arimathea which in the original Greek of Mark is Joseph apo Arimathias was taken from the genealogy of Josephus. There, he informs us that his grandfather Joseph begot Matthias. The Greek text of which is Josepou Matthias!Life, Section 1

*****

Besides deliberately deceiving the people, the authors of the New Testament, being unfamiliar with the Hebrew Bible, also distorted facts:

II Chronicles 24:20-21

Then the Spirit of G-d took possession of Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest;... and they conspired against him, and by the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the House of the L-rd.

New Testament Distortion

Matthew 23:35

... that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and the altar.
Zechariah was the son of Jehoiada, not Barachiah.

Genesis 11:26

When Terah had lived 70 years he became the father of Abram.

Genesis 12:4

Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran.

Genesis 11:32

The days of Terah were 205 years and Terah died in Haran.

New Testament Distortion

Acts 7:4

Then he [Abraham] departed from the land of the Chaldeans, and lived in Haran. And after his father died G-d removed him from there into the land [in which] you are now living.
Abraham left Haran when Terah was 145 (70 + 75), which was 60 years before Terah died (205 - 145).

Genesis 46:27

And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two souls; all the souls of the house of Jacob that came into Egypt were 70.

New Testament Distortion

Acts 7:14

And Joseph sent and called to him Jacob his father and his kindred; 75 souls.

Joshua 24:32

The bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up from Egypt, were buried in Shechem, in the portion of ground that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.

New Testament Distortion

Acts 7:15-16

And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried over to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for the sum of money from the sons of Hamor of Shechem.
Only Joseph was buried in Shechem, and Jacob bought the plot, not Abraham.

Numbers 25:9

And those that died by the plague were 24,000.

New Testament Distortion

I Corinthians 10:8

We must not indulge in fornication as some of them did, and 23,000 fell in a single day.

Genesis 47:31

And he [Jacob] said: "Swear to me." And he [Joseph] swore to him. Then Israel [Jacob] bowed himself upon the head of his bed.

New Testament Distortion

Hebrews 11:21

By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.

Joseph bowed upon the head of his bed, not his staff.

Galatians 3:16

Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his seed. It does not say, "and to his seeds," referring to many, but, referring to one, "and to your seed," which is Christ.
The Hebrew word zera (seed) is invariably used in the singular when referring to progeny, whether one person or many are meant. For example, wherever G-d promised to bless Abraham's "seed," his descendants were intended:

Genesis 13:16

I will make your seed as the dust of the earth; so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your seed would also be counted.

Genesis 26:4

... and I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and will give to your seed all these lands.

*****

Not only does the New Testament misquote the Hebrew Bible, it resorts to imaginary quotations. For example:

Matthew 2:23

And [Jesus] went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 27:9-10

Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying: "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set, by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter's field, as the L-rd directed me."

John 7:37-38

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me, and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said: `Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.'"

James 4:5

Or do you suppose it is in vain that the Scripture says: "He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us"?