THE MIZPAH/MASSADA PASSAGE

(Chpt. 91:2)

In chapter 91 of the Gospel of Barnabas there is a reference to a war in Judea. In the Italian manuscript the location of this war is given as "Misfa" which the Raggs translated into Biblical English as the city of "Mispeh". In the Spanish text, however, the same place is given as "Massada", clearly "Masada", the fort built by Herod where, according to Josephus, the Jewish Zealots made their last stand in the Jewish Revolt. Here are the comparative texts:

ENGLISH

To quiet the people, it was necessary that the high-priest should ride in procession, clothed in his priestly robes, with the holy name of God, the teta gramaton (sic), on his forehead, and the governor Pilate, and Herod rode in a similar manner. Then, three armies assembled in Mizpeh, each one of two hundred thousand men that bare sword.

ITALIAN

Onde per quietaire ilpopulo (f)u neccessario chalualchareil pontifice uesstito pontifichal mente chonillanto nome di dio tetagramaton in fronte. Be similmente chauli(b)o il preside pillato he herode. ondein misfa si chongre gorno tre exerciti ogniuno didugento millia homeni daportare spada.

SPANISH

Y para apaciquas al pueblo fue necessario ponosfe a cavallo el Pontifice vestido de pontifical con el saneto nombre de Dios. Tetragrammaton en la fronte, y tambien se pusieron el Presidente Pilatos, y Herodas, y se juntaron en Massada tres exercitos, cada uno de dozientos mil hombres de cenis espada.

 

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