Literary notes about Jews (AI summary)
Literary usage of the term “Jews” is remarkably varied, reflecting shifting cultural, historical, and ideological contexts. In many biblical and historical texts, “the Jews” is used as a straightforward descriptor for an ethnic or religious group—as seen in numerous biblical citations ([1], [2], [3], [4]) and works by Josephus ([5], [6], [7]). At the same time, the term is deployed to evoke collective identity or national destiny in modern writings, as in Theodor Herzl’s discussions ([8], [9], [10]). Conversely, a number of texts, including excerpts from The International Jew and writings by other controversial authors, illustrate its use in anti-Semitic rhetoric, portraying Jews as conspiratorial, disruptive, or monopolistic forces ([11], [12], [13], [14]). Even in early modern literature, such as Congreve’s work ([15]), “Jews” can serve as a shorthand for negative attributes or contradictions, demonstrating how the term’s connotation is shaped by the author’s perspective and the socio-political milieu in which it is used.
- And they wrote a copy thereof to Simon, the high priest, and to the people of the Jews.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - Now when Judas found that Nicanor was coming, he imparted to the Jews that were with him, that the enemy was at hand.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews that were come with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and troubled himself, 11:34.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - Especially as thou knowest all, both customs and questions, that are among the Jews.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - Note 3 ( return ) [ This is an excellent reflection of Josephus, including his hopes of the restoration of the Jews upon their repentance, See Antiq.
— from The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Flavius Josephus - The Jews also cut off the rest of that cloister from the temple, after they had destroyed those that got up to it.
— from The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Flavius Josephus - As to the whole number of the Jews that used to come up to the passover, and eat of it at Jerusalem, see the note on B. II.
— from The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Flavius Josephus - The Society of Jews, whose members are not business
— from The Jewish State by Theodor Herzl - [134] OUR HUMAN MATERIAL There are more mistaken notions abroad concerning Jews than concerning any other people.
— from The Jewish State by Theodor Herzl - But I do not wish to take up the cudgels for the Jews in this pamphlet.
— from The Jewish State by Theodor Herzl - It is not merely that there are a few Jews among international financial controllers; it is that these world controllers are exclusively Jews.
— from The International Jew : The World's Foremost Problem by Anonymous - This may explain why Jews the world over supply the energy of disruptive movements.
— from The International Jew : The World's Foremost Problem by Anonymous - Doubtless the Jews have the genius to do, wherever they go, the things in which we see them excel.
— from The International Jew : The World's Foremost Problem by Anonymous - There is no function of the American Presidency in which the Jews have not already secretly assisted in a very important degree.
— from The International Jew : The World's Foremost Problem by Anonymous - Then we contradict one another like two battledores; for contradictions beget one another like Jews.
— from The Way of the World by William Congreve
