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[28]
This is that novel account which the Egyptian Apion gives us concerning
the Jews' departure out of Egypt, and is no better than a contrivance of
his own. But why should we wonder at the lies he tells about our forefathers,
when he affirms them to be of Egyptian original, when he lies also about
himself? for although he was born at Oasis in Egypt, he pretends to be,
as a man may say, the top man of all the Egyptians; yet does he forswear
his real country and progenitors, and by falsely pretending to be born
at Alexandria, cannot deny the 1
pravity of his family; for you see how justly he calls those Egyptians
whom he hates, and endeavors to reproach; for had he not deemed Egyptians
to be a name of great reproach, he would not have avoided the name of an
Egyptian himself; as we know that those who brag of their own countries
value themselves upon the denomination they acquire thereby, and reprove
such as unjustly lay claim thereto. As for the Egyptians' claim to be of
our kindred, they do it on one of the following accounts; I mean, either
as they value themselves upon it, and pretend to bear that relation to
us; or else as they would draw us in to be partakers of their own infamy.
But this fine fellow Apion seems to broach this reproachful appellation
against us, [that we were originally Egyptians,] in order to bestow it
on the Alexandrians, as a reward for the privilege they had given him of
being a fellow citizen with them: he also is apprized of the ill-will the
Alexandrians bear to those Jews who are their fellow citizens, and so proposes
to himself to reproach them, although he must thereby include all the other
Egyptians also; while in both cases he is no better than an impudent liar.
1 The burial-place for dead bodies, as I suppose.
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