Pharisees (Hastings' Dictionary)
L Origin and History of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. ii, Leading Characteristics of the Pharisees. eir scrupulous observance of the Law. Their belief in the immortality of the soul, the resur- rection of the body, and future retribution. Messianic expectations. 4) Belief in angels and spirits. δ ovens of Divine Providence and freedom of man’s wi Their separation from the mass of the people. The Pharisees and the supremacy of the Gentiles. fii. The Pharisees and Jesus.
8 Their opposition to our Lord. Our Lord’s criticism of the Pharisees. Litera’ i. ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE PHARISEES AND
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Pharisees
Pharisees far'-i-sez (perushim; Pharisaioi): 1. Name and General Character 2. Authorities--Josephus--New Testament--Talmud I. HISTORY OF THE SECT 1. Associated at First with Hasmoneans, but Later Abandon Them 2. Change of Name 3. Later Fortunes of the Sect 4. In New Testament Times 5. In Post-apostolic Times II. DOCTRINES OF THE PHARISEES 1. Josephus's Statements Colored by Greek Ideas 2. Conditional Reincarnation 3. New Testament Presentation of Pharisaic Doctrines--Angels and Spirits--Resurrection 4. Traditions Added to the Law 5. Traditional Interpretations of the Law by Pharisees (Sabbath, etc.) 6. Close Students of the Text of Scripture (1) Messianic Hopes (2) Almsgiving III. ORGANIZATION OF THE PHARISAIC PARTY The Chabherim--Pharisaic Brotherhoods IV. CHARACTER OF THE PHARISEES 1. Pharisees and People of the Land 2. Arrogance toward Other Jews 3. Regulations for the Chabher 4. The New Testament Account (1) Their Scrupulosity (2) Their Hypocrisy 5. Talmudic Classification of the Pharisees V. OUR LORD'S RELATION TO THE PHARISEES 1. Pharisaic Attempts to Gain Christ Over 2. Reason…
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Pharisees
a religious party or school among the Jews at the time of Christ, so called from perishin, the Aramaic form of the Hebrew word perushim, “separated.” The chief sects among the Jews were the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Essenes, who may be described respectively as the Formalists, the Freethinkers and the Puritans. A knowledge of the opinions and practices of the Pharisees at the time of Christ is of great importance for entering deeply into the genius of the Christian religion. A cursory perusal of the Gospels is sufficient to show that Christ’s teaching was in some respects thoroughly antagonistic to theirs. He denounced them in the bitterest language; see (Matthew 15:7,8; 23:5,13,14,15,23; Mark 7:6; Luke 11:42-44) and compare (Mark 7:1-5; 11:29; 12:19,20; Luke 6:28,37-42) To understand the Pharisees is by contrast an aid toward understanding the spirit of uncorrupted Christianity. The fundamental principle all of the of the Pharisees, common to them with all orthodox modern Jews, is that by the side of the written law regarded as a summary of the principles and general laws of…
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Pharisees
From perishin Aramaic, perashim, "separated." To which Paul alludes, Rom 1:1; Gal 1:15, "separated unto the gospel of God"; once "separated" unto legal self righteousness. In contrast to "mingling" with Grecian and other heathen customs, which Antiochus Epiphanes partially effected, breaking down the barrier of God's law which separated Israel from pagandom, however refined. The Pharisees were successors of the Assideans or Chasidim, i.e. godly men "voluntarily devoted unto the law." On the return from Babylon the Jews became more exclusive than ever. In Antiochus' time this narrowness became intensified in opposition to the rationalistic compromises of many. The Sadducees succeeded to the latter, the Pharisees to the former (1Ma 1:13-15; 1Ma 1:41-49; 1Ma 1:62-63; 1Ma 2:42; 1Ma 7:13-17; 2Ma 14:6-38). They "resolved fully not to eat any unclean thing, choosing rather to die that they might not be defiled: and profame the holy covenant." in opposition to the Hellenizing faction. So the beginning of the Pharisees was patriotism and faithfulness to the covenant. Jesus, the meek and lovin…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia