PHARISEES

A sect among the Jews, whose name is derived from Pharas, a Hebrew word signifying separated or set apart; because they separated themselves from the rest of the nation, and pretended to the distinction of peculiar holine . The time of their origin is not accurately determined; but they are referred to by Joseph us as a considerable sect, b.c. 110. In the time of our Saviour they constituted the most influential party among the Jews. Though their rivals the Sadducees numbered amongst themselves some individuals of the highest rank, and those who affected to be conversant with the manners and philosophy of the Greeks and Romans, the Pharisees embraced a greater proportion of the upper cla es, and were supported by the admiration of the people, and the national feeling in favour of the opinions and habits of their ancestors. Besides being strict interpreters of the written law, their sect superinduced upon it what they called the traditions of the elders, and a erted that Moses delivered an oral law as a supplement to that of the scriptures. They are frequently reproached by our Saviour with explaining the latter by the former, so as in effect frequently to destroy the validity of the written law. They also attached a mistaken importance to many outward ceremonies of human invention, which they observed with a studied ostentation which gained for them the esteem and veneration of the multitude. They maintained, in opposition to the Sadducees, the popular doctrine of the resurrection; which, however, they appear to have corrupted with some vague notions touching the transmigration of souls. [s. 932]