JOST

jost, isaak markus (1793-1860), jewish historical writer, was born on the 22nd of february 1793 at bernburg, and studied at the universities of gottingen and berlin. in berlin he began to teach, and in 1835 received the appointment of upper master in the jewish commercial school (called the philanthropin) at frankfort-on-the-main. here he remained until his death, on the 22nd of november 1860. the work by which he is chiefly known is _geschichte der israeliten seit der zeit der maccabaer_, in 9 vols. (1820-1829), which was afterwards supplemented by _neuere geschichte der israeliten von 1815-1845_ (1846-1847), and _geschichte des judenthums und seiner sekten_ (1857-1859). he also published an abridgment under the title _allgemeine geschichte des israelitischen volkes_ (1831-1832), and an edition of the mishna with a german translation and notes (6 vols., 1832-1834). the _israelitische annalen_ were edited by him from 1839 to 1841, and he contributed extensively to periodicals. see zirndorf, _isaak markus jost und seine freunde_ (cincinnati, 1886).