Philo of Alexandria, On the Creation of the Cosmos according to Moses: Introduction, Translation and Commentary

by David T. Runia

Publisher:

Brill

, 2001

Overview

This study is the first volume in the new Philo of Alexandria Commentary Series. It contains a new English translation of Philo’s famous treatise On the Creation of the Cosmos and the first ever commentary on Philo published in English. In this work the Jewish exegete and philosopher gives a selective exegesis of the Mosaic creation account and the events in Paradise as recorded in Genesis 1–3. It is the first preserved example of Hexaemeral literature, and had a profound influence on early Christian thought. The commentary aims to make Philo’s thought accessible to readers such as graduate students who are just beginning to read him, but also contains much material that will be of interest to specialists in Hellenistic Judaism, ancient philosophy and patristic literature.

Key Features

• The first English commentary on any portion of Philo's writings
• An index to the patristic references to Philo's writings

Praise for the Print Edition

An excellent and very helpful first commentary in this series on Philo's major works.

—Fred W. Burnett, Religious Studies Review, 2004

This is a masterwork of historical scholarship that, in scope and execution, demonstrates the kind of contribution a commentary of this type can make.

—Mark Weedman, Review of Biblical Literature, 2006

Product Details

• Title: Philo of Alexandria, On the Creation of the Cosmos according to Moses: Introduction, Translation and Commentary
• Author: David T. Runia
• Publisher: Brill
• Publication Date: 2001
• Pages: 462

About David T. Runia

David T. Runia, D.Litt. (1983) Free University, Amsterdam, is Professor of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy at the University of Leiden and C.J. de Vogel Extraordinary Professor of Ancient Philosophy University of Utrecht. He has published extensively on Philo, including Philo of Alexandria and the Timaeus of Plato and Philo of Alexandria: an Annotated Bibliography. He has been editor of The Studia Philonica Annual since 1989.

Sample Pages from Philo of Alexandria, On the Creation of the Cosmos according to Moses: Introduction, Translation and Commentary