Philo, Supplements I & II: Questions and Answers on Genesis and Exodus

by Philo of Alexandria; Ralph Marcus

Publishers:

Harvard University Press; William Heinemann

, 1953

Overview

Philo of Alexandria was a Jewish philosopher who lived in Roman-ruled Egypt. When the Jews of Alexandria were ordered to defy their beliefs and worship Gaius Julius Caesar, also known as Caligula, they sent Philo to plead their case to the emperor. Philo’s writings provide an account of the atrocities the Jews faced for their refusal to glorify a man as a god. They were dragged to death, burned alive with their families, slaughtered in their homes, and even crucified. Well versed in Greek and Jewish learning, Philo integrated biblical teachings with Greek philosophy, giving rise to an influential approach to Scripture. The ideas that emerged impacted both Christian and Jewish religious thought. The Works of Philo (24 vols.) contains over 40 of Philo’s works, including On the Creation, Allegorical Interpretation of Genesis 2 and 3, Every Good Man Is Free, The Eternity of the World, and Apology for the Jews.

Contents

Top Highlights

“the Logos of God, the first principle, the archetypal idea,^g the pre-measurer^h of all things” (Volume 1, Page 3)

“the daughter of God but Wisdom, who is the first-born mother of all things” (Volume 1, Page 381)

“Philo’s twofold method of interpretation is a forerunner of the fourfold method used by Rabbinic and Patristic commentators. His ‘literal’ interpretation corresponds to the ‘literal’ or ‘historical’ interpretation of the Church Fathers and to the pešaṭ of the Rabbis. His ‘physical’ interpretation corresponds to the ‘allegorical’ interpretation of the Church Fathers and to the remez of the Rabbis. His ‘ethical’ interpretation corresponds to the ‘moral’ interpretation of the Church Fathers and to the deraš of the Rabbis. His mystical interpretation corresponds to the ‘anagogical’ interpretation of the Church Fathers and to the sod of the Rabbis.” (Volume 1, Pages ix–x)

“These names are symbols of three things in nature—of the good, the evil and the indifferent.^j Shem is distinguished^k for good, Ham for evil, and Japheth for the indifferent.” (Volume 1, Page 55)

“its form resembles Hellenistic (pagan) commentaries on the Homeric poems.” (Volume 1, Page ix)

Product Details

• Title: Philo, Supplements I & II: Questions and Answers on Genesis and Exodus
• Authors: Philo of Alexandria, Ralph Marcus
• Series: The Loeb Classical Library: English
• Volume: I & II
• Publishers: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann
• Print Publication Date: 1953
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Era: era:ante-nicene
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. Genesis › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Exodus › Commentaries
• Resource ID: LLS:WRKSPHLSUP
• Resource Type: text.monograph.ancient-manuscript.translation
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-24T16:46:16Z