Philo of Alexandria: An Exegete for His TimePhilo's writings are a comprehensive and important source of late Second Temple Judaism. This volume gives important insights into his exegetical works. The structure of the books and their exegetical ideas are seen here as being closely connected and his writings are analysed against the background of the history, variety and outlook of Alexandrian Jewry. Philo's exegesis is a meeting place between Jewish and Greek notions and ideas; tensions are reflected, such as those between particularism and universalism, between specific biblical and historical earthly events and general macro- and micro-cosmic principles, and between heavenly ascents and interpreted history and eschatology. In addition, glimpses are gained of community life in a Hellenistic Jewish community, especially of issues on the borderline between Jews and their non-Jewish surroundings. New Testament material illuminates Philo's broader Jewish context, and in turn Philo throws light on New Testament backgrounds. |
Contents
Mystic? Philosopher? Exegete? | 1 |
Philo and His World | 14 |
The Historical Perspective | 30 |
Reviewing and Rewriting Biblical Material | 46 |
Rewritten Bible | 63 |
Questions and Answers | 80 |
On the Giants and On the Unchangeableness of God | 102 |
The Allegorical Laws Book 1 | 124 |
Illegitimate and Legitimate Ascents | 194 |
Reaching Out and Coming In | 206 |
Man and Gods People within a Cosmic Context | 225 |
Philanthropia and the Laws of Moses | 243 |
A Conditioned Future Hope | 261 |
Concluding Summary | 282 |
Abbreviations | 289 |
Bibliography | 290 |
Proclamatio Graeca Hermeneutical Key | 140 |
Tension and Influence | 158 |
The Conflict | 176 |
Indexes | 301 |
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Common terms and phrases
Abraham Ag.Ap Alexandria Allegorical Commentary animals ascent biblical Borgen characterization commandments context contrast cosmic cosmos creation Decalogue Deut direct exegesis Direct paraphrasing divine earth Egypt Egyptians Embassy to Gaius Emperor Gaius evil example exegesis exegetical Exod Exodus expository Flac Flaccus form of question Gaius Caligula God's Goodenough Greek heaven Hebrew hermeneutical human Hypothetica ideas Immut Jerusalem Jewish community Jewish nation Jews Josephus Judaism king Laws of Moses Legat Letter of Aristeas means Mosaic Laws Opif pagan passages Pentateuch philanthropia Philo's Exposition Philo's interpretation Philo's writings philosophy phrase Platonic pogrom politeia Praem proselytes Ptolemy Ptolemy II Philadelphus question and answer rabbinic refers Rewards and Punishments rewritten Bible Roman rulers Runia Scripture seen Septuagint Somn soul Spec Special Laws Temple tion Torah traditions translation in PLCL treatise Virt virtue words worship δὲ καὶ ὅτι τὴν τῆς τὸ τοῦ