The Spurious Texts Of Philo Of Alexandria

The transmission of Philo of Alexandria's works is very complex, and genuine works are preserved in the original Greek, and in ancient Armenian and Latin translations. There are also many excerpts attributed to him in medieval catenae and florilegia, and in quotations in Church writers. The task undertaken here is to discriminate as far as possible between the genuine and the spurious within the textual history of Philo. An analysis of the sources of the fragments of Philo is followed by a listing of sixty-one texts which are demonstrably spurious, deriving (as is shown here) from various sources, including the Bible, Church writers, classical authors, and Josephus. Also included is a survey of the complete books which have been mistakenly assigned to Philo. An Index locorum provides identifications of the Philonic texts found in all the principal collections of fragments. Many of the identifications of spurious and of genuine fragments are made here for the first time.

A study of the Greek texts (ranging from brief lines in florilegia to complete books) which have been incorrectly ascribed to Philo of Alexandria. Analysis of the sources of these texts (especially the catenae and florilegia), and the correct identifications of many texts, often for the first time.

This volume is a continuation of Philo of Alexandria: an Annotated Bibliography 1937-1986, published by Roberto Radice and David Runia in 1988 (second edition 1992). Prepared with the collaboration of the International Philo Bibliography Project, it contains a complete listing of all scholarly writings on Philo in all languages for the period 1987 to 1996. Part One lists texts, translations, commentaries etc. (75 items). Part Two contains critical studies (880 items). In part Three additional works for the years 1937-1986 are presented (170 items). In all cases a brief description of the contents of the contribution is given. Seven indices, including a detailed Index of subjects, complete the work.

The best current research on Philo's allegorical exegesis of Scripture The strong element of Greek philosophy in Philo's thought has been recognized since antiquity, but his relation to the Pythagorean-Platonic tenet of reincarnation has been a neglected, even avoided, topic in research. This book confirms the view common in the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries that Philo accepted the doctrine of reincarnation even though he preferred not to speak openly about it. The book shows how allegorization enabled Philo to give a reincarnational interpretation to very different scriptural passages. Features: Highlights the importance of reading Philonic parallel passages together for fuller understanding of Philo s message Discusses the difference between protological and universal allegory in Philo's exegesis of the first chapters of Genesis Introduces new concepts to Philonic research such as the corporealization of the mind (the result of transgression and a driving force for reincarnation) and monadization (the human soul's transformation into pure mind upon salvation)

The Cambridge Companion to Philo presents an accessible account of Philo of Alexandria and his works, which constitute an essential source for the study of the Judaism of the turn of the eras, the rise of Christianity, and the history of Greek philosophy. The volume surveys key areas of Philonic studies and gives readers a sense of the current state of scholarship.

The Philo of Alexandria Scripture Index identifies and lists every instance in which Philo of Alexandria cites or alludes to passages from Jewish Scripture. With 7,831 references, this book is the most comprehensive study of its kind to date. Unlike other volumes with a single index of Philo’s citations and allusions organized by biblical book, this volume includes a second index that follows Philo’s treatise order. This second format allows students and scholars easily to examine Philo’s engagement with Scripture in individual treatises and to interrogate how Philo collected and grouped intertexts. In addition to the indices, Sean A. Adams and Zanne Domoney-Lyttle provide an introduction to their methodology and their selection of texts, including Philo’s fragmentary works and those that survive only in the Armenian tradition.

Jean Danielou's 'Philo of Alexandria' illuminates the life and work of a key figure in the history of religious thought. Philo of Alexandria was a first-century Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who was born into a wealthy and prominent family in Alexandria, in the Roman province of Egypt. Educated in both Jewish culture and Greek philosophy, Philo believed that literal interpretations of the Hebrew Bible would distort the Jewish people's perceptions of a God too complex to be understood in literal, human terms. He became one of the first religious thinkers to initiate a strong allegorical reading of Scripture. Jean Danielou places Philo's writing in context, detailing the remarkable events of the philosopher's life, including a diplomatic mission to present himself before the Roman Emperor Caligula on behalf of the persecuted Jews of Alexandria. James Colbert's English translation provides a highly accessible introduction to this important figure, a pioneer of biblical commentary whose work has had a lasting influence on Christian theology. It is essential reading for those interested in patristics, exegesis, or the history of religious and philosophical thought.

Explore the Jewish traditions preserved in the commentaries of a largely neglected Alexandrian Christian exegete Justin M. Rogers surveys commentaries on Genesis, Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Zechariah by Didymus the Blind (ca. 313–398 CE), who was regarded by his students as one of the greatest Christian exegetes of the fourth century. Rogers highlights Didymus’s Jewish sources, zeroing in on traditions of Philo of Alexandria, whose treatises were directly accessible to Didymus while he was authoring his exegetical works. Philonic material in Didymus is covered by extensive commentary, demonstrating that Philo was among the principle sources for the exegetical works of Didymus the Blind. Rogers also explores the mediating influence of the Alexandrian Christian tradition, focusing especially on the roles of Clement and Origen. Features Fresh insights into the Alexandrian Christian reception of Philo A thorough discussion of Didymus’s exegetical method, particularly in the Commentary on Genesis Examination of the use and importance of Jewish and Christian sources in Late Antique Christian commentaries