An Introduction to Philo Judaeus
New Haven: Yale University Press, 1940. First edition. Hardcover. Octavo. XII, 223, [1]pp. Original brown cloth with gold lettering and publisher's logo on spine. Remarkable study on Philo Judaeus, the renowned Hellenistic Jewish Biblical philosopher born in Alexandria. Philo used philosophical allegory to attempt to fuse and harmonize Greek philosophy with Jewish philosophy. His method followed the practices of both Jewish exegesis and Stoic philosophy. His allegorical exegesis was important for several Christian Church Fathers, but he has barely any reception history within Judaism. "The sophists of literalness," as he calls the literalist Jews, "opened their eyes superciliously" when he explained to them the marvels of his exegesis. He believed that literal interpretations of the Hebrew Bible would stifle mankind's view and perception of a God too complex and marvelous to be understood in literal human terms. Ex-library copy with bookplate on inside of front cover and stamp on free front endpaper, title page, and fore-edge of pages. Minor shelf wear. Slight age-toning along paper margin. Binding and interior in overall good to good+ condition. g. Item #32651
Price: $65.00