Philo of Alexandria - Books and Journals

366 part two
Ch. 7, which presents a useful topical index to the Philonic corpus. Reviews:
J. W. Thompson, SPhA 19 (2007) 205–206; J. Griffiths, ExpTim 119 (2008) 460–
461; E. R. Montgomery and B. Daniel, BSac 164 (2007) 497. (KAF)
20565. C.Schlund,‘Kein Knochen soll gebrochen werden’: Studien
zu Bedeutung und Funktion des Pesachfests in Texten des frühen Judentums
und im Johannesevangelium, Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum
Alten und Neuen Testament 107 (Neukirchen-Vluyn 2005).
In the lightly revised edition of her dissertation (Humboldt University, Berlin
2004) the research assistant of the German Septuaginta translation project deals
with the meaning and function of Passover in Early Judaism and the Gospel of
John. Philo has a particular importance for Hellenistic Judaism. Methodically,
Schlund operates with the classification developed from the research of P. Borgen
and F. Siegert. Two themes should be distinguished from each other in the
interpretation of Passover. On the one hand there is the allegorical explanation:
the estrangement of the soul from the passions (= Egypt) and the acceptance of
the pure wisdom and truth (= Land of Canaan); this explanation (διάασις)
is unique to Philo’s works. On the other hand Philo stresses the importance
of the (high)-priestly intervention on behalf of the entire (Jewish) people. In
this way Passover is first and foremost a feast of thanks and enjoyment through
the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, uniting all the people in a congregation
of worship (συναγωγή). The slaughter of the sacrificial animal without any
participation of cultic staff reminds thereof. Except for the sacrifice by all
the Israelites, the Passover animal and its blood does not play any part. It is
striking that neither in the historical nor in the allegorical interpretation is there
any mention of the protection or sparing of the Israelites by God. It seems
that this aspect (especially of the LXX) does not carry any weight for Philo,
although his texts do pick up specific Septuagintal terminology rather frequently.
(GS)
20566.T.Seland,Strangers in the Light: Philonic Perspectives on Christian
Identity in 1 Peter, Biblical Interpretation Series 76 (Leiden 2005).
This is a collection of five articles, three of which have been previously
published. The first chapter is entitled ‘The Making of 1Peter in Light of Ancient
Graeco-Roman Letter Writing and Distribution’ (p. 9–37), and argues inter alia
that Silvanus (1Pet 5:12) probably is to be understood as the writer/secretary of
the letter, not the carrier. The next chapter, entitled ‘Paroikos kai parepidemos:
Proselyte Characterizations in 1Peter?’ (pp. 39–78), was published in 2001 (see
above 20163). The third, on ‘The ‘Common Priesthood’ of Philo and 1Peter’
(pp. 79–115), published in 1995 (RRS 9573), is a ‘Philonic reading’ of 1Pet 2:5
and 9. The two last chapters deal with 1Pet 2:11–12, both drawing on Philo’s
work in the interpretation of these verses. Chapter four, ‘The Moderate Life
of the Christian paroikoi: a Philonic Reading of 1Pet 2:11’ (pp. 117–145) was
published in 2004 (see above 204114). The last chapter (pp. 147–189), dealing