Philo of Alexandria - Books and Journals

critical studies 1997 29
9706. P.Borgen,PhiloofAlexandria: an Exegete for his Time, New
Testament Supplements 86 (Leiden 1997).
This monograph represents a synoptic presentation of the author’s research
on Philo during the last decade. The introduction discusses whether Philo was a
mystic, philosopher or exegete. Borgen himself sees correct observations behind
the different options, but finds the last one the most relevant. The first two chapters
account for Philo himself and his historical environment. The thirteen chapters
that follow give, in addition to some other themes, a comprehensive treatment
of Philo as an interpreter of the Scriptures. A typical feature of the book is
that the author makes use of his own texts published elsewhere. Thus chapter 3
‘Reviewing and Rewriting Biblical Material’ differs but slightly from the text in
the article published in SPhA vol. 9 and summarized below 9707. Chapter 4,
‘Rewritten Bible?’, demonstrates how Philo follows Jewish tradition in retelling
the biblical story of the Pentateuch. Chapter 5, ‘Questions and Answers’, pertaining
to Philo’s exegetical use of questions and answers, is followed by three
chapters discussing specific books in the Philonic corpus, Gig., Deus and Leg.1.
In chapter 8, ‘Proclamatio Graeca—Hermeneutical Key’, Borgen analyses Philo’s
idea that the Greek translation of the Bible was a decisive event in God’s revelatory
history. Three levels of interpretation of the biblical text can be detected
in Philo’s expositions of the Law of Moses: one referring to specific ordinances,
one to cosmic principles and one to the transcendent world. The relationship
between Jews and non-Jews is discussed in chapters 9, 10 and 12, ‘Tension and
Influence’, ‘The Conflict’ and ‘Reaching Out and Coming In’, whereas chapter 11,
‘Illegitimate and Legitimate Ascents’, compares the illegitimate invasion of Gaius
Caligula into the divine world with the legitimate ascent of Moses. For this
section see Borgen’s Early Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism, 1996, 297ff. (=
RRS 9610). In chapter 13, ‘Man and God’s People within a Cosmic Context’, Borgen
elaborates upon a theme discussed in a previous article, ‘Man’s Sovereignty
over Animals etc.’, published in 1995 (= RRS 9511). Chapter 14, ‘Philanthropia
and the Laws of Moses’, approximates the article ‘Philanthropia in Philo’s Writings’,
also published in 1996 and mentioned in the bibliography of the volume
(= RRS 9616). In the final chapter, ‘A Conditioned Future Hope’, Borgen places
Philo’s eschatological ideas within the general framework of his thought. The volume
ends with a concluding summary. Reviews: A. Mendelson, JJS 49 (1998)
350–352; G. E. Sterling, SPhA 10 (1998) 183–188; A. Kamesar, JThS 50 (1999)
753–758; A. Klostergaard Petersen, JSJ 30 (1999) 327–331; F. J. Murphy, CBQ 61
(1999) 573–575; E. Reinmuth, ThLZ 124 (1999) 389–391; R. M. Wilson, JBL 118
(1999) 733–734; P. Cambronne, REA 102 (2000) 564–565; A. C. Geljon, VChr
55 (2001) 447–449; H. M. Keizer, Mnem 54 (2001) 593–596; A. C. Geljon, VChr
56 (2002) 200–202. (KGS)