Person · philosopher_and_exegete
Philo of Alexandria
Jewish exegete writing Greek in the early Roman period and using philosophical tools to read the law.
![Modern explanatory chronology; succession does not establish direct borrowing between authors. Philo predates Plotinian Neoplatonism. [10][20][21][22][19]](/media/1378)
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He lived from the late first century BCE to around the middle of the first century CE. His works combine a deep commitment to MosesMosesCentral figure in Exodus, Torah traditions and the Qur’an; childhood accounts differ in detail.Glossary · Click to read the explanation with Platonic, Stoic and other tools. He does not belong to third-century Plotinian NeoplatonismNeoplatonismModern label for later Platonic traditions associated with Plotinus, centuries after Philo.Glossary · Click to read the explanation, nor is his work merely Greek philosophy furnished with biblical names. [1]
He interprets symbolically but criticizes abandoning Sabbath and circumcision because of symbolism. His logosLogosGreek word for word or discourse, used in John’s language of God and incarnation.Glossary · Click to read the explanation helps discuss creation and mediationIntercessionMediation subject in the cited Quranic texts to permission and approval, not divine independence.Glossary · Click to read the explanation without narrating Christian incarnationChristian incarnationThe Word becoming flesh; distinct from every divine body or sensible manifestation.Glossary · Click to read the explanation. The timeline identifies context rather than depicting him or proving direct discipleship among all its authors. [2][3]
References and notes
- Carlos Lévy, Philo of Alexandria, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Summer 2024 archive Selected passages in 1.1–1.2, 2.2, 3.2 and 4.1–4.6; life, reception, allegory, logos and creation. Return to the text ↑
- Philo, On the Migration of Abraham, translated by C. D. Yonge 89–93: observance alongside symbol; 180–187: transcendence, powers and providence. Return to the text ↑
- Philo, On the Confusion of Tongues, translated by C. D. Yonge 146–147; logos, firstborn, image and archangel. Return to the text ↑
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Cite this record
IL Archive, «Philo of Alexandria», Edition 2, https://ilarchive.com/en/people/philo-of-alexandria