PART TWO Critical Studies –
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PART TWO Critical Studies – David T. Runia - 9789004216853 Downloaded from Brill.com10/05/2021 02:06:05PM via free access David T. Runia - 9789004216853 Downloaded from Brill.com10/05/2021 02:06:05PM via free access . Monique Alexandre, ‘Du grec au latin: Les titres des œuvres de Philon d’Alexandrie,’ in S. Deléani and J.-C. Fredouille (edd.), Titres et articulations du texte dans les œuvres antiques: actes du Colloque International de Chantilly, – décembre , Collection des Études Augustiniennes (Paris ) –. This impressive piece of historical research is divided into three main parts. In a preliminary section Alexandre first gives a brief survey of the study of the transmission of the corpus Philonicum in modern scholarship and announces the theme of her article, namely to present some reflections on the Latin titles now in general use in Philonic scholarship. In the first part of the article she shows how the replacement of Greek titles by Latin ones is part of the humanist tradition, and is illustrated by the history of Philonic editions from Turnebus to Arnaldez– Pouilloux–Mondésert. She then goes on in the second part to examine the Latin tradition of Philo’s reception in antiquity (Jerome, Rufinus, the Old Latin translation) in order to see whether the titles transmitted by it were influential in determining the Latin titles used in the editions. This appears to have hardly been the case. In the third part the titles now in use are analysed. Most of them were invented by the humanists of the Renaissance and the succeeding period; only a few are the work of philologists of the th century. The article ends with an appendix in which the origin of all the titles now in use is indicated in tabular form. (DTR) 9702.R.Alston,‘Philo’sIn Flaccum: Ethnicity and Social Space in Roman Alexandria,’ Greece & Rome () –. This paper aims to show that the buildings of Alexandria were significant symbols of group identity, and that by excluding the Jewish community from this urban space, the rioters in c.e. enforced a particular interpretation of the urban community. The author suggests that it was also Philo’s view that the riots were primarily concerned with the identity and culture of the city and the phys- ical integration of the Jewish community. In his analysis of Philo’s In Flaccum, Alston focuses on the role of social structures and groups, and of buildings, dis- tricts and streets. He concludes that the Jewish view of Alexandria was of sep- arate communities which were each integral to the whole, i.e. a multi-cultural society. This was directly contrary to Roman views. The Jews failed to convince the Romans of the integral position of their community within the city. (HMK) 9703. S. C. Barton, ‘The Relativisation of Family Ties in the Jewish and Graeco-Roman Traditions,’ in H. Moxnes (ed.), Constructing Early Christian Families: Family as Social Reality and Metaphor (London ) –, esp. –. David T. Runia - 9789004216853 Downloaded from Brill.com10/05/2021 02:06:05PM via free access part two Barton’s aim here is to show that the strong relativisation of kinship and household ties, which was part of Jesus’ call to discipleship (Matt :–; Luke :–), was not unprecedented in either Judaism or the Graeco-Roman world as a whole. Subordinating mundane ties of all kinds was a rhetorical theme and a mode of action deeply rooted in the tradition of Jewish monotheism, and not without analogy in the Greco-Roman traditions concerning the cost of conversion to the life of the philosopher. The article presents the evidence found in Philo, Josephus, the Cynics and the Stoa. Philo’s presuppositions are demonstrated from Spec. .–, i.e., his comment on Deut :– (warn- ing against going after false prophets). The author then briefly presents what Philo says on proselytes, the Therapeutae (their ascetism and their community as a spiritual family), and on heroic individuals as the patriarchs and other lead- ers of the people of Israel (who subordinate family ties for a greater cause). (HMK) 9704.D.L.Bock,‘KeyJewishTextsonBlasphemyandExaltationand the Jewish Examination of Jesus [Mk :–],’ in Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers , Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers Series (Atlanta ) –, esp. –. In the context of an understanding of the story of Jesus brought before the Jewish leadership for examination (Mark :–) the author discusses some key passages from Judaism on blasphemy and exaltation to the side of God. For Philo comparing oneself to God is a blasphemous act (Somn. .–, Decal. –). His view is rooted in the interpretation of the first commandment. In several passages Philo presents Moses as an exalted figure, who is called ‘friend of God’ and ‘God to Pharaoh’ (Mos. ., Sacr. ). He appears to have a kind of divine status. The exaltation of Moses occurs also in Ezekiel Tragicus. (ACG) 9705. J. den Boeft and D. T. Runia (edd.), Arche: a Collection of Patristic Studies by J. C. M. van Winden, Supplements to Vigiliae Chris- tianae (Leiden ), esp. –. In this collection of articles and reviews written by the emeritus Professor of Later Greek Literature of the University of Leiden over a period of years, a section has been devoted to articles on Philo. Reprinted are R-R , , . But because the collection concentrates largely on the Alexandrian tradi- tion of Patristic thought, many of the remaining articles refer to Philo (see the Index locorum on pp. –) or are relevant to the study of his thought. In particular we draw attention to the paper originally published in a Dutch version by the Royal Dutch Academy in (= R-R ), which is now published in an English version entitled ‘‘Idea’ and ‘Matter’ in the Early Christian Exegesis of the First Words of Genesis: a Chapter in the Encounter between Greek Philosophy and Christian Thought’. (DTR) David T. Runia - 9789004216853 Downloaded from Brill.com10/05/2021 02:06:05PM via free access critical studies 9706.P.Borgen,Philo of Alexandria: an Exegete for his Time,New Testament Supplements (Leiden ). This monograph represents a synoptic presentation of the author’s research on Philo during the last decade. The introduction discusses whether Philo wasa mystic, philosopher or exegete. Borgen himself sees correct observations behind the different options, but finds the last one the most relevant. The first twochap- ters account for Philo himself and his historical environment. The thirteen chap- ters that follow give, in addition to some other themes, a comprehensive treat- ment 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 ‘Reviewing and Rewriting Biblical Material’ differs but slightly from the text in the article published in SPhA vol. and summarized below . Chapter , ‘Rewritten Bible?’, demonstrates how Philo follows Jewish tradition in retelling the biblical story of the Pentateuch. Chapter , ‘Questions and Answers’, per- taining 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.. In chapter , ‘Proclamatio Graeca—Hermeneutical Key’,Borgen analyses Philo’s idea that the Greek translation of the Bible was a decisive event in God’s reve- latory 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 , and , ‘Tension and Influence’,‘The Conflict’ and ‘Reaching Out and Coming In’,whereas chapter , ‘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, , ff. (= RRS ). In chapter , ‘Man and God’s People within a Cosmic Context’,Bor- gen elaborates upon a theme discussed in a previous article, ‘Man’s Sovereignty over Animals etc.’, published in (= RRS ). Chapter , ‘Philanthropia and the Laws of Moses’, approximates the article ‘Philanthropia in Philo’s Writ- ings’, also published in and mentioned in the bibliography of the volume (= RRS ). In the final chapter, ‘A Conditioned Future Hope’, Borgen places Philo’s eschatological ideas within the general framework of his thought. The vol- ume ends with a concluding summary. Reviews: A. Mendelson, JJS () –; G. E. Sterling, SPhA () –; A. Kamesar, JThS () –; A. Klostergaard Petersen, JSJ () –; F. J. Murphy, CBQ () –; E. Reinmuth, ThLZ () –; R. M. Wilson, JBL () –; P. Cambronne, REA () –; A. C. Geljon, VChr () –; H. M. Keizer, Mnem () –; A. C. Geljon, VChr () –. (KGS) David T. Runia - 9789004216853 Downloaded from Brill.com10/05/2021 02:06:05PM via free access part two 9707. P. Borgen, ‘Philo of Alexandria: Reviewing and Rewriting Bib- licalMaterial,’inD.T.RuniaandG.E.Sterling(edd.),Wisdom and Logos: Studies in Jewish Thought in Honor of David Winston [= The Stu- dia Philonica Annual ()], Brown Judaic Studies (Atlanta ) –. The area of Philo’s activity as an exegete analysed in this article is the para- phrastic reviewing and rewriting of smaller and larger biblical units. For exam- ple, by taking a model from Deut Philo in Praem. presents a series of blessings tied to a series of curses. In a way that is quite similar to several early Jewish writings Philo in Virt. gives lists of biblical persons with the aim of creating a contrast between excellent and unworthy characters. In Leg.suchalistingof persons is combined with the theme of predestination which is articulated in transitional passages. Here Borgen makes some comparisons with Paul’s ideas in Rom . In discussion with P. S. Alexander the author points out the fact that Philo in rewriting biblical passages also incorporates presentations of laws (e.g.