Philo's Portrayal of Moses in the Context of Ancient Judaism

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Judaism, History, Bible & Bible Studies, Study, Old Testament
Cover of the book Philo's Portrayal of Moses in the Context of Ancient Judaism by Louis H. Feldman, University of Notre Dame Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Louis H. Feldman ISBN: 9780268159528
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press Publication: January 17, 2008
Imprint: University of Notre Dame Press Language: English
Author: Louis H. Feldman
ISBN: 9780268159528
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press
Publication: January 17, 2008
Imprint: University of Notre Dame Press
Language: English

Philo's Portrayal of Moses in the Context of Ancient Judaism presents the most comprehensive study of Philo's De Vita Mosis that exists in any language. Feldman, well known for his work on Josephus and ancient Judaism, here paves new ground using rabbinic material with philological precision to illuminate important parallels and differences between Philo's writing on Moses and rabbinic literature. One way in which Hellenistic culture marginalized Judaism was by exposing the apparent defects in Moses' life and character. Philo's De Vita Mosis is a counterattack to these charges and is a vital piece of his attempt to reconcile Judaism and Hellenism. Feldman rigorously examines the text and shows how Philo presents a narrative of Moses's life similar to that of a mythical divine and heroic figure, glorifying his birth, education, and virtues. Feldman demonstrates that Philo is careful to explain in a scientific way those portions of the Bible, particularly miracles, that appear incredible to his skeptical Hellenistic readers. Through Feldman's careful analysis, Moses emerges as unique among ancient lawgivers.

Philo's Portrayal of Moses in the Context of Ancient Judaism mirrors the organization of Philo's biography of Moses, which is in two books, the first, in the style of Plutarch, proceeding chronologically, and the second, in the style of Suetonius, arranged topically. Following an introductory chapter, Feldman's study discusses the life of Moses chronologically in the second chapter and examines his virtues topically in the third. Feldman compares the particular features of Philo's portrait of Moses with the way in which Moses is viewed both by Jewish sources in antiquity (including Pseudo-Philo; Josephus; Graeco-Jewish historians, poets, and philosophers; and in the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Samaritan tradition, Dead Sea Scrolls, and rabbinic tradition) and by non-Jewish sources, notably the Greek and Roman writers who mention him.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Philo's Portrayal of Moses in the Context of Ancient Judaism presents the most comprehensive study of Philo's De Vita Mosis that exists in any language. Feldman, well known for his work on Josephus and ancient Judaism, here paves new ground using rabbinic material with philological precision to illuminate important parallels and differences between Philo's writing on Moses and rabbinic literature. One way in which Hellenistic culture marginalized Judaism was by exposing the apparent defects in Moses' life and character. Philo's De Vita Mosis is a counterattack to these charges and is a vital piece of his attempt to reconcile Judaism and Hellenism. Feldman rigorously examines the text and shows how Philo presents a narrative of Moses's life similar to that of a mythical divine and heroic figure, glorifying his birth, education, and virtues. Feldman demonstrates that Philo is careful to explain in a scientific way those portions of the Bible, particularly miracles, that appear incredible to his skeptical Hellenistic readers. Through Feldman's careful analysis, Moses emerges as unique among ancient lawgivers.

Philo's Portrayal of Moses in the Context of Ancient Judaism mirrors the organization of Philo's biography of Moses, which is in two books, the first, in the style of Plutarch, proceeding chronologically, and the second, in the style of Suetonius, arranged topically. Following an introductory chapter, Feldman's study discusses the life of Moses chronologically in the second chapter and examines his virtues topically in the third. Feldman compares the particular features of Philo's portrait of Moses with the way in which Moses is viewed both by Jewish sources in antiquity (including Pseudo-Philo; Josephus; Graeco-Jewish historians, poets, and philosophers; and in the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Samaritan tradition, Dead Sea Scrolls, and rabbinic tradition) and by non-Jewish sources, notably the Greek and Roman writers who mention him.

More books from University of Notre Dame Press

Cover of the book Rationality in Science, Religion, and Everyday Life by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Dedication and Leadership by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book St. Thomas Aquinas by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book I Wish I Had a Heart Like Yours, Walt Whitman by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Disarming Beauty by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Treatise on Happiness by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Knowing the Unknowable God by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Creating Conversos by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Alasdair MacIntyre, Charles Taylor, and the Demise of Naturalism by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Creation as Emanation by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Opening the Qur'an by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book America and the Just War Tradition by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Religious Movements in the Middle Ages by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Chosen among Women by Louis H. Feldman
Cover of the book Icons and the Liturgy, East and West by Louis H. Feldman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy