Philo
Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who blended Plato and Moses.
Philo of Alexandria, also called Philo Judaeus, was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher from Alexandria in Roman Egypt. The only firmly datable event in his life is his role in a delegation of Alexandrian Jews to Emperor Caligula in 40 CE, following civil strife between the city's Jewish and Greek communities. He wrote extensively in Koine Greek on philosophy, politics, and religion, focusing on the links between Greek Platonic thought and late Second Temple Judaism. He argued that the Greek Septuagint and the developing Jewish law together provided a blueprint for personal enlightenment.
Philo used philosophical allegory to reconcile the Hebrew Bible—especially the Torah—with Greek philosophy, drawing on both Jewish exegesis and Stoicism. His allegorical method influenced many Christian Church Fathers but had little impact on Rabbinic Judaism. Critics worried that his allegorical approach, as opposed to biblical literalism, could undermine historicity, though Philo sometimes advocated a literal reading of the Torah and at other times preferred allegory. Some scholars believe his concept of the Logos as God's creative principle shaped early Christology; others argue that Philo and early Christianity drew from a common source.
His birth and death dates are unknown, but he described himself as "old" during the 38 CE delegation, leading historian Daniel R. Schwartz to estimate a birth year between 15 and 10 BCE. A reference to an event under Claudius suggests he died between 45 and 50 CE. Philo also mentions visiting the Second Temple in Jerusalem at least once.
His parents' names are unknown, but his family was noble, honorable, and wealthy. Either his father or paternal grandfather received Roman citizenship from Julius Caesar. Jerome wrote that Philo came from a priestly family. His ancestors had ties to the Judean priesthood, the Hasmonean and Herodian dynasties, and Rome's Julio-Claudian dynasty. He had one brother, Alexander Lysimachus, the general tax administrator of customs in Alexandria, who became the richest man in the city and the Hellenistic world. Alexander lent money to King Herod Agrippa's wife and provided gold and silver to overlay nine gates of the Jerusalem temple. His wealth made him a friend of Emperor Claudius. Through Alexander, Philo had two nephews: Tiberius Julius Alexander and Marcus Julius Alexander, the latter the first husband of Herodian princess Berenice. Marcus died in 43 or 44. Some scholars identify Alexander Lysimachus as the Alexander in the Book of Acts who presided over the Sanhedrin trial of John and Peter.
Philo lived amid rising ethnic tension in Alexandria, worsened by imperial rule. Some Greek expatriates accused Jews of allying with Rome, even as Rome suppressed Jewish identity in Judaea. In *Antiquities of the Jews*, Josephus reports that the Alexandrian Jewish community chose Philo as their chief representative before Caligula. Philo agreed to address the civil disorder between Jews and Greeks. Josephus notes Philo's skill in philosophy and his brotherhood with the alabarch Alexander. According to Josephus, Philo and the Jewish community refused to treat the emperor as a god, erect statues in his honor, or build altars and temples to him, believing God supported this refusal. Josephus writes that Philo was ready to defend against accusations by the Greek ambassador Apion, but Caligula angrily dismissed him, and Philo left.
- born
- c. 20 BCE (estimated between 15 and 10 BCE by some scholars)
- died
- c. 50 CE (between 45 and 50 CE)
- field
- Philosophy, theology, exegesis
- nationality
- Hellenistic Jewish, Roman province of Egypt
- known_for
- Allegorical interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, concept of the Logos, representation of Alexandrian Jews before Emperor Caligula
Lore & Background
Philo of Alexandria was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria, in the Roman province of Egypt. The only event in his life that can be precisely dated is his leadership of a delegation of Alexandrian Jews to the Roman emperor Caligula in 40 CE, following civil strife between the Jewish and Greek communities there. He was a leading writer of the Hellenistic Jewish community, composing works in Koine Greek on philosophy, politics, and religion. Philo explored connections between Greek Platonic philosophy and late Second Temple Judaism, maintaining that the Greek Septuagint and the developing Jewish law together served as a blueprint for individual enlightenment. He used philosophical allegory to harmonize the Hebrew Bible, especially the Torah, with Greek philosophy, following practices of both Jewish exegesis and Stoicism. While his allegorical method influenced many Christian Church Fathers, it had little reception in Rabbinic Judaism. Philo often advocated a literal understanding of the Torah and the historicity of events, while at other times favoring allegorical readings. Some scholars hold that his concept of the Logos as God’s creative principle influenced early Christology, though others deny direct influence, suggesting a common source. Philo’s family was noble, wealthy, and had ties to the Judean priesthood and the Herodian and Julio-Claudian dynasties. His brother Alexander Lysimachus was the general tax administrator of customs in Alexandria and became the richest man in the Hellenistic world. Philo received a thorough education in Hellenistic culture, Roman culture, Ancient Egyptian religion, Jewish traditions, and Greek philosophy. His largest philosophical influence was Plato, drawing heavily from the Timaeus and other dialogues. He read the Jewish Scriptures chiefly from the Septuagint and showed some familiarity with Hebrew etymologies, though his knowledge of Hebrew is debated. He identified the angel of the Lord with the Logos and consistently used the Greek word Kyrios for God.
Reader's Guide
Philo's significance lies in his synthesis of Greek Platonic philosophy with Jewish scripture and tradition, representing the apex of Jewish-Hellenistic syncretism. He used allegorical interpretation to harmonize the Hebrew Bible with Greek philosophy, a method that influenced many Christian Church Fathers, though he had little reception within Rabbinic Judaism. His concept of the Logos as God's creative principle is debated by scholars: some hold it influenced early Christology, while others deny direct influence and suggest a common source with Early Christianity. Philo's works also provide a rare contemporary account of Jewish life in Alexandria under Roman rule, including the tensions that led to the delegation to Caligula. His allegorical approach sometimes favored literal understanding of the Torah and historicity, but critics assumed his allegorical perspective lent credibility to legend over historicity. Philo's writings remain a key source for understanding Hellenistic Judaism and the intellectual background of early Christianity.
Did You Know?
- Philo's brother Alexander Lysimachus was so wealthy he gave a loan to the wife of King Herod Agrippa and provided gold and silver to overlay nine gates of the Temple in Jerusalem.
- Philo visited the Second Temple in Jerusalem at least once in his lifetime.
- Some scholars identify Philo's brother Alexander Lysimachus with the Alexander mentioned in the Book of Acts who presided over the Sanhedrin trial of John and Peter.
- Philo offered multiple etymologies for Hebrew names, sometimes including the correct Hebrew root, such as 'y-r-d' (descend) for the name Jordan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Philo of Alexandria?
Philo (also called Philo Judaeus) was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived and wrote in Alexandria, Egypt, during the early Roman period. His surviving body of work, composed in Koine Greek, is devoted to weaving together Platonic thought and Jewish scripture.
What is Philo's Logos concept?
Philo described the Logos as a mediating principle that stands between the transcendent God and the material creation, borrowing the term from Greek philosophical usage. This idea of a rational, ordering force later proved influential in early Christian theological language.
When did Philo live?
Most scholars place his birth around 20 BCE (with some narrowing it to the 15–10 BCE range) and his death around 50 CE (roughly 45–50 CE). That puts his active career squarely in the late First Century BCE through the mid-First Century CE in Roman Egypt.
What was Philo's involvement with Emperor Caligula?
Philo headed a delegation of Alexandrian Jews to Rome to appeal against anti-Jewish measures imposed in their city. The episode is recounted in his treatise On the Embassy to Gaius and is one of the few concrete historical events tied to his life.
Why is Philo considered important in the history of thought?
His systematic use of allegorical exegesis to harmonize the Hebrew Bible with Greek philosophy created a methodological template that shaped later Jewish, Christian, and Islamic theological writing. He is widely regarded as a pivotal bridge figure between the Platonic tradition and Second Temple Judaism.
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