On the Creation of the World (De opificio mundi)

I have collected similar passages excerpted from the books of Greek philosophers; from this collection, it appears clearer than light that Philo Philo of Alexandria (c. 20 BCE – 50 CE) was a Jewish philosopher who used Greek allegorical methods to interpret the Hebrew Bible. drew his doctrine from three sources in particular: from Plato’s Timaeus A dialogue by Plato that provides a technical account of the formation of the universe; Philo heavily relied on it to explain the Creation story in Genesis., from the theological and moral doctrine of the Stoics A school of Hellenistic philosophy that emphasized logic, ethics, and a universe governed by divine reason (Logos)., and from the Pythagorean doctrine regarding the power of numbers. Finally, so that nothing would seem lacking to those investigating the history original: "fata," literally "the fates" or "destinies," referring to the evolution of word meanings of Greek words, I have added a very extensive index of noteworthy words.

To all the learned men by whose generosity and kindness I was assisted in completing this edition, I cannot help but give the greatest thanks—especially to Jacob Freudenthal Jacob Freudenthal (1839–1907) was a distinguished professor at the University of Breslau and a leading expert on Hellenistic Jewish philosophy., whose learning, known and approved by all those active in this field of study, was always available to me. To you, however, Wilhelm Studemund Wilhelm Studemund (1843–1889) was a noted classical philologist and the scholar to whom this work is dedicated., I do not know how to give sufficient thanks for the supreme courtesy and benevolence with which you have always supported me. I hope you will kindly accept this book, such as it is, as a small token of my grateful spirit, and that you will continue to favor me. Farewell.

CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE: original: "EMENDANDA," a list of typographical errors found after the book was printed p. XXV, line 16, equinoctial original Greek: "ἰσημερινός"; XXVIII, line 37, delete the fourth comma; p. XXX, line 4, diligence; p. XXXVIII, line 21, they are read.