Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 3)

PHIL. IUD. ON THE HEIR OF DIVINE THINGS §. 5. 6.

Therefore, Moses is beautifully celebrated in the oracles as a "friend," original: "φίλος" (Deut. 33:11) so that all the things he puts forth as risky ventures in his boldness may seem to proceed from friendship rather than from stubbornness. For recklessness is the mark of a stubborn person, but boldness is proper to a friend.

§. 6. But observe again that boldness is tempered with reverence. For "What will you give me?" original: "Τί μοι δώσεις;" (Gen. 15:2) expresses boldness; but "O Master" expresses reverence. Being accustomed to use two reasons and titles for the Cause—both that of God and that of Lord—he has now adopted neither, but only that of Master despotes ruler/master, very reverently and quite strictly; and yet, it is said that these, "Lord" kyrios master/lord and "Master" despotes, are synonyms. But even if the subject is one and the same, the designations differ in their conceptualizations. For "Lord" is said to derive from authority kyros validity/power, which is indeed firm, in opposition to what is unstable and invalid; but "Master" derives from the bond desmos chain/bond, from which, I think, comes fear deos fear. So that the Master is a Lord, and still as it were a terrifying Lord, having harnessed not only the authority and power of all things, but also the ability to instill sufficient fear. Perhaps, however, this is also because he is the master of the universe, holding them together in an unbreakable way, and tightening what would otherwise dissolve of its own accord. The one saying, "Master, what will you give me," expresses these things by implication: "I am not unaware of your overwhelming power, I understand the dread nature of your dominion, I approach you fearing and trembling, and yet I am bold. For you have ordained for me not to fear. You have given me the tongue of instruction, to know when it is necessary to speak. You have loosened my stitched-up mouth, you have opened it and articulated it more fully. You have taught me the things that must be said, confirming that oracle: 'I will open your mouth, and I will teach you what you are to speak.'" original: "Ἐγὼ ἀνοίξω τὸ στόμα σου..." (Exod. 4:12)