Gentile Ridicule and Reasons for Circumcision

Philo

On the Special Laws 1.2–11

First Half of 1st Century

Now the practice which is thus ridiculed, namely the circumcision of the genital organs, is very zealously observed by many other nations, particularly by the Egyptians, a race regarded as pre-eminent for its populousness, its antiquity and its attachment to philosophy. And therefore it would be well for the detractors to desist from childish…

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In this passage, Philo defends the practice of circumcision to its detractors, offering four reasons for circumcision that he attributes to wise men who preceded him and two additional explanations of his own. He posits that circumcision serves as a twofold symbol: of harnessing one’s pleasures and of minimizing one’s ego.

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Creator Bio

Philo

ca. 25 BCE–ca. 40

Philo of Alexandria was one of the most important figures in Hellenistic Judaism and a significant influence on early Christianity. Raised in a wealthy Jewish family and educated in Greek rhetoric and logic, Philo served as a delegate to Rome on behalf of the Jewish community of Alexandria. Most innovative among his writings are his commentaries on the Pentateuch, which approach the text allegorically and employ various Platonic perspectives in their interpretations. Philo appears to have had only minimal exposure to the Hebrew and likely relied on the Septuagint and synagogue orations on the biblical texts.

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