Philo on Separation from Non-Jews

Philo

On the Special Laws 3.29

First Half of 1st Century

But also, he says, do not enter into the partnership of marriage with a member of a foreign nation, lest some day conquered by the forces of opposing customs you surrender and stray unawares from the path that leads to piety and turn aside into a pathless wild. And though perhaps you yourself will hold your ground steadied from your earliest years…

Please login or register for free access to Posen Library
Register
Already have an account?
Engage with this Source

In this passage, Philo paraphrases the biblical law against intermarriage in Exodus 34:16 and Deuteronomy 7:3–4. While Philo deplores intermarriage with idolaters because of the moral corruption it will bring, he permits marriage to converts. Similar treatments of the biblical call for separatism are found in the Letter of Aristeas and Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities. 

Read more
Restricted
Some content is unavailable to non-members, please log in or sign up for free for full access.

Related Guide

Ancient Jewish Literature

4th Century BCE–6th Century CE
A rectangular ancient stone tablet with worn Greek inscriptions carved into its surface, displayed upright in a museum setting. The text is faded and partially eroded, making some letters difficult to read.
Tooltip info icon

Related Guide

Real and Imagined "Others" in Ancient Jewish Literature

4th Century BCE–6th Century CE

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.

You may also like

Josephus on Greek Mythology

Against Apion 2.236–254

Then the Lysimachuses, Molons, and other such disreputable sophists, those deceivers of young men, revile us as the most inferior of men. I, on the other hand, would not have wished to inquire into…
View Source

Letter of Aristeas on Separation from Non-Jews

Letter of Aristeas 130–152 (selections)

“You observe,” he said, “what kind of result is produced by conduct and associations, since people who associate with evildoers become perverted, and they are miserable in the whole of life. But if…
View Source

Josephus on Solomon’s Transgression

Jewish Antiquities 8.191–193

Driven mad over women and mired in the heat of sexual passion, he [Solomon] was not satisfied with the native women alone, also marrying many women among the foreign peoples: the Sidonians, Tyrians…
View Source