Philo’s Explanation of Shavuot

Philo

On the Special Laws 2.176–187 (selections)

First Half of 1st Century

The festival of the Sheaf, which has all these grounds of precedence, indicated in the law, is also in fact anticipatory of another greater feast. For it is from it that the fiftieth day is reckoned, by counting seven sevens, which are then crowned with the sacred number by the monad, which is an incorporeal image of God, Whom it resembles because…

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

Philo’s explanation of Shavuot addresses the significance of the fifty days between the offering of the sheaf of barley (‘omer) and Shavuot, why the name Feast of Firstfruits (or “first-products”) is given to a festival celebrating the wheat harvest, and the offering of two leavened loaves of wheat (Leviticus 23:17).

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

Related Guide

Shavuot in Early Judaism

2nd Century BCE–6th Century CE

The biblical festival of Shavuot marks the beginning of the wheat harvest. Ancient Jews debated the date of the festival, which came to be associated with revelation in both rabbinic and Christian tradition.

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

Related Guide

Ancient Jewish Festivals

4th Century BCE–6th Century CE

The Israelite annual festivals originated as agricultural celebrations marking seasonal cycles. Over time, these observances were mythologized into a nation-forming narrative centered on the Exodus from Egypt and the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

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

Related Guide

Jewish Daily Life in Roman-Era Palestine

1st 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

A Pause in Fighting to Observe Shavuot

2 Maccabees 12:29, 31–32

Setting out from there, they hastened to Scythopolis, which is seventy-five miles [120 km] from Jerusalem. [ . . . ] [T]‌hey thanked them and exhorted them to be well disposed to their race in the…
View Source