$37.00

This study, the first volume in the Philo of Alexandria Commentary Series, contains a new English translation (the first for seventy years) of Philo’s famous treatise On the Creation of the Cosmos and the first ever commentary in English. In this work the Jewish exegete and philosopher gives a selective exegesis of the Mosaic creation account and the events in paradise as recorded in Gen 1–3. The first preserved example of Hexaemeral (six days of creation) literature, Philo’s work had a profound influence on early Christian thought. The commentary makes his thought accessible to graduate students who are just beginning to read Philo and also contains much material that will be of interest to specialists in Hellenistic Judaism, ancient philosophy, and patristic literature.

David T. Runia is the Master of Queen’s College at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He has published extensively on the writings and thought of Philo of Alexandria and has been editor of the Studia Philonica Annual since 1989.

“An excellent introduction to the De Opificio Mundi.”
—John Dillon, Ancient Philosophy

“An excellent and very helpful first commentary in this series on Philo’s major works.”
—Fred W. Burnett, Religious Studies Review

“This commentary is undoubtedly the major reference work on this Philonic treatise, and so it will surely remain for a long time.”
—Claudio Zamagni, Review of Biblical Literature

“This is a masterwork of historical scholarship that, in scope and execution, demonstrates the kind of contribution a commentary of this type can make.”
—Mark Weedman, Review of Biblical Literature