Philo of Alexandria on Planting: Introduction, Translation, and Commentary

Philo of Alexandria wrote a large body of writings and today we still possess nearly 50 treatises. Most of them are exegetical works in which the Pentateuch is interpreted and explained. In addition, he also wrote some works that can be labelled as philosophical or historical, but these treatises too have significant connections with his religious beliefs. It is generally acknowledged that Philo composed three different series of exegetical writings, which differ in aim and scope. (1) The Exposition of the Law. Having started this series by commenting on the creation account of Genesis 1, he describes the lives of the patriarchs, whom he sees as living laws who lived according to the law before the written law was given. He also discusses the ten commandments and the special ordinances set out in the Pentateuch. Usually, he offers a literal reading, to which an allegorical or symbolic exegesis is added. (2) The Allegorical Commentary. This series consists of a running commentary on Genesis, in which Philo explains the biblical text by means of allegory. In giving an allegorical exposition of a verse, Philo usually also involves the citation and interpretation of other texts, with the result that his line of thought is often difficult to follow. (3) Questions and Answers on Genesis and Exodus. In this series the biblical text is discussed in the form of posing a question and giving an answer. Generally, Philo offers both a literal explanation and an allegorical interpretation. The writings of this series, parts of which has been lost, have been for the most part preserved in an Armenian translation only