Aristobulus of Paneas
Encyclopedia
Aristobulus of Paneas was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher of the Peripatetic school, though he also used Platonic
and Pythagorean
concepts. Like his successor, Philo
, he attempted to fuse ideas in the Hebrew Scriptures with those in Greek thought.
He lived in the third or 2nd century B.C. The period of his life is doubtful, Anatolius of Laodicea (270) placing him in the time of Ptolemy Philadelphus (3rd century BC), Alfred Gercke in the time of Philometor II Lathyrus (latter part of 2nd century BC); while more reliable testimony indicates that he was a contemporary of Ptolemy Philometor (middle of 2nd century BC). He is the author of a book the exact title of which is not certain, although there is sufficient evidence to prove that it was an exposition of the Law
.
He was among the earliest of the Jewish Alexandria
n philosophers whose aim was to reconcile and identify Greek philosophical conceptions with the Jewish religion
. Only a few fragments of his work, apparently entitled Commentaries on the Writings of Moses, are quoted by Clement
, Eusebius and other theological writers, but they suffice to show its object. Eusebius has preserved two fair-sized fragments of it, in which are found all the quotations from Aristobulus made by Clement. In addition, there is extant a small passage concerning the time of the Passover
festival, quoted by Anatolius.
He endeavoured to prove that early Greek philosophers had from Linus
, Orpheus
, Musaeus
and others, passages which strongly resemble the Mosaic
writings. It is suggested that the name Aristoilus was taken from 2 Macc. i. 10. The hypothesis that it was from Aristobulus that the philosophy of the Wisdom of Sirach was derived is not generally accepted.
Aristobulus was among many philosophers of his day who argued that the essentials of Greek philosophy and metaphysics were derived from Jewish sources. Philosopher Numenius of Apamea
echoes this position in his well known statement "What is Plato but Moses speaking Attic Greek?" (1.150.4) Aristobulus maintained, 150 years earlier than Philo, that not only the oldest Grecian poets, Homer, Hesod, Orpheus, etc., but also the most celebrated Greek thinkers, especially Plato, had acquired most of their wisdom from Jewish sages and ancient Hebrew texts (Gfrorer i. p. 308, also ii. 111-118) (Eusebius citing Aritobulus and Numenius Ev ix. 6, xi. 10).
Platonism
Platonism is the philosophy of Plato or the name of other philosophical systems considered closely derived from it. In a narrower sense the term might indicate the doctrine of Platonic realism...
and Pythagorean
Pythagoreanism
Pythagoreanism was the system of esoteric and metaphysical beliefs held by Pythagoras and his followers, the Pythagoreans, who were considerably influenced by mathematics. Pythagoreanism originated in the 5th century BCE and greatly influenced Platonism...
concepts. Like his successor, Philo
Philo
Philo , known also as Philo of Alexandria , Philo Judaeus, Philo Judaeus of Alexandria, Yedidia, "Philon", and Philo the Jew, was a Hellenistic Jewish Biblical philosopher born in Alexandria....
, he attempted to fuse ideas in the Hebrew Scriptures with those in Greek thought.
He lived in the third or 2nd century B.C. The period of his life is doubtful, Anatolius of Laodicea (270) placing him in the time of Ptolemy Philadelphus (3rd century BC), Alfred Gercke in the time of Philometor II Lathyrus (latter part of 2nd century BC); while more reliable testimony indicates that he was a contemporary of Ptolemy Philometor (middle of 2nd century BC). He is the author of a book the exact title of which is not certain, although there is sufficient evidence to prove that it was an exposition of the Law
Law of Moses
The Law of Moses is a term first found in Joshua 8:31-32 where Joshua writes the words of "the Law of Moses" on the altar at Mount Ebal. The text continues "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law."...
.
He was among the earliest of the Jewish Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
n philosophers whose aim was to reconcile and identify Greek philosophical conceptions with the Jewish religion
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. Only a few fragments of his work, apparently entitled Commentaries on the Writings of Moses, are quoted by Clement
Clement of Alexandria
Titus Flavius Clemens , known as Clement of Alexandria , was a Christian theologian and the head of the noted Catechetical School of Alexandria. Clement is best remembered as the teacher of Origen...
, Eusebius and other theological writers, but they suffice to show its object. Eusebius has preserved two fair-sized fragments of it, in which are found all the quotations from Aristobulus made by Clement. In addition, there is extant a small passage concerning the time of the Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
festival, quoted by Anatolius.
He endeavoured to prove that early Greek philosophers had from Linus
Linus (mythology)
In Greek mythology Linus refers to the musical son of Oeagrus, nominally Apollo, and the Muse Calliope. As the son of Apollo and a Muse, either Calliope or Terpsichore, he is considered the inventor of melody and rhythm. Linus taught music to his brother Orpheus and then to Heracles. Linus went...
, Orpheus
Orpheus
Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth. The major stories about him are centered on his ability to charm all living things and even stones with his music; his attempt to retrieve his wife from the underworld; and his death at the hands of those who...
, Musaeus
Musaeus
Musaeus or Musaios was the name of three Greek poets.-Musaeus of Athens:Musaeus was a legendary polymath, philosopher, historian, prophet, seer, priest, poet, and musician, said to have been the founder of priestly poetry in Attica...
and others, passages which strongly resemble the Mosaic
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
writings. It is suggested that the name Aristoilus was taken from 2 Macc. i. 10. The hypothesis that it was from Aristobulus that the philosophy of the Wisdom of Sirach was derived is not generally accepted.
Aristobulus was among many philosophers of his day who argued that the essentials of Greek philosophy and metaphysics were derived from Jewish sources. Philosopher Numenius of Apamea
Numenius of Apamea
Numenius of Apamea was a Greek philosopher, who lived in Apamea in Syria and flourished during the latter half of the 2nd century AD. He was a Neopythagorean and forerunner of the Neoplatonists.- Philosophy :...
echoes this position in his well known statement "What is Plato but Moses speaking Attic Greek?" (1.150.4) Aristobulus maintained, 150 years earlier than Philo, that not only the oldest Grecian poets, Homer, Hesod, Orpheus, etc., but also the most celebrated Greek thinkers, especially Plato, had acquired most of their wisdom from Jewish sages and ancient Hebrew texts (Gfrorer i. p. 308, also ii. 111-118) (Eusebius citing Aritobulus and Numenius Ev ix. 6, xi. 10).