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The Symbolic Space in Philo’s on the Creation

Author(s)

Dong Lin

Affiliation(s)

Institute of Philosophy and Religion, Henan Academy of Social Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Abstract

Space is both a mode of human existence and one of the fundamental questions of philosophy. The construction of cosmic space is a theme and archetype in all major cultures. The Old Testament · Genesis describes the creation of cosmic space, the structure of space, and the position and order of various things, including humans, within cosmic space. Philo, a Hellenistic philosopher, employed allegorical interpretation to explicate the composition of space and the symbolism of spatial numbers in Genesis. However, Philo’s interpretation was not merely a philosophical exposition but rather an expression of his theological thought through spatial metaphors. Through On the Creation, one can glimpse the philosophical origins of spatial symbolism and allegory in the Middle Ages.

Keywords

Philo; On the Creation; Symbolic Space

References

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