Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 18:1 (Spring 2021)
Article: Philo Of Alexandria’s Concept Of Woman
Author: Joseph E. Early, Jr.

JBTM 18:1 (Spring 2021) p. 85

Philo Of Alexandria’s Concept Of Woman

Joseph E. Early Jr.

Joseph E. Early Jr. is Professor of Church History at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Philo (20 BCE–50 CE) was a Hellenized Jewish philosopher active in Alexandria in the first half of the first century of the Common Era. His system demonstrates that he was influenced by the Septuagint, and drew frequently from concepts found in Pythagoreanism, Stoicism, Platonism, and Aristotelianism. Philo’s most noted contribution to philosophy was his use of allegory in his attempt to synthesize the Septuagint and Greek philosophy. He often applied this exegesis when attempting to uncover the deeper or hidden meanings of the actions, roles, and nature of Old Testament women. His hermeneutic and depiction of women’s nature influenced many of the Patristic era’s greatest theologians and their understandings of the nature, role, and purpose of women.

Philo’s similarities to earlier philosophers are evident in his views on human regeneration. His concept of reproduction and Aristotle’s are nearly identical.1 He held that in reproduction the man provides the active cause via semen which acts on the passive material provided by the woman. Man provided the soul, and woman provided the body. Philo stated that “the material of the female is supplied to the son from what remains over the eruption of blood, while the immediate maker and cause of the son is the male.”2 Women served as little more than the providers of raw material and incubators.

Philo held that within each person’s mind there are masculine and feminine thoughts. Masculine thoughts are in a higher realm and include aspects such as wisdom, virtue, self-control, and things that are good in general. Philo’s God was asexual, and masculine

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thoughts were thus also asexual.3 Feminine thoughts were of a lower realm, softer, lacking self-control, emotionally passionate, and devoid of reason. His reliance on Stoicism can be seen in the importance he places on the mind in relation to self-control and overcoming emotional passion. A person could alter their nature by striving to change their thoughts and thus their nature. A woman could become more masculine by dwelling on the more masculine aspects of thought and eliminating those that were more emotionally passionate and feminine. Men, however, were in danger of being drawn into emotional thoughts and becoming more feminine.4 Having a ...