Aristobulus — Fragments

Aristobulus — Fragments

[Fragments of the Jewish philosopher Aristobulus, preserved in quotation by later writers.]

When the law speaks of the hand of God, or his standing, or his coming down, it does not mean these in the manner of a body. The hand of God is his power; his standing is the firm order by which he established the world; his coming down upon the mountain was a showing forth of his majesty, that all might know his greatness. Whoever takes such words rightly will understand them worthily of God, and not fall into myth.

It was from Moses and the sacred books of our people, translated into Greek, that the wise among the Greeks drew much of their wisdom; for Pythagoras and Plato and others took many things from them, though they did not name the source. [Line damaged]

And concerning the seventh day: God made all things in six, and rested on the seventh; and he set it as a sign for all, that in the sevenfold order is light, and wisdom, and the rest of the soul. Even among the Greeks the seventh is held holy; for all things long for the seventh light, by which the things of heaven and the things of the soul are made known.

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