Ancient Jewish Exegesis Cont

• Philo – to reconcile Scripture with Philosophy believed the literal meaning of Scripture was the immature level of understanding; the allegorical meaning was for the mature.

• The allegorical meaning should be used if:

• 1) if the literal meaning seems to say something unworthy of God
• 2) if the statement seems to contradict some other statement
• 3) if the record claims to be an allegory
• 4) if expressions are doubled or superfluous words are used
• 5) if something already know is repeated
• 6) if an expression is varied
• 7) if synonyms are employed
• 8) if a play on words is possible
• 9) if there is anything abnormal in number or tense
• 10) if symbols are present

• Pharisees use Midrash to tie their oral traditions to Scripture.

• Qumran community- the remnant, used midrashic and pesher