Philosabbatius, a forgotten early Jewish philosopher

Abstract

In his Panarion (51.8.1), the fourth-century bishop Epiphanius mentions three ‘Greek philosophers’ who criticized the New Testament, namely Porphyry, Celsus and Philosabbatius. The last he also calls ‘a snake of Jewish stock’. Apparently this Philosabbatius was a Jew who wrote philosophical works in Greek, like Philo. His writings are lost, but Epiphanius states that Philosabbatius, like Celsus and Porphyry, heavily criticized the Gospels. His relationship with Celsus’ Jew (see Origen, Contra Celsum , books 1 and 2) is examined here. This overlooked Jewish philosopher deserves a place in works on the history of ancient Judaism.