De Somniis (lib. i-ii)

Philo Judaeus

The works of Philo Judaeus, the contemporary of Josephus, volume 2. Yonge, C. D., translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854.

But the high priest of whom we are speaking is a perfect man, the husband of a virgin (a most extraordinary [*](Exodus v. 2. ) [*](Deuteronomy xxiii. 1. )

v.2.p.377

statement), who has never been made a woman; but who on the contrary, has ceased to be influenced by the customs of women in regard to her connection with her husband. [*]( Genesis xviii. 11. ) And not only is this man competent to sow the seeds of unpolluted and virgin opinions, but he is also the father of sacred reasonings,

some of which are overseers and superintendents of the affairs of nature, such as Eleazar and Ithamar; others are ministers of the worship of God, earnestly occupied in kindling and burning up the flame of heaven; for, as they are always uttering discourses relating to holiness, they cause it to shine, bringing forth the most divine kind of piety like fire from a flint;