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.

We have now then said enough on these subjects. But since he not only confesses that he saw in his dream, a standing and a river, but also the banks of a river, as his words are, "I thought that I was standing by the bank (χεῖλος) of the river." [*](Genesis xli. 17. ) It must be desirable to say a few seasonable things also about the bank.

Now there appears to be two most necessary objects on account of which nature has adapted lips (χείλη) to all animals, and especially to men; one for the sake of tranquillity, for they are the strongest bulwark and fortification of [*](Exodus vii. 17. ) [*](Genesis xli. 17. )

v.2.p.390

the voice; the other for the sake of distinctness, for it is through them that the stream of words issues forth. For when they are closed speech is checked; for it is impossible that it should be borne outward if they are not parted.