stephan huller

In Clement of Alexandria Stromata 7:7

For the Providence which extends to us from God is not ministerial, as that service which proceeds from inferiors to superiors. But in pity for our weakness, the continual dispensations of Providence work, as the care of shepherds towards the sheep, and of a king towards his subjects; we ourselves also conducting ourselves obediently towards our superiors, who take the management of us, as appointed, in accordance with the commission from God with which they are invested.

Consequently those who render the most free and kingly service, which is the result of a pious mind and of knowledge, are servants and attendants of the Divinity (θεράποντες ἄρα καὶ θεραπευταὶ τοῦ θείου). Each place, then, and time, in which we entertain the idea of God, is in reality sacred.

stephan huller

For those who are interested - the Greek text of Philo's On the Contemplative Life (the only one on the internet):

http://nameless-faceless.net/biblio/...templativa.php

I also read that the manuscript cited by Eusebius and the surviving text are related because lacunae are shared.

outhouse

NO

This is about Stephan trying to patiently teach someone how to study, and research, and gather direct information before posting imaginitive claims.

Iskander

So, what have you learned?

outhouse

Inane threads like this still have possibilities for those with open minds to learn.

I learned about Philo, I never knew anything in this regard.



I learned we still know very little about this sect called 'therapeutae' and those who misinterpret its greek usage as attendant.

Iskander

You have learned that the thread is Inane , but it cannot be Inane if it offers the opportunity to learn. Thank mountainman for creating the opportunity to learn.

You knew nothing about Philo, but now you will remember his name. You must thank mountainman for the thread that has made you a tiny less ignorant.

You have leaned that there is very little to know about the subject and on that one you must thank the author of the generous graffiti .

stephan huller

Hail mountainman! Hail mountainman!
Glory be to thee and the womb which bore thee.

Iskander

stephan huller

Related words in the LXX

ο φοβουμενος το ρημα κυριου των θεραποντων φαραω (attendants of Pharaoh) συνηγαγεν τα κτηνη αυτου εις τους οικους LXX Ex 9:20

μνησθητι αβρααμ και ισαακ και ιακωβ των θεραποντων (the attendants/servants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) σου οις ωμοσας κατα σεαυτου μη επιβλεψης επι την σκληροτητα του λαου τουτου και τα ασεβηματα και τα τα ασεβηματα και τα αμαρτηματα αυτων LXX Deut 9:27

stephan huller

I don't even think Philo's description of the sect mentions them 'healing' anyone. Instead they are 'worshippers' of God:

The question now must be - why does Philo pretend he doesn't know why they are called 'worshippers'? Everything points to him having some insight he is not revealing to the reader. What is he hiding?