The Biblical Antiquities of Philo

The Biblical Antiquities of Philo is a book by Montague Rhodes James, first published in 1917. This work is an English translation of an ancient Jewish pseudepigraphal text commonly attributed to "Pseudo-Philo," not the famed philosopher Philo of Alexandria. The original text, likely written in Hebrew in the first century CE and later translated into Latin, offers a retelling of biblical history from Genesis through the death of Saul. It includes expansions, reinterpretations, and imaginative additions to the canonical biblical narrative, providing insights into how Second Temple Jews understood their scriptures and history. M. R. James, best known for his ghost stories and biblical scholarship, brought scholarly attention to this neglected text with his translation and commentary. His edition helped reestablish the work’s significance in understanding the evolution of Jewish theology, biblical narrative traditions, and early interpretations that bridged Jewish and Christian thought. The text remains a valuable resource for those interested in apocryphal literature, Judaic studies, and the roots of biblical storytelling.