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Document Details :

Title: Saul of Tarsus and Early Zealotism
Subtitle: Reading Gal 1,13-14 in Light of Philo’s Writings
Author(s): SELAND, Torrey
Journal: Biblica
Volume: 83    Issue: 4   Date: 2002   
Pages: 449-471
DOI: 10.2143/BIB.83.4.3200320

Abstract :
One of the most consistent features in the portraits of Saul of Tarsus in the Acts of the Apostles and in the letters accredited to Paul, is the fervent zeal of his youth. The zeal of the young Saul has been dealt with in several studies, drawing on the issue of zealotry in Palestine, but the conclusions reached are rather diverse. The present study suggests that the often overlooked phenomenon of zealotry in the writings of Philo of Alexandria should also be considered. The material from Philo does not support the view that the early zealots formed any consistent movement or party, but that they were vigilant individuals who took the Law in their own hands when observing cases of gross Torah transgressions.

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