---
title: "On the doctrine that Dreams are sent from God, Books 1-2"
author: "Philo of Alexandria"
translator: "C. D. Yonge"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Second Temple"
section: 37 of 44
url: https://scriptura.si/works/philo-tlg019-yonge-ogl/37/
cite: "Philo of Alexandria, tr. C. D. Yonge, On the doctrine that Dreams are sent from God, Books 1-2, section 37. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/philo-tlg019-yonge-ogl/37/"
---

# On the doctrine that Dreams are sent from God, Books 1-2

*Philo of Alexandria, tr. C. D. Yonge*

## 37. Section 2.210

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/philo-tlg019-yonge-ogl/37/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/philo-tlg019-yonge-ogl/37/#p-N

[¶0] so that the three baskets are likened unto the three portions of time, and the cakes upon the baskets to those circumstances which are suitable to each of the portions; to the recollection of past joys, to the enjoyment of present pleasures, to the hope of future delights. And he who carries all these things is likened unto the lover of pleasure, who has filled his faithless table, a table destitute of all hospitable and friendly salt, not with one kind of luxury only, but with almost every description and species of intemperance;

### Section 2.211

[¶2] and this is enjoyed by king Pharaoh alone, as if he were sitting at a public banquet, and devoting himself to a dispersion, and scattering, and defeat, and destruction of temperance; for the name Pharaoh, being interpreted, means "dispersion." And it is a magnificent and royal piece of conduct in him not to exult in the specious advantages of wisdom, but to pride himself on those pursuits of profligacy which it is unseemly to mention, wrecking himself on insatiable appetite, and gluttony, and effeminacy of life.

### Section 2.212

[¶4] Therefore the birds, that is to say, the chances which never could have been anticipated by conjecture, coming from outward quarters and hovering around him, will attack and kindle every thing like fire, and will destroy every thing with their all-devouring power, so that there is not a single fragment left to the bearer of the baskets for his enjoyment though he had hoped to proceed with his inventions and contrivances, for ever and ever carrying them on in a safe place, so that they could never be taken from him.

### Section 2.213

[¶6] And thanks be to God who giveth the victory and who renders the labours of the man who is a slave to his passions, though ever so carefully carried out, still unproductive and useless, sending down winged natures in an invisible manner for their destruction and overthrow. Therefore, the mind, being deprived of those things which it had made for itself, having, as it were, its neck cut through, will be found headless and lifeless, and like those who are fixed to a cross, nailed as it were to the tree of hopeless and helpless ignorance.

### Section 2.214

[¶8] For as long as none of these things come upon one which arrive suddenly and unexpectedly, then those acts which are directed to the enjoyment of pleasure appear to be successful; but when such evils descend upon them unexpectedly, they are overthrown, and their maker is destroyed with them.

### Section 2.215

[¶10] The dreams, therefore, of those men who divide those things which produce the taste according to every species of food, whether it be meat or drink, and such as is not necessary but superfluous, and sought only by the intemperate, have been sufficiently explained. But those of Pharaoh, who appears to exercise sovereignty over these men and over all the powers of the soul, must now be investigated if we would proceed in order and consistently with our plan.

### Section 2.216

[¶12] Pharaoh says, "In my dream I thought that I was standing by the bank of a river, and seven oxen came up as it were out of the river, of eminent plumpness in their flesh, and beautiful to the view, and fed in the green marsh; and behold, seven other oxen came up out of the river after them, evil to look at and ill-favoured, and lean in their flesh, such that I never saw any leaner in all Egypt;

### Section 2.217

[¶14] and the lean and ill-favoured oxen devoured the seven former oxen which were beautiful, and picked out, and they entered into their stomachs, and still their appearance remained ill-favoured, as I have described it at first.

### Section 2.218

[¶16] And when I had awoke I fell asleep again; and again I saw in my dream, and as it were seven ears of corn grew up on one stalk, full and beautiful. And seven other ears of corn also came up, lean and wind-beaten, close to them, and these last seven ears did swallow up the seven beautiful and full ears." Genesis xli. 17.

### Section 2.219

[¶18] You see now the preface of the lover of self who being easily moved, and changeable, and fickle, both in his body and soul, says, "I thought that I was standing," and did not consider that unchangeableness and steadiness belong to God alone, and to him who is dear to God.

### Section 2.220

[¶20] And the most evident proof of the unchangeable power which exists in him is this world, which is always in the same place and in the same condition. And if the world is immovable how can the Creator of it be any thing but firm? In the second place the sacred scriptures are likewise most infallible witnesses;

### Section 2.221

[¶22] for it is said in them, where the words are put into the mouth of God, "I stand here and there, before you were dwelling upon the rock," Exodus xvii. 6. which is an expression equivalent to, Thus am I who am visible to you, and am here: and I am there and everywhere, filling all places, standing and abiding in the same condition, being unchangeable, before you or any one of the objects of creation had any existence, being beheld upon the highest and most ancient authority of power, from which the creation of all existing things was shed forth, and the stream of wisdom flowed;

### Section 2.222

[¶24] "for I am he who brought the stream of water out of the solid rock," Deut. viii. 15. is said in another place. And Moses also bears witness to the Genesis xli. 17. Exodus xvii. 6. Deut. viii. 15. immutability of the Deity, where he says, "I saw the place where the God of Israel Stood;" Exodus xxiv. 10. intimating enigmatically that he is not given to change by speaking here of his standing, and of his being firmly established.