Miscellanies 1.5.31

Philo interprets Hagar as “sojourning” (for here it is said, “Do not be much with a strange woman”), and Sarah as “my rule.” So it is possible, after preliminary training, to come to the most sovereign wisdom, from which the race of Israel grows. From this it is shown that the wisdom Abraham pursued is teachable, as he passed from contemplating the heavens to faith and righteousness according to God. Isaac shows what is self-taught; that is why he is found to be a type of Christ. He is the husband of one wife, Rebekah, whose name they translate “patience.” Jacob is said to have been with several, since he is interpreted “the one who exercises” (and exercises are through many and different doctrines); hence he is renamed Israel, the truly clear-sighted one, as experienced and practiced. There might be something else shown through the three forefathers: that the seal of knowledge is sovereign, composed of nature, learning, and exercise. You might also have another image of what has been said in Tamar, who sat at the crossroads and gave the appearance of a harlot; whom Judah, a lover of learning (the name is interpreted “powerful”), who left nothing unexamined and uninvestigated, looked upon and turned aside to her, keeping his confession to God.