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Ambrose's Access to the Greek Text of Origen's Homilies on the Psalms in his Exegesis on Psalm 36

Publication |
2020

Abstract

In his interpretation of the Bible, St Ambrose of Milan (d. 397) follows the Alexandrine exegetic tradition represented by Philo and Origenes. His _Explanatio in Psalmum 36_ is not an exception; the bishop of Milan used a template of Origen's Homilies on the Psalms to deliver a sermon for his audience.

In his exegesis, he was not afraid to comment on the Greek reading of various verses on the Psalm and worked simultaneously with several texts that he considered inspired. This Latin writer's approach to the Greek Psalter is introduced by general remarks on Ambrose's exegesis of the Psalms, offering then detailed examples of his work in several verses of the Psalm.

The newly discovered Greek text of four of Origen's homilies on Psalm 36 is also beneficial for shedding new light on Ambrose's work with the text and the sources he had at hand, as it proves Ambrose's access to the Greek text of Origen's _H36Ps_.