Note 3 — Chapter I · HEBRAISM AND HELLENISM

On the other hand, a famous Palestinian authority, Abbahu (c. 279–320 A.D.), was a noted friend of Greek. He taught it to his daughters as “an ornament.” Of Abbahu it was said that he was the living illustration of Ecclesiastes vii. 18 “It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this (i.e. the Jewish Law), yet also from that (i.e. Gentile culture) withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.” Hellenism might appeal sometimes to the Jew’s head, though it never thrilled his heart. Cf. p. 39 below.