The Torah tells us, in Genesis 7:19, about the flood: “And the water overflowed fifteen cubits above all the highest mountains.” Simple enough on the surface. But if we dig a little deeper, as the Midrash of Philo encourages us to do, we find a fascinating allegorical interpretation waiting for us. It's not just about the literal height of the water.
Philo, a Jewish philosopher living in Alexandria around the time of Jesus, saw profound symbolism in the Torah. He believed the text held hidden meanings, accessible through allegorical interpretation.
So, what are these "lofty mountains" that the flood surpassed? According to Philo, they represent the senses in our body. Think about it: our senses—sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing—reside in the "lofty region" of our head. They're our connection to the world, our way of understanding and experiencing reality.
And how many senses are there? Five. And five times three? Fifteen.
See where we're going with this?
The fifteen cubits, then, aren't just a measurement of water. They represent the complete and utter submersion of our senses. The flood wasn't just about physical destruction. It was about the overwhelming of our physical, sensory experience. The senses, our “lofty mountains,” were entirely covered.
Philo isn't just giving us a physics lesson; he's offering a spiritual insight. The flood, in his view, symbolizes a time when humanity’s reliance on the physical world was washed away, making way for something new. A chance for rebirth, a chance to connect with something higher.
What does it mean for us today? Maybe it's a reminder to not get too caught up in the sensory world. To look beyond the surface, to seek deeper meaning, and to remember that true understanding comes not just from what we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell, but from a place of deeper knowing. A place beyond the "lofty mountains" of our senses.