The
term δογμα (dogma) in Hellenistic Judaism refers
to Mosaic law, laws, or other “doctrine”: Josephus, Ant. 15.136; Ag.
Ap. 1.42; 3 Macc. 1:3; 4 Macc. 10:2 . . . Philo, Plant. 62; Migr.
131; Names 32, 168, 202, 210; Spec. 1.345; 2.61; Virt. 99;
the following references in Philo refer also to “doctrine” but that which has
been allegorically deducted from IT law: Philo, Create. 25; Alleg.
2.55; 3.1; 3.192,229; Sacr. 19; Worse 133; Unchang. 88
[?]; Arg. 44; Post. 129; Plant. 77, 98; Prelim. 167
(cf. 166 and 168(; Flight 45, 173; Dreams. 1.181; 2.256; Spec.
2.29. Other references in Philo are not as explicit and are a bit more
contextually ambiguous but still are also likely to be identified generally
with OT law (some perhaps with allegorization and others without); see Cher.
85-86, 121; Worse 135; Post. 24; Plant. 70; Drunk 212
(cf. 213); Conf. 51; Migr. 53 (cf. 54-55); Mos. 2.66; Spec.
2.63; 4.140-41; Etern. 2. Josephus (Ant. 4.210) and Tob. 4:19
uses εξαλειφω (exaleiphō) to indicate the “blotting
out” of the Mosaic “laws” from a person’s mind. The legal nature of the
“decrees” is also reflected elsewhere in the NT (e.g., both Luke 2:1 and Acts
17:7 refer to legal requirements imposed by Caesar). (G. K. Beale, Colossians
and Philemon [Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament; Grand
Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2019], 198 n. 91, in other words, δογμα in Col 2:14 refers to “demands of the Mosaic
law”)
