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Philo of Alexandria advanced four reasons for [[circumcision]]: protection against the "severe and incurable malady of the [[Foreskin| prepuce]] called anthrax or carbuncle"; the promotion of the cleanliness of the whole body as befits the consecrated order; the analogy of the [[circumcised ]] member to the heart (following Jeremiah); and the promotion of fertility.<ref name="james1976" /> Philo also claimed that circumcision "spiritualizes" the Jewish male by decreasing pride and pleasure, hence enhancing the spiritual persona of the Israelite male (De Circumcisione, 11:210).<ref>{{REFweb