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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

He also thought that circumcision should be done as early as possible as it would not be as likely to be done by someone's own free will.<ref name="james1976" /> He claimed that the [[foreskin]] prevented [[semen ]] from reaching the [[vagina ]] and so should be done as a way to increase the nation's population.<ref>{{REFweb

|ref=<ref>{{REFweb |url=httphttps://ecmarshwww.loebclassics.com/crlview/philo_judaeus-special_laws/philo1937/book27.htm#:~:text=Book%2027%3A%20Philo%2C%20The%20Special%20Laws%2C%20Ipb_LCL320.%20Yonge%27s,is%20turned%20into%20ridicule%20by%20people%20in%20general99. xml |title=A Treatise On Circumcision. Philo Judaeus |accessdate=20212022-0611-2005}}</ref>

The Christian fathers rejected the practice of circumcision for Christians at the [[Council at Jerusalem]] in 49 A.D. shortly before Philo's death.<ref>Acts of the Apostles 15:1-30.</ref>