Spinoza's Ethics and the Hebrew Bible

Spinoza's Ethics tends to be treated as the epitome of an austere rationalist metaphysics informed by the Principle of Sufficient Reason. Yet, it is a little noticed fact that at various points Spinoza engages with the Hebrew Bible. Somewhat surprising, given the very critical stance toward Scripture exhibited by his Theological Political Treatise (published anonymously 1670), his comments on the Hebrew Bible are largely favorable (although at times obscure). More surprising yet, Spinoza seems to exhibit a form of rationalizing the Bible which elsewhere he associates with Maimonides and condemns. 

In tackling these issues, this paper argues that Spinoza self-consciously offers his Ethics as an emendation of the Hebrew Bible. Moreover, by exploring Spinoza's willingness to place his work in a larger tradition, we learn something about Spinoza's understanding of piety and the nature of philosophy.