Freudenthal points out the analogy between Philo's ideas and those of Hoshaiah, and W. Bacher expresses his opinion that if Hoshaiah had not himself read the philosopher's works, he at least had heard of them from Origen, the most important champion of Philo. In a dialogue with Hoshaiah regarding circumcision, a "philosopher" (identified as Origen by Bacher) asked: "If the rite possesses such virtue, why did not God create the first man circumcised?"
Freudenthal draws an analogy between Philo's thoughts and those of Hoshaiah, while Bacher suggests that if Hoshaiah hadn't encountered Philo's ideas directly, he would have been familiar with them through Origen, who was a key proponent of Philo. In a dialogue with Hoshaiah on circumcision, a "philosopher" (identified as Origen by Bacher) inquired: "If the ritual has such importance, why didn't God create the first man circumcised?"