Septuagint: Translating the Torah

These lessons on the History of Aramaic present conclusive proof that, contrary to popular belief, Greek was not the common spoken language across the Middle East. As evidence for Greek, however, Greek primacists will claim that because Hebrew was no longer spoken after the exile, the Hebrew Bible had to be translated into Greek (the Septuagint) in Alexandria, Egypt, around 250 B.C. This is taken as proof that Jews spoke Greek.

Let us make two crucial points:

Not convinced? Then read the following account in Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews for proof:

1:10 I found, therefore, that the second of the Ptolemies was a king who was extraordinarily diligent in what concerned learning, and the collection of books; that he was also peculiarly ambitious to procure a translation of our law, and of the constitution of our government therein contained, into the Greek tongue.

i.e. Ptolemy wanted the translation of the Torah into Greek, not the Jews themselves.

12:12 Demetrius Phalerius, who was library keeper to the king, was now endeavouring, if it were possible, to gather together all the books that were in the habitable earth, and buying whatever was anywhere valuable, or agreeable to the king's inclination, (who was very earnestly set upon collecting of books,) to which inclination of his Demetrius was zealously subservient.
12:13 And when once Ptolemy asked him how many ten thousands of books he had collected, he replied, that he had already about twenty times ten thousand; but that, in a little time, he should have fifty times ten thousand.

i.e. the library was simply a showcase collection of all the books in the world, into Greek. Demetrius was doing the king's bidding, and the king's bidding was to translate everything into Greek for his own edification.

12:14 But be said he had been informed that there were many books of laws among the Jews worthy of inquiring after, and worthy of the king's library, but which, being written in characters and in a dialect of their own, will cause no small pains in getting them translated into the Greek tongue;

This is clear evidence that still by this time, Jews were using only the Hebrew Bible in Hebrew. Contrary to popular belief, Jews themselves could still understand Hebrew at this time, and had no need of a translation into Greek.

12:15 that the character in which they are written seems to be like to that which is the proper character of the Syrians, and that its sound, when pronounced, is like theirs also; and that this sound appears to be peculiar to themselves. Therefore he said that nothing hindered why they might not get those books to be translated also; for while nothing is wanting that is necessary for that purpose, we may have their books also in this library.

This interesting paragraph shows the similarity, and distinction, between Hebrew and Aramaic (called Syrian in Josephus). Ptolemy is told that the Hebrew Bible is written in a language similar to Aramaic (which he must therefore have been familiar with), and that Aramaic and Hebrew sound similar, but that Hebrew is unique to Jews (thus implying that Aramaic is more widely spoken).

12:34 Now when this had been done after so magnificent a manner, according to the king's inclinations, he gave orders to Demetrius to give him in writing his sentiments concerning the transcribing of the Jewish books; for no part of the administration is done rashly by these kings, but all things are managed with great circumspection.
12:35 On which account I have included a copy of these letters, and set down the multitude of the vessels sent as gifts [to Jerusalem], and the construction of everyone, that the exactness of the craftsmen's workmanship, as it appeared to those that saw them, and which workman made every vessel, may be made manifest, and this on account of the excellency of the vessels themselves. Now the copy of the letter was to this purpose:--
12:36 "Demetrius to the great king. When you, O king, gave me a charge concerning the collection of books that were still required to fill your library, and concerning the care that ought to be taken about such as are imperfect, I have used the utmost diligence about those matters. And I let you know, that we want the books of the Jewish legislation, with some others; for they are written in the Hebrew characters, and being in the language of that nation, are to us unknown.

These paragraphs clearly state that the books which were translated into Greek were the books of the Torah or Jewish Law (legislation), not the entire Hebrew Bible, because of course the canon of the Tanakh had not been fixed by this early stage!

12:37 It has also happened to them, that they have been transcribed more carelessly than they ought to have been, because they have not had hereto royal care taken about them. Now it is necessary that you should have accurate copies of them. And indeed this legislation is full of hidden wisdom, and entirely blameless, as being the legislation of God:

This paragraph says that other books in the library had been poorly translated into Greek, and he wants the books of the Torah to be translated into Greek well (by royal decree), because they are full of wisdom.

12:38 for which cause it is, as Hecateus of Abdera says, that the poets and historians make no mention of it, nor of those men who lead their lives according to it, since it is a holy law, and ought not to be proclaimed by profane mouths.
12:39 If then it please you, O king, you may write to the high priest of the Jews, to send six of the elders out of every tribe, and those such as are most skilful of the laws, that by their means we may learn the clear and agreeing sense of these books, and may obtain an accurate interpretation of their contents, and so may have such a collection of these as may be suitable to your desire.''
12:40 When this letter was sent to the king, he commanded that a letter should be drawn up for Eleazar, the Jewish high priest, concerning these matters; and that they should inform him of the release of the Jews that had been in slavery among them. He also sent fifty talents of gold for the making of large basins, and vials, and cups, and an immense quantity of precious stones.

These paragraphs show that the High Priest was commanded, by royal decree of Ptolemy, to help with the translation of the Torah into Greek. The Jews, however, were paid well for co-operating.

So, there you have it. Contrary to the widespread myth that Jews themselves wanted to translate the Hebrew Bible into Greek because they could no longer understand Hebrew, we find quite the reverse:

It should be remembered that Jews generally had very strong anti-Greek feelings. The Maccabean revolt was still fresh in their minds, when Greek language and culture was forced upon them by Antiochus and the Temple was desecrated. Ever since the Maccabean victory, Jews strongly rejected Greek philosophy and the Greek language, and discouraged the speaking of Greek. (See our lesson Aramaic: Language of Josephus). Despite this, some Jews had succumbed to Greek learning and had allowed Greek philosophical ideas of heaven and hell to enter Judaism. They had started to Hellenize Judaism, and were despised for it. They are known in the New Testament as Grecian Jews:

Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Nevertheless, when Jews saw the quality of the Greek translation, they were shocked at the inaccuracies and how badly the meaning of their beloved Torah had been manipulated. The Talmud records that when this translation became public “darkness descended on the world.”

Contrast that attitude with the Jewish translations of the Targums, from the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic. Aramaic and Hebrew are similar languages, and after the exile, Aramaic gradually began to be more widely spoken than Hebrew. Because the influence of Aramaic on Hebrew was already significant, Jews had little resistance to an Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible. The Targums arose according to need, always with the acceptance and approval of Jews.

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