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| Chapter XXII.—On the Greek Translation of the Old Testament.
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Chapter XXII.—On the Greek Translation of the Old Testament.
So much for the details respecting dates, as stated
variously by many, and as set down by us.
It is said that the Scriptures both of the law and
of the prophets were translated from the dialect of the Hebrews into the
Greek language in the reign of Ptolemy the son of Lagos, or, according
to others, of Ptolemy surnamed Philadelphus; Demetrius Phalereus bringing
to this task the greatest earnestness, and employing painstaking accuracy
on the materials for the translation. For the Macedonians being still in
possession of Asia, and the king being ambitious of adorning the library
he had at Alexandria with all writings, desired the people of Jerusalem
to translate the prophecies they possessed into the Greek dialect. And
they being the subjects of the Macedonians, selected from those of
highest character among them seventy elders, versed in the Scriptures,
and skilled in the Greek dialect, and sent them to him with the divine
books. And each having severally translated each prophetic book, and all
the translations being compared together, they agreed both in meaning and
expression. For it was the counsel of God carried out for the benefit
of Grecian ears. It was not alien to the inspiration of God, who gave
the prophecy, also to produce the translation, and make it as it were
Greek prophecy. Since the Scriptures having perished in the captivity
of Nabuchodonosor, Esdras2096
| 2096
[The work of Ezra, as Clement testifies concerning it, adds immensely to
the common ideas of his place in the history of the canon.] |
the Levite, the priest, in the time of Artaxerxes king of the Persians,
having become inspired in the exercise of prophecy restored again the
whole of the ancient Scriptures. And Aristobulus, in his first book
addressed to Philometor, writes in these words: “And Plato followed
the laws given to us, and had manifestly studied all that is said in
them.” And before Demetrius there had been translated by another,
previous to the dominion of Alexander and of the Persians, the account
of the departure of our countrymen the Hebrews from Egypt, and the fame
of all that happened to them, and their taking possession of the land,
and the account of the whole code of laws; so that it is perfectly clear
that the above-mentioned philosopher derived a great deal from this
source, for he was very learned, as also Pythagoras, who transferred
many things from our books to his own system of doctrines. And Numenius,
the Pythagorean philosopher, expressly writes: “For what is Plato,
but Moses speaking
in Attic Greek?” This Moses
was a theologian and prophet, and as some say, an interpreter of sacred
laws. His family, his deeds, and life, are related by the Scriptures
themselves, which are worthy of all credit; but have nevertheless to
be stated by us also as well as we can.2097
| 2097 [Concerning the LXX., see cap. vii. p. 308, note 4, supra.] | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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