Subj : The universe
To   : JOSHUA LEE
From : DAVE OLDRIDGE
Date : Wed Jan 10 2001 03:48 am

JL> -=> DAVE OLDRIDGE wrote to KEITH KNAPP <=-

JL>  DO> Actually, this "error" is in the Septuagint, a pre-Christian
JL>  DO> translation of the Old Testament into Greek.

JL> Actually, a pre-xtian translation of the Torah into Greek. The
JL> rest of the books were often translated by xtians, including,
JL> incidentally, Isaiah. However, the sages didn't think much

This is incorrect (and probably Pharasaic revisionism).  The Tenach was 
translated at least by the 1st and probably by the 2nd century BC.  
Yes, the Pharisees hated it.  It was too Greek for them.

JL> of the Torah translation either; the fast of the Tenth of Teves
JL> that we celebrated last Friday honors the tragedy of the
JL> publication of the Septuagint, among other things.

Which gives an indication of what the surviving Jewish population 
thought of it AFTER Christianity had pretty much taken it over.

JL>  DO> It is that version that
JL>  DO> is almost invariably quoted in the New Testament, often verbatim.

JL> Strange considering that the population there spoke Aramaic, not
JL> Greek, as their mode of discourse. Even J. is portrayed as speaking

The NT, however is written in Koine Greek, not Aramaic.  There are a 
few Aramaicisms in it, but it is clear that Koine was the language it was 
originally penned in.

JL> it in one passage. Jews still refer occasionally to Aramaic
JL> translations (esp. Onkelos) today as a form of commentary; never
JL> to the Septuagint, who has it's own commemorative fast day. :-)

True, but the Hellenic Jews for whom the Septuagint was the "scripture" 
seem to have, practically en masse, converted to Christianity in the 
1st century.  Of course they were assisted in this decision by people with 
names like Peter and Paul. :-)

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