Aramaic, Hebrew and the Greek Septuagint Translation

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In this lesson, we take a closer look at the Greek Septuagint translation. In particular, many people claim (or assume) that because the Greek LXX or Septuagint translation was (supposedly) translated from the Hebrew Bible in 250 B.C., that Jews at this time must therefore have spoken Greek, because their use of spoken Hebrew was on the decline.

But, in this lesson, we will examine the evidence a little closer. When we do so, we find that:

• The Greek LXX was a translation only of the Torah, or Law, and not the entire Old Testament.
• The translation dates to around 185 B.C., not 250 B.C. as is commonly reported.
• Jews did not need a Greek translation. They didn't want it, and they didn't ask for it, but were forced by a pagan king to produce it.

We find that Josephus, the classic historian of this time, once again provides evidence that is generally ignored or overlooked today.

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