It is difficult to ascertain whether Aristobulus's words imply that all the books of the O. T. were translated into Greek under Ptolemy Lagi, or simply the Pentateuch. Hody contends that vaaor, the term used by Aiistobulus, meant at that time the Mosaic books alone ; although it was afterwards taken in a wider sense to embrace all the O. T. Vaickenaer thinks that all the books were com prehended under it. It is certainly more natural to restrict it to the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch, therefore, was completed under Lagi.
The next historical testimony regarding the Sep tuag-int, is the prologue of Jesus thc son of Sirach, a document containing the judgment of a Pales tinian Jew concerning the version before us. His words are these: oi) p,6vok, raiira ciXXic Kat a6Tas 6 voccos Kat al poqyirciat Kat rd. Xotra, T 61. (31.13X1COV ob putpav gxel Secupopecv gv gaurois Xey6p.cva—' and not only these things, but the law itsel and the prophets, and the rest of the books, have no small difference when they are spoken in their own language.' Supposing that these words refer to the Septuagint, it is not easy to settle the time when the writer lived. The most probable opinion seems to be that which places him about 130 B.c., in the reig-n of Euergetes II.
The account given by Aristeas comes next before us. This writer pretends to be a Gentile, and a favourite at the court of Ptolemy Philadelphus King of Eg,ypt. In a letter addressed to his brother Philocrates, he relates that Philadelphus, when forming a libmry at great expense, was advised by Demetrius Phalereus to apply to the Jewish high-priest Elcazar for a copy of the book containing the Jewish laws. Having previously purchased the freedom of more than a hundred thousand captive Jews in Egypt, the king sent Aristeas and Andreas to Jerusalem, with a letter requesting of Eleazar seventy-two persons as inter preters, six out of each tribe. They were de spatched accordingly, with a magnificent copy of the law ; and were received and entertained by the king for several days, with great respect and liberality. Demetrius led them to an island, pro bably Pharos, where they lodged together. The translation was finished in seventy-two days, having been written down by Demetrius, piece by piece, as agreed upon after mutual consultation. It was
then publicly read by Demetrius to a number of Jews whom he had summoned together. They approved of it ; and imprecations were uttered ag,ainst any one who should presume to alter it. The Jews requested permission to take copies of it for their use ; and it was carefully preserved by command of the king. The interpreters were sent home, loaded with presents. Josephus agrees in the main with Aristeas ; but Philo's account (lifters in a number of circumstances. Justin Martyr en deavoured to harmonise the various traditions cur rent in his day, but without success. Exaggera tions and glaring falsehoods had been added to the story of Aristeas, in the days of Justin and Epi phanius ; which these credulous men received with out hesitation, and to which it is probable they themselves contributed. The interpreters are said to have been shut up in separate cells, where they made separate versions, which were found on com parison to agree in every minute particular. Hence they were looked upon as inspired, and their ver sion as infallibly correct. Most of the Fathers received this tradition ; and the early Jewish Rabbins equally believed it. Even Philo regarded the translators as inspired ; but it is evident that he was ignorant of Hebrew. Jerome seems to have been the first who distinctly rejected the story of their inspiration ; although he did not doubt the vemcity of Aristeas, whose simpler narrative makes no mention of inspiration. Until the latter half of the t7th century, the origin of the Septuagint as given by Aristeas, was firmly believed ; while the numerous additions that had been made to the ori ginal story, in the progress of centuries, were un hesitatingly received as equally genuine. The story was first reckoned improbable by L. Vives (in a note to Augustine's De Cizdtate Dei); then Scaliger asserted that Aristeas's letter was written by a Jew ; and Richard Simon was too acute a critic not to perceive the truth of Scaliger's asser. tion. Hody was the first who demonstrated, with great learning, skill, and discrimination, that the narrative could not be authentic. It is now uni. versally pronounced fabulous.