Who translated the Hebrew OT into Greek in 300 B.C.? The 72 chose from the 12 tribes? That would make 66 of them apostate since only the tribe of Levi was chosen to copy the text. Why would the Jews translate their Hebrew text into Greek? Greeks were dogs to them.
This post and one previous is the reason why I have largely ceased to post on this forum.
The arrogance, ignorance, and bigotry displayed is breath-taking.
However, I have plenty of respect for Angela, and her sensible approach. Bill Mounce, I know, not personally, but through his numerous publications, and his careful and conservative approach is a joy.
And so, to defend these two from the malicious and unreasoning ignorance displayed in these two posts I will respond.
What we know now as the Old Testament was indeed translated about 300 BC into Greek.
And it was translated by Jews and for Jews.
Why?
Simply put, at that time, most Jews lived outside Palestine and were spread out all over what is now known as the Middle East and Southern Europe. Jews could be found as far west as the Iberian peninsula (present-day Spain and Portugal) and as far east as present-day India. For most of these Jews their home language was not Hebrew or Aramaic, but rather what language they spoke corresponded with where they lived. Did some continue to speak and understand Hebrew/Aramaic? Yes, but only a minority of Diaspora Jews were fluent in Hebrew/Aramaic.
Why was Greek chosen for the translation?
The Greek's, starting with Alexander conquered large parts of Europe,North Africa, and the Middle East as far east as India. Although their political control of various areas waxed and waned for centuries until it was subsumed by the Roman Empire, the systems of commerce and administration they set up persisted. Even in New Testament times the Roman Empire used Greek as its language of administration and commerce.
Nearly all the Jews of the Diaspora were traders and merchants, and so, of necessity, they all spoke Greek, in addition to any other languages that they might know.
In fact, across southern Europe and North Africa and the Middle East Greek was the language that was spoken on the streets. Whatever one's ethnicity and home language everyone spoke Greek...
So, the one language common to all Jews in 300 BC was, in fact, Greek, and NOT Hebrew/Aramaic!
And this was the reason why this translation was undertaken.
None of this has anything to do with the fact that Jews did not appreciate political domination by anyone, whether it be the Greeks or anyone else!
John146's aggressive and insulting dismissal of the Septuagint conveniently ignores a couple of very important facts: All of the OT quotes in the NT, whether from Jesus Christ Himself or from the Apostolic authors use the Septuagint. Why would they choose to do this if the Septuagint was, in fact, some kind of bastard upstart and fatally flawed translation?
Clearly they knew something John146 does not...
Now to change the focus somewhat:
I cannot for the life of me understand why the administrators and moderators of this forum allow post such as the ones I am responding to to go unchallenged.
It is absolutely clear to me that John146 and others like him are completely uninterested in evidence, proof, and truth.
In fact their approach can be summed up in one simple phrase: "Don't confuse me with facts!"
As in this case their only response is arrogance, hatred, and personal insult.
Does John146 actually know anything at all about Bill Mounce and his reputation?
Does he actually know anything, really, about Angela, whom he has so insultingly dismissed with no evidence, except for his own exceptional arrogance, ignorance and bigotry of course?
I have largely given up trying to contribute to this forum because between the KJVOnlyists, Sabbatarians, Flat Earthists etc there is no place for fact. What prevails is the biggest mouth and most aggressive attitude.
I challenge the administrators and moderators of this forum to do their jobs - moderate!
All i see is a free-for-all dominated by the ignorant and the aggressive...
Perhaps I will be banned for having the courage to address this issue - but what I have said needs to be said...
