Page:The chronology of ancient nations (IA chronologyofanci00biru).djvu/46

Now I proceed to state that both Jews and Christians have a copy of the Thora, the contents of which agree with the doctrines of either sect. Of the Jewish copy people think that it is comparatively free from confusion. The Christian copy is called the "Thora of the Seventy," for the following reason: After Nebukadnezar had conquered and destroyed Jerusalem, part of the Israelites emigrated from their country, took refuge with the king of Egypt, and lived there under his protection till the time when Ptolemæus Philadelphus ascended the throne. This king heard of the Thora, and of its divine origin. Therefore he gave orders to search for this community, and found them at last in a place numbering about 30,000 men. He afforded them protection, and took them into his favour, he treated them with kindness, and allowed them to return to Jerusalem, which in the meanwhile had been rebuilt by Cyrus, Bahman's governor of Babel, who had also revived the culture of Syria. They left Egypt, accompanied by a body of his (Ptolemæus Philadelphus') servants for their protection. The king said to them: "I want to ask you for something. If you grant me the favour, you acquit yourselves of all obligations towards me. Let me have a copy of your book, the Thora." This the Jews promised, and confirmed their promise by an oath. Having arrived at Jerusalem, they fulfilled their promise by sending him a copy of it, but in Hebrew. He, however, did not know Hebrew. Therefore he addressed himself again to them asking for people who knew both Hebrew and Greek, who might translate the book for him, promising them gifts and presents in reward. Now the Jews selected seventy-two men out of their twelve tribes, six men of each tribe from among the Rabbis and priests. Their names are known among the Christians. These men translated the Thora into Greek, after they had been housed separately, and each couple had got a servant to take care of them. This went on till they had finished the translation of the whole book. Now the king had in his hands thirty-six translations. These he compared with each other, and did not find any differences in them, except those which always occur in the rendering of the same ideas. Then the king gave them what he had promised, and provided them with everything of the best. The Jews asked him to make them a present of one of those copies, of which they wished to make a boast before their own people. And the king complied with their wish. Now this is the copy of the Christians, and people think, that in it no alteration or transposition has taken place. The Jews, however, give quite a different account, viz. that they made the translation under compulsion, and that they yielded to the king's demand only from fear of violence and maltreatment, and not before having agreed upon inverting and confounding the text of the book. There is nothing in the report of the Christiaus which, even if we should take it for granted—removes our doubts (as to the authenticity of their Bible); on the contrary, there is something in it which strengthens them greatly.