CHAPTER XIX. 487 reading of the prophetsas well as the law came into use in the synagogues, many years afterwards, in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, this occasioned a Greek translation of the prophets to be made, and so the whole Old Testament was complete, which we now now call the Septuagint. 16. Q. Did the Jews generally come to use this Greek translation of the bible ? A. In and after the time of Ezra the scriptures were read to the Jews in Hebrew, and interpreted into the Chaldee language, which they had learned in Babylon, and was become most familiar to them. But at Alexandria, after the making of this Greek version, it was interpreted to- them in Greek, which was afterwards done also in other Grecian cities, whither the Jews were dispersed. And from hence those Jews were called Hellenists, or grecizing Jews, because they used the Greek language in their synagogues : And by that name they were distinguished from the Hebrew Jews, who used only the Hebrew and Chaldee languages in their synagogues. And this distinc- tion we find made between them ; Acts vi. 1. For the word which we there translate Grecians, is in the original 'Exxnnrar, that is Hellenists. So Doctor Prideaux. 17. Q. But did not the evangelists and the apostles, who were the writers of the New Testament, pay great honour to this Greek translation ? A. Yes, they cited many scriptures of the Old Testament, according to this translation, because it was the best Greek translation they had ; and it was by this time well known amongst the Jews in Judea, as well as those who were scattered round the nations. 18. Q. Did the Jews in Judea continue in peace under the governmentof the kings of Egypt ? A. The successors of the four generals of Alexander the great, who divided the world amongst them, and particularly the kings of Egypt and Syria, being frequently engaged in wars for enlarging their kingdoms, the Jews were reduced to very great difficulties, and sometimes were at a loss what side to chose ; they were in danger on both sides, and were sometimes distressed and miserably grinded be- tween theone and the other. 19. Q. Did they maintain the purity of their temple and worship ? A -'they were often exposed to grievous difficulties on this account. When Ptolemy Philopator of Egypt reigned over those provinces, he would offer up sacrifices to the God of Israel for his success against Antiochus the great, the successor of Seleucus king of Syria ; and he was not content to stay iii the outer court, but he would have pressed into the sanctuary, and even the holy of holies. 20. Q. How was he prevented from entering ? A. The priests, and the levites, and all the people lifted up their hands to God in prayer, and when the king had passed the inner court, mid was entering into the temple, he was smitten from God with
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