Letter of Aristeas

1917 printed page 84 / §§305–311

Printed page 84 Original marginal section labels beginning on this page: §305, §306, §307, §308, §309, §310, §311. The opening continues §304 from the preceding page. their salutation to the king and depart to their own place. And when, as is the custom of all the Jews, they had washed their hands in the sea and had offered a prayer to God, they betook themselves to the reading and interpretation of each passage.—I questioned them on this point, why it was that they washed their hands before praying. And they explained that it was in token that they had done no wrong, since the hands are the medium for all activity; in such a beautiful and pious spirit do they make all things symbols of righteousness and truth.— Thus, as we have said already, they assembled every day in this spot, which the peacefulness and brilliant light rendered so delightful, and carried on their appointed task. And so it came about that the translation{1} was accomplished in seventy-two days, as though this coincidence had been intended. And when the work was ended, Demetrius assembled the Jewish people on the spot where the translation had been made and read it through to the whole assembly in the presence of the translators, who received another great ovation from the people in recognition of the great services which they had rendered. And they gave a similar reception to Demetrius and requested him to have a copy of the whole Law transcribed and to present it to their rulers. And after the reading of the rolls the priests and the elders of the translators and some members of the _Jewish_ community and the rulers of the people stood up and said, " Forasmuch as the translation has been well and piously executed and with perfect accuracy, it is right that it should remain in its present form and that no revision should take place." And when all had assented to these words, they{2} bade them, in TRANSLATOR’S NOTES (1917) — printed page 84 {1} Lit. "transcription." {2} Or, according to another reading, "he (Demetrius) bade them."