Letter of Aristeas

1917 printed page 86 / §§316–320

Printed page 86 Original marginal section labels beginning on this page: §316, §317, §318, §319, §320. The opening continues §315 from the preceding page. reason. "I have been informed too," _he added,_ "by Theodectes,{1} the tragic poet, that when he was intending to introduce into one of his plays something recorded in the Book,{2} he was afflicted with cataract of the eyes; and, suspecting that this was the reason for his mishap, he besought God's mercy and after many days recovered his sight." (XI) THE DEPARTURE OF THE TRANSLATORS The king, when he heard the explanation which Demetrius gave of this matter, as above narrated, made obeisance, and ordered that great care should be taken of the books, and that they should be guarded with proper awe. He further besought the translators that after their return to Judaea they would visit him very often. It was but right, he added, that they should now be sent home, but, should they visit him, he would in bounden duty treat them as friends, and they would meet with the utmost consideration{3} at his hands. He ordered preparations to be made for their sending off and treated the men munificently. To each one he gave three of the finest changes of raiment, and two talents of gold, and a side-board {4} of a talent _in weight,_ and all the furniture for the three couches of a dining-room. To Eleazar also he sent by the hands of their escort ten couches with legs of silver and all the appurtenances thereof and a side-board{4} of thirty talents and TRANSLATOR’S NOTES (1917) — printed page 86 {1} Theodectes, a rhetorician and tragic poet, a contemporary and on one occasion a rival of Theopompus, circa 375–334 B.C. {2} This seems to be the earliest use of _ἡ βίβλος_ for a collection of sacred writings. {3} Text slightly emended : MSS " receive rich presents," perhaps rightly (cf. App. p. 103). {4} Or "cupboard" in its literal sense (1 Macc. xv. 32). The MSS, omitting one letter, read "a small cup."