Letter of Aristeas

A Hellenistic work of pseudo-history produced in Alexandria, probably in the mid-2nd century BCE, to promote the cause of Judaism. Narrates the legendary origins of the Septuagint.|||Survives in Greek. Scholars date the work to between the 3rd century BCE and the late 1st century BCE, with most agreeing on the 2nd century BCE.|||A date toward the end of the 2nd century BCE seems most probable.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Narrates the legendary origins of the Septuagint. Describes the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek by 72 scholars. Contains a defense of Judaism and a critique of idolatry.|||Thackeray, H. St. J. The Letter of Aristeas. SPCK, 1918.|||Shutt, R. J. H. " Letter of Aristeas." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 2. Doubleday, 1985.|||Letter of Aristeas — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/letteraristeas.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Letter of Aristeas — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_Aristeas|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And the king said: The law of the Jews is holy, and it is the wisdom of God." — Letter of Aristeas (paraphrase)