Theodotion

מתרגם התנ"ך ליוונית

Theodotion was a prominent figure in the field of literature, notably recognized for his work as a translator of the Bible from Hebrew to Greek. He is often mentioned alongside other key translators, Aquila and Symmachus, as one of the three major Jewish translators who undertook this significant task during the second century CE. Theodotion's origins are traced back to Asia Minor, with a strong likelihood of him being from Ephesus, and he is described as a proselyte, indicating his adoption of the Jewish faith.

Theodotion's translation activities are historically situated, with Epiphanius suggesting that they occurred during the reign of Emperor Commodus. However, the accuracy of this timeline has been questioned, as it may be based on the organizational structure of Origen's Hexapla rather than concrete historical evidence. Despite these uncertainties, Theodotion's contribution to the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek remains a significant milestone in literary history, reflecting the complexities and challenges of cross-lingual and cross-cultural textual transmission during that era.