Symmachus at Caesarea

Conference item

Our knowledge of the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible by Symmachus ultimately derives from what survives of Origen’s Hexapla, especially as mediated by commentaries on books of the Old Testament and noted in the margins of certain Greek biblical manuscripts or of the Syrohexapla. However, it is unclear where and when Origen first encountered and then acquired Symmachus’ version. This essay attempts to find some answers from the conflicting information given in various patristic sources. It argues for Caesarea Maritima as the place where Origen obtained Symmachus’ version through their mutual acquaintance Juliana, and for a date before 219 for this exchange. It restates the arguments for Symmachus’ Jewish identity at the time of translating, and reviews the suggestion that Symmachus may be identified with Sumkhos ben Joseph, disciple of Rabbi Meir. It then discusses the possibility that the name Symmachus had significance for Jews as a Greek approximation to Eleazar. Finally, it gives a brief overview of the extent of the use of Symmachus’ translation by scholars associated with Caesarea Maritima, principally Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome.

Authors: Salvesen, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Brill Academic Publishers
• Host title: The Forerunners and Heirs of Origen's Hexapla: The Proceedings of the Inaugural Colloquium of the Text & Canon Institute
• Pages: 129-152
• Publication date: 2024-07-01
• Acceptance date: 2023-12-01
• Event title: Origen Colloquium: Inaugural Colloquium of the Text & Canon Institute
• Event location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
• Event website: https://textandcanon.org/events/origen/
• Event start date: 2021-11-17
• Event end date: 2021-11-18
• DOI: 10.13109/9783666500725.129
• EISBN: 9783666500725
• Language: English
• Keywords: Origen; Hexapla; Caesarea; Symmachus; Eusebius; Epiphanius; Palladius; rabbis; Sumkhos