Theodotion

Theodotion, a prominent figure in the realm of biblical translation, is traditionally recognized as one of the three major Jewish translators of the Hebrew Bible into Greek during the second century CE. Alongside Aquila and Symmachus, he played a crucial role in making sacred texts accessible to a broader audience. According to Irenaeus, Theodotion was a proselyte from Asia Minor, likely hailing from Ephesus, which adds a layer of cultural richness to his work.

His translation efforts are believed to have taken place during the reign of Emperor Commodus, as noted by Epiphanius. However, the exact timeline of his activities remains a subject of scholarly debate, with some suggesting that the chronology may stem from the column order in Origen's Hexapla rather than concrete historical evidence.

Theodotion's unique translation style is often described as an intermediate approach, balancing the ultra-literal formalism of Aquila with the more free rendering of Symmachus. A distinctive aspect of his work is the frequent transliteration of Hebrew terms, such as using 'El' for God, which he employed both for terms lacking Greek equivalents and possibly out of reverence for the original language.

His textual contributions encompassed multiple books of the Hebrew Bible, including the Book of Baruch and the Additions to Daniel, which feature the Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon, as well as the expanded ending of the Book of Job. Despite the enduring influence of his translations, scholarly debate continues regarding the authenticity of the texts attributed to him versus earlier revisions.