The Early Hellenistic Period

332-198BC

I. Palestinian Judaism (by way of priestly succession)

· Onias I

· Simon I

· Manasseh

Ø surrogate for Onias II

· Eleazar

Ø surrogate for Onias II

Ø mentioned in Letter of Aristeas

· Onias II

Ø king at time of Joseph the Tobiad

· Simon II

Ø priest at time of Seleucid takeover

Ø mentioned in Sirach 50

II. Egyptian Judaism (by way of Ptolemies)

· Ptolemy I (Soter)

Ø May have forced many Jews to migrate to Egypt

· Ptolemy II (Philadelphus: 283-246BC)

Ø Setting of Aristeas

· Ptolemy III (Euergetes)

Ø Inscriptions indicate synagogues founded

· Ptolemy IV (Philopater: 222-205BC)

Ø Demetrius the “Chronicler” (tries to establish the credibility of the biblical record)

Ø Artapanus (“competitive historiography”)

Ø Fictive setting of 3 Maccabees

III. Babylonian Judaism