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[85]
And these were what gifts were sent by Ptolemy to Jerusalem, and
dedicated to God there. But when Eleazar the high priest had devoted them
to God, and had paid due respect to those that brought them, and had given
them presents to be carried to the king, he dismissed them. And when they
were come to Alexandria, and Ptolemy heard that they were come,and that
the seventy elders were come also, he presently sent for Andreas and Aristens,
his ambassadors, who came to him, and delivered him the epistle which they
brought him from the high priest, and made answer to all the questions
he put to them by word of mouth. He then made haste to meet the elders
that came from Jerusalem for the interpretation of the laws; and he gave
command, that every body who came on other occasions should be sent away,
which was a thing surprising, and what he did not use to do; for those
that were drawn thither upon such occasions used to come to him on the
fifth day, but ambassadors at the month's end. But when he had sent those
away, he waited for these that were sent by Eleazar; but as the old men
came in with the presents, which the high priest had given them to bring
to the king, and with the membranes, upon which they had their laws written
in golden letters 1
he put questions to them concerning those books; and when they had taken
off the covers wherein they were wrapt up, they showed him the membranes.
So the king stood admiring the thinness of those membranes, and the exactness
of the junctures, which could not be perceived; (so exactly were they connected
one with another;) and this he did for a considerable time. He then said
that he returned them thanks for coming to him, and still greater thanks
to him that sent them; and, above all, to that God whose laws they appeared
to be. Then did the elders, and those that were present with them, cry
out with one voice, and wished all happiness to the king. Upon which he
fell into tears by the violence of the pleasure he had, it being natural
to men to afford the same indications in great joy that they do under sorrows.
And when he had bid them deliver the books to those that were appointed
to receive them, he saluted the men, and said that it was but just to discourse,
in the first place, of the errand they were sent about, and then to address
himself to themselves. He promised, however, that he would make this day
on which they came to him remarkable and eminent every year through the
whole course of his life; for their coming to him, and the victory which
he gained over Antigonus by sea, proved to be on the very same day. He
also gave orders that they should sup with him; and gave it in charge that
they should have excellent lodgings provided for them in the upper part
of the city.
1 The Talmudists say, that it is not lawful to write the law in letters of gold, contrary to this certain and very ancient example. See Hudson's and Reland's notes here.
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