The Greek Empire, also known as the Hellenistic Empire, emerged following the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. This led to the spread of Greek culture and language across the Middle East and parts of Asia. Though brief in duration, spanning only about 300 years, the Greek Empire had a significant impact on biblical history.
One of the most notable influences was the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek. During the 3rd century BC, Ptolemy II Philadelphus commissioned the translation of the Torah from Hebrew into Greek for the Library of Alexandria. This Greek translation was called the Septuagint and it made the Hebrew scriptures accessible to the wider Greek-speaking world. The Septuagint became the most commonly used version of the Old Testament during New Testament times and was widely quoted by New Testament authors.
The Greek Empire also set the stage for the spread of early Christianity. The use of a common Greek language and culture (known as Hellenization) facilitated travel and communication across the empire. This allowed Christian missionaries like Paul to travel widely and reach Gentile God-fearers interested in the Jewish faith. Many early Christian communities emerged in major Greek cities like Antioch, Corinth, and Ephesus. The biblios (books) that make up the New Testament were all written in Koiné Greek, reflecting the Empire’s linguistic influence.
On the other hand, Greek philosophies and beliefs posed challenges to early Jewish and Christian thinkers. Concepts like dualism and syncretism blended Greek mythological ideas with biblical truths. As a result, church leaders fought against heretical teachings like Gnosticism that threatened orthodox doctrine. Apologists like Justin Martyr wrote in defense of Christianity amidst skeptical Greek schools of philosophy.
The Greek Empire also set the stage for future empires described in biblical prophecies. In the book of Daniel, the empire of Greece (described as a goat in chapter 8) was prophesied to conquer the Persian Empire (depicted as a ram). This happened just as predicted when Alexander the Great defeated Darius III and the Persians. After Alexander’s death, the Greek Empire was divided among his generals into four Hellenistic kingdoms. Daniel’s visions accurately foretold major historical events unfolding under Greek supremacy (Daniel 8:21, 11:2-4).
In summary, the Greek Empire influenced biblical history in the following ways:
- Facilitated the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek (Septuagint)
- Provided a common language (Koiné Greek) and culture for the spread of early Christianity
- Seeded Greek philosophies and beliefs that challenged Jewish/Christian thinkers
- Fulfilled major biblical prophecies in the book of Daniel
So despite its relatively short reign, the impact of the Greek Empire cast a long shadow over the biblical world. Its influence shaped language, culture, thought, and prophecy fulfillment surrounding both the Old and New Testament eras. Examining this period provides insight into the historical context that birthed early Judaism and Christianity.
The Septuagint Translation and the Greek Old Testament
As mentioned, one of the Greek Empire’s most important contributions was producing the Septuagint (meaning “seventy” in Latin), the earliest known Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. Tradition holds that the Septuagint was translated by seventy-two Jewish scholars during the 3rd century BC at the legendary Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Though mythical elements surround the specific details, the historical importance of this translation is undisputed.
The expanding Greek Empire under Ptolemy II gave Jews living in Alexandria greater opportunity and influence. Many were bilingual, fluent in both Hebrew and Greek. Producing a Greek version of the Torah not only increased access for Greek-speaking Jews but also strengthened the influence of biblical faith within the Empire. Legend holds that it was commissioned after Ptolemy II was impressed by the wisdom of the Torah.
The Septuagint translation process unfolded over centuries. The Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy) was translated first during the 3rd century BC. Other books were translated later. By the 2nd century BC, the Septuagint included the canonical books of the Hebrew Bible as well as additional apocryphal books of Jewish literature. This collection of texts made up the Old Greek Old Testament that was in common use by the 1st century AD.
There is extensive evidence that the Septuagint represented the predominant Old Testament text used during New Testament times. Many phrases quoted verbatim from the Old Testament in the New Testament are derived from Septuagint translations rather than the original Hebrew. As a translation accessible to the Greek-speaking early church, the Septuagint held great influence in apostolic teaching and theology. It shaped the understanding of messianic prophecies later fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
While the Septuagint was a crucial contribution, there were also limitations to conveying Hebrew concepts in Greek. As an exercise in translation, nuances and linguistic differences were unavoidably lost between the two languages. Yet as an early bridge between biblical revelation and the Greek world, the Septuagint was undeniably important in disseminating the faith outside Israel.
Hellenization: Spreading Greek Culture and Language
Another important legacy of the Greek Empire was Hellenization, the spread of Greek customs, ideas, and language throughout the territories conquered by Alexander the Great. Over time, Greek became the common tongue of the empire. Koine Greek, a simplified and accessible form of the language, emerged as the trade language and lingua franca.
This development held major significance for the spread of Christianity in several respects. First, it established a common Greek language that could be widely understood around the Mediterranean basin and Near East where the gospel took root. Christian writers like Paul could communicate to a broader audience of Gentiles unfamiliar with Hebrew or Aramaic.
Second, Hellenistic culture facilitated travel and exchange of ideas. There was greater mobility and connection between major urban centers where many early Christian communities developed ― Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, etc. Missionaries like Paul journeyed extensively by the Roman road system through Greece and Asia Minor planting churches.
Third, Greek became the language of early Christian scriptures. All twenty-seven books of the New Testament were written in Koine Greek, the common dialect of the time. This allowed these important texts to be accessible to believers regardless of ethnicity ― Jews, Greeks, Romans could all read them.
Finally, Greek language and philosophy influenced how biblical faith was communicated. New Testament writers drew on concepts and metaphors from Hellenistic culture to convey the gospel. For example, the apostle John used the idea of the Greek logos (“Word”) to describe Christ (John 1:1). The Holy Spirit was described with the Greek term parakletos (“Advocate”).
So while Hellenization made biblical faith more accessible, there were also risks of diluting pure scriptural truth. Some Greek philosophies and mystery cults challenged Christian doctrine, as discussed in the next section.
Greek Philosophy’s Influence and Early Church Defense
The introduction of Greek philosophy and religion into Jewish culture posed major challenges to doctrinal purity. Efforts to synthesize Hebrew scriptures with Greek ideas led to heretical teachings.
For example, Gnosticism was an early pseudo-Christian movement that blended biblical themes with Greek dualistic philosophy. Gnostics taught that spirit was good and matter was evil. This led them to reject the human nature of Christ and his physical death on the cross. The Gnostic gospels pushed these beliefs in writings like the Gospel of Judas and Gospel of Thomas.
Greek syncretism also incorporated mythological deities and practices into worship of God. The book of 1 Maccabees describes Jews abandoning true faith to follow Greek customs displeasing to God (1 Maccabees 1:11-15). Baal worship enticed some Jews with its immorality.
In response, Jewish religious leaders fought to preserve Mosaic traditions and the law against creeping Hellenistic influences. This led to the Maccabean revolt against Seleucid Greek rulers in the 2nd century BC. Some Jews sought to protect their culture through isolation from foreign influences.
As the early Christian church spread amid Greek culture, church fathers had to battle invading heresies. Justin Martyr argued Christianity was more reasonable than Greek philosophies. Irenaeus refuted Gnosticism. At councils like Nicea, church leaders established orthodoxy against false teachings attempting to gain footing.
So while Greek thinking was a gateway for evangelism, it also brought dangerous ideas requiring rebuttal. Discernment was needed to filter truth from error when communicating biblically within Hellenistic culture.
Alexander and Greece in Daniel’s Prophecies
The prophet Daniel’s visions accurately foretold the rise of Alexander the Great and the Greek Empire centuries before these events unfolded. This confirmed the divine inspiration of these prophecies.
In Daniel 8, Daniel sees a vision of a two-horned ram representing the Medo-Persian Empire (Daniel 8:20). This ram is defeated by a male goat from the west with a prominent horn between its eyes, symbolizing the Greek Empire and Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:21). Alexander’s conquest of the Persian Empire happened precisely as foretold.
After the large horn is broken, Daniel sees it replaced by four smaller horns (Daniel 8:8, 22). This prophesied the division of Alexander’s empire into four Hellenistic kingdoms after his death ― Cassander in Macedonia, Lysimachus in Thrace, Seleucus in Syria, and Ptolemy in Egypt. Two of these successor kingdoms, the Seleucids (Syria) and Ptolemies (Egypt), are described as the “kings of the north” and “kings of the south” in Daniel’s later visions (Daniel 11:2-4). The interactions between these Greek kingdoms and later Rome were acted out exactly as Daniel predicted.
Alexander’s invasion from the west so rapidly toppled the Persian Empire just as God had revealed to Daniel centuries prior. In stunning detail, the prophecies foretold the rise of Greek supremacy in the biblical world. As world domination transferred from Persia to Greece, these visions strengthened the hand of Jewish faith under foreign rule.
Conclusion
Despite its relatively brief reign, the Greek Empire ushered in pivotal changes that dramatically influenced biblical history. Alexander’s conquests spread Greek language and culture across the Middle East and Asia. The Septuagint translation made the scriptures accessible to Greek speakers while also influencing New Testament wording.
Hellenistic culture provided a gateway for the gospel but also brought invasive philosophies requiring apologetic defense. Greek invasion and rule of the Middle East fulfilled major prophecies in Daniel regarding Alexander’s conquests and the division of his kingdom.
So the legacy of the Greek Empire cast a long shadow over both Old and New Testament eras. Examining its influence provides insight into how biblical revelation took root within a historically Hellenized world.