Page:Chapters on Jewish literature (IA chaptersonjewish00abra).pdf/30

26 the winds in the world come and blow upon it, it remains firm in its place.” Man, according to Akiba, is master of his own destiny; he needs God’s grace to triumph over evil, yet the triumph depends on his own efforts: “Everything is seen, yet freedom of choice is given: the world is judged by grace, yet all is according to the work.” The Torah, the literature of Israel, was to Akiba “a desirable instrument,” a means to life.

Among the distinctions of Akiba's school must be named the first literal translation of the Bible into Greek. This work was done towards the close of the second century by Aquila, a proselyte, who was inspired by Akiba’s teaching. Aquila’s version was inferior to the Alexandrian Greek version, called the Septuagint, in graces of style, but was superior in accuracy. Aquila followed the Hebrew text word by word. This translator is identical with Onkelos, to whom in later centuries the