Greco-Roman Influences on Judaism

In the Second Temple period, the impact of Hellenism and the Roman Empire are the most significant influences on Jewish culture that ultimately shape the historical-cultural setting prior to Jesus’ time. Their influences paint a canvas of thought, faith, and culture that serve, as a backdrop for the society that New Testament Jews like Jesus would later live in.

Prior to the rule of Alexander the Great, the temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt in 515 B.C.E. In concert with these events, Ezra helped establish obedience to the Torah as a key facet of Jewish religious observance. The temple and the Torah were two key elements of the religious identity for Jews prior to the advent of Hellenism.

After coming under Greek rule, the Jews were exposed to the Greek language, Greek-style cities - - as well as Greek philosophy, sport, thought (e.g. math, science, and medicine), and culture. As one would expect, Greek ideas penetrated local religions and various deities.

From philosophy from the Hellenistic age, you can glean concepts that eventually made their way into Judeo-Christian thinking as the distinction between religion and philosophy became blurred. There was a shift of focus from the overall social structure to a concern with the individual good. For instance, from the Epicurus we get the belief that one should love their neighbor as their self, and from Diogenes we get the idea of rejecting personal wealth and detaching from the world. In the big picture, there was also the development of the idea of a universal, divine being (e.g. from Isis).

During the period of Diaspora, Jews often struggled to hold onto their historical and religious practices while living among Gentiles in a Greek-dominated world. To adapt, they eventually adopted the Greek language and wrote a Greek version of the scriptures called the Septuagint. This meant that different sects of Jews might now speak Aramaic (for common usage), Hebrew (for religious study), or Greek (for use by the upper class).

The Book of Daniel, an important apocalyptic text, emerged during the final conflict between Judaism and Hellenism in 165, during the Maccabean War, when a group of Jews seized control of Jerusalem. This literature was considered an example of the “literature of the oppressed.” On the heels of Maccabeus’ victory against the Seleucids in 165, the text gained notoriety as a kind of divine playbook that described how God would establish a divine ruler who would bring the world to an end and punish the unrighteous. The emergence of this apocalyptic text is important because it is later adopted in Christian circles but is rejected by the Jews.

In addition to the Book of Daniel, the Wisdom writings are produced during the Hellenistic period, approximately 100 B.C. E. They advance the idea of personal immortality and the dualism of a body and soul.

After the star of Hellenism finally faded, the Roman Empire became heir to the two century-long Greek legacy of thought, culture, and rule in 63 B.C.E. While Roman rule was initially welcomed, Jews eventually became resentful of the Roman leaders over time and attempted several revolts. During Roman rule, however, Rabbinic Judaism emerged and the Jewish canon took its final form. The Mishnah and the Talmud were also formed, providing Jews oral law and a running commentary on the scriptures.