Onkelos the Convert: From Roman Nobility to Torah Translator

Born into Royalty, Drawn to Torah

Onkelos the convert was a Roman nobleman, a nephew of the emperor Hadrian. He converted to Judaism in the 1st century, prior to the Bar Kochba revolt, during the final generation of the Tannaim (sages of the Mishna). Fleeing the wrath of his powerful uncle, Onkelos traveled to the Land of Israel, where he joined the scholars of Yavneh and studied under Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua (Bava Batra 99a).

The Conversion of Onkelos

Midrash Tanchuma recounts the dramatic story of Onkelos's conversion. According to one version, he received permission from Emperor Hadrian to travel the world and pursue his intellectual curiosities. A slightly different version in the Talmud identifies Titus as his uncle. Either way, Onkelos had already resolved to convert and used his imperial travels as a cover.

When he asked the emperor for business advice, Hadrian told him to invest in undervalued goods that were likely to rise in worth. Onkelos interpreted this advice spiritually: after surveying the nations, he saw the Jewish people as despised and downtrodden, yet destined for greatness. He journeyed to the Land of Israel, studied Torah with Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua, and underwent circumcision.

When Hadrian noticed his nephew's changed appearance, he questioned him. Onkelos replied, "I learned Torah and circumcised myself." When Hadrian asked who gave him such an idea, Onkelos replied: "You did. When I asked how to do business, you told me to invest in what is despised but will one day rise. I found no nation more despised than Israel and none more certain to be elevated."

The Talmud (Gittin 56b) adds another remarkable account. Before converting, Onkelos consulted the spirits of three known enemies of the Jewish people: Titus, Balaam, and Yeshu. Each admitted that the Jewish people were supreme in the World to Come and described the gruesome punishments they themselves suffered for harming them. Their testimonies only strengthened Onkelos's conviction to join the Jewish people.

A Missionary of Truth

After his conversion, Onkelos became a powerful advocate for Judaism. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 11a) relates that the Roman emperor sent three military units to arrest him. To each, Onkelos presented Torah ideas so compelling that the soldiers converted.

In one encounter, Onkelos explained how Hashem Himself carries a torch before the Jewish people, citing the verse: "Hashem went before them by day in a pillar of cloud... and by night in a pillar of fire" (Shemot 13:21). In another, he pointed to the mezuzah on the doorpost and noted that, unlike a mortal king who is guarded by his servants, Hashem guards His servants from outside, as it says: "Hashem will guard your going and your coming from now and forever" (Tehillim 121:8). Each group of soldiers was so moved that they joined him, forcing the emperor to abandon his efforts.

Onkelos and the Power of Translation

Onkelos is traditionally credited with authoring the Aramaic translation of the Torah known as Targum Onkelos. The Talmud (Megillah 3a) states: "The translation of the Torah was said by Onkelos the convert, based on the teachings of Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua."

This translation was likely composed in the Land of Israel in the early second century and finalized in Babylonia. It was meant to make the Torah accessible in the vernacular of the Jewish diaspora. Today, Targum Onkelos appears alongside the Hebrew text in many editions of the Chumash.

According to tradition, Targum Onkelos was written with Divine inspiration. Its sanctity has been preserved through generations. Studying each Torah portion twice in Hebrew and once in Targum ("shnayim mikra ve'echad targum") is a halachic (Jewish legal) requirement.

The influence of Targum Onkelos on Torah interpretation is immense. Leading commentators like Rashi and the Rambam rely heavily on it. In the Yemenite tradition, the Torah is read publicly on Shabbat verse-by-verse, with Targum Onkelos recited after each verse.

A Legacy of Precision and Depth

Targum Onkelos generally adheres to the literal meaning of the Torah, offering almost word-for-word translation. However, it occasionally incorporates halachic interpretations and midrashic allusions.

For example:

• "You shall not cook a kid in its mother's milk" (Shemot 23:19) becomes: "You shall not eat meat with milk."

• "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Bereshit 9:6) is translated: "Through witnesses and by judicial ruling, his blood shall be shed."

• "His days shall be 120 years" (Bereshit 6:3) is rendered: "A period of 120 years was granted to them [the generation of the flood] to repent."

These and other passages, especially in Yaakov's blessings, the Song of the Sea, Balaam's prophecy, the Song of Ha'azinu, and Moshe's final blessing, contain subtle midrashic insights embedded within the translation.

Over the centuries, numerous commentaries have been written on Targum Onkelos, including: Patshegen, Ohev Ger, Netinah LaGer, Marpei Lashon, Biurei Onkelos, Chumash Onkelos Hamevo'ar, Yayin Hatov, Ger Tzedek, Or HaTargum, Nimukei Rashi, Lechem Vesimlah, Parshagen, and Me'at Tzari.