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"While the "nationalistic Jews" may have controlled the Temple, it doesn't follow that they were not Hellenistic or had Hellenistic tendencies."

That's not necessarily true when you look at the early church Acts 6:1-4, "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

One of those named a Deacon was Stephen who in verse 9 was disputing with the leaders of the Hellenistic synagogue, "Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen."

The leaders of the church that met in the Temple area were decidedly Hebrew Jews. Now if the church mirrored the religious population of Jerusalem, and the Hellenistic Jews had their own synagogue, there was a distinction between the Hebrew Jews and the Hellenistic Jews.

The leaders of the church that met in the Temple area were decidedly Hebrew Jews. Now if the church mirrored the religious population of Jerusalem, and the Hellenistic Jews had their own synagogue, there was a distinction between the Hebrew Jews and the Hellenistic Jews.

You are probably correct. And this proves your point how? Most Jews were Hellenistic and spoke Greek. Most Jews accepted the Septuagint. The writers of the New Testament accepted the Septuagint, as they quote from it over 3 times more often then the Hebrew version. I do not see how this line of thought does anything but take us on a wild goose chase regarding the Deuterocanonicals. The Pharisaical sect was not considered superior by other Jews as the keeper of the Canon. And if you read the history of the times, many of the Pharisees were indeed Hellenistic. This influence is undeniable - and naturally, the Jews who converted and followed Christ make it plain that they also thought that the Septaugint was Scripture.

Regards