The Septuagint, often abbreviated as LXX, is one of the most fascinating and significant documents in biblical studies. If you’ve spent time reading or studying the Bible, you may have encountered references to it, particularly when exploring the Old Testament. But what exactly is the Septuagint, and why does it matter?
Here we’ll unpack the origins, significance, and impact of the Septuagint to help you better understand its role in the study of Scripture.
The Origins of the Septuagint
The word “Septuagint” comes from the Latin word for “seventy” and refers to the legendary account that 70 (or 72) Jewish scholars translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. This work is said to have been commissioned by King Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt (285–246 BCE) for the famous Library of Alexandria.
The Septuagint began as a translation of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) but eventually expanded to include other books of the Hebrew Bible and some additional writings that are now considered part of the Apocrypha.
Why Was the Septuagint Created?
By the third century BCE, Greek was the dominant language of the Mediterranean world, including among many Jewish communities living outside of Israel. These Hellenistic Jews often spoke Greek as their primary language, making Hebrew less accessible to them.
The Septuagint was created to meet the needs of these Greek-speaking Jews, providing them with a version of the Scriptures in their own language. It served as both a liturgical text and a means of preserving Jewish identity in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
The Importance of the Septuagint
The Septuagint holds a unique place in biblical studies for several reasons:
- It Was Widely Used in the Early Church. The Septuagint was the Bible of the early Christian Church. Many of the Old Testament quotations in the New Testament align with the wording of the Septuagint rather than the Hebrew Masoretic Text. This reflects its widespread use among Greek-speaking Christians. For example, in Matthew 1:23, the Gospel writer quotes Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son…” This aligns closely with the Septuagint’s rendering of the Hebrew word almah (young woman) as parthenos (virgin).
- It Preserves an Early Witness to the Old Testament Text. The Septuagint provides an important textual witness to the Hebrew Bible as it existed in the third to second centuries BCE. In some cases, it preserves readings that differ from the Masoretic Text, offering valuable insights for textual criticism.
- It Includes the Apocrypha. The Septuagint contains additional books not found in the Hebrew Bible, such as Tobit, Wisdom of Solomon, and 1-2 Maccabees. These texts are considered canonical in some Christian traditions (e.g., Catholic and Orthodox) but not in Protestant Bibles.
- It Highlights Translation as Interpretation. Translation involves interpretation, and the Septuagint is no exception. Its translators sometimes chose to clarify, paraphrase, or even adapt the Hebrew text for their Greek-speaking audience. Studying these choices provides insight into how ancient Jewish communities understood Scripture.
Why Should We Study the Septuagint Today?
The Septuagint remains a vital tool for biblical scholars, theologians, and pastors. It helps us:
- Understand New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Many New Testament writers relied on the Septuagint for their quotations, making it essential for interpreting these references.
- Explore Textual Variants: Comparing the Septuagint with the Masoretic Text and other ancient manuscripts enhances our understanding of how the biblical text developed over time.
- Appreciate the Bible’s Cultural Context: The Septuagint provides a window into the Jewish and early Christian worlds, where Greek was the lingua franca and Scripture was central to religious life.
Conclusion
The Septuagint is more than just a translation; it is a bridge between the Hebrew Scriptures and the Greek-speaking world, influencing the development of early Christianity and shaping the way we read the Bible today.
As we explore the Septuagint in future posts, we’ll dive deeper into its unique readings, its theological implications, and its relevance for modern biblical studies.
