Septuagint

Definition

The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, widely used in the early Christian church. This translation, known as LXX, played a crucial role in making the Jewish scriptures accessible to Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians, influencing their theological development and interpretation of the scriptures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Septuagint was translated between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE in Alexandria, Egypt, primarily for the Jewish community living there.
2. The name 'Septuagint' comes from the Latin word for 'seventy,' traditionally referring to the seventy or seventy-two translators who worked on this translation.
3. It is significant because many early Christians used the Septuagint as their primary scripture, heavily influencing New Testament writings and early Christian theology.
4. The Septuagint includes additional texts not found in the Hebrew Bible, such as the books of Tobit, Judith, and Wisdom, which are considered part of the Apocrypha.
5. Scholars study the Septuagint to understand how ancient Jews interpreted their scriptures and how these interpretations shaped early Christian thought.

Review Questions

• How did the Septuagint influence early Christian theology and scriptural interpretation?
  • The Septuagint significantly influenced early Christian theology by serving as the primary scriptural source for many early Christians. Its Greek translation made Jewish scriptures accessible to a wider audience, shaping their understanding of key theological concepts such as messianism and prophecy fulfillment. Additionally, numerous New Testament writers quoted or referenced the Septuagint, reflecting its importance in early Christian thought and teachings.
• Discuss the historical context in which the Septuagint was created and its relevance to both Jewish and Christian communities.
  • The Septuagint was created during a time when many Jews lived in Hellenistic regions where Greek was the dominant language. This translation was essential for Greek-speaking Jews who wanted to maintain their religious heritage while engaging with the surrounding culture. For Christians, it provided a foundation for understanding Old Testament prophecies in relation to Jesus Christ, thus bridging Jewish scripture with their emerging faith. The translation process itself reflects a significant cultural exchange between Judaism and Hellenism.
• Evaluate how the presence of additional texts in the Septuagint compared to the Hebrew Bible impacts modern biblical scholarship and interpretation.
  • The presence of additional texts in the Septuagint compared to the Hebrew Bible presents challenges and opportunities for modern biblical scholarship. It raises questions about canonical authority and highlights differences in religious traditions between Judaism and Christianity. Scholars must consider how these additional texts reflect historical interpretations and beliefs that were prevalent at the time of translation. Understanding these differences can enrich contemporary interpretations and discussions about scripture's role across different faith communities.

Related terms

Hebrew Bible: The canonical collection of Jewish texts, also known as the Tanakh, which includes the Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

Apocrypha:

A set of biblical texts considered non-canonical by some branches of Judaism and Christianity, often included in certain versions of the Septuagint.

Koine Greek: The common dialect of Greek during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, in which the Septuagint was written and widely disseminated.