The Septuagint, often abbreviated as LXX, is one of the most significant ancient translations of the Hebrew Bible into Greek. It played a crucial role in the spread of Jewish scriptures beyond Israel and influenced the development of Christianity. But why is the Septuagint so important?
This topic explores the history, significance, and lasting impact of the Septuagint on religious traditions, theology, and biblical studies.
What Is the Septuagint?
1. Definition and Meaning
The Septuagint (LXX) is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, created in the 3rd to 2nd centuries BCE. The name “Septuagint” comes from the Latin word for seventy, based on the tradition that seventy or seventy-two Jewish scholars translated it.
It was primarily produced for Greek-speaking Jews living in Alexandria, Egypt, who could no longer read Hebrew fluently. Over time, it became widely used by both Jews and early Christians.
2. Books Included in the Septuagint
The Septuagint contains translations of the books found in the Hebrew Bible, but it also includes several additional texts known as the Deuterocanonical books or Apocrypha, such as:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom of Solomon
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
- 1 & 2 Maccabees
These books are accepted in Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions but are not found in the Jewish Tanakh or Protestant Old Testament.
The Historical Significance of the Septuagint
1. The First Major Translation of the Bible
The Septuagint is the earliest known translation of the Hebrew scriptures. Before its creation, the Jewish scriptures were only available in Hebrew and Aramaic. By translating the Bible into Greek, the Septuagint made Jewish religious texts accessible to a wider audience.
Greek was the dominant language of the ancient Mediterranean world, spoken by Jews and non-Jews alike. The Septuagint allowed Greek-speaking Jews to maintain their religious identity while living in a Hellenized society.
2. Influence on Early Christianity
The Septuagint was the Bible of the early Christian Church. Since the New Testament was written in Greek, early Christians frequently quoted the Septuagint version of the Old Testament rather than the original Hebrew texts.
Many of the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus that are quoted in the New Testament come from the Septuagint. For example:
- Isaiah 7:14 (Septuagint): “A virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”
- Psalm 22:16 (Septuagint): “They have pierced my hands and feet.”
These passages were interpreted as prophecies about Jesus, shaping Christian theology.
3. The Septuagint and the Spread of Judaism
Before the Septuagint, Jewish religious knowledge was largely limited to Hebrew-speaking communities. However, after its translation into Greek, the Jewish scriptures became more accessible to the wider Greco-Roman world.
Greek-speaking Gentiles (non-Jews) were able to learn about Jewish beliefs and adopt Jewish practices. This later influenced early Christian evangelism, as many Gentiles were already familiar with Jewish scripture through the Septuagint.
Theological Importance of the Septuagint
1. Differences Between the Septuagint and the Hebrew Bible
The Septuagint sometimes differs from the Masoretic Text, which is the standard Hebrew version of the Old Testament. Some key differences include:
- Different wording – Some verses in the Septuagint have slight variations from the Hebrew text.
- Additional books – The Septuagint includes the Deuterocanonical books, which are absent in the Jewish canon.
- Expanded content – Some books, like Daniel and Esther, have extra passages in the Septuagint.
These differences influenced Christian theology, particularly in Catholic and Orthodox traditions, which consider the Deuterocanonical books as part of their Bible.
2. The Role of the Septuagint in Christian Doctrine
Since the New Testament writers often quoted from the Septuagint, it shaped early Christian interpretations of prophecy, salvation, and the Messiah.
For example, when Matthew 1:23 refers to Isaiah 7:14, it uses the Septuagint’s version of the verse, which states that a virgin (Greek: “parthenos”) will conceive a child. The Hebrew text uses a word that can mean young woman, but the Septuagint’s translation reinforced the belief in the virgin birth of Jesus.
The Septuagint’s Impact on Biblical Translation
1. Foundation for Later Translations
The Septuagint served as the basis for many later Bible translations, including:
- The Old Latin Bible used by early Christians in Rome.
- The Vulgate, a Latin translation by Saint Jerome, which became the official Bible of the Catholic Church.
- The Slavonic, Coptic, and Armenian translations, which were influenced by the Septuagint.
Because of its historical significance, scholars continue to study the Septuagint to understand how biblical texts were transmitted and interpreted over time.
2. The Septuagint in Modern Biblical Studies
Today, biblical scholars use the Septuagint to:
- Compare it with the Hebrew Bible to understand textual differences.
- Study how Jewish and Christian traditions interpreted scripture.
- Analyze ancient biblical manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which sometimes align more closely with the Septuagint than the Masoretic Text.
Challenges and Controversies Surrounding the Septuagint
1. Acceptance Among Jews and Christians
While the Septuagint was widely used by early Jews, it fell out of favor in Judaism after the rise of Christianity. This was because:
- Christians used the Septuagint to support their belief in Jesus as the Messiah.
- Jewish scholars in the 2nd century CE compiled a more standardized Hebrew text (the Masoretic Text).
- Many Jewish communities returned to using Hebrew scriptures instead of the Greek translation.
Despite this, the Septuagint remains central to Christian theology, particularly in the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
2. Differences in the Canon
The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to debates about which books should be included in the Old Testament.
- Protestants chose to follow the Masoretic Text, rejecting the Deuterocanonical books found in the Septuagint.
- Catholics and Orthodox Christians continued to include these books in their canon.
This debate still influences differences in Bible versions used by different Christian denominations today.
The Septuagint is one of the most important biblical translations in history. It helped spread Jewish scripture to Greek-speaking communities, influenced the New Testament and early Christianity, and shaped the development of biblical canon.
Despite its differences from the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint remains a valuable resource for biblical scholars, theologians, and historians. Its legacy continues to impact Jewish, Christian, and academic studies of the Bible to this day.