What is the Septuagint?

The Septuagint, often abbreviated as LXX, is a significant ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, or what Christians commonly refer to as the Old Testament. Its name derives from the Latin word for seventy, "septuaginta," which is rooted in the tradition that seventy (or seventy-two) Jewish scholars were commissioned to undertake this monumental task. The translation project is believed to have begun in the 3rd century BCE and continued over several centuries, primarily in the culturally rich city of Alexandria, Egypt.

The origins of the Septuagint are enshrouded in both historical records and legendary accounts. One of the most famous stories is recorded in the "Letter of Aristeas," which describes how Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the Greek ruler of Egypt, sought to enrich the famous Library of Alexandria. He requested that the Jewish community in Jerusalem send translators to create a Greek version of their sacred texts. According to the legend, seventy-two scholars, six from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, were chosen for this task. They worked independently but miraculously produced identical translations, which was seen as a sign of divine inspiration.

While the historicity of this account is debated among scholars, what remains undisputed is the profound impact of the Septuagint on both Jewish and Christian traditions. The translation made the Hebrew Scriptures accessible to the Hellenistic world, where Greek was the lingua franca. This accessibility was crucial not only for Jews living in the diaspora, who were more familiar with Greek than Hebrew, but also for early Christians.

The Septuagint holds a unique place in Christian history and theology. When the New Testament writers quoted the Old Testament, they predominantly used the Septuagint. For instance, the Gospel of Matthew frequently cites Old Testament prophecies to demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled them, often using the wording of the Septuagint (Matthew 1:23, 2:15). This reliance on the Septuagint highlights its authoritative status in the early Christian community.

One of the most notable features of the Septuagint is its inclusion of several books and additions not found in the Hebrew Masoretic Text, the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible. These additional writings, known as the Deuterocanonical books or Apocrypha, include works such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees, among others. These texts provide valuable historical, cultural, and theological insights and are considered canonical by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, though they are viewed as non-canonical by most Protestant traditions.

The translation techniques and linguistic choices of the Septuagint translators are subjects of extensive scholarly study. The translators often faced the challenge of conveying Hebrew idioms and concepts into Greek, a language with different structures and cultural connotations. For example, the Hebrew word "שָׁלוֹם" (shalom), meaning peace, completeness, or welfare, is translated into Greek as "εἰρήνη" (eirēnē), which primarily denotes peace. This translation, while accurate, may not fully capture the rich, multifaceted meaning of "shalom."

Moreover, the Septuagint sometimes reflects interpretative traditions that differ from the Masoretic Text. These variations can be seen in passages like Isaiah 7:14, where the Hebrew word "עַלְמָה" (almah), meaning young woman, is translated into Greek as "παρθένος" (parthenos), meaning virgin. This translation choice has had significant theological implications, particularly in Christian interpretations of the prophecy concerning the virgin birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:23).

The Septuagint's influence extends beyond its immediate religious context. It played a crucial role in the development of the Greek language and literature. The translation introduced Hebrew concepts and terms into Greek, enriching the vocabulary and thought of the Hellenistic world. Additionally, the Septuagint's stylistic and rhetorical features influenced later Greek writers, both Jewish and Christian.

From a theological perspective, the Septuagint is often seen as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. It facilitated the spread of Jewish Scriptures and their theological concepts throughout the Mediterranean world, setting the stage for the emergence of Christianity. The early Church Fathers, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Origen, frequently referenced the Septuagint in their writings, underscoring its importance in early Christian thought and apologetics.

In terms of textual criticism, the Septuagint provides a valuable witness to the textual history of the Hebrew Bible. By comparing the Septuagint with the Masoretic Text and other ancient versions, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, scholars can gain insights into the development and transmission of the biblical text. For example, the differences between the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text in the book of Jeremiah, where the Septuagint version is significantly shorter, suggest that the Hebrew text underwent substantial revisions over time.

The Septuagint also has a rich liturgical and devotional heritage. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Septuagint remains the standard text of the Old Testament and is used in liturgical readings, prayers, and hymnography. Its poetic and rhythmic qualities, particularly in the Psalms, have inspired countless generations of worshippers and continue to shape the spiritual life of the Orthodox tradition.

In the Western Christian tradition, the Septuagint's influence is evident in the Latin Vulgate, translated by St. Jerome in the late 4th century. While Jerome primarily used the Hebrew text for his translation, he often consulted the Septuagint and other Greek versions, recognizing their value in understanding the biblical text. The Vulgate, in turn, became the standard Bible of the Western Church for over a millennium and profoundly influenced Western Christianity, theology, and culture.

In modern biblical scholarship, the Septuagint continues to be a subject of intensive study and research. Scholars examine its linguistic features, translation techniques, and textual variants to better understand the history and development of the biblical text. The Septuagint also provides a window into the religious and cultural milieu of the Hellenistic world, offering insights into the interactions between Jewish and Greek thought.

In conclusion, the Septuagint is a foundational text in the history of the Bible and its interpretation. Its translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek not only made the biblical text accessible to a broader audience but also shaped the theological and cultural landscape of Judaism and Christianity. The Septuagint's enduring legacy is evident in its continued use in liturgy, scholarship, and devotion, attesting to its profound and lasting impact on the religious and intellectual history of the Western world.