The Septuagint
Septuagint is the Latin word for "seventy" and refers to what may be a legend that 70 scholars from Israel translated the Hebrew scriptures into Greek in 282 BCE. The story comes from an ancient document known as the Letter of Aristeas where it is told that the Greek king of Egypt - Ptolemy (Philadelphus II - 285-247 BCE) wanted to augment his library. He contacted the chief priest in Jerusalem asking him to send translators from each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Septuagint is the earliest translation from the Hebrew to Greek to be recognized as authoritative. The edition was widely used throughout the late first millennium and into the Christian era and translated into several different languages. It is today the official version used in the Greek Orthodox church. Most early Latin translations were made from the edition, as well. The Septuagint was used in conjunction with Hebrew texts in early Christian times to create official Bible translations, including the Roman Catholic Vulgate and the King James version.
However, as with all editions of the Bible, there is much debate regarding the version we have today, as the standard version and ancient manuscript fragments are not always in harmony. The Eastern Orthodox Christian churches have thus not issued a "standardized version." The Qumran manuscripts (Dead Sea Scrolls) suggest that the Hebrew translated into the Septuagint is slightly different than the Hebrew language of today.
The Septuagint is the earliest translation from the Hebrew to Greek to be recognized as authoritative. The edition was widely used throughout the late first millennium and into the Christian era and translated into several different languages. It is today the official version used in the Greek Orthodox church. Most early Latin translations were made from the edition, as well. The Septuagint was used in conjunction with Hebrew texts in early Christian times to create official Bible translations, including the Roman Catholic Vulgate and the King James version.
However, as with all editions of the Bible, there is much debate regarding the version we have today, as the standard version and ancient manuscript fragments are not always in harmony. The Eastern Orthodox Christian churches have thus not issued a "standardized version." The Qumran manuscripts (Dead Sea Scrolls) suggest that the Hebrew translated into the Septuagint is slightly different than the Hebrew language of today.
Resources
Additional Resources
Read The Septuagint Online Book by Book or download mp3 and listen to the Bible
Electronic resources for studying the Septuagint online including secondary literature, discussion and images
The Septuagint LXX: Greek and English by Sir Lancelot C.L. Brenton, published by Samuel Bagster & Sons, Ltd., London, 1851
This is a well known and authoritive edition of the Septuagint translated into English with the Greek included. This online project is currently not complete.
This is a well known and authoritive edition of the Septuagint translated into English with the Greek included. This online project is currently not complete.
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