Septuagint

Definition

The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, created in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. This translation played a crucial role during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, as it made Jewish texts accessible to a broader audience who spoke Greek, thus bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. The Septuagint is significant for understanding the spread of Jewish thought and the development of early Christianity, as many early Christians relied on it for scriptural references.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Septuagint was commissioned by Ptolemy II Philadelphus for the Library of Alexandria, aiming to include Jewish texts among its vast collection.
2. It is often cited as LXX (from the Latin for seventy), reflecting the tradition that seventy scholars worked on its translation.
3. The Septuagint includes books that are not found in the Hebrew Bible, such as the Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach, highlighting differences in scriptural canons.
4. Many early Christian writers, including the Apostle Paul, quoted from the Septuagint, indicating its influence on Christian theology and scripture.
5. The use of the Septuagint in early Christianity helped to establish a common scriptural foundation between Jews and Gentiles during the formative years of the church.

Review Questions

• How did the creation of the Septuagint reflect the cultural interactions between Jews and Greeks during the Hellenistic period?
  • The creation of the Septuagint highlights significant cultural interactions as it emerged in a time when Greek was the dominant language due to Hellenistic influence. It allowed Jewish scriptures to reach a broader audience beyond Hebrew-speaking communities, facilitating a blend of Jewish thought within a Greek-speaking world. This translation represented an adaptation to new cultural contexts while preserving essential religious texts, showing how Jewish identity navigated through external influences.
• What impact did the Septuagint have on early Christian thought and its development compared to Hebrew Scriptures?
  • The Septuagint had a profound impact on early Christian thought as it provided a familiar scripture for Gentile converts who spoke Greek. Many early Christians used it for theological arguments and teachings because it included additional texts not found in Hebrew Scriptures, which contributed to shaping early Christian beliefs. The reliance on the Septuagint established a common ground between Jewish and Christian traditions while also promoting interpretations that aligned with emerging Christian theology.
• Evaluate the significance of the Septuagint in shaping religious dialogue and textual traditions among diverse communities during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
  • The significance of the Septuagint in shaping religious dialogue is considerable, as it acted as a bridge between Jewish communities and Greco-Roman society. Its translation facilitated access to Jewish scriptures for a wider audience, fostering discussions about theology and ethics across cultural boundaries. As different communities interacted through this shared text, new interpretations emerged that influenced both Judaism and early Christianity, ultimately affecting how these traditions viewed each other amidst a changing sociopolitical landscape.

Related terms

LXX: The Roman numeral representation of 70, referring to the Septuagint, which is traditionally said to have been translated by 70 Jewish scholars.

Ptolemaic Egypt: The period of Egyptian history during which the Ptolemaic dynasty ruled, characterized by cultural exchanges and the support of Hellenistic scholarship, including the translation of the Septuagint.

Hellenism: The spread of Greek culture and language throughout the Mediterranean and Near East following Alexander the Great's conquests, influencing various societies, including Jewish communities.