Septuagint

Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible that was created in Alexandria by Aristeas of Marmora and Ptolemy II Philadelphus in the 3rd century BC. The translation is attributed to Seventy Jewish scholars who were brought from Jerusalem to Alexandria to work on the project, as described by Flavius Josephus and Philo of Alexandria. This translation played a significant role in the development of Judaism and Christianity, influencing the works of Origen of Alexandria, Eusebius of Caesarea, and Jerome of Stridon. The Septuagint was also used by Apostle Paul and other New Testament authors, such as Luke the Evangelist and John Chrysostom.

Introduction

The Septuagint is an essential part of the Biblical canon and has been widely used by Early Christian communities, including those in Antioch, Corinth, and Ephesus. The translation includes books from the Torah, Historical books, Wisdom literature, and Prophetic books, such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The Septuagint was also used by Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Tertullian in their writings. Additionally, the Septuagint has been influential in the development of Patristics, with Church Fathers such as Justin Martyr, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna referencing it in their works.

History

The history of the Septuagint is closely tied to the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the Library of Alexandria, where it was likely created. The translation is believed to have been initiated by Ptolemy II Philadelphus and completed during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes. The Septuagint was widely used in the Hellenistic period and was quoted by Aristobulus of Alexandria and Demetrius the Chronographer. The translation also played a significant role in the development of Jewish apocrypha, including the Book of Enoch, Book of Jubilees, and Book of Tobit. Furthermore, the Septuagint has been referenced by Josephus Flavius in his works, such as Antiquities of the Jews and The Jewish War. The Septuagint was also used by Early Christian Fathers, including Cyprian of Carthage and Hippolytus of Rome.

Translation and Composition

The translation of the Septuagint was a complex process that involved multiple Jewish scholars and Greek philosophers, including Aristarchus of Samos and Eratosthenes of Cyrene. The translation is believed to have been made from the Hebrew text of the Bible, with some influence from the Aramaic Targum. The Septuagint includes several books that are not found in the Hebrew Bible, such as 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Additions to Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, and Letter of Jeremiah. These books are considered part of the Deuterocanonical books and are still used by Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church. The Septuagint has also been referenced by Origen of Alexandria in his Hexapla, which compared different versions of the Bible. Additionally, the Septuagint has been used by Eusebius of Caesarea in his Ecclesiastical History.

Textual Characteristic and Reception

The Septuagint has several distinct textual characteristics, including the use of Koine Greek and the inclusion of Hebraisms. The translation is also notable for its use of Midrashic interpretation and its influence on the development of Jewish exegesis. The Septuagint was widely received by Early Christian communities, including those in Rome, Gaul, and Spain. The translation was also used by Church Fathers such as Augustine of Hippo and John Chrysostom in their writings. Furthermore, the Septuagint has been referenced by Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica and by Martin Luther in his Luther Bible. The Septuagint has also been used by John Calvin in his Institutes of the Christian Religion.

Influence and Legacy

The Septuagint has had a profound influence on the development of Western Christianity and Eastern Orthodoxy. The translation has been used by Church Fathers such as Cyril of Alexandria and Theodoret of Cyrus in their writings. The Septuagint has also been influential in the development of Liturgical language, with many Christian liturgies using phrases and quotes from the translation. Additionally, the Septuagint has been referenced by Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy and by John Milton in his Paradise Lost. The Septuagint has also been used by William Tyndale in his Tyndale Bible and by King James I of England in the King James Version of the Bible. The Septuagint has also been referenced by Isaac Newton in his Opticks and by Blaise Pascal in his Pensées.

Manuscripts and Editions

The Septuagint has been preserved in several manuscripts, including the Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus, and Codex Alexandrinus. These manuscripts date back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD and provide valuable insights into the textual history of the translation. The Septuagint has also been published in several editions, including the Aldine Press edition and the Complutensian Polyglot. Modern editions of the Septuagint include the Göttingen Septuagint and the New English Translation of the Septuagint. The Septuagint has also been referenced by Erasmus of Rotterdam in his Novum Instrumentum omne and by Desiderius Erasmus in his Paraphrases of the New Testament. Additionally, the Septuagint has been used by William Shakespeare in his Plays and by John Donne in his Sermons. Category: Ancient Greek texts