The Septuagint 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 throughout the Hellenistic world and later influenced the Christian Old Testament. But what source material was used to create this translation? Understanding the origins of the Septuagint helps scholars trace the evolution of biblical texts and their transmission over time.
This topic explores the source texts of the Septuagint, its historical background, and how it compares to the Hebrew Bible.
What Is the Septuagint?
The Septuagint (LXX) is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, completed between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. The translation began in Alexandria, Egypt, where a large Jewish community spoke Greek rather than Hebrew.
According to tradition, seventy-two Jewish scholars translated the Torah (the first five books of Moses) under the order of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 BCE). Over time, translations of the rest of the Hebrew scriptures were added, forming what we now call the Septuagint.
The Source Material of the Septuagint
1. The Hebrew Texts Used for Translation
The original source material for the Septuagint was Hebrew manuscripts that predate the standardized Masoretic Text (the authoritative Hebrew text used in modern Judaism). These Hebrew texts varied in some details and included older versions of biblical books.
Differences Between the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text
The Masoretic Text (MT), completed between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, is the basis for most modern Hebrew Bibles. However, when comparing the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text, several differences emerge:
- Some word choices and meanings in the Septuagint differ from the Masoretic Text.
- Certain verses and passages in the Septuagint are longer or shorter than in the Masoretic Text.
- Some books have different arrangements or extra content (e.g., additional passages in the Book of Daniel).
2. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint Connection
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 20th century, provide further insight into the Hebrew texts used for the Septuagint. Some biblical fragments found in the Dead Sea Scrolls match the Septuagint readings more closely than the Masoretic Text, suggesting that the translators used older Hebrew manuscripts now lost to history.
Key examples include:
- The Book of Samuel: Some fragments from Qumran resemble the Septuagint version more than the Masoretic Text.
- The Book of Jeremiah: The Septuagint version is shorter than the Masoretic Text, and some Dead Sea Scrolls confirm this shorter version.
These findings show that the Septuagint was based on Hebrew source texts that were different from the later standardized Masoretic Text.
3. Influence of Aramaic and Other Textual Traditions
During the time of the Septuagint’s translation, some Jewish communities also used Aramaic translations (Targums) alongside Hebrew texts. While the Septuagint was mainly translated from Hebrew, some Aramaic influence may have shaped certain passages.
Additionally, ancient Jewish scribes sometimes transmitted biblical texts with slight variations, meaning that the source texts for the Septuagint were not identical to any single version we have today.
How the Septuagint Was Translated
The translation process of the Septuagint varied depending on the book:
- Some books, like the Torah (Genesis–Deuteronomy), were translated with remarkable accuracy to the Hebrew text.
- Other books, such as Psalms and Jeremiah, show more interpretative differences, indicating that translators made adjustments for Greek-speaking audiences.
- The Book of Daniel in the Septuagint includes additions (e.g., the stories of Susanna and Bel and the Dragon), which are absent from the Masoretic Text.
This variation suggests that different groups of translators worked on different sections, sometimes using slightly different Hebrew source materials.
Why Does the Septuagint Matter?
1. The Septuagint in Early Christianity
The Septuagint became the primary Old Testament for early Christians, as most could read Greek but not Hebrew. The New Testament frequently quotes the Septuagint version of Old Testament passages rather than the Hebrew Masoretic Text.
For example, in Isaiah 7:14, the Septuagint translates the Hebrew word almah as “virgin”, which influenced the Christian interpretation of this prophecy regarding Jesus’ birth.
2. The Septuagint’s Role in Jewish and Christian Traditions
While Jewish communities eventually moved away from the Septuagint, preferring the Masoretic Text, some branches of Christianity (such as the Eastern Orthodox Church) continue to use it as their Old Testament.
The Septuagint was translated from Hebrew manuscripts that predate the Masoretic Text. Evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls confirms that these older Hebrew texts had variations not found in modern Hebrew Bibles. The Septuagint played a crucial role in early Judaism, Christianity, and biblical scholarship, offering insights into how the Bible was transmitted over centuries.
Understanding the source material of the Septuagint helps us appreciate its historical significance and its impact on religious traditions worldwide.