Septuagint

Definition

The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, produced in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE for Jewish communities in Egypt. It holds significant importance in early Christianity as it was widely used by the apostles and early Christians, influencing the development of Christian thought and theology. The Septuagint also serves as a bridge between Jewish and Christian traditions, facilitating engagement with pagan philosophy by providing a scriptural basis that could be understood within the Greco-Roman context.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The name 'Septuagint' comes from the Latin word for 'seventy,' traditionally referring to the seventy translators who worked on the text.
2. The Septuagint was influential in shaping early Christian theology, as many Old Testament quotations found in the New Testament are derived from it.
3. It provided early Christians with a version of scripture that was accessible to a Greek-speaking audience, facilitating their missionary efforts.
4. The Septuagint includes additional books and passages not found in the traditional Hebrew Bible, known as the Deuterocanonical books, which were later debated in Christian contexts.
5. Philosophers such as Philo of Alexandria utilized the Septuagint to connect Jewish teachings with Hellenistic philosophy, aiding the dialogue between different cultures.

Review Questions

• How did the Septuagint influence early Christian engagement with pagan philosophy?
  • The Septuagint played a crucial role in early Christian engagement with pagan philosophy by providing a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures that was accessible to Hellenistic thinkers. This allowed early Christians to argue their theological points using scripture that resonated with Greco-Roman philosophical ideas. By demonstrating connections between Jewish teachings and established philosophical concepts, early Christians could effectively communicate their beliefs within a predominantly pagan context.
• Discuss how the process of translation seen in the creation of the Septuagint reflects broader cultural interactions during the Ptolemaic era.
  • The translation of the Septuagint during the Ptolemaic era exemplifies significant cultural interactions between Jews and Greeks. This period fostered an environment where different cultures could share ideas, leading to increased Hellenization among Jewish communities. The need for a Greek version of Hebrew texts indicated both a desire for religious preservation among Jews living in a predominantly Greek-speaking world and an adaptation to new cultural realities, which ultimately enriched both Jewish and Christian thought.
• Evaluate the impact of the Septuagint on Christian theological development and its role in shaping religious identity in relation to pagan philosophy.
  • The impact of the Septuagint on Christian theological development is profound as it provided a foundational text that shaped early Christian beliefs about scripture. By utilizing this Greek translation, early Christians were able to articulate their faith using language and concepts familiar to Hellenistic audiences, fostering a distinct religious identity. The Septuagint also enabled dialogue with pagan philosophers, as it allowed for interpretations of scripture that aligned with philosophical ideas such as logos. This interaction contributed to the integration of Hellenistic thought into Christian theology, influencing its evolution throughout history.

Related terms

Ptolemaic Era: The period during which the Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt, marked by cultural exchange and the translation of Jewish texts into Greek.

Hellenization:

The spread of Greek culture, language, and ideas throughout the Mediterranean and Near East, significantly impacting Jewish thought and practices.

Apocrypha: A collection of ancient texts that are included in some versions of the Bible but are not considered canonical by all religious traditions.