The Septuagint (LXX) & Hellenistic Jewish Thought
Alexandrian Translation, Theological Vocabulary, Quoted in the New Testament, and Patristic Reception
The Septuagint (LXX) is the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible produced in Alexandria , Egypt , serving as the theological and linguistic bridge between Old Testament Hebrew thought and the Greek New Testament.
Origins in Alexandria: The Letter of Aristeas
In the 3rd century BC, the thriving Jewish diaspora in Alexandria , Egypt , translated the Torah into Koine Greek under Ptolemy II Philadelphus. The remaining prophetic and wisdom books were translated over the following century. The translation received the traditional title Septuagint (LXX, 'seventy') in honor of the seventy-two translators.
The Theological Lexicon of the New Testament
The Septuagint forged the conceptual and lexical bridge for apostolic Christianity: it translated YHWH as Kyrios (Lord), Elohim as Theos (God), Mashiach as Christos (Anointed / Christ ), Berit as Diatheke (Covenant / Testament), and Kapporet as Hilasterion ( Mercy Seat / Propitiation). New Testament authors wrote within the theological thought-world created by the LXX.
Quotation in the New Testament and Church Adoption
Approximately 80% of direct Old Testament quotations in the New Testament follow the Septuagint text rather than the proto-Masoretic Hebrew. Striking examples include Matthew 1:23 citing LXX Isaiah 7:14 (parthenos / 'virgin'), Hebrews 10:5 quoting LXX Psalm 40:6 ('a body you have prepared for me'), and James quoting LXX Amos 9:11-12 at the Jerusalem Council ( Acts 15:16-17 ).
Ancient Historical & Primary Sources
Letter of Aristeas — *Lines 9-50, 301-316*
Narrates the historical commission by Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus requesting 72 Jewish scholars from Jerusalem to translate the Torah into Greek for the royal Library of Alexandria.
Theological Relevance: Primary Hellenistic Jewish narrative concerning the origin of the Septuagint.
Philo of Alexandria — *De Vita Mosis 2.26-44*
Records the annual festival celebrated on the island of Pharos by both Jews and Greeks to commemorate the divine translation of the Septuagint.
Theological Relevance: Eyewitness 1st-century evidence of Jewish veneration of the LXX.
Flavius Josephus — *Antiquities of the Jews 12.2.1-15*
Recounts the translation of the Hebrew Law into Greek under the patronage of Ptolemy Philadelphus.
Theological Relevance: First-century Jewish historical confirmation of the Septuagint tradition.
Dead Sea Scrolls — *4Q119, 4Q120, 7Q1, 7Q2*
Greek biblical manuscripts of Leviticus and Exodus found in Caves 4 and 7, demonstrating the active use of Greek scriptural scrolls in Judea alongside Hebrew.
Theological Relevance: Manuscript proof of early Greek biblical texts in pre-Christian Palestine.
Irenaeus of Lyons — *Adversus Haereses 3.21.1-4*
Defends the divine inspiration of the Septuagint translators, specifically upholding the rendering of parthenos (virgin) in Isaiah 7:14 against later Jewish revisions by Aquila and Theodotion.
Theological Relevance: Early patristic defense of the Christian authority of the Septuagint.
Augustine of Hippo — *De Civitate Dei 18.42-44*
Praises the providential role of the Septuagint in preparing the Gentile nations for the preaching of the Gospel.
Theological Relevance: Latin patristic theology of the providential purpose of the LXX.