Invitation to the Septuagint

As The Bible Of Hellenistic Judaism And Of The Early Church, The Septuagint Has Long Been Important To Biblical Scholarship As An Aid For Interpreting Both The Hebrew Bible And The Greek New Testament. This Is The First User-friendly Introduction To The Septuagint Available. Writing For Beginning Students And Seasoned Scholars Alike, The Authors Give The Necessary Background And Provide A Primer That Is Both Accessible And Comprehensive. As It Moves From Basic Introductory Matters To More Advanced Issues, This Book: Clarifies The Septuagint's Importance For The Field Of Biblical Studies; Reviews The History Of Early Greek Versions Of The Bible; Introduces The Current Printed Editions; Provides Explanatory Notes On Selected Passages; And Surveys The Present State Of Septuagint Research.--from Publisher Description. Introduction: Why Study The Septuagint? -- Pt. 1: The History Of The Septuagint -- The Origin Of The Septuagint And Other Greek Versions -- The Transmission Of The Septuagint -- The Septuagint In Modern Times -- The Septuagint As A Translation -- Pt. 2: The Septuagint In Biblical Studies -- The Language Of The Septuagint -- Establishing The Text Of The Septuagint -- Using The Septuagint For The Textual Criticism Of The Hebrew Bible -- The Judean Desert Discoveries And Septuagint Studies -- Septuagint And New Testament -- Interpreting The Septuagint -- Pt. 3: The Current State Of Septuagint Studies -- Our Predecessors: Septuagint Scholars Of A Previous Generation -- Current Studies In Linguistic Research -- Reconstructing The History Of The Text -- Theological Development In The Hellenistic Age. Karen H. Jobes And Moisés Silva. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 319-323) And Indexes. Cover......Page 1 Front Matter......Page 2 Title Page......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Illustrations......Page 7 Preface......Page 9 Acknowledgments......Page 13 Abbreviations......Page 15 Map......Page 17 Timeline......Page 18 Introduction: Why Study the Septuagint?......Page 19 Part 1: The History of the Septuagint......Page 27 1. The Origin of the Septuagint and Other Greek Versions......Page 29 2. The Transmission of the Septuagint......Page 45 3. The Septuagint in Modern Times......Page 69 4. The Septuagint as a Translation......Page 86 Part 2: The Septuagint in Biblical Studies......Page 103 5. The Language of the Septuagint......Page 105 6. Establishing the Text of the Septuagint......Page 119 7. Using the Septuagint for the Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible......Page 146 8. The Judean Desert Discoveries and Septuagint Studies......Page 167 9. Septuagint and New Testament......Page 183 10. Interpreting the Septuagint......Page 206 Part 3: The Current State of Septuagint Studies......Page 237 12. Current Studies in Linguistic Research......Page 258 13. Reconstructing the History of the Text......Page 273 14. Theological Development in the Hellenistic Age......Page 288 Appendixes......Page 309 A. Major Organizations and Research Projects......Page 311 B. Reference Works......Page 319 C. Glossary......Page 324 D. Differences in Versification between English Versions and the Septuagint......Page 329 Indexes......Page 333 Subject Index......Page 335 Author Index......Page 344 Scripture Index......Page 349 Until now there has been no comprehensive, yet "user-friendly" introduction to the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Most scholarly works presuppose a knowledge of Hebrew and Greek as well as a familiarity with Septuagint studies. Karen Jobes and Moises Silva, however, have written a primer that will be useful to students who are just beginning to study the Septuagint as well as to seasoned scholars.The authors explore themes such as the history of the Septuagint, the various versions available, its importance for biblical studies, and the current state of research. Their work moves from basic to more advanced issues and provides a practical and valuable introduction that will be warmly welcomed by those looking for a guide to the Septuagint, including both scholars and students. This book by academics Jobes and Silva admirably delivers what it promises: it is a clearly written and organized introduction to the Greek-language Hebrew Scriptures commonly called the Septuagint, or LXX. The authors address, with great effectiveness, the history of the Septuagint itself, its transmission over time, the establishment of its text, its interpretation, its relationship to Judaism and Christianity both ancient and modern, and the current state of scholarship on the subject. Sustaining interest in this text, still too little known to the non-specialist, is a fine achievement, especially when done with the grace and intelligence the authors display. Highly recommended