Question 1

What is the Septuagint (LXX)?

Accepted Answer

The Septuagint, abbreviated as LXX (from the legend of 72 translators), is the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures made around 285–150 BC for Greek-speaking Jews who no longer understood Hebrew. It was the primary scripture for Greek-speaking Jews in the diaspora and became the Old Testament of the early Christian church. The Septuagint is quoted over 300 times in the New Testament, often as the authoritative text.

Question 2

Why did the early church use the Septuagint instead of the Hebrew Bible?

Accepted Answer

Koine Greek was the common language of the Mediterranean world in the 1st century AD. Jesus and the apostles lived in a bilingual culture and often quoted the Septuagint because it was the scripture accessible to Greek-speaking believers. The New Testament was itself written in koine Greek, and the apostles cited the Septuagint as authoritative scripture. This shows the LXX was the natural scripture for the early church.

Question 3

How do I read the Septuagint in English?

Accepted Answer

Start with an interlinear edition that displays the Greek text alongside English translation. The Brenton translation is the most widely available English Septuagint. Gospel Daily's interlinear app supports Greek Old Testament study, letting you read the LXX word-by-word, explore Strong's Concordance numbers, and see how the Septuagint differs from the Hebrew Bible.

The Septuagint (LXX) Bible

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