The Septuagint (LXX) – Scripture in Greek Translation

Why Is the Septuagint (LXX) Important?

The Septuagint (LXX) is the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and its importance becomes particularly evident when studying the New Testament. Hundreds of Old Testament quotations and allusions appear throughout the New Testament, and many of its direct quotations follow the wording of the Septuagint, either closely or exactly, while others reflect the Hebrew text or different textual forms. Because the New Testament was written in Greek, the Septuagint allows us to compare Greek words with Greek words—an apples-to-apples comparison—helping us better understand how the Scriptures were being read, expressed, and interpreted in the Greek-speaking Jewish world of Jesus and His apostles.

This does not mean that the Septuagint should replace the Hebrew Scriptures or that every New Testament quotation comes directly from it. Rather, where the New Testament writers quote or closely follow the Septuagint, we should recognize the significance of that wording. Comparing the Hebrew text, the Septuagint, and the New Testament can reveal important differences in translation, meaning, and emphasis, sometimes providing valuable insight into the biblical author’s intended message. Hebrews 2:7, for example, follows the Septuagint’s reference to angels in Psalm 8:5, where the Hebrew uses elohim [H430], a word that can refer to God or divine beings. Such comparisons help us appreciate both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Greek translation that played an important role in the Jewish world and the writing of the New Testament.