The Septuagint

What is the Septuagint? Septuagint (typically abbreviated LXX) is the name given to the Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures. The Septuagint has its origin in Alexandria, Egypt and was translated between 300-200 BC. This Greek translation was produced because many Jews spread throughout the empire (commonly called Hellenistic Jews) were beginning to lose competency in the Hebrew language. The production of the Septuagint also gave many non-Jews a glimpse into Judaism. According to an ancient document called the Letter of Aristeas, 70 to 72 Jewish scholars were commissioned during the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus to carry out the task of translation. The term “Septuagint” means seventy in Latin, and the text is so named to the credit of these 70 scholars. A fanciful legend says the 70 scholars took 70 days to complete their work.