Hebrew Bible vs Septuagint: Difference and Comparison

Books are a source of knowledge and a tool that enlightens many people. Every book is related to a different field, and its knowledge is unique. And, if a book is related to religion, it unites a group of people and shows the right path.

Christians have many books related to their religion. Hebrew Bible and Septuagint are also related to Christianity.

Key Takeaways

  1. The Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh, is written in Hebrew, while the Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible.
  2. The Hebrew Bible is the original scripture of the Jewish people, while the Septuagint is used as the Old Testament by the Christian Church.
  3. The Hebrew Bible consists of 24 books, while the Septuagint has 46 books, including some additional books not found in the Hebrew Bible.

Hebrew Bible vs Septuagint

Hebrew bible is a religious text in Hebrew and Aramaic that is also known as Tanakh or the Old Testament. It first appeared in the 8th century and gave basic concepts to Christianity. Septuagint is the translation of the Hebrew Bible in Greek, and it was originally written in Koine Greek in the 3rd century BC.

Hebrew Bible vs Septuagint

Hebrew Bible is also known as Tanakh. It is a collection of Hebrew scriptures, and it also includes Torah. It is mostly Hebrew, but some passages are written in Aramaic. It consists of 24 books which are some part of the old testament.

It gave basic concepts to many other religions like Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

Septuagint is also known as LXX, which means seventy, as it is believed that 70 Jewish scholars translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek. It was translated for Jewish in Egypt who used to speak Greek.

The first few books translated in the 3rd century BC are unavailable now, and later translated books from the 2nd century BC are preserved.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonHebrew BibleSeptuagint
Definition It is a religious text in Hebrew and Aramaic.It is the translation of the Hebrew Bible in Greek.
PeriodIt first appeared in the 8th century BC.It first appeared in the 3rd century BC.
Language It is written in Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Aramaic.It was written in Koine Greek.
Other NamesIt is known as Tanakh and the old testament.It was written in Koine Greek.
Followers It is the basic source for Christians as well as many other religions.It was mainly translated for Jews.

What is Hebrew Bible?

Hebrew Bible is an old sacred text known as the old testament and Tanakh. It was made in the 8th century BC as a religious book of Jewish people, and it is combined with many other books to form Christian Bible.

It is divided into many parts, which consist of different teachings from God.

It is a compilation of 24 books numbered in chapters and verses. It is similar to the old testament, but the same book is divided into 39 parts in the old testament. It is traditionally divided into three different parts, and the initial of all three parts gives its name “Tanakh.”

The first part is the “Torah,” which means teachings, instructions, or the law. The next part is named “Nevi’im,” which means prophets; the third part is “Ketuvim,” meaning writings like poetry, stories, etc. All these three parts are together, forming Hebrew Bible known as Tankah.

Different people have different opinions related to its emergence. Some scholars believe that the “Hasmonean dynasty” fixed these texts.

But according to Louis Ginzberg, it was fixed in Ezra, and different people mention many other opinions for the emergence of the Hebrew Bible.

hebrew bible

What is Septuagint?

Septuagint means seventy in Latin. It is the Greek translation of the old testament primarily made for Greek-speaking Jewish in Egypt. It is also known as LXX, as seventy scholars translated it in the 3rd century BC and 2nd Century BC.

The first five books translated in the 2nd Century BC is not available now, but the rest of the book translated in the 3rd century BC is preserved.

Some old texts believe there were 72 translators of the old testament and six scholars from twelve Israeli tribes. They translated the Hebrew Bible, and all the texts were identical. It was accepted as the perfect translation of the bible, but it had some flaws in some words and phrases.

In the third century BC, the king of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, asked seventy-two scholars to translate the Torah into Greek for the Library of Alexandria. After this, other books were also translated over two to three hundred years.

The quality of translation varied from book to book as it was translated by different people at different times.

Septuagint is similar to the old testament as it is the translation of the old testament. Still, in some places, it used Greek idioms and phrases that somehow changed the overall concept of that line or paragraph.

There are different opinions on this, but overall, it is a Greek translation by seventy scholars, as the name indicates Septuagint.

septuagint

Main Differences Between Hebrew Bible and Septuagint

  1. The main difference between Hebrew Bible and Septuagint is that Hebrew Bible is a religious text in biblical Hebrew, but Septuagint is the same text translated into Greek.
  2. The Hebrew Bible first appeared in the 8th century BC. On the other hand, Septuagint belongs to the period of the 3rd century BC.
  3. The other names of the Hebrew Bible are old testament, Tanakh, etc., whereas Septuagint is known as LXX, meaning seventy.
  4. Hebrew Bible is basically for Christians and related to Judaism and Islam. On the other hand, Septuagint was made for Jewish in Egypt.
  5. The language used to write Hebrew Bible is Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Aramaic. On the other hand, Septuagint is written in Koine Greek.
References
  1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=8MbvEZ4bgdwC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=Hebrew+Bible+and+Septuagint&ots=_d05cMbE9b&sig=oD4-6OtiEquJPKlxcznl9e_oYno
  2. https://search.proquest.com/openview/f4a048643e12bf18cd74b32c65d1e782/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1818010

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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25 thoughts on “Hebrew Bible vs Septuagint: Difference and Comparison”

  1. The Hebrew Bible is a point of convergence for religious traditions and historical narratives, while the Septuagint represents an intersection of diverse linguistic and cultural influences. This intersectionality makes for a compelling study of religious history and intercultural exchange.

    Reply
    • Indeed, exploring the cross-cultural adaptations and translational challenges in the Septuagint provides valuable insights into the interconnectedness of ancient societies and their religious practices.

      Reply
  2. The Hebrew Bible and Septuagint serve as catalysts for probing the intricate networks of religious texts, linguistic traditions, and religious authority. Delving into these texts unveils rich insights into the interweaving tapestry of ancient religious heritage and spiritual wisdom.

    Reply
    • The historical and religious implications of the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint beckon scholars to navigate the labyrinth of spiritual thought and textual transmission within the framework of diverse religious traditions.

      Reply
  3. The Hebrew Bible and Septuagint have played an undeniable role in shaping religious thought and the values of societies over centuries. It’s fascinating how these historical texts continue to influence the contemporary world.

    Reply
    • It’s essential to acknowledge that the translations of these texts have led to varying interpretations and religious divisions, causing more harm than good in some instances.

      Reply
  4. The Hebrew Bible and Septuagint have sparked extensive scholarly inquiries into the origins and transmission of religious texts. The historical and linguistic analyses of these texts are indispensable for understanding the foundations of various faith traditions.

    Reply
    • The rich tapestry of theological and cultural implications woven into these texts beckons scholars from diverse fields to unravel the complexities and implications of each translation and interpretation.

      Reply
  5. As a scholar of ancient texts, I find the nuances and complexities of the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint both intellectually stimulating and rich with historical significance.

    Reply
    • The impact of the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint on religious discourse and the formation of religious identities cannot be overstated. These texts are indeed a cornerstone of religious history.

      Reply
  6. The Hebrew Bible and Septuagint constitute a captivating juxtaposition of linguistic, theological, and sociocultural phenomena. While they are sources of spiritual guidance, they also serve as windows into ancient worldviews and moral frameworks.

    Reply
    • Differences in content and interpretations between the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint beckon an intriguing investigation into the complex processes of textual transmission and religious authority.

      Reply
    • The diverse interpretations and textual variants between the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint offer a fertile ground for the examination of religious pluralism and the dynamic nature of religious texts.

      Reply
  7. The Hebrew Bible and Septuagint manifest a historical continuum of spiritual heritage and religious legacies. Their influence echoes through the annals of religious thought and continues to shape belief systems and religious practices.

    Reply
    • The interplay between linguistic, sacred, and cultural domains within the texts of the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint has contributed to the fluidity and diversity of religious traditions.

      Reply
  8. The Hebrew Bible and Septuagint truly are fascinating and hold a great significance in many religions across history. The 24 books of the Hebrew Bible and the 46 books of the Septuagint have shaped the beliefs of millions of people.

    Reply
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    • The textual comparison and linguistic analyses of the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint are essential for unraveling the intricate layers of religious discourse and the historical evolution of religious concepts.

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    • The intriguing nuances and complexities within the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint compel scholars to embark on profound explorations of the interplay between language, religious beliefs, and historical contexts.

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  10. The Hebrew Bible and Septuagint are emblematic of the enduring legacies of religious texts and the inexorable evolution of religious thought across civilizations. They offer an inexhaustible reservoir of wisdom and spiritual insights.

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    • The textual comparisons and historical contextualization of the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint are indispensable for comprehending the dynamic interplay between scriptural transmission and the metamorphosis of religious ideas throughout history.

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    • The intertwining narratives and historical trajectories encapsulated within the Hebrew Bible and Septuagint invite an intrepid exploration of the enigmatic symbiosis between cultural heritages, religious philosophies, and textual legacies.

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