The Septuagint: The Translation That Accidentally Created Christianity

How did a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, financed by an Egyptian king, accidentally create the scriptural foundation of Christianity and permanently divide Judaism?





SOURCES & REFERENCES

Primary Ancient Sources:
The Letter of Aristeas (2nd century BC pseudepigraphical text describing the translation legend), Flavius Josephus (Jewish Antiquities, 1st century AD), Philo of Alexandria (1st century AD Jewish philosopher), Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho, 2nd century AD), Irenaeus of Lyon, Clement of Alexandria, Origen of Alexandria, Jerome (Vulgate translation, 4th century AD), Augustine of Hippo, Eusebius of Caesarea.

Ancient Translations:
The Septuagint (LXX, 3rd-2nd century BC), Aquila of Sinope's Greek translation (2nd century AD), The Latin Vulgate (382 AD).

Major Manuscripts:
Codex Vaticanus (4th century AD), Codex Sinaiticus (4th century AD), Codex Alexandrinus (5th century AD), Dead Sea Scrolls discovered at Qumran in 1947, Masoretic Text.

Church Councils:
Council of Yavneh (c. 90 AD), Council of Hippo (393 AD), Council of Carthage (397 AD), Council of Trent (1546 AD).

Deuterocanonical Books Discussed:
Judith, Tobit, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), Baruch, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees.

Key Biblical Passages Analyzed:
Isaiah 7:14 (almah vs. parthenos), Psalm 22, Genesis 49:10, 2 Maccabees 12:46, Tobit 4:11, John 1:1 (logos).

Historical Figures:
Ptolemy II Philadelphus (King of Egypt, 3rd century BC), Alexander the Great, High Priest Eleazar, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, Rabbi Akiva, Martin Luther, Pope Damasus I.










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