libterm.com The Septuagint is the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, completed between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE, playing a crucial role in the spread of Jewish texts throughout the Hellenistic world. It significantly influenced Christian Old Testament interpretations and remains a vital source for biblical scholarship and textual studies. Discover how the Septuagint shaped religious history and your understanding of ancient scriptures by reading the full article.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Septuagint | Targum |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible | Aramaic paraphrase and commentary of the Hebrew scriptures |
| Language | Koine Greek | Aramaic |
| Origin | 3rd century BCE, Alexandria | 1st century BCE to 5th century CE, Babylon and Palestine |
| Purpose | To make Hebrew scriptures accessible to Greek-speaking Jews | To interpret and explain scripture in the common Aramaic tongue |
| Content | Literal translation with some interpretative elements | Paraphrased text with added explanations and expansions |
| Religious Tradition | Used primarily in early Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism | Used mainly in Rabbinic Judaism |
| Significance | Basis for Old Testament in many Christian Bibles | Provides insight into Jewish exegetical methods and oral traditions |
Introduction to the Septuagint and Targum
The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, originating in the 3rd century BCE and widely used in Hellenistic Jewish communities. The Targum refers to Aramaic paraphrases and interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures, primarily developed between the 1st century BCE and the early centuries CE for synagogue use. Both texts represent critical linguistic and cultural bridges, reflecting Jewish religious thought in distinct historical and linguistic contexts.
Historical Context and Origins
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures, originated in the 3rd century BCE in Alexandria to serve Hellenistic Jews unfamiliar with Hebrew. In contrast, the Targum arose during the 1st century BCE to 1st century CE as Aramaic paraphrases of the Hebrew Bible used in Jewish synagogues to make the text accessible to Aramaic-speaking communities. Both texts reflect distinct linguistic and cultural contexts: the Septuagint bridges Jewish tradition with Greek language and thought, while the Targum preserves interpretive traditions within an evolving Jewish diaspora facing shifting linguistic realities.
Languages and Linguistic Differences
The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, primarily composed in Koine Greek during the 3rd century BCE, reflecting Hellenistic linguistic influence and vocabulary. In contrast, the Targum consists of Aramaic paraphrases and interpretative translations of Hebrew scriptures, preserving the Semitic linguistic structure but incorporating explanatory expansions and regional dialectal variations. These linguistic differences highlight the distinct cultural contexts: the Septuagint aimed at Greek-speaking Jewish communities, while the Targum served Aramaic-speaking populations with a focus on oral comprehension and liturgical use.
Purpose and Audience
The Septuagint was created primarily to provide Greek-speaking Jewish communities with access to Hebrew Scriptures, facilitating understanding among Hellenistic Jews unfamiliar with Hebrew. The Targum, on the other hand, served Aramaic-speaking Jewish populations by offering an oral and later written paraphrase of the Hebrew Bible, clarifying text and infusing interpretive traditions for synagogue use. Both texts aimed to bridge linguistic gaps, but the Septuagint emphasized translation for widespread diaspora use, while the Targum focused on explanatory rendition for liturgical and educational purposes within Jewish communities.
Translation Methods and Approaches
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, employs a largely literal translation method aimed at preserving the original text's meaning, often reflecting a word-for-word or formal equivalence approach. In contrast, the Targum, Aramaic paraphrases of Hebrew scriptures, uses a more dynamic and interpretative translation style, incorporating expansions, explanations, and contextual adaptations to make the text understandable for contemporary audiences. These contrasting approaches highlight the Septuagint's focus on textual fidelity versus the Targum's emphasis on clarity and accessibility within Jewish communities.
Key Textual Variations
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible dating to the 3rd century BCE, often reflects different textual traditions than the Targum, which are Aramaic paraphrases designed for Jewish liturgical use. Significant key textual variations include the Septuagint's expansion or omission of certain Hebrew verses and its incorporation of Hellenistic linguistic influences, whereas the Targum provides interpretive expansions that clarify ambiguous Hebrew phrases and incorporate rabbinic explanations. These differences impact canonical texts such as Isaiah and Psalms, influencing theological interpretations and manuscript traditions in both Jewish and Christian contexts.
Theological Implications
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, profoundly influences Christian theology by shaping early Christian scripture and doctrinal interpretation, particularly regarding messianic prophecies. In contrast, the Targum, Aramaic paraphrases of Hebrew texts, preserve Jewish interpretive traditions, emphasizing legal and ritualistic aspects aligned with Rabbinic Judaism. The theological implications highlight divergent religious identities: the Septuagint supports the foundation of Christian theology, while the Targum reinforces Jewish interpretative continuity and law-centered faith.
Influence on Jewish and Christian Traditions
The Septuagint, as the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, significantly shaped Christian theological concepts and was extensively used by early Church Fathers, influencing Christian liturgy and biblical interpretation. The Targum, Aramaic paraphrases of Hebrew Scriptures, played a crucial role in Jewish scholarship and synagogal worship, preserving Jewish traditions and legal interpretations during the Second Temple period and beyond. Both texts contributed to the development of scriptural understanding, with the Septuagint bridging Jewish scriptures to the Hellenistic world and the Targum reinforcing Jewish identity through vernacular exposition.
Manuscript Evidence and Preservation
The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible dating to the 3rd century BCE, benefits from extensive manuscript evidence including key texts like the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, which provide critical insights into ancient biblical traditions. In contrast, the Targum, composed as Aramaic paraphrases of the Hebrew Scriptures, is primarily preserved through later medieval manuscripts, limiting direct early textual comparison but reflecting Jewish interpretive traditions. The preservation of the Septuagint manuscripts offers a window into Hellenistic Judaism's scriptural transmission, while the Targum manuscripts highlight the dynamic oral and written transmission within post-exilic Jewish communities.
Modern Relevance and Scholarly Debates
The Septuagint remains crucial in biblical scholarship for its influence on early Christian texts and its role in understanding the Hebrew Bible's transmission. The Targum, as an Aramaic paraphrase, provides unique insights into Jewish interpretative traditions and linguistic shifts during late antiquity. Contemporary debates emphasize the Septuagint's textual variations versus the Targum's explanatory expansions, impacting modern biblical interpretation and interfaith dialogue.
Septuagint Infographic
