Introduction to the Septuagint - by Siegfried Kreuzer (Paperback)

About the Book

A collaboration representing multiple nationalities, professional perspectives, and denominational traditions, this dependable guide invites newcomers and experts alike to venture into the rich world of one of the most influential works of literature in history.

Book Synopsis

The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible created by Jews seeking a place of legitimacy for diaspora Jewishness and faith among the traditions of Hellenistic culture, was a monumental religious and cultural achievement.

This Greek Old Testament, in its original form and revised versions, provided the scriptural basis for Judaism in the Greek-speaking diaspora, enabled the emergence and spread of Christianity, and influenced translations of the Bible into African and European languages. Over time, however, the Septuagint's relevance faded for Jews, and the Hebrew text eventually reasserted its dominance within Judaism. This led many to neglect the Septuagint as an authentic witness to the biblical tradition. But the Septuagint remained important, inspiring biblical writings and further translations into Latin, Coptic, and Armenian. In combination with the Qumran biblical texts, it provides yet further indication of the multivocal state of the Hebrew Bible around the turn of the eras and proves to be a text of continuous interest for biblical scholarship and cultural-historical studies.

Siegfried Kreuzer's Introduction to the Septuagint presents, in English, the most extensive introduction of the Septuagint to date. It offers comprehensive overviews of the individual biblical writings, including the history of research, current findings and problems, and perspectives for future research. Additionally, this survey presents a history of the Septuagint in its Greco-Hellenistic background, theories of its genesis, the history of its revisions, its lore in antiquity, and an overview of the most important manuscripts and witnesses of the convoluted transmission history of the text. The text includes extensive bibliographies that show the ongoing interest in Septuagint studies and provide a reliable basis for future studies.

A collaboration representing multiple nationalities, professional perspectives, and denominational traditions, this dependable guide invites newcomers and experts alike to venture into the rich world of one of the most influential works of literature in history.

Review Quotes

All in all, Kreuzer's Introduction to the Septuagint is an inexpensive must-have for everyone seriously interested in the study of the Old Testament in general and the Septuagint in particular. It may serve as both a treasure trove with various details and a starting point from which scholars are prompted to plunge deeper into a text, its transmission, reception, and interpretation. In addition to the main editor Siegfried Kreuzer, the translators and Baylor University Press are to be thanked for making this state-of-the-art handbook available, accessible, and affordable for students and scholars alike.

--Thomas J. Kraus "Review of Biblical Literature"

All in all, Kreuzer's Introduction to the LXX is an inexpensive must-have for everyone seriously interested in the study of the Old Testament in general and the Septuagint in particular. It may serve as both a treasure trove with various details and a starting point from which scholars are prompted to plunge deeper into a text, its transmission, reception, and interpretation

--Thomas J. Kraus "TC: A Journal of Biblical Textual Criticism"

The book-by-book approach is very useful and the collaborative multiple authorship gives this excellent resource on the topic a balanced and detailed perspective.

--Stefano Salemi "Journal for the Study of the Old Testament"

[Introduction to the Septuagint] is an excellent and affordable handbook on the Septuagint, an incredibly valuable resource for those interested in textual criticism of the Septuagint and adjacent questions about the composition and use of the text.

--Joseph Scales "Reading Religion"

This is a truly useful resource for those who work closely with the LXX and it is highly recommended.

This work is an ideal entry point for those interested in the LXX or those looking to acquaint themselves with the particularities of individual books of the LXX, but it is also of value as a reference work for those with a more advanced knowledge. The editor is to be commended for his excellent introductory essays and for assembling an eminent team of contributors that has resulted in chapters of a consistently high quality.

--Bradley C. Gregory "Catholic Bible Quarterly"

[ Introduction to the LXX] certainly has the making of a standard reference work, which will not need to be replaced in any near future.

--Johanna Erzberger "The Journal of Septuagint and Cognate Studies"

This volume is clearly aimed at readers who are relatively new to consulting books in Greek found in the Old Testament.

--J. K. Elliott "Novum Testamentum"

About the Author

Siegfried Kreuzer is Professor of Old Testament at Protestant University Wuppertal/Bethel in Wuppertal, Germany.
David A. Brenner is Lecturer in German and International Studies in the Department of International Studies at Texas A&M University.
Peter Altmann is a Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Zurich.