The Bible of the Earliest Christians

Question 1

What was the Septuagint?

Answer 1

An early translation from the Torah/Law (first five books of the Old Testament = Hebrew Bible) and later additional books from the Hebrew Bible

Question 2

When is the Septuagint dated?

Answer 2

To the 3rd century BC

Question 3

What does septuagint mean?

Answer 3

70 (number of translators involved)

Question 4

Where did the translation took place?

Answer 4

In Alexandria

Question 5

How did the letter of Aristeas explain the making of the LXX?

Answer 5

Under the direction of Demetrius, 70 men translated the books. First they prepared their own translation and then following a process of agreement. It took them around 72 days to translate. When the work was completed, Demetrius read it in front of the Jewish population. After their approval it’s said that there will be only one version of this text.

Question 6

How did Philo of Alexandria embellish the story of the letter?

Answer 6

The translators were put in separate rooms and miraciously produced one and the same translation. This miracle emphasized belief in divine inspiration of the Scriptures

Question 7

How was the septuagint more hellenistic than the Hebrew canon? (examples)

Answer 7

1. In Hebrew: JHWH, in Greek: ho on (he who is)
2. Anthomorphic terms as ‘the hand of god’ was translated as ‘the power of god’

Question 8

What is the origin of the Hebrew canon?

Answer 8

After the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, the rabbis became the leaders of the people (because the temple had been destroyed the sacrificial cult came to an end and consequently the priesthood became redundant) this led to a renewed focus on the Scriptures as an identity marker

Question 9

Difference LXX and Hebrew bible?

Answer 9

1. LXX has more books
2. LXX is organised differently: works with a historical principle, Hebrew bible has a concentric principle (most important part in the middle)
3. LXX divides prophets into major and minor ones: 3 long books, 12 shorter books
4. Ordening Hebrew bible reflects the proces of canonisation and the authority of the various parts of Scripture, also liturgical side, megillot also important

Question 10

How does the NT look like?

Answer 10

27 books, 4 genres: gospels, acts, letters and apocalypse

Question 11

What are the factors of canonization?

Answer 11

1. match with the regula fidei (rule of faith)
2. authorship attributed to an apostle
3. use in the (readings of the) liturgy.

Question 12

What are the signs of canonization?

Answer 12

1. when books (=writings) are mentioned in lists (e.g. Canon Muratori),
2. when books are included in a biblical/authoritative codex,
3. when books are called grafē (Scripture).