Trustpilot
What is the Septuagint?
The Septuagint is the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, completed over 200 years before the birth of Christ. While most modern Bibles (like the NIV or ESV) use the Hebrew Masoretic Text, the Orthodox Study Bible uses the Septuagint because it was the primary Bible used by the Apostles and the early 1st-century Church.
Does the Septuagint Matter? The Story Behind the Orthodox Study Bible
If you have been following Bible trends over the last year or so, you’ve likely noticed a massive surge of interest in "Ancient Future" faith. A new fascination with early Church fathers and Eastern Church traditions.
A new generation of believers, including many in the UK’s Anglican and Evangelical circles as well as people with an interest in tradition and ritual, are looking past modern translations to see how the earliest Christians actually read the Word of God.
This curiosity has turned The Orthodox Study Bible into a surprise bestseller.
When we unboxed the brown imitation leather edition here at the Eden office, the first thing that struck us was the physical weight and "sacred" feel of the volume. It doesn't feel like a standard paperback; it feels like a liturgical tool. But the real treasure is found in the Old Testament. Unlike your NIV or KJV, the Old Testament in this Bible is translated from the Septuagint.
But what is the Septuagint, and why does it matter to you today?
The Mystery of the Seventy (LXX)
The word "Septuagint" comes from the Latin word for seventy (Septuaginta), which is why scholars often refer to it simply as the LXX.
Legend tells us that in the 3rd century BC, seventy-two Jewish scholars were brought to Alexandria, Egypt, to translate the Hebrew Torah into Greek for the famous Library of Alexandria. They wanted the world to read the Hebrew scriptures in the "universal language" of the day.
By the time Jesus was born, the Septuagint was the most widely used version of the Bible in the world.
Septuagint vs. Masoretic: The Big Difference
Most English Bibles today use the Masoretic Text (a Hebrew manuscript family standardised around 1000 AD) for the Old Testament. The Septuagint, however, represents a Hebrew tradition that is over a thousand years older than the Masoretic. It’s pretty much as early as any Biblical text can get.
Why does this matter for the New Testament?
Here is the "smoking gun" for the Septuagint's importance: When the New Testament writers (like Paul, Matthew, or Luke) quoted the Old Testament, they quoted the Septuagint roughly 90% of the time. If you’ve ever noticed that a quote in the New Testament doesn't quite match the verse in your Old Testament, it’s usually because your modern Bible is using the Hebrew text, while the Apostle was quoting the Greek Septuagint!
Inside the Orthodox Study Bible: A Sensory Experience
Handling the Orthodox Study Bible is a unique experience for any Bible lover.
- The Icons: Scattered throughout the text are full-colour, high-resolution "windows into heaven"—traditional Eastern Orthodox icons. They transform your study time into an act of visual worship.
- The Commentary: Instead of modern "application" notes, the commentary is drawn from the Early Church Fathers (like St. John Chrysostom and St. Athanasius). You aren't just reading a modern opinion; you are reading how the guys who lived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries understood the text.
- The Translation: The Old Testament was specially translated into English specifically for this edition to match the Septuagint's unique phrasing, while the New Testament uses the familiar, poetic flow of the NKJV.
You don't have to be Eastern Orthodox to find immense value in this Bible. In fact, many of those who caused the Orthodox Study Bible’s recent popularity come from a more Western cultural and Christian background.
Whether you’re an Anglican interested in the historic roots of the Common Worship lectionary or a history buff who wants to read the exact same Old Testament that the Apostles read, the Septuagint is an essential read.
The Orthodox Study Bible isn't just another translation on your shelf; it is a bridge back to the early Church.
Get your copy of the Orthodox Study Bible in Brown Imitation Leather or in Hardback at Eden.co.uk
If you aren’t sure which Bible to get, there are a few ways we can help.
- Try the Bible Finder: We’ve put together a simple way to filter down to the perfect Bible for you. Just choose a translation, pick the features you want and select a comfortable text size. You can try the Bible Finder here.
- Read more from the Blog: We are always adding new guides, insights and articles that explore ways of understanding the different Bibles available today, as well as how to make your decision. Read our Bible posts today
- Read our Book: Over the years, we’ve explored hundreds of topics and questions about knowing which Bible to get. We’ve compiled all that information into an easy-to-read eBook that is completely free to download. Download our book “How to Choose Your Bible” today.
About the Author:
Aaron hasn’t left home without a book on his person for almost 20 years. He always has a book recommendation for anyone who asks, and a few for the people who don’t.
Having worked for Eden for over 10 years, he has devoted his time, effort and expertise to answering one simple question:
“How can someone find the right Bible?”
As Category Manager for Bibles and Bible Studies, Aaron has worked to make finding your next Bible a clear and simple process, whether you’ve been a Christian for 10 years, 10 minutes, or are just curious to give the Bible a read.
There are lots of different Bibles in the world. Finding the right one can feel like a puzzle. But, after all, weren’t puzzles supposed to be enjoyable?
