IBL 205: Septuagint (LXX) Studies & Intertestamental Greek

Bridging the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament Through the Septuagint

Course Description

Welcome to IBL 205: Septuagint (LXX) Studies & Intertestamental Greek! Because the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) was the primary Bible cited by the New Testament apostles and early Church Fathers, understanding how Hebrew theological vocabulary was rendered into Koine Greek is indispensable for biblical theology and exegesis.

Interactive Companion Language Apps

• Hebrew Alphabet & Vowels Trainer — Interactive consonant, niqqud, and syllable practice
• Greek Alphabet & Grammar Trainer — Interactive alphabet, diphthong, and pronunciation practice
• Hebrew Vocabulary Flash Cards — High-frequency Old Testament Hebrew lexical drills
• Greek Vocabulary Flash Cards — High-frequency New Testament Greek lexical drills
• Manuscript Variant Analysis Platform — Compare MT, LXX, DSS, and Greek NT witnesses

Course Structure

This course is composed of an Interactive Syllabus and five comprehensive chapters. Each chapter includes a detailed Chapter Summary, five in-depth lessons with Lesson Check-in Quizzes, and a 10-question Chapter Test. The course culminates in a 30-question Final Course Exam (62 total learning steps).

Course Outline

Chapter 1: History, Origins, and Transmission of the Septuagint

• Lesson 1: Historical Context of Alexandria, the Letter of Aristeas, and the Translation of the Pentateuch
• Lesson 2: Expansion of the Greek Old Testament: Prophets, Writings, and Translation Techniques (Literal vs. Free)
• Lesson 3: Jewish Revisions of the LXX: Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion
• Lesson 4: Origen’s Hexapla and Major Christian Uncial Codices (Vaticanus, Sinaiticus, Alexandrinus)
• Lesson 5: Modern Critical Editions of the Septuagint (Rahlfs-Hanhart and the Gottingen Septuagint)

Chapter 2: Theological Lexicography: From Hebrew Roots to Greek Equivalents

• Lesson 1: Translating the Divine Name: YHWH -> Kyrios and Elohim -> Theos in the LXX and NT
• Lesson 2: Covenant and Grace Terms: Berit -> Diatheke; Hesed -> Eleos; Hen -> Charis
• Lesson 3: Atonement and Sacrifice Terms: Kipper/Kapporet -> Exilaskomai/Hilasterion (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:5)
• Lesson 4: Righteousness, Sin, and Assembly: Tsedaqah -> Dikaiosyne; Qahal -> Ekklesia; Mashach -> Christos
• Lesson 5: Anthropological Terms: Nefesh -> Psyche; Ruach -> Pneuma; Basar -> Sarx; Lev -> Kardia

Chapter 3: Syntax and Semitic Idioms in the Septuagint

• Lesson 1: Parataxis (kai… kai) and kai egeneto (Translating Hebrew Wayehi)
• Lesson 2: Rendering the Hebrew Infinitive Absolute in Greek (Participle + Finite Verb or Cognate Dative)
• Lesson 3: Prepositional Phrases Modeled on Hebrew Idioms (enopion, enantion, prosopon)
• Lesson 4: Adjectival Genitives and ‘Son of…’ (huios + Genitive) Idioms in LXX and NT
• Lesson 5: Septuagintal Style in Luke’s Infancy Narrative (Luke 1-2), Hebrews, and Revelation

Chapter 4: New Testament Quotations of the Old Testament (MT vs. LXX)

• Lesson 1: Introductory Citation Formulas in the New Testament (gegraptai, kathos gegraptai, hina plerothe)
• Lesson 2: Agreements Between the NT, LXX, and MT vs. Places Where the NT Follows the LXX
• Lesson 3: Places Where New Testament Authors Translate Directly from the Hebrew or Early Revisions
• Lesson 4: Composite Citations and Allusions in Pauline and Petrine Epistles
• Lesson 5: Apostolic Hermeneutics: Typology, Messianic Fulfillment, and Corporate Solidarity

Chapter 5: Comparative Bilingual Reading Lab (Hebrew MT + Greek LXX + GNT)

• Lesson 1: Bilingual Lab I: Isaiah 7:14 (‘Almah in MT -> Parthenos in LXX and Matthew 1:23)
• Lesson 2: Bilingual Lab II: Psalm 110:1-4 (YHWH and Adoni in MT -> Kyrios and Kyrios in LXX and Acts 2 / Heb 7)
• Lesson 3: Bilingual Lab III: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (The Suffering Servant in MT, LXX, 1 Peter 2, and Acts 8)
• Lesson 4: Bilingual Lab IV: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (LXX 38:31-34) and Hebrews 8:8-12 (The New Covenant)
• Lesson 5: Bilingual Lab V: Habakkuk 2:4 (‘The Just Shall Live by Faith’ in MT, LXX, Romans 1:17, Gal 3:11, and Heb 10:38)

Assessments & Grading

• Lesson Check-in Quizzes: 25 short check-in quizzes following each core lesson to reinforce retention.
• Chapter Tests: Five 10-question Chapter Tests reviewing each chapter’s linguistic and exegetical concepts (80% passing score).
• Final Course Exam: A 30-question comprehensive Final Exam covering all five chapters (80% passing score).