IBL 205: Syllabus

IBL 205 • OFFICIAL COURSE SYLLABUS

IBL 205: Septuagint (LXX) Studies & Intertestamental Greek

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 Biblical Languages Lab Tools

5-Chapter Curriculum Outline (31 Lessons & 31 Assessments)

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

Tracing the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek from 3rd-century BC Alexandria to Origen’s Hexapla.

  • 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

How the LXX forged the theological vocabulary of the New Testament.

  • 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

Recognizing translation Greek and Hebraic constructions carried over into the New Testament.

  • 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)

Analyzing how Jesus and the Apostles quote, adapt, and interpret the Hebrew and Greek Old Testament.

  • 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)

Side-by-side exegetical comparison of major Messianic texts in Hebrew and Greek.

  • 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)