I need some insight into this book. There is more than one edition, and I’m really curious about it but, as usual, I know little about it. If those that are more knowledgeable could shed light on this book, I’d be grateful.
@Johann @bdavidc @Samuel_23 and anyone else who could direct me
Thank you
J
@Joanne.1966
If you want a readable and reliable English Septuagint that mirrors a modern critical Greek edition and is easier to use than NETS, the second edition of the Lexham English Septuagint is the one to get, because it is clearer, more literal, and especially stronger in the Pentateuch and the Historical Books where the first edition had rougher spots.
If the goal is deeper scholarly work, NETS plus Göttingen remains the gold standard, but for everyday English reading of the LXX, Lexham’s second edition is the most approachable and most consistent option.
God bless
J.
The NETS translation is a dependable and steady way to read the Septuagint in English. It follows the Greek text closely without becoming awkward or difficult, and the language is clear enough for regular reading. It avoids unnecessary interpretation, so what you get is a straightforward rendering that lets the character of the ancient text come through.
NETS is my fav…
Lexham is fine but….
I use Alfred Rahlfs’ edition of the Septuagint.
Fantastic! Thank you so much @Johann and @Samuel_23 I’m adding these books to my Christmas wish list!
J
What if my goals are a blend of nerdiness and need. I love doing deep dives into what I’m reading, mostly because what I’m reading sometimes doesn’t make sense, or sadly, means little to me because it doesn’t make sense. But many times I feel there is a deeper meaning in the verses that catch my eye, and when reading a different version I find other things. It makes me feel like I’m missing something and want to find it. I don’t want to just gloss over the difficult passages, or ignore the importance of how the bible was written with narrative, poetry (which I’ve never liked, at all, not even haiku with could be fun), and the poetry in the OT particularly has metaphors which make little sense to me because they were written in languages I don’t speak or read. I would love to learn Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, and even Latin. But..I only have so many hours in a day and spend my morning and evening reading scripture, usually guided scripture with devotionals that help make sense out of the themes, not so much the words.
I feel like some of the devotionals I’m reading through may not be giving me the full picture or even the meanings of what I’m reading, and the version MOSTLY say the same thing.
The reason I’m asking about the Septuagint was a post in a group I’m following on fecesbook that said this should be read. That other versions may not be true to the actual word of God.
It seems, of late, that all teachings are “wrong teachings”. I don’t know. Which is why I’m asking
But what about the OT? What languages was that written in?
this is all so confusing and I don’t like feeling confused. I’m seeking clarification. I’ve even tried to read the Complete Jewish Bible to see if that helps me understand what God is saying to me
Why is Alfred Rahlfs edition your preference?
@Joanne.1966
You love deep dives into Scripture sister and that is why I pointed you toward Bob Utley, because simple word studies will not take you very far, the real growth comes when you begin to work with the morphology, the syntax, the grammar, the immediate context, and the broader summary of the passage you are studying, and that is exactly what he has done, he has given you the tools that actually build discernment rather than surface level impressions.
In the past, different reading techniques have focused on one of the three components. But to truly affirm the unique inspiration of the Bible, a modified diagram is more appropriate:
Here is Miles…
It shall greatly helpe ye to understand Scripture, if thou mark not only what is spoken or wrytten, but of whom, and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstance, considering what goeth before, and what followeth after.
Utley…
III. Possible Approaches to Good Bible Reading
At this point I am not discussing the unique techniques of interpreting specific genres but general hermeneutical principles valid for all types of biblical texts. A good book for genre-specific approaches is How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, published by Zondervan.
My methodology focuses initially on the reader allowing the HolySpirit to illumine the Bible through four personal reading cycles. This makes the Spirit, the text and the reader primary, not secondary. This also protects the reader from being unduly influenced by commentators. I have heard it said: "The Bible throws a lot of light on commentaries.” This is not meant to be a depreciating comment about study aids, but rather a plea for an appropriate timing for their use.
We must be able to support our interpretations from the text itself. Five areas provide at least limited verification:
historical setting
literary context
grammatical structures (syntax)
contemporary word usage
relevant parallel passages
genre
We need to be able to provide the reasons and logic behind our interpretations. The Bible is our only source for faith and practice. Sadly, Christians often disagree about what it teaches or affirms. The four reading cycles are designed to provide the following interpretive insights:
The first reading cycle
Read the book in a single sitting. Read it again in a different translation, hopefully from a different translation theory
(1) word-for-word (NKJV, NASB, NRSV)
(2) dynamic equivalent (TEV, JB)
(3) paraphrase (Living Bible, Amplified Bible)
Look for the central purpose of the entire writing. Identify its theme.
Isolate (if possible) a literary unit, a chapter, a paragraph or a sentence which clearly expresses this central purpose or theme.
Identify the predominant literary genre
(1) Old Testament
a) Hebrew narrative
b) Hebrew poetry (wisdom literature, psalm)
c) Hebrew prophecy (prose, poetry)
d) Law codes
(2) New Testament
a) Narratives (Gospels, Acts)
b) Parables (Gospels)
c) Letters/epistles
d) Apocalyptic literature
Shalom.
J.
Utley again, giving sound advice.
The fourth reading cycle
Read the specific literary unit again in several translations
(1) word-for-word (NKJV, NASB, NRSV)
(2) dynamic equivalent (TEV, JB)
(3) paraphrase (Living Bible, Amplified Bible)
Look for literary or grammatical structures
(1) repeated phrases, Eph. 1:6,12,14
(2) repeated grammatical structures, Rom. 8:31
(3) contrasting concepts
List the following items
(1) significant terms
(2) unusual terms
(3) important grammatical structures
(4) particularly difficult words, clauses, and sentences
Look for relevant parallel passages
(1) look for the clearest teaching passage on your subject using a) "systematic theology” books b) reference Bibles c) concordances
(2) look for a possible paradoxical pair within your subject. Many biblical truths are presented in dialectical pairs; many denominational conflicts come from proof-texting half of a biblical tension. All of the Bible is inspired, and we must seek out its complete message in order to provide a Scriptural balance to our interpretation.
(3) look for parallels within the same book, same author or same genre; the Bible is its own best interpreter because it has one author, the Spirit.
Use study aids to check your observations of historical setting and occasion
(1) study Bibles
(2) Bible encyclopedias, handbooks and dictionaries
(3) Bible introductions
(4) Bible commentaries (at this point in your study, allow the believing community, past and present, to aid and correct your personal study.)
A Guide to Good Bible Reading)
J.
Most of the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, with a few portions in Aramaic, and the Septuagint is the ancient Greek translation of those texts. That’s why NETS and Rahlfs connect to the Greek side of things.
The best path is to take small steps: start with a clear modern translation like the ESV, CSB, or NIV, and let that be your anchor. When something catches your curiosity, you can then glance at notes or a study Bible, which gives you tiny windows into the Hebrew or Greek without overwhelming you. The Complete Jewish Bible can be helpful devotionally, but it won’t necessarily unravel the language layers. As for Rahlfs, I use his edition simply because it’s the standard and most stable Greek text of the Septuagint, so when I need to check something in Greek, it gives me a consistent foundation.
Personally, when I first began to study the Bible, it wasn’t Lexham or Rahlfs; I actually started with the MacArthur Study Bible (NASB) because it gave me clear notes, context, and simple explanations without overwhelming me.
This is so very helpful. Thank you. I have a question about the versions you mention: NASB, NRSV, TEV and JB. Does JB stand for the Jewish Bible? I’ve been using the CJB recently, the Complete Jewish Bible, and struggle with some of the names and some of the words, but I do have the concordance to turn to. I do love study though. I’m a nerd and I admit it. I love doing deep dives into meanings. A friend here asked if I say grace before I eat. I never thought of saying grace before I read scripture, which is food for the soul. When I say grace I’m thankful for the sustenance for my body, and I’m thankful for the word which nourishes my soul. I never even thought of actually saying grace before reading..so..thank you @inmate031523
I do struggle with the poetry though. I’ve never been a fan of it, even when studying literature in university, which was a million years ago in a different lifetime..lol.
So much food for thought! Thank you! I’m actually taking notes of everything being presented here. I’ve been reading the CJB recently, and I do like it, but struggle with names and words, and turn to the concordance when I just can’t figure out what’s being said. Otherwise, I plod along in it, thoroughly enojoying it. I read the ESV regularly, but actually began to find it a bit flat. The others you mention I’ve also read when trying to unravel verses to compare, but the one I haven’t read is the CSB. What does that stand for?
Thank you again for your patience with obtuse me 
You can download eSword gratis to your computer and add Bible modules from within the software @Joanne.1966
J.