Septuagint in Eastern Rite

[dsully]

Would someone be able to explain to me the role of the Greek Septuagint in the Catholic Church, particularly when compared to the the Latin Vulgate translation of the Hebrew Scriptures?

Is there a difference between an Eastern Rite view of the Septuagint and the Western one?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[SonCatcher]

The Septuagint is essentially where we get the canon of OT scriptures from (St. Jerome translated from the Greek of those books which were not available in Hebrew). It is still vitally important in the Latin Rite.

 

[Vocatus]

St. Jerome did, in fact, translate from the Hebrew as well as from the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint). For instance, the Vulgate edition I use, has two Psalters: one he translated from the Greek and one he translated from the Hebrew. The Vulgate, as I’m sure you know, includes the whole Bible–Old and New Testament.

 

[MorEphrem]

Is there a difference between an Eastern Rite view of the Septuagint and the Western one?

Thanks,

Dan

Well I would assume a Syriac scholar would hold the Peshitto in higher regards than the Septuagint as opposed to a Greek or Latin who would probably hold the Septuagint in higher esteem, but that’s just my assumption.

 

[ronyodish]

Well I would assume a Syriac scholar would hold the Peshitto in higher regards than the Septuagint as opposed to a Greek or Latin who would probably hold the Septuagint in higher esteem, but that’s just my assumption.

Yeah, the Peshitta/Peshitto Old Testament, a translation based mostly on a Hebrew text similar to the Proto-Masoretic text, is held in higher esteem among the East/West Syriacs.

Though, I do want to mention that the majority of the Deuterocanonicals were translated from the Septuagint, with the exception of Sirach, which is based on a Hebrew text.

God bless,

Rony

 

[twf]

Yeah, the Peshitta/Peshitto Old Testament, a translation based mostly on a Hebrew text similar to the Proto-Masoretic text, is held in higher esteem among the East/West Syriacs.

Though, I do want to mention that the majority of the Deuterocanonicals were translated from the Septuagint, with the exception of Sirach, which is based on a Hebrew text.

God bless,

Rony

For Latins and Greeks, the Septuagint is revered because it was the Bible used by the Apostles and while it is a translation, Tradition tells us it was inspired. What is the origin of the Syriac Peshitta?

 

[malphono]

For Latins and Greeks, the Septuagint is revered because it was the Bible used by the Apostles and while it is a translation, Tradition tells us it was inspired. What is the origin of the Syriac Peshitta?

This isn’t my area of expertise, but the OT Pshitta has much in common with the Septuagint and, by extension, the Vulgate. Rony will have more to say on this, but in the mean time try a little google.

 

[ronyodish]

For Latins and Greeks, the Septuagint is revered because it was the Bible used by the Apostles and while it is a translation, Tradition tells us it was inspired. What is the origin of the Syriac Peshitta?

twf,

The OT Peshitta originated during the early centuries of Christianity, as a translation from mostly a Hebrew text that is now lost. I say “mostly”, because for whatever reason, some passages seem to originate as translations from the Septuagint. The oldest extant or surviving OT Peshitta manuscript dates back to the 5th century.

The Chaldeans and Assyrians (both Catholics and non-Catholics) revere and hold the Peshitta (both OT and NT) in the highest regard because this is the official Bible of our Churches, written in the official language of our Churches: Aramaic (Syriac).

The Septuagint is a Greek translation of a Hebrew text. It became early on, in the Greco-Roman world, the OT Bible for the Greek speaking Jews and Gentiles, and subsequently, the Greek and Latin Christians. For those of us outside of this world, to the East, who continued to hold onto our non-Hellenized culture, language, and traditions, the Septuagint never became to us what became to you guys. We simply didn’t need it as much, because we were not Greek-speakers who absolutely needed a Greek translation.

So, we, the Aramaic people, maintained our language link to the OT of the ancient Hebrew people via an Aramaic translation from their Hebrew Scriptures. With regards the NT, we maintain a language link to Christ and the Apostles via the common daily language that they spoke, Aramaic, and we continue to keep this language alive not only in our Churches and Scriptures, but also in our communities and family life.

What OT Bible the Apostles used is not as significant to us as it is to you guys, because regardless of what the Apostles used, the Peshitta continues to remain the standard for us. If the Apostles used the Septuagint, the Peshitta remains the standard for us. If the Apostles used a Hebrew text instead, the Peshitta remains the standard for us. If the Apostles used the Septuagint alongside a Hebrew text, the Peshitta remains the standard for us.

As far as inspiration, I consider the original autographs penned by the original sacred authors to be inspired. Whether or not the Septuagint, as a translation, is inspired, I am not going to argue with you on that, because I am not in the habit of knocking down the venerable traditions of my fellow Catholic brethren. At least, I try not to.

God bless,

Rony