You may have seen the letters “LXX” in a study Bible, sermon notes, or Bible commentary and wondered what they mean. At first glance, it looks mysterious. Some readers even think it is the name of a lost Bible book or a hidden code in Scripture.
But the meaning is actually simple and deeply connected to the history of God’s Word.
LXX is the short name for the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament. This translation became one of the most important Bible texts in history. It shaped the faith of early Jewish communities, influenced the first Christians, and helped spread Scripture across the ancient world.
Understanding the LXX also helps answer larger questions people often ask, such as what language the Bible was originally written in, how the Bible was put together, and which Bible translation is the most accurate. The story of the Septuagint connects all of those subjects together.
For many believers, learning about the LXX brings comfort. It reminds us that God’s truth was not locked into one language or one nation. His Word continued moving across cultures and generations so people everywhere could hear it.
What Does Septuagint Mean Literally?
The word “Septuagint” comes from a Latin term meaning “seventy.” That is why scholars use the Roman numeral LXX.
Here is the breakdown:
- L = 50
- X = 10
- X = 10
Together, they equal 70.
According to ancient Jewish tradition, around seventy or seventy-two scholars translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. Because of this story, the translation became known as the Septuagint, or simply “the Seventy.”
Many Bible teachers, historians, and scholars shorten the name to “LXX” because it is easier to write in academic studies and Bible notes.
The Septuagint mainly contains the Old Testament books that were originally written in Hebrew and some sections in Aramaic. If you have ever wondered what language was the holy Bible originally written in, the answer includes Hebrew, Aramaic, and later Greek for the New Testament.
The Septuagint became important because millions of Jewish people living outside Israel no longer spoke Hebrew fluently. Greek had become the common language across much of the world after the conquests of Alexander the Great.
People still wanted to read Scripture. They still wanted to worship God. So the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek so ordinary people could understand it.
That decision changed history forever.
Why Was The Septuagint Created?
By the third century BC, large Jewish communities lived in places like Egypt, especially in the city of Alexandria. Many Jews there spoke Greek daily instead of Hebrew.
Children were growing up unable to fully understand the Hebrew Scriptures read in synagogues.
Imagine hearing God’s Word every week but not clearly understanding the language. That challenge became very real for Jewish families outside Jerusalem.
The Septuagint solved this problem.
Jewish scholars carefully translated the Scriptures into Greek so people could continue learning God’s truth. This was not an attempt to replace the Hebrew text. It was a way to help people access it.
That is one reason the history of Bible translation matters so much. Long before modern English Bibles existed, faithful people were already working to make Scripture understandable for new generations.
When people ask who translated the Bible into English, they are continuing a conversation that began many centuries earlier with translations like the Septuagint.
The creation of the LXX also helped prepare the world for Christianity. Greek later became the language used throughout much of the Roman Empire. Because the Scriptures already existed in Greek, the message about Jesus spread more quickly after His resurrection.
God’s timing in history is remarkable.
What Does LXX Mean In Roman Numerals?
Some readers become confused because they think LXX is a Hebrew or Greek word. It is actually a Roman numeral.
Roman numerals were commonly used in ancient writing systems. Here is the simple meaning:
| Roman Numeral | Value |
|---|---|
| L | 50 |
| X | 10 |
| X | 10 |
| Total | 70 |
So when you see “LXX” in Bible studies, scholars are referring to the Septuagint translation.
You might notice references like:
- “According to the LXX”
- “The LXX reading says”
- “The Septuagint differs here”
These notes usually point out differences between the Greek Old Testament and the Hebrew manuscripts.
Most of these differences are small. They may involve wording, sentence order, or phrasing. The central message of Scripture remains consistent.
This is important because some people worry when they hear there are manuscript differences in Bible history. But scholars compare thousands of ancient texts to preserve the most accurate understanding possible.
That careful work is one reason many believers trust the reliability of Scripture today.
Did Jesus Quote The LXX?
One of the most common questions about the Septuagint is this:
Did Jesus quote the LXX?
Many scholars believe the answer is yes, at least in several places.
Jesus often quoted from the Old Testament during His teaching ministry. In some cases, the wording used in the New Testament matches the Greek Septuagint more closely than the traditional Hebrew text.
This makes sense historically because Greek was widely spoken during the time of Jesus and the apostles.
For example, when Jesus read from Isaiah in Luke 4:18–19, the wording closely resembles the Septuagint version of Isaiah.
The writer of Hebrews also frequently uses quotations that align with the LXX wording.
This does not mean Jesus rejected the Hebrew Scriptures. Far from it. Jesus fully honored God’s Word. But it does show that Greek translations were already respected and widely used in the first century.
That fact surprises many readers.
Sometimes people assume Bible translation is a modern issue. In reality, translation has always been part of sharing God’s Word with the world.
Famous Examples In The New Testament
Here are a few well-known areas where New Testament quotations reflect Septuagint wording:
| Old Testament Passage | New Testament Reference |
|---|---|
| Isaiah 61 | Luke 4 |
| Psalm 40 | Hebrews 10 |
| Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1 |
In several of these passages, the Greek wording influenced how early Christians understood prophecy and fulfilled promises about Jesus.
This is one reason the Septuagint remains important for biblical scholarship today.
Why The Septuagint Matters In Bible History
The LXX is not just an ancient curiosity sitting in museums.
It played a major role in shaping Christianity.
Before the New Testament was fully written and collected, many believers already used the Septuagint as their primary Old Testament Bible. Early churches throughout the Greek-speaking world read from it regularly.
The apostles likely encountered it often during ministry journeys.
Church fathers quoted it.
Missionaries copied it.
Teachers explained it.
For centuries, the Septuagint influenced Christian thought, preaching, and worship.
Understanding this helps answer another common question: how was the Bible put together?
The Bible did not appear all at once as a single printed book. God’s Word was preserved through scrolls, manuscripts, translations, and generations of faithful copying.
The Septuagint became one of the bridges that carried Scripture from the Hebrew world into the wider nations.
That bridge mattered greatly.
Without Greek translations, many Gentiles in the ancient world may never have encountered the Old Testament teachings that prepared hearts for Jesus.
The Difference Between Hebrew And Greek Texts
Some readers become nervous when they hear the Septuagint differs from Hebrew manuscripts in certain places.
But these differences are usually minor.
For example:
- Some verses may use slightly different wording
- Certain names may be spelled differently
- Sentence order may vary
- Some books include additional historical details
This is normal in ancient manuscript history.
Modern Bible scholars compare Hebrew texts, Greek texts, Dead Sea Scrolls, and other ancient sources carefully. Their goal is to understand Scripture as accurately as possible.
That is why serious Bible translation work takes years.
The existence of these manuscripts does not weaken faith. In many ways, it strengthens confidence because we can compare ancient witnesses instead of relying on only one source.
Is The LXX Still Used Today?
Yes, absolutely.
The Septuagint is still studied and used around the world.
Eastern Orthodox churches especially value the Septuagint as an important Old Testament source. Many scholars also continue studying it because it helps explain how ancient Jewish communities understood Scripture before and during the time of Jesus.
Modern study Bibles sometimes include Septuagint notes in footnotes or commentary sections.
Seminary students often learn about it when studying:
- Old Testament history
- Biblical languages
- Ancient manuscripts
- Bible translation history
Even ordinary Bible readers can benefit from learning about the LXX because it deepens appreciation for how carefully God’s Word has been preserved.
Some people spend years asking which Bible translation is the most accurate. The truth is that many trustworthy translations exist today because scholars compare ancient manuscripts carefully, including the Septuagint.
God has preserved His truth through generations of faithful work.
How Many People In The World Do Not Have A Bible?
This question may seem unrelated at first, but it connects deeply with the story of the Septuagint.
The Septuagint existed because people needed Scripture in a language they understood.
That mission continues today.
According to Bible translation organizations, millions of people around the world still do not have access to the full Bible in their native language. Some communities only have portions of Scripture. Others are still waiting for translation work to begin.
This reminds us that Bible translation is not only about scholarship. It is also about love.
People long to hear God’s Word in the language of their hearts.
The same desire that led Jewish scholars to create the Septuagint thousands of years ago still motivates translators today.
When missionaries work on Bible translations in remote languages, they are continuing a very old tradition.
They are helping people hear Scripture clearly.
Why Early Christians Valued The Septuagint
The first Christians lived in a multilingual world.
Some spoke Hebrew.
Some spoke Aramaic.
Many spoke Greek.
Because Greek was so widespread, the Septuagint became extremely useful for evangelism and teaching.
Imagine Paul traveling through cities like Corinth, Ephesus, and Thessalonica. Many people there could not read Hebrew. Greek translations allowed the apostles to explain Old Testament prophecies about Jesus to wider audiences.
This helped Christianity spread rapidly.
The Septuagint also influenced Christian theology in important ways. Certain Greek word choices shaped how early believers understood themes like:
- salvation
- righteousness
- wisdom
- covenant
- Messiah
That influence can still be seen in Christian teaching today.
What The LXX Teaches Us About God’s Word
The story of the Septuagint teaches something beautiful.
God’s truth is not trapped in one culture or language.
From the beginning, Scripture moved outward toward people.
Hebrew-speaking believers preserved it carefully.
Greek-speaking Jews translated it faithfully.
Early Christians shared it boldly.
Modern translators continue carrying it across the world.
That long journey shows God’s desire for people everywhere to know Him.
Sometimes believers worry when they hear about manuscript studies, ancient copies, or Bible translations. But the existence of texts like the LXX actually shows how seriously generations took the responsibility of preserving Scripture.
People copied it carefully because they believed God’s Word mattered deeply.
And it still does.
When you see “LXX” in a Bible note now, you do not need to feel confused. You are looking at a doorway into one of the most important chapters in biblical history.
The Septuagint reminds us that God’s Word has traveled through centuries, languages, empires, and nations while continuing to speak hope, truth, and life to people everywhere.
If you enjoy studying topics like what language was the Bible originally written in or how was the Bible put together, the history of the LXX opens the door to a richer understanding of Scripture and its incredible journey through history.
Reverend James has spent years studying and teaching the Bible. With warmth and wisdom, he shares deep truths in a way that’s clear, simple, and easy to understand.
