The Library of Alexandria and the Septuagint: A Tapestry of Divine Providence
In the annals of ancient history, few institutions command as much awe and intrigue as the fabled Library of Alexandria. A monumental repository of human knowledge, it stood as a testament to intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of understanding. Yet, within its illustrious halls, a work of profound spiritual significance took shape, one that would profoundly impact the course of salvation history: the Septuagint. This Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, born amidst the Hellenistic fervor of Alexandria, was not merely an academic endeavor but a divinely orchestrated preparation for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Its creation under the patronage associated with the Library underscores God's intricate design, using human institutions and desires to fulfill His eternal purposes, as the KJV Bible consistently affirms the enduring power and reach of His Word.
The Library of Alexandria: A Beacon of Ancient Knowledge
Established in the third century B.C. by the Ptolemaic dynasty, the Library of Alexandria was more than just a collection of scrolls; it was the intellectual heart of the ancient world. Under the patronage of Ptolemy I Soter and particularly his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, it aimed to gather "all the books of the world." Scholars from across the Hellenistic realm converged there, studying, copying, and translating texts ranging from philosophy and science to literature and history. Its ambition was unprecedented, seeking to amass the sum total of human wisdom. The Library's existence fostered an environment ripe for intellectual exchange and translation, making it a natural crucible for the creation of a Greek version of the sacred Hebrew Scriptures. The Ptolemies, in their quest for universal knowledge, unwittingly became instruments in God's plan to disseminate His revealed truth to a wider, Greek-speaking world.
The Genesis of the Septuagint: A Historical Account
The traditional account of the Septuagint's origin, primarily drawn from the Letter of Aristeas, narrates a fascinating story deeply intertwined with the Library's ambition. According to this narrative, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, desiring to complete his Library's collection with a copy of the Jewish Law, sent an embassy to Jerusalem. He requested that seventy (or seventy-two) Jewish elders, six from each tribe, be sent to Alexandria to translate the Hebrew Torah into Greek. These scholars, renowned for their piety and knowledge, were reportedly sequestered on the island of Pharos, where they completed the translation in seventy-two days, each arriving at identical translations, a miraculous sign of divine inspiration. While modern scholarship debates the precise details and the miraculous uniformity, the core narrative of a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures being produced in Alexandria during the Ptolemaic era for the benefit of Hellenized Jews and the Library's collection is widely accepted. This endeavor met a pressing need among the large Jewish diaspora in Egypt who, increasingly speaking Greek, found their ancestral Hebrew Scriptures inaccessible. Thus, the Septuagint became their primary access point to the Old Testament, a testament to the Lord's foresight in providing His people with His Word in their common tongue.
Divine Providence in the Septuagint's Creation
The creation of the Septuagint, whether by royal decree or communal necessity, stands as a profound example of God's sovereign providence. Long before the advent of Christianity, God was preparing the linguistic and cultural landscape for the spread of the Gospel. The Hellenization of the world through Alexander the Great's conquests, followed by the establishment of Greek as the common language (Koine Greek), set the stage. The Septuagint then provided the very vocabulary and theological framework through which the New Testament would be written and understood. As Isaiah 40:8 declares, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." God ensured His Word would not only stand but also spread. The Ptolemies' secular desire for a comprehensive library collection unwittingly served a divine purpose, making the Hebrew Scriptures accessible to a vast Gentile audience who would later encounter the message of Christ. This was a crucial step in fulfilling God's promise to Abraham, that "in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3).
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
The Septuagint was instrumental in this preparatory work, spreading the knowledge of the one true God and His laws across the Mediterranean world, thereby plowing the ground for the seeds of the Gospel.
The Septuagint's Influence on the New Testament and Early Church
The Septuagint became the Bible of the early Christian church. Its widespread availability and Greek language made it the natural choice for the apostles and evangelists who preached the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. Many New Testament authors, when quoting the Old Testament, quote directly from the Septuagint, even when its wording differs slightly from the Masoretic (Hebrew) text. A prime example is Matthew 1:23, which quotes Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." The Greek word for "virgin" (parthenos) used in the Septuagint is crucial here, as the Hebrew word (almah) can mean "young woman." This illustrates the Septuagint's providential role in shaping early Christian theology and apologetics.
The early church, largely Greek-speaking and Gentile, adopted the Septuagint as its authoritative Old Testament. It provided a common ground for Jews and Gentiles to discuss the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Without it, the rapid dissemination of the Gospel in the Greek-speaking world would have been immeasurably more difficult. The Septuagint provided:
The fact that God allowed His Word to be translated and widely circulated in the common language of the day perfectly aligns with His desire for all men to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
The Septuagint and the Preservation of God's Word
While the magnificent Library of Alexandria eventually faced decline and destruction, its contents scattered or lost to time, the Septuagint endured. This survival is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to preserve His Word. Human institutions may rise and fall, but "the word of the Lord endureth for ever" (1 Peter 1:25). The Septuagint continued to be copied, studied, and revered by Christians for centuries, serving as the primary Old Testament text until the Reformation era, when renewed emphasis was placed on the original Hebrew texts. Even then, the Septuagint provided valuable insight into the interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures by ancient Jews and the early church. The King James Version, while primarily translated from the Masoretic Hebrew text for the Old Testament, nevertheless stands in a long lineage of biblical translation that acknowledges the historical significance and influence of the Septuagint in transmitting God's truth through the ages.
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
The story of the Septuagint's creation within the context of the Library of Alexandria is a powerful reminder that God uses both the grand designs and the humble necessities of human history to advance His kingdom. The Library's ambition to collect all knowledge inadvertently facilitated the spread of the most important knowledge of all: the revelation of God's plan of salvation.
Conclusion
The connection between the Library of Alexandria and the Septuagint is a remarkable chapter in the history of God's Word. The Library, a symbol of human intellectual aspiration, became the setting for a divinely purposed translation that would bridge cultures and prepare the world for the advent of the Messiah. The Septuagint was not merely an academic artifact but a vital instrument in God's preparatory work, making the Old Testament accessible to a Hellenized world and laying the linguistic and theological groundwork for the New Testament. Its creation, enduring influence, and ultimate survival beyond the physical destruction of the Library serve as a profound testament to God's enduring providence and His faithfulness in preserving His holy Word, ensuring that His truth reaches all nations, as promised in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." The Septuagint, birthed in the intellectual crucible of Alexandria, remains a powerful witness to God's sovereign hand in history.