Reflections on the Septuagint with Special Attention Paid to the Post-Pentateuchal Translations

This paper focuses on the nature of the individual translation units in the post-Pentateuchal books, their place of origin, the relation between the translation units, the nature of Greek Scripture, and the possible development of the translation enterprise. Most of the circumstances surrounding the creation of these books are unknown. The approach of many modern scholars towards these versions was already shaped in antiquity since they are often influenced by the translation of the Torah in their analysis of the later translations. The following issues are addressed: (1) Are the post-Pentateuchal versions Jewish? (2) Place of origin of the post-Pentateuchal books. The Alexandrian background of the post-Pentateuchal books is presupposed by most or many scholars, but this assumption is very unlikely. It seems that a better case can be made for a Palestinian background than an Egyptian one for most books. This paper discusses different models of interaction between Palestine and Egypt. (3) Nature of the translation enterprise. (4) Heterogeneity of Greek Scripture. The lack of unity was caused by the lack of planning at all stages of the enterprise, including the choice of the Hebrew base texts and that of the composition of the archetype of the canonical collection, and is best visible in the post-Pentateuchal books. (5) Gradual development of the collection of translations? Scholars usually assume that the collection of translations grew gradually, but very little is known about this process. (6) Hebrew text underlying the LXX.