The relationship between the Vulgate Bible and the Septuagint is one of the most important topics in biblical translation history. Many readers wonder whether the Vulgate, the famous Latin translation of the Bible completed by St. Jerome, uses the Septuagint as its source. The answer is not simple, because it depends on which part of the Bible is being discussed. The Vulgate has a mixed relationship with the Septuagint in some sections it follows it closely, while in others it moves away and relies on Hebrew manuscripts instead. Understanding this relationship helps explain how the Vulgate became one of the most influential biblical texts in Western Christianity.
What Is the Septuagint?
The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. It was created between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC in Alexandria, Egypt. According to tradition, it was translated by seventy (or seventy-two) Jewish scholars, which is why it is often referred to as the LXX, the Roman numeral for seventy.
The Septuagint became widely used among Greek-speaking Jews and later among early Christians. In fact, many New Testament writers often quoted scripture in the form found in the Septuagint rather than the Hebrew text.
Because of its early influence, the Septuagint played a major role in shaping Christian theology and biblical interpretation in the Greek-speaking world.
What Is the Vulgate?
The Vulgate is the Latin translation of the Bible completed mainly by St. Jerome in the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. It became the standard Bible of the Western Christian Church for over a thousand years.
Jerome was commissioned to revise existing Latin translations and produce a more accurate and consistent version of the Scriptures. His work included the Old Testament, New Testament, and several additional biblical books used in Christian tradition.
The Vulgate was designed to provide a clear and unified Latin text for worship, study, and teaching throughout the Roman world.
Jerome’s Approach to Translation
St. Jerome’s translation method is key to understanding the relationship between the Vulgate and the Septuagint. At the beginning of his work, Jerome relied heavily on the Septuagint for translating parts of the Old Testament because it was widely used in Christian communities.
However, Jerome later changed his approach. He began to prefer Hebrew manuscripts over the Greek Septuagint for translating the Old Testament. He believed that the Hebrew texts were closer to the original writings of the Old Testament authors.
This decision created a major shift in biblical translation history, as Jerome’s Vulgate became one of the first Latin Bibles to be based directly on Hebrew sources rather than the Greek Septuagint.
Jerome’s Translation Strategy
- Used Septuagint in early translation stages
- Later shifted to Hebrew manuscripts for accuracy
- Revised existing Latin translations for consistency
- Balanced Greek and Hebrew sources depending on the book
Does the Vulgate Use the Septuagint?
The answer is both yes and no. The Vulgate uses the Septuagint in some parts, especially in the early revisions and certain books where Hebrew sources were less accessible or unclear. However, Jerome deliberately moved away from the Septuagint in many sections of the Old Testament.
For most of the Old Testament, Jerome preferred Hebrew manuscripts because he believed they were more accurate. This means that the Vulgate often differs from the Septuagint in wording, structure, and sometimes even in meaning.
In contrast, the New Testament in the Vulgate is not based on the Septuagint at all, since the New Testament was originally written in Greek. Jerome revised these texts using Greek manuscripts directly.
Comparison Between Vulgate and Septuagint
Although both the Vulgate and the Septuagint are important biblical translations, they are based on different linguistic traditions. The Septuagint is a Greek translation of Hebrew scripture, while the Vulgate is a Latin translation based primarily on Hebrew and Greek sources.
This difference leads to variations in wording and interpretation between the two texts.
Main Differences
- Septuagint is Greek; Vulgate is Latin
- Septuagint translates Hebrew text; Vulgate often revises Hebrew directly
- Different wording in prophetic and poetic books
- Some books appear differently arranged or interpreted
These differences show that while the two texts are related, they are not identical in structure or content.
Books Where the Septuagint Influenced the Vulgate
There are certain books in the Vulgate where the influence of the Septuagint is more visible. In some cases, Jerome followed the Septuagint tradition when Hebrew manuscripts were unclear or when the Greek version was widely accepted in Christian usage.
This is especially true in the deuterocanonical books, which were part of the Septuagint but not always present in Hebrew texts. These books include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, and Maccabees.
In these cases, the Vulgate often reflects Septuagint wording and structure more closely than in other parts of the Old Testament.
Books Where Jerome Preferred Hebrew Texts
In most of the Old Testament, Jerome preferred Hebrew manuscripts over the Septuagint. He believed that Hebrew texts represented the original form of the Scriptures more accurately.
As a result, books such as Genesis, Isaiah, and Psalms in the Vulgate often differ from their Septuagint counterparts.
This choice marked a significant shift in biblical translation, emphasizing direct engagement with original language sources rather than relying on secondary translations.
Impact on Christian Tradition
The Vulgate’s partial use of the Septuagint had a lasting impact on Christian tradition. Because the Septuagint was already widely used in early Christianity, some of its phrasing and interpretations were carried into the Vulgate tradition.
This created a blend of Hebrew-based and Greek-based traditions within Western Christianity. As a result, certain theological interpretations in the Catholic Church were influenced indirectly by the Septuagint through the Vulgate.
At the same time, Jerome’s Hebrew-based translations introduced new perspectives that shaped Western biblical interpretation in different ways.
Why Jerome Moved Away from the Septuagint
Jerome’s decision to move away from the Septuagint was based on scholarly reasoning. He believed that translations should be as close as possible to the original Hebrew texts. In his view, relying on a translation of a translation (Hebrew → Greek → Latin) could introduce errors or distortions.
By using Hebrew manuscripts directly, Jerome aimed to produce a more accurate and faithful Latin Bible.
This approach was controversial at the time, but it eventually became the foundation of the Vulgate’s authority in the Western Church.
Scholarly Importance of the Relationship
The relationship between the Vulgate and the Septuagint is very important for biblical scholars today. By comparing the two texts, researchers can better understand how biblical traditions evolved over time.
These comparisons help identify differences in translation choices, theological interpretation, and textual transmission.
They also provide insight into how early Christians understood and adapted scripture across different languages and cultures.
Modern Study of Vulgate and Septuagint
Today, scholars continue to study both the Vulgate and the Septuagint to better understand the history of the Bible. The two texts are often compared side by side in academic research.
This helps reveal how ancient translators interpreted difficult passages and how those interpretations influenced later Christian thought.
The study of these texts is essential for understanding the development of biblical literature and translation practices.
The Vulgate does use the Septuagint in certain parts, but it is not fully based on it. St. Jerome initially relied on the Septuagint but later shifted toward Hebrew manuscripts for most of the Old Testament. As a result, the Vulgate represents a combination of translation traditions, blending Greek influence with Hebrew sources.
This mixed relationship makes the Vulgate a unique and historically significant Bible translation. It stands at the crossroads of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin traditions, shaping the way scripture was understood in Western Christianity for centuries.
Understanding this relationship between the Vulgate and the Septuagint helps reveal the complex history of biblical translation and the development of Christian thought across different languages and cultures.