Happy Septuagint Day!

Thanks to Jim Davila for pointing out on his blog that today, Feb 8, is International Septuagint day. As anyone reading this blog probably knows, the Septuagint (LXX) is the term for a collection of Greek translations of the Hebrew Scriptures made in the early centuries BCE as a result of the spread of Greek language and culture, as well as of the settlement of Jews throughout the Mediterranean world. This particular date has been designated by the International Association for Septuagint and Cognate Studies as a day to promote and encourage the study of these texts. On their site they have posted a number of very good introductory resources about the LXX in honor of this day. Studies of the LXX have important implications for the study of Paul, early Judaism, the New Testament, the textual history of the Hebrew Bible, and early Christianity more broadly. Check out the links here. To my not very great surprise I did not see a large selection of "International Septuagint Day" cards at Hallmark this year, so my students, colleagues, and  wife should not expect a card this year. Maybe next year?