After the Northern Kingdom (Israel) was captured by the Assyrians (722 BC) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) was destroyed by the Babylonians (586 BC) the Jewish population was deported. Many returned to their homeland upon their release, but others spread throughout the world. Far removed from Judea, many Jews lost their Hebrew mastery as Greek became their main language. This created a growing need for a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. Alexandria, Egypt, held the largest Jewish community of that era and was also a great center of Greek learning. On request of the Alexandrian Jews - according to tradition (supported by the legend of Ptolemy and other scholars) - some 70 Hebrew scribes traveled to Alexandria in 285-270 BC where they produced a translation now known as the Septuagint. That name derives from the Greek word for 70 and is also designated as LXX (the Latin numeral for 70).
Overall the translation was executed with great care given the means of those days and the challenges that faced translators. Still, when comparing the LXX and the Hebrew (Masoretic) texts a number of small differences between the texts can be noted. Through the Dead Sea Scrolls, many of these differences are now identified as being caused by the fact that translators likely followed a different Hebrew text belonging to what now is called the Proto-Septuagint family.
In addition to the 24 books of the Hebrew Old Testament, the LXX contains additional books as well as add-ons to books circulated in the Greek-speaking world, but were not included in the Hebrew texts. These books are now known as the Apocrypha of the Old Testament.
The LXX was held with great respect in ancient times; Philo and Josephus ascribed divine inspiration to its authors. It formed the basis of the Old Latin versions and is still used intact within the Eastern Orthodox Church. Besides the Old Latin versions, the LXX is also the basis for Gothic, Slavonic, old Syriac, old Armenian, and Coptic versions of the Old Testament.
Significant to all Christians and Bible scholars is the fact that the LXX was quoted both by the writers of the New Testament and by the leaders of the early church. Christians naturally used the LXX since it was the only Greek version available to the earliest Christians, who, as a group, had rapidly become overwhelmingly Gentile and, therefore, unfamiliar with Hebrew. While Jews have not used the LXX in worship or religious study since the second century AD, recent scholarship has brought renewed interest towards it in Judaic Studies. The oldest surviving LXX codices date to the fourth century AD.
The importance of the LXX as evidence for the reliability of the texts of the Old Testament is two-fold:
1) Confirmation of the Masoretic texts: Although there are textual differences between the LXX and the Masoretic texts, generally these differences are small.
2) Confirmation of early texts: The LXX was translated from the Hebrew Scriptures in the years 285-250 BC. It includes all 24 books of the Hebrew Old Testament. Therefore the existence of the LXX proves that the OT was widely available in written form before this time. Therefore the prophecies in the book of Daniel about the Greek and Roman empires as well the extensive prophecies about the Messiah in Daniel, Isaiah and especially Psalm 22 were written well before the actual events happened.
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The Old Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about a problem between Jacob and Laban. Laban deceived Jacob, and changed his wages ten times but God suffered him not to hurt Jacob. The cattle and rams were the cause of that problem.
The New Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about Jesus entered into the synagogue; and healed a man which had a withered hand on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees (Jewish Priests) took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy Jesus.
The Noble Quran Verses from 1-10 are talking about the Quran is the wise Scripture which explain the lawful and the unlawful, the commands and prohibitions, it is the guidance for the sincere ones who believe in Allah's divine Oneness, those who perform the five daily prayers with their obligatory ritual ablution, bowing, prostration and that which is enjoined in them within their prescribed times and pay the poor-due from their wealth and believe in resurrection after death. They have a clear sight and honour; and they are saved from Allah's wrath and chastisement; for them are gardens of delight) whose delight is endless. Wherein they will abide) for eternity, never to die or leave it But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge to mislead the others from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule on the Path of Allah: for such there will be a humiliating Penalty; When Our Signs are rehearsed to such a one, he turns away in arrogance, announce to him a grievous Penalty. It is Allah who created the heavens, He set on the Earth Mountains, He send down rain from the sky, and produce on the earth every kind of creature.
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By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 16/10/2007 | Religion
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The Last verse in chapter (12) of the New Testament says: "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
The Last verse in chapter (12) of the Noble Quran says: " In their (the Messengers) history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and guidance and a mercy to any such as believe."
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The New Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about the Lord Jesus healed a leper and sick man of the palsy.
The Noble Quran Verses from 1-10 are talking about fear Allah, and keep straight, obey Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe." Then the Quran defines the Believers as those who are, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His Signs rehearsed find their faith strengthened, and put all their trust in Allah and they who establish regular prayers. Then the Quran describes the story of the escape of Mohammad from home to Medina (about 400 miles away) when the unbelievers assembled to kill him.
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The Middle verse in chapter (3) of the New Testament says:" And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."
The Middle verse in chapter (3) of the Noble Quran says:" Believers, if you obey a sect of those who were given the book, they will turn you into unbelievers after you have believed."
The Last Verse in Bible Versus Quran - Chapter (7)
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 15/10/2007 | Religion
The Last verse in chapter (7) of the Old Testament says:" And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days."
The Last verse in chapter (7) of the New Testament says:" For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
The Last verse in chapter (7) of the Noble Quran says:" Surely those who are with your Lord are not too proud to serve him, and they declare his glory and prostrate in humility before him."
Is the Quran Quoted From the Bible? (19) - Chapter 19
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 16/10/2007 | Religion
The Old Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about Lot gave his two guests (Angels) food and they ate.
Lot's people wanted to have sex with Lot guests but they could not. According to Islamic teachings, the Angels do not eat, sleep or marry!
The New Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about the Pharisees (Jews) tried again to tempt Jesus about the divorce. Jesus said whosoever divorce his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, he commits adultery: and whosoever marries divorced woman commits adultery. According to Jesus teaching the majority of the western men commit adultery!
The Noble Quran Verses from 1-10 are talking about the story of Zakariya, John's father and the birth of John whose name in the Quran is Yahya. The birth of John was miraculous because both of his parents were very old.
Zakariya prayed to Allah to give him a son. The Angels came to Zakariya and told him that he will have John. Zakariya asked for a sign, Allah gave him a sign.
Is the Quran Quoted From the Bible? (21) - Chapter 21
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 20/10/2007 | Religion
The Old Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about Sarah commanded Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael and said that Ishmael not be heir with Isaac.
Sarah acted as if she was the Lord! However, the women at the time of Abraham had no saying! This story is not found in the Quran.
The New Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about How Jesus went to Jerusalem riding an ass.
The Noble Quran Verses from 1-10 are talking about man never listens carefully to his Lord's message. Your Lord knows and hears all things.
The unbelievers said about the Quran that it is medleys of dreams! Nay, Mohammad forged it! Nay, Mohammad is (but) a poet! Nay Mohammad has to bring us a Sign like the ones that were sent to the old Prophets! The unbelievers at the time of Mohammad did the as those of the ancient times whom Allah destroyed because of their transgression!
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