An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek

Henry Barclay Swete (1835–1917) published An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek in 1900 as a manual to accompany his three-volume edition of the Septuagint (1887–1894) and to provide a guide through the vast corpus of Septuagint literature. Part 1 covers the textual history of the Septuagint, providing an in-depth analysis of its complex tradition, surveying the most important Greek witnesses and the earliest versions. Part 2 discusses the Alexandrian manuscript tradition, and covers the order and grouping of books, titles, comparison with the Hebrew Canon, and the textual divisions used in the manuscripts. Part 3 is concerned with the influence and use of the Septuagint in later works. An appendix contains the letter of pseudo-Aristeas with an introduction explaining the forgery. For over a century Swete's work has been an indispensable tool for every scholar and student of the Septuagint.

Henry Barclay Swete's Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek, first published in 1900, is an indispensable tool for the study of the Septuagint. Swete's discussion of the Septuagint textual tradition and his survey of the most important manuscript witnesses is still essential reading for every scholar and student.