10 Best Septuagint Bibles in English Translation for Study and Reading (2026)

Choosing an English Septuagint is not just a matter of picking the newest edition. These books differ in translation style, included texts, study features, and whether they print the Greek alongside English.

Our 10 picks cover modern scholarly translations, classic English renderings, and options for Orthodox readers. Here’s how to choose an edition you’ll actually use.

Best 10 Septuagint Bible English Translation Picks for 2026

Best for Straightforward Reading – Lexham English Septuagint

If you want a septuagint bible english translation for reading alongside a familiar English Bible, the Lexham English Septuagint offers a literal, readable rendering translated directly from Swete’s Greek edition. Its single-column layout is designed for comfortable reading.

Best For: Readers who want a modern English Septuagint that stays close to the Greek text.

Pros:

• Literal, transparent translation intended to remain readable.
• Familiar forms of personal and place names support comparison with other English Bibles.
• Includes Old Testament writings and Apocrypha texts in a single-column edition.

Cons:

• Does not provide a parallel Greek text for line-by-line comparison.
• Literal wording may be less fluid than a freer translation.

Choose this edition if your priority is reading the Septuagint in English rather than consulting Greek and English on the same page.

Best Orthodox Study Edition – The Orthodox Study Bible

For a septuagint bible english translation with a distinctly Orthodox study approach, this hardcover pairs a newly translated Greek Septuagint Old Testament, including the Deuterocanon, with the New King James Version New Testament. Commentary and reading aids make it more than a stand-alone translation.

Best For: Readers seeking Septuagint-based Scripture alongside Orthodox Christian commentary and study features.

Pros:

• Old Testament is newly translated from the Greek Septuagint and includes the Deuterocanon.
• Includes commentary drawn from an early Christian perspective, plus book introductions and outlines.
• Liturgical readings, a subject index, full-color icons, and maps add study context.

Cons:

• The New Testament uses the NKJV rather than a Septuagint translation.
• At 1,856 pages, it is a substantial volume.

This is the most suitable choice here when Orthodox interpretation and study tools matter as much as access to the Greek-based Old Testament in English.

Best for Textual Study – A New English Translation of the Septuagint

If your search for a septuagint bible english translation is driven by biblical study, A New English Translation of the Septuagint offers a modern English rendering of this ancient Greek collection. It is particularly relevant to readers investigating the Septuagint’s place in Jewish and early Christian textual history.

Best For: Students and readers examining the Septuagint’s wording and its influence on biblical interpretation.

Pros:

• Provides a modern English translation of the Septuagint.
• Includes the books of the Hebrew Bible plus additions described in the collection.
• Its focus suits study of textual history and early Christian Scripture.

Cons:

• The supplied description does not identify a parallel Greek text.
• It is not presented as a study Bible with devotional commentary or maps.

Pick this volume when the translation itself is your main resource for exploring the ancient Greek Scriptures in English.

Best Greek-English Parallel Text – The Septuagint with Apocrypha

For a septuagint bible english translation you can compare directly with the Greek, this volume places the complete Septuagint text beside Brenton’s English translation in parallel columns. It also includes the Apocrypha, making it a practical reference for Greek students.

Best For: Readers who want to compare Septuagint Greek with English on the same page.

Pros:

• Complete Greek text and Brenton’s English appear in parallel columns.
• Includes the Apocrypha.
• Useful for studying Greek vocabulary that appears in New Testament quotations and terms.

Cons:

• Brenton’s translation dates to the nineteenth century rather than modern English translation work.
• This edition is a photo-reproduction of an 1851 publication.

Its side-by-side format is the deciding advantage if checking English against Greek is more important to you than having a newly translated edition.

Complete Print Edition – LXX Septuagint: An English Translation of the Greek Old Testament

If you want a septuagint bible english translation in print, this Beloved Publishing edition offers Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton’s classic translation in a compacted, 692-page volume containing all 70 books.

Best For: Readers who want the complete Brenton translation in one printed volume.

Pros:

• Includes all 70 books.
• Preserves a longstanding translation used in biblical studies.
• Single-volume print edition.

Cons:

• Brenton’s nineteenth-century translation may feel dated to readers seeking modern English.
• At 3.21 pounds, it is relatively heavy to carry.

Choose this edition if complete book coverage and the classic Brenton text matter more to you than updated wording or a lightweight format.

Accessible Digital Edition – English Translation of the Greek Septuagint, Including the Apocrypha

For a digital septuagint bible english translation, this edition compiles Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton’s translation of the Greek Old Testament, including the Apocrypha. Its listed reading features make it a practical option for readers who prefer an ebook.

Best For: Ebook readers who want Brenton’s translation with the Apocrypha and screen-reader support.

Pros:

• Includes the Apocrypha.
• Supports screen readers and enhanced typesetting.
• Offers Word Wise and Page Flip.

Cons:

• X-Ray is not enabled.
• Based on Brenton’s 1851 translation rather than a newly translated text.

This is a sensible pick when digital reading features and Apocrypha coverage are your priorities; look elsewhere if X-Ray is essential.

Updated Brenton Edition – The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Third Edition

If you want a septuagint bible english translation that retains Brenton’s work while easing some of its older phrasing, this Ex Fontibus third edition revises and corrects the text. It also includes the Apocrypha.

Best For: Print readers who want a clarified version of Brenton’s translation with the Apocrypha.

Pros:

• Removes many archaisms and clarifies language.
• Uses consistent modern-English personal pronouns.
• Corrected third edition includes the Apocrypha.

Cons:

• It remains an edition of Brenton’s translation, not an entirely new translation.
• Its 652 pages and 2.49-pound weight may be less convenient for travel.

This edition strikes a useful balance for readers who value the familiar Brenton text but would appreciate clearer wording in a printed volume.

Historical Translation Pick – 1851 Septuagint with Apocrypha

If you’re comparing septuagint bible english translation editions, this 754-page volume is presented as the 1851 English translation of the Greek Scriptures, including the Apocrypha. Its 6-by-9-inch format offers a more compact footprint than a large-format study volume.

Best For: Readers seeking an edition identified with the 1851 translation and the Apocrypha.

Pros:

• Identifies its English text as the 1851 translation.
• Includes the Apocrypha alongside the Greek Old Testament texts.
• Standard 6-by-9-inch page size is less expansive than an oversized edition.

Cons:

• At 754 pages and 2.72 pounds, it is still a substantial book.
• The supplied details do not specify font size or study notes.

Choose this one for its stated translation lineage and coverage; check a sample page if typography or editorial aids matter to you.

Large-Print Pick – Oversized Septuagint with Apocrypha

For shoppers prioritizing readability in a septuagint bible english translation, this edition advertises 12-point type on 8.27-by-11.69-inch pages. It is described as covering the Greek Old Testament and the Apocrypha in 600 pages.

Best For: Readers who prefer larger type and pages for at-home reading or study.

Pros:

• Advertised 12-point font supports easier reading than unspecified small type.
• Oversized pages provide a roomy reading format.
• Includes the Apocrypha.

Cons:

• Its 3.27-pound weight and large dimensions make it less convenient to carry.
• The supplied information does not identify a named historical translation or specify study notes.

The main reason to pick this edition is its stated print size; buyers wanting a particular translation lineage should verify the text before ordering.

Standard-Size Option – 754-Page Septuagint with Apocrypha

This septuagint bible english translation option is listed as a 754-page English edition of the Greek text, including the Apocrypha. Its 6-by-9-inch dimensions suit readers who prefer a standard-size book over an oversized volume.

Best For: Readers looking for an English Septuagint listing with the Apocrypha in a standard-size format.

Pros:

• Title explicitly includes the Apocrypha.
• 6-by-9-inch format has a smaller footprint than a large-format edition.
• 754-page length provides a substantial single volume.

Cons:

• At 2.72 pounds, it may be heavy for reading on the go.
• The supplied description focuses on Septuagint history rather than identifying the English translator, type size, or study features.

Consider this for the listed coverage and familiar book size, but inspect the listing closely if the translation’s provenance is central to your purchase.

How We Picked the Best Septuagint Bible English Translation

We focused on what buyers can use to distinguish one edition from another: its translation, Greek text, contents, notes, and reading format. The selection includes modern translations, older English renderings, a Greek–English option, and a study Bible. Several listings have similar names, so check the publisher, translator, ISBN, and sample pages before ordering; a different cover does not necessarily mean a different translation.

Quick Comparison: Which Type Fits Your Needs?

• Modern English translation: Start with The Lexham English Septuagint or A New English Translation of the Septuagint if you want contemporary language and a translation made for close engagement with the Greek.
• Orthodox study resource: Choose The Orthodox Study Bible for commentary and an Orthodox reading context. It is a study Bible, not simply a standalone Septuagint translation.
• Greek and English together: Consider The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English if you want to compare the languages on the page.
• Classic English style: Look at the Brenton-associated or 1851-based editions if you prefer an older rendering. Verify the exact text and editorial changes in the listing.

Key Buying Factors for a Septuagint Bible English Translation

Translation Approach and Readability

A newer translation may be easier to read and may explain difficult Greek readings in its notes. An older translation can be useful for historical comparison but may sound dated. Read a sample from a familiar passage before buying; the most useful Septuagint Bible English Translation is one whose wording and apparatus suit your purpose.

Book List and Textual Basis

“Including the Apocrypha” does not guarantee the same contents or book order across editions. Check the table of contents for any books important to you. Also look for an introduction explaining which Greek texts the translators used and how they handle passages that differ from the Hebrew Bible. English translations of the Septuagint are not interchangeable with translations of the Hebrew Masoretic Text.

Page Layout and Study Tools

Greek–English layouts help with word-level comparison but can make a volume larger or the type smaller. Footnotes, cross-references, and introductions are valuable for research; a cleaner page may be better for sustained reading. Confirm whether a listing is a hardcover, paperback, or digital edition, and inspect page samples when available.

Who Should Buy Which Septuagint Bible English Translation?

For general reading in contemporary English, begin with Lexham or NETS and compare their sample passages and notes. For Orthodox devotional reading, the Orthodox Study Bible is the more purpose-built choice. If you read Greek, prioritize a bilingual edition and verify that its layout is comfortable. If you want to consult a historically influential English rendering or spend less on a reprint, an older Brenton-style edition may fit—provided the listing clearly identifies its translation and contents.