The International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies

IOSCS

The International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies (IOSCS) is a nonprofit, learned society formed to promote international research in and study of the Septuagint and related texts. By the term Septuagint is meant the ancient translations of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, including both the translation of the Pentateuch and that of the other books of the “Alexandrian Canon.” By the term cognate studies is meant the study of the ancient translations made from the Septuagint (“daughter versions”) and the so-called apocryphal and pseudepigraphical literature circulating around the turn of the era.

Membership

Individuals and institutions with an interest in the Septuagint and related materials are welcome as members in the IOSCS. For more information about membership, please follow this link.

Journal

jscs-cover The IOSCS publishes an annual journal. Through issue 43, this publication was known as the Bulletin of the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies (BIOSCS). With issue 44 (2011), the name became Journal of Septuagint and Cognate Studies (JSCS).

Articles submitted to the journal are double-blind peer-reviewed by multiple scholars. To safeguard the integrity of the peer-review process, the names of reviewers are not published or made known. The current Editor is Eberhard Bons (Université de Strasbourg).

All current members and subscribers receive the Journal. Follow this link to become a subscriber or to renew your subscription.

The first 51 volumes of our Journal are available online in PDF form.

Septuagint and Cognate Studies (SCS) Monograph Series

Under the auspices of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), the IOSCS publishes a monograph series, refereed by its Editor (a member of the Executive Committee) in consultation with other scholars at the Editor’s invitation. The current editor is Martin Rösel, and the editorial board is composed of Daniela Scialabba, Gideon Kotzé, Siegfried Kreuzer, Jean Maurais, Arie van der Kooij and Bénédicte Lemmelijn.

Critical Editions of Septuagint or Old Greek Texts

In response to questions about the best available critical editions of the Septuagint or Old Greek for use in scholarly discussion and development, including electronically based research, the Executive Committee of the IOSCS offers recommendations.

Septuagint Translations Available

New translations of the Septuagint into modern languages have become available in recent years. Read more …

Projects of the IOSCS

The following projects are conducted under the auspices of the IOSCS.

The John William Wevers Prize in Septuagint Studies

The International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies (IOSCS) offers an annual prize of $500 to be awarded to an outstanding paper in the field of Septuagint studies. The prize has been named in memory of John William Wevers to honor his many contributions to the field of Septuagint studies. More information is available. The deadline for this year’s submissions is September 1.

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News and Announcements

John William Wevers Prize 2024

Annual John William Wevers Prize Competition: The International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies (IOSCS) offers an annual prize of $500 to be awarded to an outstanding paper in the field of Septuagint studies. The prize has been named in memory of John William Wevers to honor his many contributions to Septuagint studies.

The field of Septuagint studies is construed broadly, and a paper may focus on any aspect of the study of the Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures. The IOSCS wants to encourage the study of these translations by scholars early in their careers, and eligibility is thus limited to advanced graduate students or recent Ph.D. recipients (4 years or less after receiving the degree).

The papers will be judged by a committee of IOSCS members, with the expectation that the winning paper be published in the Journal of Septuagint and Cognate Studies (JSCS).

The deadline for submitting papers for the current year is November 1, 2024. Papers should be between 4500–5500 words in length. Please submit the paper electronically to Dr. Theo van der Louw at the following address: theo_vanderlouw@sil.org. The winner will be announced in early 2025.

Sun 18 Aug 2024 | Board

Call for Papers: IOSCS Meeting IOSOT 2025

Call for Papers: XIX Congress of the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, Berlin, 11-12 August 2025 in conjunction with IOSOT

The main theme of the IOSCS meeting will be ‘The Septuagint: Text, Language, and Transmission’, encompassing questions of critical editing, linguistic features, translation, and reception.

In addition, we invite panel sessions from several IOSCS projects (Hexapla Project, LXX.D, SBLCS) and other allied groups (e.g. HTLS, Göttinger Septuaginta, La Bible d’Alexandrie) on aspects of their current work.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 31st December 2024. Abstracts of up to 250 words should be sent to the secretary of IOSCS, Dr. Felix Albrecht (felix.albrecht@adwgoe.de) for consideration by the programme committee. Decisions will be made by 31st January 2025. Presenters will be required to hold paid-up membership of the IOSCS.

 

Sat 13 Jul 2024 | Board

Grinfield Lecturership on the Septuagint, 2025–27 (University of Oxford)

The Electors of the Grinfield Lecturership propose to appoint a lecturer to hold office for two years from 1 October 2025.

The lecturer is required to give three lectures in each academic year in Oxford, on the LXX version of the Hebrew Scriptures, and addressing any aspect of its history (including its material culture as represented by papyri and manuscripts), its versions, its philological character, or its bearing on the criticism of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.

The stipend of the lectureship is £1,500 per year of the lectureship. A grant may be made towards the cost of travelling and other expenses. The lectures are normally held in February of each year of the tenure of the post.

Candidates for the lectureship should send their names, a curriculum vitae, and a detailed statement of the subject of the lectures which they propose to deliver, together with any further information which they may consider appropriate, by email to the Head of Administration and Finance (haf@theology.ox.ac.uk), not later than 1st October 2024.

The choice of the Electors will not be limited to those who apply, and preference will be given to proposals that would form the basis for a book.

For examples of recent lecture series, see https://vimeo.com/ochjs under ‘Grinfield Lectures'.

Wed 03 Jul 2024 | Board

2024 Septuagint Summer Course: The Septuagint and Law

The annual Septuagint Summer Course hosted by the John William Wevers Institute of Septuagint Studies at Trinity Western University (Langley, British Columbia, Canada) has just been announced. The course "The Septuagint and Law" will be held June 24-28, 2024. It is possible to attend either in-person or online. For registration or information, download the poster here.

Tue 05 Mar 2024 | Board

Grinfield Lecture 2023–2024

The dates for Sébastien Morlet’s second series of Grinfield lectures have just been announced. Download the poster here

Wed 03 Jan 2024 | Board

More News and Announcements

For previous news and announcements, please consult our news archive.